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How long can I safely delay my 6-year-old dog's annual vaccines?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How long vaccines can be delayed for 6 years old dog

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on March 25th, 2020

For most normal healthy dogs in households with humans who are not immunocompromised and don't partake in doggies daycare, dog parks or groomers, 4-6 weeks is generally fine. If however your pet does not meet this profile, you need to discuss the situation with your veterinarian.
Also, the Rabies vaccine should always be kept up to date and never late. I hope this helps.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on May 6th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Yes, it is safe to give the full dose of the 5 in 1 vaccine. It is not recommended to give less or more of the vaccine, it is not based on the animals size. He should get the 5 in 1 every 3-4 weeks until he has had 3 of them. The 3rd is good for 1 year. He will need to see a Vet for his Rabies vaccine. Since he is small I would give that separately. At what age the Rabies should be given depends on your State's laws. In PA it is around 12-16 weeks.

I wish you the best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 17th, 2019
Hello. I would wait 1 week & start over with your vaccinations. Because of the strong immunity a puppy receives in the first milk from their mothers, any vaccinations before 7 weeks of age are a waste of money. Start Dexter at 8 weeks of age, give his second booster at 12 weeks & the third booster at 16 weeks. Make sure you have someone helping you by holding Dexter firmly, otherwise if he jumps again from pain , you may make him fearful of being held for all future vaccinations. Any doubts, please consider having your veterinarian do the vaccinations, especially the rabies. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 11th, 2018
The distemper/parvo combination (5 in 1) is given every 3 weeks until they are older than 16 weeks of age. Depending on your area, a lepto or lyme vaccine may be needed and those are started at 8 or 10 weeks. A rabies vaccine is required by law and given at 12-16 weeks of age.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Is it okay to delay and combine my dog's vaccine appointments?

In general, it is fine to get them all done at once and at the end of September should be fine. Only if Louie has grooming appointments or goes to doggy care (or any instance where any vaccine needs to be up to date to allow Louie to participate) would this be a problem. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy's 5in1 vaccine is delayed. Is a 3-day delay really okay?

It depends on the vaccination protocol. I don't think there will be an issue. We often have to delay vaccinations for 3 days and postpone them after a week-end for example,however to be on the safer side, I would check with your vet as well.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Can my 6-year-old dog get shots safely if she's never had them?

Good questions. After your vet examines your pet and deems them healthy for vaccines, then its ok to proceed. There is no way to predict if a pet is going to have a reaction, and the fact that the pet never had vaccines before does not increase their chances of having a reaction. The best thing to do is to monitor Princess accordingly for 24 hrs after her vaccines for signs of a reaction, which include: vomiting, diarrhea and facial swelling. A heart murmur is detected with a stethoscope used by your veterinarian in certain locations on the chest. I am unsure of what was going on with the other pet that received vaccines. However if it took several months for the pet to perish, then this certainly was not caused by the vaccinations and likely was an unrelated underlying condition. Vaccine complications occur within 1-7 days at the most, if they are going to occur. Therefore if my pet were unvaccinated at the age of 6, I would proceed with going forward with the necessary vaccinations based on his/her exposure, so discuss with your vet to determine which vaccines are absolutely necessary for your pet Princess. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

How long should I wait between my dog's rabies and distemper shots?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dogs. I typically give these vaccines at the same time so this is just your veterinarian's preference to separate them. So the precise number of days should not matter. If 5 days is more convenient for your schedule, then that should be fine. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Is it okay to delay puppy vaccinations if I don't have money right now?

Yes, it would be possible to wait but you should keep them indoors, away from all other dogs and wildlife to prevent them from being exposed to the contagious diseases that vaccines are used to protect them against

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

When should my puppy get booster shots after a delayed start?

Great question! Cane will need to go back four weeks after getting his rabies shot for a booster. As for the combo shot, he will need to return four weeks after that initial shot to get a booster. Once he gets both of those boosters, then he will need to return in a year for another booster. The Bordatella and Lepto will both need to be booster in a year after the initial shot. I hope this helps! Good on you for getting it done :-)

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's annual vaccine is 4 months overdue. What should I do?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Chanel. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. Some vaccines are licensed for 3 years and others need to be given annually. It also depends on her if vaccines are current or not if she can be eligible for a 3 year vaccine. For example, a 1 year rabies vaccine is given to a puppy. Then she would receive the 3 year vaccine as an adult. If her vaccines stay current, she would need a booster every 3 years. If she is overdue, then she may receive a 1 year vaccine again to start the series over. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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