What is a dog's 5-way shot? Does my adopted lab need more vaccines?

Your dog will need several vaccines. Most veterinarians give a yearly combo vaccine that includes distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and Corona (DHPPC). He will also need his Rabies vaccine. Rabies can now be given every three years after the initial 1 year vaccine. Other vaccines that I recommend are Canine Bordetella vacine (kennel cough) that is given every 6 or 12 months, and a Leptospirosis vaccine (this vaccine can be added to the combo vaccine or given alone). If your veterinarian offers a Lymes disease vaccine (probably means lymes is prevelant in your area), it would be a good idea to get that one as well. I also recommend getting your dog tested for heartworm disease and putting him on a monthly heartworm pill. Best of luck to you and your new dog and thank you for using pet coach.

She is a pretty girl!!! The most important vaccination (and one required by law) is the Rabies vaccine. This is essential. The second most important vaccine is the Distemper vaccine, which is often a combo vaccine sometimes called a DHPP (protects against distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza). These vaccines are considered the "core vaccines" for dogs. Every dog should have them. The rest will depend on her lifestyle. I also recommend the Leptosporosis vaccine for dogs if they spend time outdoors in areas with creeks/puddles/ponds because this disease is a bacteria transmitted to dogs by contaminated water (rodents who have the disease urinate and it contaminates the water and the dogs can acquire it this way). The Lepto vaccine requries a series of 2 booster 3 to 4 weeks apart if she has never had it before. Other vaccines you may consider would include Lyme if your dog is outdoors and exposed to ticks and you are in a lyme endemic area, Bordetella also known as Kennel Cough if you ever take her to the park/groomer/kennel/dog classes/out for walks in areas with other dogs. Canine Influenza is another vaccine I recommend for dogs that come into contact with many other dogs/areas with many other dogs such as kennels or dog shows/events. That vaccine will also require a series of 2 vaccines several weeks apart if she has never had it before.

I can't tell you his breed for sure but labrador poodle mix is deffinitely a possibility. he needs a full course of vaccination just like a puppy does (because he has not been vaccinated for 2 years), these include 2-3 6 in 1 vaccinations and a rabies vaccination.

This is a core vaccine that includes distemper, parvo, along with other viruses depending on the company it was bought from. These viruses are common in the US and this vaccine works really well. It is recommended to give a series of this vaccine as a puppy and then once a year after that. Some clinics do have a three year distemper/parvo vaccine so they only have to receive if every 3 years. I hope this helps.

Vaccination is not an exact science and for some diseases in particular long term immunity is not generated and pets become at risk as immunity wanes. There is a fine balance between likelihood of exposure, severity of disease and anticipated length of immunity from vaccines. Some vaccines are licensed for use every 3 years, others have only been proven to be protective for 12 months . I recommend discussing local and individual risk factors with your own vet for a tailored plan

There are a whole lot of different vaccines available out there in the world. The one to which you are referring is the Distemper Combination vaccine. In my book, as long as the vaccine is offering protection for the distemper virus, parvovirus, adenovirus, and para-influenza, all the rest are bonuses. But, just make sure that whatever vaccine is being given offers protection for those. If not, I would choose something different. I would also make sure that if you are administering vaccines yourself rather than going to a vet, that you use a very reputable place to purchase them. If the shots were not be refrigerated or were in an inappropriate environment, they may be ineffective. Hope this helps!

Without vaccinations your dog will not be protected against the most common diseases that can harm him, the 6 in 1 vaccination is usually given first and the rabies is given after the set of 3 vaccinations is done.