What other essential vaccines does my new puppy need besides rabies?

Great question! Your dog needs a combination vaccine containing DHPPi (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza), as well as a rabies vaccine. If leptospirosis is a problem in your area, then I would recommend having your dog get a lepto vaccine. A kennel cough vaccine would be recommended as well if your dog will be placed in kennels at any time over the next year.

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.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Linus. Based on the information you have provided, it doesn't sound like he ever finished his puppy series. The distemper-parvo combination vaccine (DHPP) is typically given every 2-4 weeks until the puppy is at least 16 weeks of age. The "L" of that combination is leptospirosis. That takes two vaccines to complete the series so this is likely fine. He should have a bordetella vaccine and depending on his lifestyle, influenza. I hope this information helps!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I recommend contacting a local veterinarian in your area to have Venom seen for a "new puppy" appointment. At this appointment, the veterinarian will perform an exam, and can make recommendations for first vaccines, flea, tick and heartworm preventatives, as well as appropriate diet and socialization. Dogs require both "distemper" (DAPP) vaccines as well as rabies vaccines. These are the two core vaccines for dogs. These need to be boostered (given again) in 3-4 weeks following the first shot. There are other vaccines such as lyme and leptospirosis that can be considered depending on Venom's potential exposure. I hope this is helpful!

In case of unknown vaccination status you should start standard vaccination protocol. Sophie will need her first vaccination as soon as possible and the second vaccination 3-4 weeks later. Standard vaccination (called DHPPi+L) contains distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza and leptospirosis. After the course of vaccination she will only need a buster once a year. If you don't vaccinate her she may get one of these diseases (parvovirosis does exist in UK) which are often lethal. As you live in UK there is no need to vacinate against rabies.

Vaccine recommendations to partially depend upon his lifestyle and where you live. Also, that second vaccine should have been given in a 2 to 4 week window from the initial vaccine. If it was given later than four weeks after the first vaccine, he will need booster vaccines within a 2 to 4 week window. Assuming he was given the vaccines at the appropriate time, Kai should get another DHLPP and a rabies vaccine. If he gets groomed, goes to the park or has contact with other dogs in general, you may consider getting a kennel cough vaccine. Other vaccines are for Lyme disease and Influenza (dog flu). Your local veterinarian can discuss if these diseases are present in your area and what potential risk factors exist. You may be able to find lower cost vaccinations at a low-cost vaccine clinic or a vaccine clinic in general. You can generally find information online. Please feel free to post any additional questions.