Vaccines for Puppies & Dogs

Vaccines play an important role in protecting your pet against preventable diseases. Vaccinating your pet against certain diseases either fully builds their immunity against them or lessens the severity of symptoms they’ll experience. Ensuring your pet receives all their necessary vaccines as kittens throughout their senior years ensures your pet lives a long and happy life with you. Up-to-date vaccination records are important, especially if you board or travel with your pet. We recommend keeping these records handy in order to avoid any last-minute confusion. If your pet does have a vaccination plan, please contact us at 403-934-3311.

What vaccinations do you recommend for puppies and dogs?

We recommend your pet get vaccinated against rabies, DHPP (Canine distemper, Hepatitis Parvovirus and Parainfluenza) and Bordetella (Kennel Cough).

• Rabies – this fatal disease targets your pet’s nervous system, shutting down their brain and spinal cord. In Alberta, canine friends often get the disease after coming in contact with wild animals like skunks, who have the highest infection rate, as well as bats, coyotes and racoons. Rabid cats can also pass on rabies through their scratches if they have saliva on their paws.
• DHPP – Canine distemper virus is a highly contagious disease that causes symptoms ranging from fever, nasal discharge, and pneumonia to neurologic dysfunction and death. Hepatitis is a virus that causes liver disease, sometimes resulting in death. Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease causing intractable vomiting, diarrhea and immune system damage. It is highly contagious through feces and can persist on contaminated surfaces such as sidewalks upwards of five months. Parainfluenza is one of the main causes of kennel cough, a dry hacking cough.
• Bordetella – Kennel cough is a contagious bacterial and viral infection, causing a dry cough that could lead to significant pneumonia.

When should my puppy be vaccinated?

Puppies should be vaccinated, following the schedule below:

• Rabies – The first dose given at 16 weeks of age. The next dose given 1 year after first dose
• DHPP – Every 3–4 weeks from 6–8 weeks of age to 16–18 weeks of age. The next dose 1 year later
• Bordetella – The first dose at 12–16 weeks of age. The next dose 1 year later

When should my dog be vaccinated?

Dogs should be vaccinated, following the schedule below:

• Rabies – Every 3 years
• DHPP – Every 1-2 years
• Bordetella – Every 6 months or yearly, depending on your pet’s exposure to kennels, shows and dog groups