Puppy Vaccination FAQ and Schedules
Puppy vaccinations give your furry baby protection against some unpleasant and potentially fatal diseases. Today I’ll share the typical puppy vaccination schedules veterinarians recommend. Along with ideas for socializing your puppy before they are full vaccinated.
Before you bring home a new puppy it’s normal to feel anxious about doing everything right. In this article we answer all of your frequently asked puppy vaccination questions. Common puppy vaccination questions include:
- How do puppy vaccinations work?
- What diseases can puppy vaccinations prevent?
- How many vaccinations does my puppy need?
- What is the 5-in-1 shot for puppies?
- Do puppy vaccinations have side effects?
- How do I socialize my puppy if I can’t take him out?
Should I Vaccinate My Puppy?
When you read the list of diseases puppy vaccinations protect against, you’d be forgiven for not recognising any of them. Since they give the impression of being so uncommon, does that mean the risk to unvaccinated puppies is actually quite small? Not at all!
Depending upon where in the world you are, your puppy could be at very high risk of catching some very nasty diseases. The diseases your puppy is at risk from differ between the US and the UK, so we will take a look at both for our readers. Regardless of your location though, your young puppy will be vulnerable and in order to give him the best chance of survival vaccinations are essential.
Doesn’t My Puppy Get Immunity From His Mother’s Milk?
Your new Labrador puppy was initially protected against disease through his Maternally Derived Antibodies (MDAs). Antibodies fight disease. Before your puppy’s immune system is strong enough to make his own antibodies, he gets protection from antibodies delivered with his mother’s milk.
However, they do not last long. And by the time you bring your puppy home, most of his MDAs will be gone. Indeed, it is important that they are gone by the time your puppy has his final vaccination – MDAs can actually block the good work that the vaccination is trying to do. In a minute we’ll see how following the right vaccination schedule overcomes this. But first, let’s see how vaccines work.
How Do Puppy Vaccinations Work?
Bacteria and viruses that cause disease carry markers called antigens which your dog’s body recognises as being foreign and dangerous.
When your dog’s immune system registers the presence of antigens, it immediately begins to manufacture antibodies against them. But this manufacturing process takes time. Many dogs are unable to manufacture sufficient antibodies in time to protect them from infection by a serious disease.
Vaccinating gives their body an opportunity to manufacture a stockpile of antibodies in advance. It does this by exposing their immune system to harmless copies of antigens – ones not attached to live bacteria or viruses.
What Diseases Can Puppy Vaccinations Prevent?
The diseases your dog can be vaccinated against differ depending upon where you are.
United States
In the USA the risks to your puppy’s health vary to a greater extent depending upon where you are. In the USA all puppies should be vaccinated against:
- canine parvovirus
- canine distemper
- infectious canine hepatitis
- and rabies.
United Kingdom
In the UK all dogs are routinely vaccinated against:
- canine parvovirus
- canine distemper
- leptospirosis
- and infectious canine hepatitis.
You can also optionally have your dog vaccinated against kennel cough. This is given nasally using an aerosol rather than as an injection. This will be the same wherever you are based in the United Kingdom.
But There’s More!
Depending upon the risk level to your puppy, your veterinarian in the US may also offer you one or more of the following vaccinations:
How Many Vaccinations Does My Puppy Need?
The number of vaccinations your puppy will need will depend upon their risk level for certain diseases.
Your veterinarian is likely to follow the vaccination principles agreed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. These state that every dog should receive the core vaccines, but non-core vaccines should only be given to dogs at risk due to their location, local environment or lifestyle. This reduces unnecessary “vaccine load” on dogs, minimizes the number of occasions on which they might suffer side effects from vaccines, and also reduces the time and financial pressure on you.
Take a look at the puppy vaccination schedule below to see the average puppy vaccination requirements.
Why Do Puppies Need More Than One Vaccination?
A single vaccination does not give such good long term protection against disease as two injections spaced apart.
The most common reason for a single puppy vaccine to fail is because Maternal Derived Antibodies still in the puppy’s body counteract the effect. Since rate at which the number of MDAs dwindle varies from individual to individual, the best way to catch every puppy as soon as the vaccine can “take”, but without ever leaving them vulnerable to infection, is by vaccinating more than once.
To protect puppies who lose all their MDA’s rapidly, it’s important to start vaccinating them from around 6 weeks old. And in order to protect those puppies whose maternal antibodies may have partially blocked the action of their first vaccine, it is very important that you remember to take your puppy back for his second jab.
What is the 5-in-1 Shot for Puppies?
The 5 in 1 shot, also described as the 5-way puppy vaccine, immunizes your puppy against
- distemper
- hepatitis
- parvo
- parainfluenza
- and coronavirus.
Puppies in the United States typically receive three or four doses of the 5-in-1 shot. Puppies in the UK usually receive a four in one shot which protects against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, leptospirosis and hepatitis.
Puppy Vaccination Schedules
Puppy vaccination schedules will vary depending upon your vet, your puppy and your location. We have put together an average vaccination schedule for the UK and the USA, into a handy quick guide chart.
USA Puppy Vaccination Schedule
5 Weeks Old
- Parvovirus vaccine is given to high risk puppies
6 Weeks Old
- First combined 5-in-1 vaccine (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza and coronavirus)
9 Weeks Old
- Second combined 5-in-1 vaccine (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza and coronavirus)
12 weeks old
- Third combined 5-in-1 vaccine(distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza and coronavirus)
- Rabies
- Leptospirosis and/or Lyme if in high risk area
16 Weeks Old
- Fourth combined 5-in-1 vaccine if applicable
In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required. So if your schedule only includes three courses then don’t worry, this can also be standard practice.
UK Puppy Vaccination Schedule
8 Weeks Old
- First combined vaccination (canine parvovirus, canine distemper, leptospirosis and hepatitis)
12 weeks old
Puppy Vaccination Side Effects
If your dog experiences vomiting, diarrhea or difficulty breathing after receiving a vaccine, call your vet’s office for further advice. Side effects are most common in small breeds, and as of 2019 there is no evidence that Labradors are more than averagely susceptible to side effects from any puppy vaccines. You need to balance this small risk against the benefits that vaccination offers to your puppy.
How to Socialize Your Unvaccinated Puppy
There are lots of other safe but effective ways to socialize a puppy who hasn’t had his final shots.
(paid link)- Invite people into your home! Stock up on coffee and snacks, and invite in your neighbors, friends, kids’ friends, even the mailman in to meet your puppy.
- Go to the park. If you’ve invested in a puppy playpen, it’s time to get your money’s worth. Set it up on a blanket in the park and let your puppy watch the world go buy.
- Take a drive. Park up in a couple of different places and let your puppy soak up the sounds and smells from an open window.
- Weigh him. This is great practice for being calm and confident at the vet’s clinic, and also a fantastic opportunity to socialize your puppy around other animals. Book a weigh-in, and take lots of treats to make the experience fun and happy.
Do you have another suggestion? Please leave a comment at the end of this article!
Talk To Your Veterinarian
Vaccination appointments are incredibly routine for vets. But don’t be embarrassed to say if you have questions before going ahead. He or she will be able to let you know if there are any particular hazards in your area at the moment. And to help you make an informed decision about the best course of action for your dog.
Puppy Vaccination Questions – Answered!
Hopefully we’ve addressed all of your questions about Labrador puppy vaccinations and vaccination schedules now. Puppy vaccinations are important milestones in a young dog’s life to secure their future health. Luckily, they coincide with a period in their life when they should be receiving regular veterinary check ups anyway, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to discuss any concerns you have with your vet.
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It’s great to learn that you should start vaccinating your puppies when they’re around 6 weeks old. My wife and I are wanting to get a pet for our family and we were wondering how we could take care of a puppy. I’ll be sure to tell her that we should vaccinate the puppy when they’re around 6 weeks old.
It’s awesome that you point out that vaccines can help protect your dog from diseases. I want the puppy that I just adopted to have a long and healthy life, so I want to take him to a veterinarian to get vaccinated. I’m going to look for a reputable veterinarian in my area that does dog vaccinations.
Hai, i Brought labrador dog puppy. Now i puppy got big belly. Day by day belly increased. I feeling worried what can i do now? Please help me…
I am seeing online several different times to deworm my new litter of labs. When should I actually start and what is the best recommended dewormer?
Hi Ken, You will need to speak with your veterinarian to get the most appropriate brand and information on exactly when to use it to protect the puppies.
My lab who is, 7 month old is sick, some kind of foam coming from his mouth.. he is not barking or taking his food. Kindly suggest a remedy for this..
Hi Sudheer, You need to take your Lab to the vet. I hope he feels better soon.
I rescued my dog and she was vaccinated with all the required vaccines while she was about 2 weeks pregnant when vaccinated. She had her puppies and they are fat and seem healthy. However, I have read that there is a concern for extended maternal antibodies and I have read that in some cases vaccinations do not create antibodies because of the mother being vaccinated during pregnancy, so there is no protection from disease for the puppy. I am worried about her puppies being protected. When should I start vaccinating them and what have you heard concerning this problem of dogs being vaccinated while pregnant.
Thank you for sharing this needful information Because Many people are confused about when it is actually safe to take their puppy outside.
My family is looking to get a puppy soon and didn’t know what dog vaccinations it needed. I’ve known they were important but didn’t know what kind of sicknesses a dog could get and what they shots cover. It’s a relief to know that there are ways to prevent, or lower the risks of out new family member to get sick. How much do the shots usually cost? I’ll be sure to pass this information on to my husband so that he is aware of the vaccine recommendations as well. I can’t wait to get our puppy!
I have just read the above article, we have been to the vets for our 2nd lot of Jabs and our Lab pup still has one to go. I’m now feeling rather confused and I will speak with our vet.
Socialisation has been a bone of contention he’s a big pup for 1o weeks I physically cant carry him for long periods of time however we have been blessed with good weather and have had lots of BBQs, friends visit us or should I say the puppy and he loves the attention.
unfortunately he still does not like the car and barks and howls I’m hoping this will stop when we can take him out for fun walks and river play…
My labrador male is of two and half months. Which food I have to give.
Hi Satish, You can find lots of information on feeding a Labrador puppy in this article: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/feeding-your-labrador-puppy/
Hii pippa my puppy is just 10 days old is it gud to vaccinate him to secure from other disease. Ur giving such a good advice to everyone im looking for a best answer for my pups .should I vaccinate them at 10 days r wait till tey are 6weeks.
Hi Raghini, You need to urgently take your puppy back to the breeder. He is far too young to have left his mother. More information here: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/too-young-to-leave-mum/
I had no idea that the risk of catching so many diseases was still so high. I’ve always been a proponent for vaccinations, so I’ve always gotten my puppies vaccinated anyways, but it’s certainly interesting to know. Knowing the vaccination schedule is important too, so thanks for sharing it!
My lab pup is 9 weeks old. Missed 1st vaccine. Should I go for it anyway or should I give 2nd vaccine? I am from india
Hi there. I have a 6month old yellow lab Nutmeg and she is our only baby. We currently live in China and the vets here are, lets say, not too caring when it comes to dogs. We got our puppy at 4weeks from a not so good breeder. She had kennel cough and then Parvo, but with all the prayers and loving care she made it. She has finally got her second vaccination and will be getting her 3rd on Thursday, together with a Rabies shot. The vet told us not to take her out 3weeks till after her 3rd. Should we wait this long? I play with her for several hours a day and let her roam around on the balcony just to see the open world, but I feel like its not enough! I so desperately want to take her outside and make friends, could you please give me some advice?
Hi Natalie, This article looks at when the right time to take your puppy out will be: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/when-can-i-take-my-puppy-out/
Hi. I am thinking of getting a lab puppy. Approx How much do the vaccines cost in the UK?
Thanks
Hi Pippa! I have a 45 days yellow lab female. She is not as active as she needs to be. She always wants to sleep. Is it normal?
how many times does my lab puppy pure breed should take a 5-in-1 vaccine? Does it still need an anti-rabies vaccines?
Hi we are getting a chocolate lab on the 23rd june and he will be 7 weeks old.How old do they have to be to have there first injection.Would he be able to go in our garden if he not had any injections.Its the first time we have had a dog so there has being no pets in the garden
I bought one puppy Labrador before one week and it was vaccinated, after that I bought another puppy Labrador which has been dewormed and will get vaccination after 10 days so can I let both the puppies stay together?
My puppy had his first injection at 7 weeks and now his second injection at 9 weeks when it should have been 10 weeks – is this wrong? Will he need another one to top it up?
Hi Zoe you need to ask your vet. It depends on the brand and where you are
I’m looking at buying a lab puppy and everything with the pup through its first five weeks was going well, according to the breeder. But this week, the pup gained a lot of weight, despite not eating any more than normal, and the vet thinks it has something to do with her thyroid. Isn’t she too young to have this disease?
My friend has a puppy and she is having her second jab tomorrow can he still take her out and about before her jab pippa
I am a first time puppy owner and after adopting my rescue pup, I happily took him out and about to the park without knowing about the second vaccination rule! I feel like an idiot now as he has come into contact with other dogs since his first vaccination at the shelter. What should I be looking for in case he has picked something up?
Hi,I am bringing my 8 week old lab pup home on Monday,she is having her first jab that day and her second on 30th of June.We have a family event on July 5th and there will be two other labs there,one I know of is not vaccinated but well,will it be ok to take my puppy to this .Regards Kirsty
Hello, I have a husky 8 weeks old. I am trying to potty train her, can I take her outside without her shots? I have a spot in my front yard, half grass and half cement?
Hi!
My 12 week old Golden Retriever had her second vaccination 6 days ago. As I am off work, it seems the perfect time to have her out and about. The vet said to wait 7 days but will one day make much difference??
Yes you can, no problem
My 11.5 week old puppy is due for his 2nd jab today and I was wondering how high the risks are of him catching something if I take him out in a couple of days.
Hi there Sue, no-one can really estimate the risks to your puppy, except to say that there is one, if you place him on the ground before he is fully immune. I can’t really add to what I have said about the conflict between socialisation and vaccination in the article above. Good luck with your puppy. Best wishes, Pippa
Hi Pippa,
Just discovering what a great website this is – a wealth of info & great advice! Thanks for the platform! 🙂 So, I understand from the research I have done so far that the 1st shots are given between 6-8 weeks and the 2nd at the 10-12 week point. Is that right? When we get our lab ( in Aug) he will be 9 weeks old and my worry is whether I should ask my breeder to do his first round ( specifically since we will miss that time frame to carry it out ourselves). I have spoken with our vet about it and he has said just bring him round when he is with us ( so mid way through the 9 wk point), but I’m being an anxious puppy parent & worrying! Pls let me know your thoughts? Ta!
Hi Anushka, thank you for your kind comments. The best person to advise you on this is your vet. The main problem with delayed vaccination is socialisation. On the other hand, if the vaccination is done too early, it may not be effective. Pippa
I just brought home an 8 week old black lab mix. I was told that she needed to go back in 10 days for her second round of shots. I was also told she has been dewormed. She was not from a breeder, and I wasn’t given info on what shots she has been given and what exactly she needs. This is my first puppy, so I’m somewhat ignorant on exactly what steps I should take. The puppy will only be 9 and a half weeks by that time. Is that too early for the second round of shots?
Whether or not it is too early will depend on your vet’s approach (they vary) and on when the first shots were given. It also depends on where you are located as different parts of the world require different vaccination schedules. You need to find out the date the shots were given, and contact your vet. He or she will then tell you when to bring your puppy in for the next lot. Better still, take the puppy in for a check up in the next day or so, and talk to your vet in person.
Pippa