Have an Emergency?Do you have a new puppy, or are you going to bring one home soon? If so, you need to make sure you recognize all the most important puppy shots in Dallas, TX, your new family member is going to need so he can remain healthy and well for a long time to come.
Our veterinarians strongly suggest getting your puppy shots. In fact, it’s a requirement at our Dallas animal hospital for all dogs to be vaccinated for boarding and daycare . Although the rabies vaccination is the only one required by law in Texas for dogs, it’s important to listen to what your vet recommends so you can make sure your puppy has the right shots from day one. Read on to find out much more!
Suggested Puppy Shots
DHPP
Puppies will receive the DHPP vaccination during the first couple of months of life, and they will then need a booster for this shot several times during their first year. After that, they will need to keep up with boosters for DHPP every year moving forward.
DHPP contains four different vaccinations in one shot. These include distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Each of these conditions is very serious and can be fatal to puppies. These illnesses are also all very contagious, so it’s crucial to vaccinate puppies as early as possible.
Bordetella
Bordetella is a type of bacteria that can be very easily transmitted between dogs. It is contagious through droplets, which means dogs who sneeze or cough near unvaccinated puppies can easily make them sick. Bordetella is also transmitted through contact with contaminated dog food bowls, water dishes, collars and leashes, toys, and more.
Bordetella is the leading cause of a condition known as kennel cough. Although kennel cough is not usually fatal to healthy adult dogs in Dallas, TX, it can be potentially fatal to very young puppies, so it is important to have your puppy vaccinated against it.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is another condition that can cause more damage to young unvaccinated puppies than it can to older dogs. Once again, it is necessary to have your puppy vaccinated against this condition as soon as possible to prevent any long-term health problems related to it.
It’s also a good idea to wait before taking your puppy into areas where dogs are present until he has been fully vaccinated against this condition (and others). This way, your puppy will not run the risk of contracting leptospirosis from being exposed to other dogs who might be carriers, or even dirt that may contain it.
Canine Coronavirus
Canine coronavirus is not the same virus as the one that causes COVID-19 in humans. There is no correlation between the two, other than that they are members of the same vast family of viruses. Canine coronavirus is not usually fatal, but it can cause a lot of health problems for dogs and especially for puppies.
Have your puppy vaccinated against canine coronavirus as early as possible to prevent this problem. Canine coronavirus may lead to respiratory illness and infection, and it can cause long-term lung issues or a lingering cough in some puppies depending on the individual dog.
Lyme Disease
Your puppy will need to be several months old before he can safely receive a Lyme disease vaccination. However, when the time comes, it’s very important to consider this shot for your furry friend. Lyme disease is a tickborne illness that can lead to serious health problems and even death in puppies, as well as healthy adult dogs.
Depending on where you live, Lyme disease may be more of a risk than it is in other locations. If you live in a Lyme-prone area, your veterinarian will give you information about when to have your dog vaccinated against this condition safely.
Rabies
Finally, all puppies will need to receive their rabies vaccinations before six months of age. The vet will let you know when it’s safe to have your dog vaccinated against rabies, but four months is the most common milestone for this vaccination. After this shot, your puppy will need an annual booster shot for rabies for the rest of his life. Some adult dogs may be able to receive a three-year rabies shot instead.
Rabies vaccinations are required by law in most parts of the United States, including Texas, as well as in many other countries around the world.
Talk to Your Dallas, TX, Veterinarian
If you have any further questions about your puppy’s shots, reach out to our animal hospital in Dallas for more information. We can let you know which shots are important for your individual dog and will give you information about any shots you can skip or postpone as well.
Additionally, if your puppy has any health concerns or issues to take into account, our veterinarians will go over these with you, too. This way, you can make the most well-informed decision possible about whether or not to give your puppy the vaccinations that are most often recommended by the vet.
You can schedule your new best friend’s puppy shots by scheduling an appointment or giving us a call at (214) 826-4166.