Necessary Puppy Shots in Peoria, IL
There are so many important things to remember when bringing home a puppy. You have to set up food and water bowls and a place to sleep. She needs lots of toys and grooming supplies. You need to go through and puppy-proof by hiding cords and keeping important items out of her reach. And you need to schedule an appointment with a vet in Peoria to start her vaccination schedule.
You should schedule your first vet appointment within a few days of bringing home your new little fur ball. At the first appointment, the vet will go over everything you need to know about puppy care. This will include discussing necessary puppy shots your pet will need.
Each situation is unique and depends on a few factors like your puppy’s age, breed, where he came from (breeder, shelter, etc.), litter size, and where in the country your puppy came from. From there, your veterinarian will give a personalized recommendation for the vaccination schedule.
Categories of Puppy Shots in Peoria, IL
Puppy shots are important because they prevent diseases in Peoria. Some of these diseases are treatable if they are contracted and some are not. Vaccines are split into two categories, core and non-core.
Core Vaccines
Core vaccines are necessary for all dogs to get due to the risk of exposure, severity of the disease, or the transmissibility to humans.
Non-Core Vaccines
Non-core vaccines are optional because of the risk of exposure is not as severe. Your vet may recommend a non-core vaccine as a necessary one due to your geographic region. Some parts of the country need additional protection.
Schedule of Puppy Shots in Peoria, IL
During different stages of their lives, your puppy will need to receive different shots to help protect them from getting harmful and dangerous diseases. Below is a schedule for the shots your puppy will likely need to get in Peoria and when they should get them.
6-8 Weeks
The age at which you get your puppy and where they came from really determines where you’ll start. For instance, if you get your puppy from a breeder at 8 weeks, they may have already given him a couple of shots. It’s important to get paperwork from anywhere you adopt your puppy from so that you have a sense of his medical history.
DA2P Vaccine
DA2P is a core vaccine and is used to protect against Distemper, Adenovirus, and Parvovirus.
Distemper
Distemper is a virus spread through airborne exposure or sharing food and water. It causes a lot of issues for your dog and can lead to death. There is no cure for distemper, so the vaccine is necessary.
Adenovirus
Adenovirus is also known as canine hepatitis. It’s a viral infection and is highly contagious. Again, there is no cure and in severe cases, it can lead to death.
Parvovirus
Parvovirus, or parvo, is a virus that creates loss of appetite, fever, and vomiting. There isn’t a cure for this either, but most dog’s immune systems can fight it off as long as they get immediate veterinary care.
9-12 Weeks
The schedule for your puppy’s shots at this point kind of depends on what you did from 6-8 weeks. There is a chance you didn’t get your puppy until he was 9-10 weeks old so you would be doing the DA2P vaccines around this time. If you got these vaccines in the 6-8 week range, it’s probably time for a booster.
DA2P vaccines usually require a booster 4 weeks after the original vaccination.
Canine Influenza
The vaccine for canine influenza is considered a non-core. It protects against the canine flu, which is not deadly but can affect your puppy. This requires a booster two to four weeks later depending on the vaccine your vet suggests. Your vet in Peoria normally administers this vaccine for your puppy at around 12 weeks.
12-16 Weeks
If your puppy was given all of the shots mentioned above at 6-8 weeks, then they will have probably already received their boosters. If not, you’ll be needing those. The DA2P shot also requires a parvo only booster at 16 weeks.
Bordatella
Bordatella is a core vaccine. This disease is often called kennel cough and is highly infectious. This is a necessary puppy shot, especially if you plan on taking your puppy to the dog park, training classes, or boarding him at any point in Peoria. Your vet will usually give this shot to your puppy around the 16-week mark.
Leptospirosis Vaccine
Leptospirosis is a core vaccine that will need a booster. Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria found in water and soil. It is zoonotic, so most vets treat this as a core vaccine and highly suggest it.
Lyme Disease Vaccine
Lyme disease is a non-core vaccination because the disease can be treated by antibiotics, but there often aren’t many symptoms until it’s too late. Lyme disease is carried and transmitted by ticks, so if you’re dog is going to be outside a lot or in the woods regularly, this might be one you need to consider.
15-17 Weeks
At this point, you’ll have just the parvo booster for your core vaccine. If you elected to get the Lyme vaccine, you will need a booster around this time.
Rabies Vaccine
This is a core vaccine and is often required by the state and most rental properties. Rabies is a zoonotic virus and can be passed from your dog to you via a bite. The disease affects the central nervous system.
Make an Appointment for Your Puppy’s Shots in Peoria, IL
It’s also important to note that vaccines don’t last forever, so you’ll need to go back for booster shots throughout your dog’s life. Again, because each dog and region is different, you’ll need to discuss when to bring your pet in for his next round of puppy shots.
At Whitney Veterinary Hospital, our veterinary team in Peoria develops a vaccination plan to fit the lifestyle and needs of your pet. We help make sure your puppy stays as healthy as possible by giving them the necessary shots they need to prevent getting dangerous and potentially fatal diseases.