posted 05-19-2003 08:03 AM         

The first vaccines should be given to puppies as soon as they’re weaned from their mothers (you don’t need vaccines during weaning, because they’re naturally getting vaccines from their mother’s milk.) Different states, counties, and cities have different rules about what vaccines you should give your pets and when they should be administered.

A normal schedule for dog vaccinations begin when the dog is weaned from its mother. This could be anywhere between six and 12 weeks of age. The first shots that your dog should get should be ones for distemper, infectious hepatitis, and the adenovirus. Three or four doses of these should be given during the first few weeks of the dog’s life.

The second round of shots happen just before the dog turns 12 weeks old. These shots should include ones for para-influenza, inectious tracheo-bronchitis and bordetella brochiseptica. These are mainly respiratory and flu viruses that can cause serious problems in young dogs.

The next round comes when they reach about three months old. This is when you should make sure your dog has the parvovirus, coronavirus, lyme barreliosis, and rabies vaccines. These conditions affect the intestines and neurological systems of pets.

Your vet will surely be able to fill you in on all that you need to know about these vaccines. But these are the vaccinations you likely will encounter for your pet. Each of these vaccines should be repeated each year. You may want to have these shots given to your dog at the same time each year so that you’ll remember to have it done. Not doing it regularly can mean horrible things for your friend.