The majority of vaccines currently in use for dogs are modified-live or inactivated (killed) bacteria or virus vaccines.  However, research is continuing to develop new types of vaccines and more effective disease prevention strategies.

Puppies have very special needs as their immune systems have not matured enough to fully protect them against disease.  They are curious and playful around other animals, placing them at increased risk for disease.  They have remnants of antibodies from their mothers that prevent vaccinations from becoming fully protective until 16 weeks of age.  There are also differences among breeds that place some puppies at increased risk.  For all of these reasons, we start puppies on a vaccination schedule at 6 to 8 weeks of age for the core vaccinations and then booster these vaccines every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16 weeks of age.  The Rabies vaccination is given at 12 weeks of age and then boostered at one year of age.  Other non-core vaccinations are given as needed based on a puppy's individual risk.  Call us for an appointment to have your puppy examined and together we will develop a plan to start him or her out on the path to life-long health and happiness!