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My puppy got vaccines. Are these new shots necessary boosters?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 2 months and 20 days old | 14.4 lbs

A week ago I got the following vaccines at Vetco (first picture attached). Today I went to my local animal hospital with my puppy’s records and the vet said I should get these shots (second picture attached). Are these necessary or are they booster shots?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Published on March 5th, 2018

Puppies need a series of DA2PP (also called DHPP, combo boosters or Distemper/Parvo) vaccinations every 2-4 weeks until they reach at least 16 weeks of age (but up to 18-20 weeks in some cases). Lepto is an optional vaccination that does need to be boostered once. Bordatella is an optional vaccination as well. What your veterinarian is recommending appears to be the appropriate boosters of the vaccines that Toffee previously received.
I am attaching a link to the American Animal Hospital Association's vaccine guideline below which explains boostering vaccines in puppies and also includes a Lifestyle-Based Vaccine Calculator to help you determine which diseases Toffee may be at risk for so you can discuss those with your veterinarian to make the best decision for Toffee.
https://www.aaha.org/guidelines/canine_vaccination_guidelines/practice_vaccination.aspx
Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using PetCoach.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on June 8th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Yes at that age of 8 weeks it’s appropriate. Be sure that Chia has had another DHPP since 4/30 though. Puppies need a DHPP every 3-4 weeks until 2 past 12 weeks of age. Get him in as soon as possible if he hasn’t.

Have a great day!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 18th, 2020
Hello. It has not been too long. Give Teddy his booster vaccinations now, or as soon as possible. Then another booster in 3-4 weeks. You can give another booster 3-4 weeks after this second one, but it may not be absolutely necessary. If in doubt, give it. Then, in one year, you can booster again. Now, you can decide to either continue his vaccinations yearly, or every 2-3 years depending on the vaccine you request your veterinarian to give. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lauren Jones VMD
Veterinarian
Published on October 27th, 2021
Your vet is absolutely correct in recommending a fourth booster in this case. The total number of DHPP boosters given is based on the age of the puppy and timing of the boosters. This vaccine is given every 3-4 weeks of age until a puppy is at least 16 weeks old. Puppies are initially protected by antibodies from their mother, which they acquired both through the placenta and milk. These antibodies must wane in order for the puppy to mount their own longer-lasting protective antibodies against these viruses. The maternal antibody protection wanes at different times for each individual puppy, but they should mostly be gone by the 16 week mark. For this reason, the last booster should be after 16 weeks of age to ensure that the puppy has properly developed their own protective antibodies. I've included a few articles below for further reading. I hope this helps clear up any confusion and that you enjoy your little pup!

https://www.petcoach.co/article/vaccination-recommendations-for-puppies-puppy-shots/
https://www.petcoach.co/article/colostrum-and-passive-immunity/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

Are the vaccines given to puppies the same as adult dog annual boosters?

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy started vaccines at 8 weeks. 3 or 4 boosters needed?

First of all, Dodger is adorable! As far as boostering his vaccines, it is recommended that the DAPP (distemper-adenovirus-parvovirus-parainfluenza) vaccine is given every 3-4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. If Dodger receives his first DAPP vaccine at 8 weeks of age, he could receive 3 boosters (at 8, 12, and 16 weeks) or 4 boosters (at 8, 11, 14, and 17 weeks) depending upon how you schedule his booster appointments. There is no right or wrong way to handle his boosters as long as he receives them until at least 16 weeks of age since his mom's antibodies will wear off sometime before the 16 week mark. Enjoy that cute little guy!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Is it necessary for indoor dogs to get annual booster shots?

Your crew is adorable! Thanks for including a picture. The answer to which vaccinations your dogs need and how frequently depends on their ages and individual risk factors. I am attaching a link to the American Animal Hospital Association's vaccine guideline below. https://www.aaha.org/guidelines/canine_vaccination_guidelines/practice_vaccination.aspx In general, they recommend that all dogs receive DAPP and Rabies vaccinations. Those vaccines are considered Core vaccinations. Any other vaccinations are considered Non-Core and are only recommended for dogs that are at risk of contracting those diseases. The above website also includes a Lifestyle-Based Vaccine Calculator to help you determine which diseases your dogs may be at risk for, but be sure to discuss that with your veterinarian to make the best decision. DAPP vaccinations are generally given every 3 years in adult dogs. The Rabies vaccination is given every 1-3 years depending on your local requirements. The non-core vaccinations do not appear to last as long, so those vaccination need to be given more frequently, but it sounds like your dogs are not likely at risk for those diseases. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My puppy has no vaccine records. What shots for training?

I am attaching a link to the American Animal Hospital Association's vaccine guidelines below. https://www.aaha.org/guidelines/canine_vaccination_guidelines/practice_vaccination.aspx Puppies should receive DAPP vaccination every 2-4 weeks until they are at least 16 weeks of age. If Beaux only had a vaccination at 6 weeks of age, he will likely need 2 more DAPP vaccinations 2-4 weeks apart. He will also need a Rabies vaccination and may need a Bordatella vaccination for a training class. I would recommend contacting your local training facility to find out what vaccinations they require (because some are now also requiring influenza vaccination depending on the location), then schedule an appointment with a veterinarian to determine the best vaccine schedule for Beaux to be fully protected from the vaccinations. If he only had a vaccination at 6 weeks of age, then he is NOT considered protected, so I would not recommend taking him to a training class without consulting with a veterinarian. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What shots does my 2-year-old dog need and how much do they cost?

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My 1-year-old small dog is behind on shots. What vaccines are needed?

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 7-week-old puppy got a combo shot at 5 weeks. When's his next?

You're right that the vaccines are typically started at six weeks and the booster vaccines are given every 2- 4 weeks until they are 16- 20 weeks of age. The frequency of the the boosters depend on their risk. It's best to have a vet evaluate him in the next few days. They can give a booster and give you a good plan for future vaccines and other preventative health care. I hope that helps and all is well with Quill.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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