when should a puppy have its first shot?

Question

we just got her yesterday and shes 6 weeks

Answer 1

6 to 7 weeks of age: Give first combination vaccine. (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Coronavirus)
9 weeks of age: Give second combination vaccine.
12 weeks of age: Give the third combination injection and possibly a LYME Vaccine inoculation. Generally a LYME vaccine is then repeated two weeks later, then once a year.
16 weeks of age: Give the last combination vaccine.
12 to 16 weeks of age: Rabies vaccine is given. (Local and State laws apply regarding Rabies vaccine since this can be a human disease, too. Your veterinarian will tell you the proper time intervals for booster vaccines for Rabies.)
Special considerations: Many veterinarians believe some breeds such as Rottweilers and Dobermans should have at least two Parvo vaccines with the last one being given at 20 weeks of age.

Answer 2

NO vaccinations under 8 weeks of age!!!! Vaccinating earlier can cause immune system issues, interfer with natural immunity, cause future problems with vaccinations and can leave your puppy more suseptible ot the very diseases you are trying to protect against.
Vaccinations should be as follows:
8 weeks distemper/parvo/adenovirus-2
12 weeks repeat
16 weeks repeat
20 weeks or older rabies vacciantion
Not all dogs need lepto, parainfluenza, lymes or bordatella (kennel cough) these should only be given to dogs at high risk of exposure.
NO dog/puppy should get coronavirus, adenovirus-1 or giardia vacciantions.

ALL vets have been informed of this protocol which is from the AAHA/AVMA and all 27 vet schools. Unfortunately there are vets that don't follow the recommendations.This leads to over vaccination, vaccinating for unnecassary illnesses and compromised immune systems.
For more info go to the AAHA site, Dr Jean Dodds, Dr Ron schultz sites. Also look for vacciantion articles from the University of Wisconsin Vet School, Dr Bob Rogers,C.A.R.E.S Canine Vacine Advocacy, Dept. Of Veterinary Pathobiology & Veterinary Clinical Sciences Purdue University, Fredric Scott Professor Emeritus Cornell University, Dr Carmichael Cornell University

Answer 3

Typically 8 weeks is the standard, but my vet said that at 6 weeks they will be fine. I took mine at 9 weeks. I got him at 8 weeks then it took a week before the vet could see him. They will get a "schedule' of when they need to get shots from the point in which they receive their first round of shots.

Make sure to call/ask around. Ask prices, some vets charge a good deal more for the exact same services, shot, etc.!

Answer 4

She should be getting her first vaccination in the next couple of weeks, and preferably now. I'm not sure what country you're in, but here (Australia), our recommended protocol is:

6-8 weeks: C3 (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus- 'DHP')
10-12 weeks: C5 (DHP + Bordatella & Parainfluenza virus- 'Kennel Cough')
16-18 weeks: C5

The reason for the three shots is that puppies are protected for a certain period of time after birth by 'maternal antibody'- from their mother- maternal antibodies can cause vaccination to be less effective. It is lost sooner in some pups than others- I would guess sooner in yours as she really shouldn't be away from mum yet- so giving three boosters covers the pups who lose their maternal antibody protection early and those in which it lasts for longer.

ADD: I just love it when people on here 'thumbs down' answers from people who do actually know what they're talking about...perhaps you'd care to have some real input??

Answer 5

Make an informed decision. Keep your puppy away from pet stores and dog parks and other places dogs frequent until you have gotten the Parvo and Distemper vaccines. Your puppy does not need vaccines for all those other diseases and will be healthier with out them. Vaccines can and do cause lifetime damage in MANY pets although people like to ignore that out of pure ignorance. They just do what they are told and never bother looking into the subject themselves. Ignorance is bliss!
Please read as much as you can and make an informed decision. If I were you I would not vaccinate this puppy until 12 weeks and then only do it once. Learn why vaccines are given in a series and avoid it if you can. You have to be responsible when you make a choice like that and protect your puppy by leaving him home but he will have a much stronger immune system if you give him limited vaccines and time it so that you only have to give him 1.
6 weeks is WAY to early.
http://www.critteradvocacy.org/The%20Science%20Has%20Been%20Done.htm

http://www.canine-health-concern.org.uk/

http://www.puppyworks.com/speaker/odriscoll.html


http://www.britfeld.com/vaccination-adverse.htm

http://www.whale.to/vaccine/driscoll1.html#A_Wide_Range_of_Vaccine-induced_Diseases_

http://www.petresource.com/Articles%20of%20Interest/rabies_shots.htm

http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/examples_of_vaccine_reactions_in_great_danes.htm (Be sure to scroll down to the pictures of Danes with reactions to vaccines) It's eye opening!

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12399614&dopt=Abstract

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1713&articleid=962

Answer 6

6-8 weeks of age. But to make sure call your local Vet office. I use to raise mini dachshunds. I always started their shots at this time. UNLESS the puppy was sick or extremely small.

Answer 7

Congats on the new addition to your family. You need to get her 1st shots right away. Do not take her anywhere accept to the vet until she gets her 1st shots, parvo is a deadly disease and puppies pick it up easily especially at pet stores ( the ones that let you bring your animal with you). good luck and have fun!!!

Answer 8

She needs to start getting her shots now. They normally get their first parvo shot at six weeks old. Please get her to a vet and get this done as parvo is such a deadly disease. And continue to get her the shots as the vet says because I have seen too many people only get the first parvo shot and think that their puppy is safe from the disease, only to have it get parvo and die. You also need to get her checked for worms and wormed if that hasn't been done as worms can kill a puppy also. Congratulations on your new family member.

Answer 9

hi. i had my jack russell x foxy pups vet chkd an vacc at 5 wks. the vet said to me that pups can be vacc at 4-5 wks but they need more boosters. usually tho it is at 6 wks of age. they also said the vacc doesnt kick in for bout 1-2 weeks so dont socialise pups befor this time. hope this helps. congrats on ur new pup.

Answer 10

She's ready for the first set right now.

Good luck and congrats on the new puppy and thanks for taking her in.

Too many at the shelters and every new human that enters the dog world with love and understanding is very welcome.