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My 8-week-old puppy needs shots. Should it be 7-way or 9-way?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | 2 months and 6 days old

Should I give my 8 week old puppy a 7 way shot or 9 way

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jeffrey Milner

Veterinarian

Published on June 9th, 2017

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!

9Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 7th, 2018
He will be due a boostrrnif the distemper and parvo vaccine, a rabies and a lepto vaccine. He will also need a hearteorm year to be placed on preventative. A bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine is recommended if he exposed to other dogs in a day care or dog bark or groomer to protect him
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 16th, 2017
At nine weeks of age the distemper combination vaccination series can be started (sometimes called a 5-way, sometimes called a DHPP or DAPP. This vaccine needs to be repeated every 3 to 4 weeks until your puppy is 16 weeks of age. I would recommend an examination by a veterinarian if your puppy hasn't had one yet and getting his vaccinations done by a veterinarian. There are a few reasons for this. The vet can examine your puppy to be sure there aren't any health problems/congenital disease that are a concern. The vet can do a fecal test to be sure your pup doesn't have intestinal parasites, which are very common at this age. The vet can also discuss other vaccines that may be appropriate for your puppy (such as the bordetella or kennel cough vaccine and the leptosporosis vaccine). You can be certain the vaccines given by the vet are gauranteed to be safe and effective (and purchased by a company that gaurantees their efficacy and will pay for treatment if there was vaccine failure).
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on July 30th, 2019
It looks like he may need 2 more "5 way" vaccines. This vaccine includes adenovirus cough and hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza and parvovirus. The next one is due around Aug 9th and then on Sept 9.
He will also need a rabies vaccine after 12 weeks of age.
Lifestyle vaccines include Bordatella (kennel cough), Lyme disease, Leptospirosis and Canine Flu. Discuss with your veterinarian what Koa's risk of exposure to these will be and then vaccinate if indicated.
Don't forget deworming, flea medication and heartworm prevention.

https://www.petco.com/content/content-hub/home/articlePages/health-wellness/Benefits-of-Pet-Vaccines-for-Dogs-and-Cats.html
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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