Just got a 6-month-old puppy, no shot records. Should I vaccinate?

There isn't any difference between the shots a dog gets as a puppy and as an adult. I would have Ruby taken into the vet as soon as possible to get her first series of shots, which should include rabies, parvo, distemper, hepatitis, and parainfluenza. She will then need a booster of these shots four weeks later to incur immunity.

I do not trust the vaccines sold at feed stores or pet stores. We cannot ensure that they have been handled appropriately or kept at the correct temperatures to be able to work. I would recommend that you take Iroh to a vet clinic or even shot clinic to be vaccinated. At his age, two vaccines for distemper/parvo/adenovirus/parainfluenze at 1 month apart is sufficient for 1 year's protection. He is also required to be vaccinated for rabies by a vet. Depending on your lifestyle, the vet or clinic may recommend additional vaccinations to keep him protected.

Ask the previous owner for the name of the veterinary practice where your dog was vaccinated. The practice should have the details and then can tell you which vaccines are due when. If he cannot tell you, then you should assume the dog never got any vaccinations. It would then be best to take him to a vet and start a course of core vaccines (basic immunizations(distemper/parvo, etc., at least 2 courses three weeks apart) as well as a rabies vaccination and a basic health check to make sure Coby is healthy.

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!

Hello, and thanks for your question. The "core" vaccines that Bentley *should* have received as a puppy are his rabies vaccine (usually given between 12-16 weeks of age) and his distemper/parvovirus vaccines (usually given every 3-4 weeks from 8 to over 16 weeks of age). Both these vaccines would be boostered a year later. If you have no vaccine history on Bentley, then it's best to err on the side of making sure he's protected. It won't hurt him to get the vaccines now, even if he received them as a puppy. I would definitely get him vaccinated for rabies and distemper/parvovirus, and then I'd recommend talking to your vet about the other "non-core" vaccines they recommend for your area and Bentley's potential risk. Possible additional vaccines could include bordetella ("Kennel cough"), canine influenza, lyme, and leptospirosis. They can help establish the best vaccine schedule for you, based on the vaccines you decide on together for Bentley.. Hope this helps!

I would try to get as much information from the previous owner as possible. If they don’t have any records maybe they remember the name of the veterinarian they took him to and you can call for that information? If you can not get any vaccination documents then I would be much more inclined to vaccinate him again rather than risk no vaccinations. As far as Rabies is concerned legally you will have to vaccinate him. Best of luck and have fun with your new puppy! Thank you for using Pet Coach.

It is not too late for vaccines. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Discuss your dog's lifestyle. Together, you can determine which vaccine protocol is best for your dog. At the very least your dog should get a rabies vaccine and a distemper/parvovirus combo vaccine. He may require boosters 4 weeks after the initial vaccines. Consider a heartworm test and fecal as well. Monthly preventatives are also strongly recommended.