Vaccinations serve as the best method of prevention for common diseases, like parvovirus and canine distemper, in puppies. At first, the mother’s immune system plays the role of protector by passing antibodies to her young. This benefit starts to wane around 6 weeks of age. That’s when your veterinarian will want to start the puppy immunizations. The vaccines will continue every 3-4 weeks until a minimum of 16 weeks of age because a puppy’s immune system is still fragile and developing during this time.
Occasionally, mild reactions to vaccination may occur. Symptoms could include soreness at the injection site, fever, or an allergic reaction. However, the risk of these side effects is much smaller than the risk of the disease itself. Try scheduling your pet’s immunizations at a time when you can monitor him/her for any side effects afterward.
Starting your puppy’s life with a protective vaccination protocol will give your dog the best start. After this initial round of vaccinations, your dog should receive ongoing vaccination visits annually.
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