My 11-month dog hasn't had shots. Are puppy and adult vaccines same?

If you don't have proof of vaccination, then I would just assume that Ruby is not vaccinated, and get her started right away. Since she is already 5 months old, she will likely only need 2 distemper/parvo vaccinations in addition to rabies to get her up date. A vet will be able to discuss other recommended vaccinations based on your lifestyle and location.

Hazel is beautiful! Thank you for including a picture. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends that all dogs are vaccinated with a distemper/parvo combination as well as a Rabies vaccination. I am attaching a link to their recommendation below. https://www.aaha.org/guidelines/canine_vaccination_guidelines/practice_vaccination.aspx The top 2 are considered "core" vaccinations that all dogs should have, and they have details on how often vaccination is recommended. The "noncore" vaccinations are only recommended for dogs that are at risk for certain diseases, so I would recommend speaking to your veterinarian about Hazel's risk factors for those diseases. There is also a Lifestyle Based Calculator on the website above to help with that. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Yes, the distemper/parvo (DHPP) combination vaccinations that we use in puppies are the same as those we use in adults, but some of the ingredients in some of the combination vaccinations are not given until the puppies are older. I would recommend speaking to your veterinarian about which viruses should be included in puppies vaccinations, but they are generally canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus. Corona virus may or may not be recommended and Leptospirosis should not be given until a puppy is older. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

No - it will not hurt her and I would definitely recommend getting her vaccinated! There are many dogs in shelters who get their vaccines as adults. Some core vaccines like the DAP combo might require a booster while others like rabies don’t.

Hi and thanks for your question. If at 5 months, this will be the first time he will be receiving vaccines, then I would recommend he receive his rabies vaccine and distemper-hepatitis-parvovirus vaccine as well as bordetella if he will be around other dogs or kenneled. He will need a booster of the distemper and bordetella in 3-4 weeks. At your first appointment with Sash's vet, you and the veterinarian can decide what other vaccines are recommended based on Sash's risk level and health status. I hope this helps!

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.

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.