Getting your puppy vaccinated is a critical part of caring for your pet. Puppies need vaccines shortly after birth to protect them from harmful diseases and infections. But when is the best time to get puppy vaccinations, and why are they important?
We’ll explain the optimal time for vaccinating your puppy to protect it from disease and infection when its immune system is still developing. We’ll also cover the benefits of puppy shots and any possible side effects.
Benefits of Puppy Vaccinations
Puppy vaccines fortify your dog’s immune system to fight against infections and diseases. The American Veterinary Medical Association states five fundamental reasons to vaccinate your pet:
- Prevent pet illnesses.
- Avoid expensive treatments for common dog diseases.
- Prevent diseases from passing between pets and other animals.
- Protect your pet from wildlife diseases like rabies.
- Comply with local or state requirements for pet vaccinations.
It’s essential to vaccinate your puppy because young animals are more susceptible to infection because their immune systems aren’t fully mature. It’s also critical to note that some vaccines require several shots to protect your puppy from certain diseases fully, and some vaccines you may need to repeat every few years.
Side Effects of Puppy Vaccinations
Not all vaccines have side effects, but a few puppy shots may cause mild side effects within a few hours of having a shot. These sides effects may include:
- Swelling and discomfort around the shot site
- Slight fever
- Lethargic
- Sneezing, coughing, runny nose, or other respiratory symptoms
If your puppy shows more severe side effects, your pet may have an allergic reaction to the vaccine or a more life-threatening reaction to the vaccine. These more severe symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hives
- Swelling around the neck, face, and eyes
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse
- Swelling around the shot area gets larger after a few weeks
Contact your veterinarian if your puppy has any of the symptoms after vaccination.
Determine The Best Puppy Shots for Your Dog
There are several different vaccines that you can give your dog. Some of the vaccines are vital, and all dogs should get them. These are core vaccines. Other vaccines are non-core and are elective based on region and lifestyle.
Core Puppy Vaccines
All dogs should get these core vaccines:
