Puppy Vaccinations | Schedule and Types

Congratulations on your new puppy!

So you've brought your puppy home from the breeder or shelter. You're working on potty training but now you need to call your vet to schedule your puppy's vaccines. One question we are commonly asked is "what vaccines does my puppy need and when?".

Every puppy's vaccine protocol is structured based on their previous vaccinations, breed, size, individual lifestyle and risk exposure. In Oakville, dogs are exposed to diseases associated with exposure to other dogs in an urban setting but also disease carried by wildlife. We recommend four core vaccinations for your dog, Rabies, Distemper combination, Kennel Cough vaccine and Leptospirosis. Currently, vaccination against Lyme Disease is not a core vaccine, but is recommended for at risk dogs.

All vaccine recommendations are in accordance with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) vaccination guidelines.

Request A Puppy Vaccine Appointment

There are four "core" vaccinations we recommend for all puppies:

Distemper combination (DHPPi)

This combo vaccine vaccinates against a combination of potentially fatal viruses which affect the gastrointestinal, neurological and respiratory systems.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. Our resident wildlife in Oakville, especially those cute little raccoons are carriers of distemper.

Canine Hepatitis primarily affects the liver, it is extremely contagious and often fatal. Pets that recover become carriers of the virus and can infect other dogs.

Parvovirus is one of the most serious and common of canine infectious diseases. It is extremely contagious and outbreaks. This virus causes severe gastrointestinal disease which can lead to dehydration and collapse. Puppies and older dogs are most at risk of these diseases but unvaccinated dogs of all ages are at risk.

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the nervous system that can affect humans but also your dog. In Canada, the animals that most often transmit rabies are bats, skunks and foxes. There have been over 100 confirmed cases in Ontario. Up to date Rabies vaccination in pet dogs is also a legal requirement.

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease - Kennel Cough

This is a highly contagious upper-respiratory infection caused by several viruses and a bacteria called Bordatella. Dogs that visit dog parks, boarding kennels, groomers, shows or interact with other dogs should be vaccinated.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease shed in the urine of wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, beavers and rodents, which can cause fatal kidney and liver failure. It is also a disease that can be spread from dogs to humans. It is very difficult to prevent exposure to Leptospirosis, every dog that ventures outdoors is at risk. Vaccination is an affordable and effective way to protect your dog from a disease that can be very difficult and costly to treat.

Deworming

We recommend all puppies are dewormed for a minimum of three treatments to eliminate any potential parasites which may have been transmitted prenatally.

Heartworm, flea and tick prevention

We recommend year round flea and tick prevention for dogs in Ontario. Heartworm preventative is given to dogs from June 1st until November 1st.

General Puppy Vaccination Schedule

8-9 weeks of age

1st Distemper Combo (some breeders will give this vaccine)
1st Leptospirosis Vaccine
Kennel Cough Vaccine
Deworming
Flea, tick and heartworm preventative

12 weeks of age

Rabies vaccine - puppies must be over 12 weeks old to be given the Rabies vaccine
2nd Leptospriosis Vaccine
2nd Distemper Vaccine
Deworming
Flea, tick and heartworm preventative

16 weeks of age

3rd Distemper Vaccine
Deworming

Non “core” vaccine: Lyme Vaccine

Ontario is considered an ‘endemic’ (regularly found) area, as is the U.S indicating dogs may be exposed to ticks carrying Lyme disease. If your puppy will be vacationing at cottages and along waterways, running through tall grass, exploring ravines or wooded areas and travelling to the U.S we recommend vaccination. This vaccine requires two doses given 2-4 weeks apart.

Why does my puppy need a series of vaccines?

Normally vaccines can stimulate immunity in one or two vaccinations. However, young puppies receive protection from their mother's milk called maternally derived antibodies (MDR). These antibodies protect your puppy from viruses and bacteria but they can also block the immune system from responding to vaccines. These antibodies protect each puppy for a highly variable amount of time, the level of maternal antibodies declines anywhere from about 3 weeks of age and are usually gone by 14-16 weeks of age. Every puppy's level of maternal antibodies is different depending on their individual immune systems, how long they nursed their mother for and if their mother was vaccinated.

Vaccinations for major viral diseases are administered at 3-4 week intervals to provide disease protection to your puppy as their level of maternal antibodies decreases and to ensure the vaccines we administer properly activate the puppy's immune system.

Our team is here to get you and your puppy off to the right start. If you have any questions about your puppy's vet care or to schedule an appointment, call us at 905 844 6786.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Itchy Pet Awareness Month

By CY Mac • 03 Aug, 2023

August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month! This month was created to help unite pet owners and veterinarians in managing pets with skin conditions. We want to empower pet owners with the resources to identify signs of concern in their pets, and get the veterinary care they need to provide rapid and lasting itch relief. Did you know that allergic/atopic dermatitis (dry, itchy, inflamed skin) is the number one reason for veterinary visits? Even knowing this there are still an alarmingly large number of pets that go untreated by a veterinarian every year, often simply because owners are unaware of what to look for. Your pet’s itch could be caused by: Flea allergy Environmental indoor and outdoor allergens Food allergy Contact allergy Parasites such as fleas and mites Bacterial or yeast infections Remember, all pets will scratch, lick, bite, and rub. But if it is becoming more frequent or excessive, it may be a sign of an allergic itch. Signs of Itch Include: Excessive scratching. Biting, chewing, rubbing or scooting Frequent licking Recurrent ear problems Hair loss Body odor Skin changes Because the frequency at which something occurs is subjective and will vary depending on who you ask, we often refer to the Canadian Academy of Veterinary Dermatology Itch Scale . It is an incredibly helpful tool for us to be able to objectively measure the severity of itching. Early treatment is always preferred in these types of cases. Severe, prolonged scratching can damage the bond between pets and their owners by interfering with normal activities and increasing stress in pets themselves. It’s not uncommon that pet owners will experience stress, anxiety, and frustration about their pets itch. Especially when they know their pet is uncomfortable but aren’t sure how to help. Check out our Dermatology Page for more information and resources. If your pet is itching for help, don’t wait. Reach out to the M.A.C. team today at 905-208-9933 or at reception@macvets.com to see how to get help for your pet’s itch, fast.

Will My Pet Get Bored of Eating the Same Food?

By CY Mac • 20 Jul, 2023

Will My Pet Get Bored of Eating the Same Food?

Hot Weather Safety Tips

By CY Mac • 20 Jul, 2023

Many people love spending the long, warm days of summer outside with our canine companions, but being outside without the proper precautions in hot weather can be dangerous for our pets. Here are some of our top tips for keeping your pup cool in the heat: Adjust your walking routine Aim to go for walks either early in the morning, or later at night when it’s cooler. If you do choose to walk during the day, remember to check the temperature of the pavement. A good rule of thumb is that if it’s too hot for you to walk on it comfortably in bare feet, then it’s too hot for your puppy's paws! Provide lots of fresh, cool water Dogs can get dehydrated quickly, and it is therefore important to ensure there is always water easily accessible. Remember to take some on the go with you, even for just short walks. Provide cool surfaces to lie on A cool, damp towel is an inexpensive and easy solution. Reduce the amount of walking and exercise Even though it is tempting to keep our little ones' routine the same, their safety is more important. Providing activities indoors such as puzzle feeders or long lasting lick toys will help to keep them calm and occupied. Provide water playtime Try setting up a sprinkler or kiddie pool (preferably in the shade) to let them play in while supervised. Prevent sunburn Did you know that dogs can get sunburnt too? Those more prone are those with no hair, with white or thin coats, and dogs with light pigmented noses and eyelids. Applying a pet safe sunscreen or keeping them indoors is best.