As a responsible pet parent, you’d do all it takes to keep your furry friend happy, healthy, and safe. So, when your new puppy arrives, vaccination should be top of your to-do list.

Dogs are happiest when they’re running around outside, playing, and exploring. But there are invisible nasties out there, ready to do your puppy harm - and core vaccinations in the UK provide effective protection against many of the more serious, highly contagious conditions. So, looking out for your new puppy and keeping up with his jabs go hand in hand…

So, Why Vaccinate My Puppy?

Vaccinations give your puppy’s natural immune system the layer of protection it needs to deal with certain illnesses - usually viruses.

Your puppy’s initial vaccinations work in a similar way. Your puppy is exposed to a safe form of a particular disease. If they come into contact with the disease later on, they will then be able to fight it off. With most jabs, yearly booster shots are needed as your puppy gets older to keep up that essential level of protection.

How Many Vaccinations do Puppies Need?

You might not realise that some highly infectious diseases are very common, that’s because most dogs are protected by vaccination. But your dog must be vaccinated regularly to be fully protected against these diseases. Talk to your vet and they’ll advise on exactly which shots your puppy should have.

Typically though, a primary course puppy vaccination programme will include protection against the following diseases:

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper, also known as ‘hard pad’, is serious airborne virus spread between dogs. It usually starts as a cough, snotty nose, vomiting, diarrhoea, and progresses through to neurological damage, including severe fits.

Infected dogs are often very ill and unfortunately, it’s often fatal in many cases. Vaccination against distemper is very effective. It’s usually given every couple of years to make sure the dog is fully protected.

Infectious Hepatitis (Adenovirus)

This virus attacks the liver and almost inevitably leads to life-threatening liver failure. Dogs with mild disease might have a cough, high temperature, and might also develop cloudy eyes. Unfortunately, there’s no treatment, so vaccination is essential to make sure your puppy is protected from this fatal condition.

Canine Parvovirus (‘Parvo’)

Another viral disease that causes vomiting and diarrhoea in young puppies. In severe cases it can lead to loss of consciousness. The disease is often less severe in older dogs, but it’s fatal in many cases, especially in young pups. It can also cause deformities in unborn puppies.

Vaccination will protect your puppy, but there are cases in the Rottweiler breed where young puppies have contracted the disease even though they were vaccinated. Chat with your vet if you’re worried about Parvo in your puppy.

Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease)

This disease is caused by a bacteria found in water contaminated by rat wee. It can be responsible for massive internal bleeding, liver failure, jaundice, and death. It’s a very serious disease that can also be transmitted to people. Yearly vaccination is essential to protect against this serious condition.

Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)

This condition is a collective grouping of viruses and bacteria that leads to respiratory tract infection in dogs. It causes coughing which can last for a few weeks. It’s not a serious disease in most healthy dogs, but it’s very common in multi-animal households and can also be spread between cats and dogs.

If you want your dog to stay in kennels while you’re away, they’ll need to be vaccinated against kennel cough before taking them. The vaccine is commonly given up the nose or by mouth.

Rabies

This viral infection kills thousands of animals and people around the world every year. It’s fatal in dogs and is passed from animal to animal through their saliva. Dogs living in rabies-free countries, like the UK and Ireland, don’t need to be vaccinated unless they’re going to be travelling abroad. 

The rabies vaccine is a legal requirement if you’re planning to travel abroad with your dog. Speak to your vet for further information if you’re planning on taking your dog abroad.

The rabies vaccine is given every couple of years, but more regular vaccination may be necessary if your dog is going travelling.

When Should My Puppy Be Vaccinated?

Vets recommend puppies get their first course of vaccinations between six and eight weeks of age (just after they’re weaned). Their second vaccination should then be given at around 10-12 weeks. Both vaccines of a puppy vaccination schedule must be given to ensure your puppy is fully protected.

For many young pups, this is around the same time that they’re moving on to their new home. So, when your new buddy arrives, it’s important to find out where they’re at with their shots, including what they’ve had already, who administered it, what’s still outstanding and when their first booster is due. Responsible breeders should have full records of all of this.

For a slightly older or adult dog where the medical history and vaccination record is unknown, the vaccination programme can be restarted at any age. An adult dog vaccination schedule will still include the first two vaccinations, followed by yearly boosters.

What About Socialising My Puppy With Other Dogs?

Because your puppy isn’t fully protected until they’ve had all their initial puppy injections, don’t let your puppy mix with other dogs unless you know they’ve been fully vaccinated).

Your puppy will be at risk until they’ve had their full course of jabs. So, how long after the 2nd puppy vaccination can they go out and about? Ideally, wait until 2 weeks after their second jab before you start socialising your puppy with other dogs. You can also start taking your puppy for walks after they’ve had their 2nd vaccination.

The sooner you get your puppy vaccinated, the sooner you can take them out for lots of puppy socialisation, play and fun!

Who Can Vaccinate My Puppy?

Only a vet or a veterinary nurse can give your puppy their vaccinations. A veterinary nurse can give your puppy their vaccination after they’ve had a health check examination by a vet. If your dog is unwell at the time of the vaccination, it can stop that vaccine from working properly, that’s why it’s important to make sure all’s well.

A vet will need to give your dog a clinical examination beforehand. Then, if something’s not right, it can be dealt with before the jabs are given.

Your vet or veterinary nurse can also give you all the information you need to know about puppy immunisations. They may also give you a puppy shot chart so you can make a note of when your puppy has their vaccinations. Having a record of your puppy shots timeline can be kept as a reminder of when their next jab is due.

What’s the Deal with Booster Vaccinations?

Vaccinations protect against lots of potentially dangerous conditions, but all vaccinations wear off over time. This means that boosters are needed to make sure your dog’s protection levels are tip top.

Vaccinations for different diseases wear off at different rates. Some need annual vaccinations, while others only need boosters every two or three years. Your vet will keep you updated on what’s needed and when.

How Much are Puppy Vaccinations?

Puppy vaccination cost varies depending on the veterinary practice you use and if you choose to vaccinate against kennel cough or not. Typically though, it's  around £70 for the first and second vaccinations, with annual boosters costing between £40 and £60.

So Does it Hurt? And Are There Any Side Effects?

The kennel cough vaccine is given as nose drops or by mouth. All other puppy vaccines are administered through injections. Remember that vets and vet nurses are totally used to this sort of thing, so your furry friend is in the safest possible hands.

There might be some slight tenderness and swelling at the injection site and your pup might seem a bit subdued or off-colour for a day or two afterwards. All of this is normal while your dog’s immune system prepares itself for fighting off the real deal.

Serious complications caused by vaccination are extremely rare. There’s a much bigger risk in leaving your pet unvaccinated and vulnerable to serious and often fatal diseases that could so easily be prevented. Vaccinating your pup makes perfect sense!

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