What shots does my new Shih Tzu need if she has no vaccine history?

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.

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.

Hi there! Congratulations on your new pup :) If she hasn't had anything done yet, she will need a vet visit for her first DAPP vaccine (for distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza) as well as a general wellness check-up. She should also have a fecal exam for parasites, and should be dewormed if any are found. She's also old enough to start on heartworm prevention if this is a problem in your area - the vet should be able to advise you if this is needed. After that, she will need to have her DAPP vaccine boostered every 3-4 weeks until she's 16 weeks or older. She will also need a rabies vaccine at 16 weeks. Other vaccinations, such as Lyme disease, leptospirosis, or Bordetella (kennel cough) may also be recommended depending on what is common in your area and her risk of exposure. Your veterinarian should discuss this with you at her check-up visit, and will let you know if any of these vaccines are needed.

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.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Jasmine is adorable! I would bring Jasmine to your Vet. They can help you determine her age. Bring a stool sample with you. If you do not have any records the Vet will determine how many DHPP vaccines she will need to protect her. It is in her best interest to receive the vaccines even if she had they before. The Rabies vaccine can be given in most state between 12-16 weeks of age. Your Vet will likely deworm her and get her on a good flea/tick and heartworm prevention. They will also discuss a good time to have her spayed. I hope this helps and I wish you both the best!

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!

The answer to which vaccinations your dog needs depends on her age and her 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 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 dog may be at risk for, but be sure to discuss that with your veterinarian to make the best decision. The Healthy Dog Package at VetCo includes DAPP vaccination and 2 Non-Core vaccinations (Bordetella and Lepto), but does not include Rabies. https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/vaccination-packages-and-prices/ Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.