You can protect your dog from diseases by getting them vaccinated.
Puppies usually get vaccinated at around eight weeks old, with a primary course of two injections given two to four weeks apart and boosters given annually to maintain protection.
If your dog will be mixing with other dogs, it’s also sensible to get them vaccinated for Kennel Cough. They will need a rabies vaccination to travel abroad with you, but they must be at least 12 weeks old and won’t be able to travel for at least three weeks after the injection.
If you have any questions about vaccination or are unsure if your dog has been vaccinated, then speak to your vet.
Why do we vaccinate dogs?
Vaccination creates immunity (the natural ability to fight infection) by exposing the body to a small dose of the diseases we want to protect against. The infectious particles in the vaccine are altered, so that they can’t cause the full-blown disease, but still make the body produce antibodies that protect against a real infection.
Puppies are protected in the first few weeks of life due to immunity passed through their mum’s milk.
However, this quickly fades. Starting your dog’s vaccinations at around eight weeks of age helps to ensure they are kept safe and protected against dangerous diseases.
Routine vaccinations protect against four contagious, potentially life-threatening diseases.
Canine distemper
A highly contagious virus that affects the digestive, skin, breathing, immune and nervous systems.
It is spread through infected bodily fluids such as saliva, wee and blood. There is no cure for this virus.
Some dogs will recover with intensive treatment, but many sadly do not survive. Thankfully, vaccinations have made this virus less common in the UK.
Infectious canine hepatitis
This virus attacks the liver and other major organs. It is spread through infected bodily fluids such as saliva, wee and blood.
There is no cure for this virus, but the symptoms may be managed in mild cases. Severe cases can develop liver failure and unfortunately may not survive.
Parvovirus
A serious and life-threatening disease which is caught when dogs have contact with infected dog poo and bodily fluids.
Parvovirus causes severe vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration.
Young dogs are particularly susceptible to it and some areas of the UK have higher numbers of cases than others.
Leptospirosis
A potentially life-threatening bacterial infection carried by cows, dogs and rodents.
It can be caught by dogs swimming in or drinking contaminated water or having contact with infected wee.
It attacks the vital organs and can also be spread to humans.
To stay protected against these diseases, dogs will need a primary course of vaccinations and then regular boosters throughout their adult life.
At what age should puppies be vaccinated?
Generally, puppies start their vaccinations at around eight weeks old (although in some circumstances, puppies may start vaccinations as young as four to six weeks old).
Speak to your vet for guidance based on your puppy’s individual situation.
The primary vaccination course
The primary vaccination course often consists of two injections, given two to four weeks apart.
The first injection is usually given at around eight weeks of age.
Protection against the diseases will be reached two to four weeks after the second injection.
If you have a puppy who is starting their vaccinations for the first time, it’s important they do not walk on the ground in public areas or anywhere unvaccinated dogs may have been until they are fully vaccinated, and the final vaccine has had time to work.
Your vet will advise you on when it is safe for your puppy to start going for walks. In the meantime, they can be carried on walks depending on their size (this might be a little trickier for giant breeds!)
How soon can I walk my puppy after their vaccinations?
How soon you can take your puppy for their first walk will depend on your puppy’s age and which vaccine(s) they have received.
Generally, it tends to be a week or two after their second vaccination.
However, certain places such as water courses and farmland can pose a higher risk, and you may need to wait up to a month after your puppy’s final vaccine before exploring freely.
Your vet will be able to advise on the best advice for your puppy’s individual situation and any risks in your local area.
Booster vaccinations
Yearly booster vaccinations are necessary to maintain your dog’s immunity.
Dogs need to be vaccinated yearly for Leptospirosis and every three years for canine distemper, parvovirus and canine infectious hepatitis.
Other vaccinations
Kennel cough vaccines
Kennel Cough can be caused by several different bacteria and viruses. It doesn’t tend to cause serious illness for most dogs, but can cause a nasty, honking cough and is very contagious.
Vaccination against the main causes of Kennel Cough is strongly recommended if your dog is going to mix with lots of other dogs at the park, day care, shows or competitions and will often be required for your dog to stay in boarding kennels.
To minimise the risk, yearly vaccination is required, and vaccines should be given at least three weeks before your dog goes into kennels.
Rabies vaccinations
Rabies is a life-threatening and often fatal infection of the brain and nerves. This disease is not normally found in the UK, but rabies vaccinations are essential if you are planning to take your dog abroad.
Dogs must be at least 12 weeks of age to receive this vaccine, and they can’t travel until at least 21 days after the vaccination.
If this is something you are interested in, please contact your vet for further information about getting the required export certificate.
What happens at a vaccination appointment?
When your dog attends a vaccination appointment, the vet will give them a full health check and record their weight.
They will discuss any concerns with you and, providing your dog is well, will give them a small injection usually under the skin on the back of the neck.
Your vet will then fill in your dog’s vaccination card and advise you on when the next injection is required to achieve continued protection.
Will my dog feel poorly after their vaccinations?
Most dogs show no symptoms of feeling poorly after their vaccinations.
Mild signs, such as being a little quiet or less interested in food are sometimes seen.
On occasion, a small swelling can be felt at the scruff of the neck where the vaccine was given and will usually go down. Always contact your vet if you are concerned.
Serious vaccine reactions are very rare, and the risks are far outweighed by the protection vaccines offer.
Any vaccine reactions can be reported online by vets or owners to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
If your dog ever seems poorly after a vaccine or you are worried about them having a vaccine, please reach out to your vet for further advice and support.
Vaccine record cards
When your dog is vaccinated your vet will provide you with a vaccination record card.
Please keep this safe as you will need it:
- When your puppy has training classes.
- When you put your dog in kennels.
- When your dog has further vaccinations.
My dog is unvaccinated or has missed their booster vaccination – what now?
If you are concerned that your dog is not vaccinated or has gone over a year between booster vaccinations, then speak to your vet.
If there is no evidence to suggest they are vaccinated, or it has been too long since their last booster vaccination it is often safest and most sensible to start the primary vaccination course from scratch.
This will not cause any harm and will ensure your dog is fully protected going forwards.
Does a course of puppy vaccines provide lifetime immunity?
Although in humans some childhood vaccines offer a lifetime of protection, this is not the case for our pets.
It is a common misconception that puppy vaccinations will protect a dog throughout their lifetime. In reality, the protection offered by your dog’s vaccinations fades over time and how long they last varies depending on the disease they protect against and the vaccine type.
Therefore, the best way to keep them safe is by taking them to your vet each year for their annual health check so your vet can make sure their protection is maintained.
Do elderly pets still need to be vaccinated?
We are often asked if elderly pets still need to be vaccinated.
Generally, as pets get older, they can become more vulnerable to infections and may find it harder to fight off diseases if they become unwell.
For this reason, it is still sensible to ensure elderly pets keep up to date with their vaccinations unless otherwise advised by your vet.
If you have any questions about vaccination, reach out to your vet for further advice.