Puppy vaccination guide

Why puppies need a course of vaccines

Puppies are born with some protection passed on from their mother. That protection fades over the first weeks of life, and while it fades it can also stop a vaccine from working properly. That is why puppies receive a short course of injections a few weeks apart rather than a single one: each dose gives the immune system another chance to respond as the mother's antibodies disappear.

The diseases we vaccinate against are serious. Parvovirus and distemper spread easily between dogs, can survive in the environment, and are often fatal in young puppies. They are still seen in Cyprus, which is why we take puppy vaccination seriously.

Which vaccines does a puppy need?

• Core vaccines, recommended for every dog: canine distemper, canine parvovirus and canine adenovirus (infectious hepatitis).
• Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease spread through the urine of rats and other animals, often found in water and damp soil. It can also infect people.
• Kennel cough (parainfluenza and Bordetella), useful for dogs that will go to boarding kennels, daycare, training classes or grooming.
• Rabies, needed if your dog will ever travel abroad. Plan this early, because travel rules include waiting periods.

We will recommend the right combination for your puppy based on its lifestyle, so you are not paying for protection it does not need.

A typical schedule

• 6 to 8 weeks: first vaccination, health check and worming.
• Every 2 to 4 weeks after that: further doses, with the last one given at 16 weeks of age or older.
• 6 to 12 months: a booster that completes the puppy course.
• Adulthood: regular boosters. Some vaccines last several years, while leptospirosis needs a booster every year.

If your puppy came from a shelter or another country, bring any vaccination booklet or pet passport you have. We will check what has already been given and plan the rest from there.

Keeping your puppy safe before the course is complete

Until about two weeks after the final puppy vaccine, keep your puppy away from places where unknown dogs walk, such as parks, pavements and beaches. Parvovirus can survive on the ground for months.

This does not mean keeping your puppy shut away. The first months are the most important time for socialisation, so:

• carry your puppy outside to experience traffic, people and new sounds;
• invite friends with healthy, fully vaccinated dogs to your garden;
• join puppy classes that require all puppies to have started their vaccinations.

After the injection

Some puppies are a little quiet or have a sore spot where the injection was given for a day or two. This is normal and passes on its own.

The rest of the puppy checklist

• Worming every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until six months.
• Flea and tick protection suitable for your puppy's age and weight.
• Microchipping and registration. In Cyprus, dogs must be microchipped and registered.
• A conversation about neutering, nutrition and training at one of the vaccination visits.

This article is general guidance for pet owners. Every pet is different, so ask us about your own pet before changing its care.

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