An important part of caring for your puppy will be to make sure he or she is up-to-date for all needed vaccinations. An 8-week-old should already have received his shots, as well as a de-worming. Veterinarians will have varying schedules, however this is a general guideline:
5 weeks
Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks.
6 weeks
• Combination vaccine*
without leptospirosis (this is only included where leptospirosis is a concern). Dogs at high risk are those that live in areas where wild life (raccoon, skunk, deer, etc.) has access to the areas that pup frequents for outside play and/or bathroom needs.
• Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
9 weeks
• Combination vaccine* without leptospirosis.
• Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
12 weeks or older
• Rabies: Age at vaccination may vary according to your local laws
12-16 weeks
• **
Combination vaccine
• Leptospirosis: Include leptosporosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
• Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
• Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Adult
***(boosters)
• Combination vaccine
• Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
• Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
• Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
• Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian (time interval between vaccinations may vary according to local law).
*A combination vaccine, often called a 5-way vaccine, usually includes adenovirus cough and hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Some combination vaccines may also include leptospirosis (7-way vaccines) and/or coronavirus. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred.
**Some puppies may need additional vaccinations against parvovirus after 15 weeks of age. You will want to talk to your veterinarian about this.