What exactly are dog vaccinations?

Vaccinations are vaccines. They are produced against viral particles and are protective in nature. They stimulate your dog's immunity without your dog having contacted that particular virus.

Dr. Larry Nieman
Neighborhood Vets Mobile Care

How do vaccinations impact the health and well-being of my dog?

Vaccinations primarily protect your dog. They are a crucial part of wellness care for your pet.

Are vaccinations required by law?

The rabies vaccine is the only one that's actually required by law. This may depend on the state and county where you live. For instance, here in Kansas, it's required by the state.

Does my dog's lifestyle factor into what vaccinations my veterinarian will recommend?

Absolutely. That's why the veterinarian takes a history from you, usually prior to you coming in front of him. If you travel to certain regions, such as the East Coast or certain other states, it is advisable to have your dog vaccinated for Lyme disease.

How soon should I get my dog vaccinated?

You should get your dog vaccinated on a yearly basis. If your dog hasn't been seen for a year, now's the time to get him vaccinated.

Do I really need to avoid allowing my puppy to socialize with other dogs until they are fully vaccinated?

It's smart to avoid socializing your puppy with other dogs until they have had their initial vaccinations. However, if you're going to be mixing with dogs and you're unsure if they've been vaccinated, I would definitely avoid it in a puppy until he's had his rabies shot.

Why is it important to avoid missing a dog's vaccination?

If you miss the vaccines, it's really not that big a deal. It's too late to catch up, but you can always get a booster, and it'll work just fine. That's why they call it a booster.

What are the typical puppy and dog vaccination schedules?

Puppies get vaccines every three to four weeks until they're 14 weeks old. Adult dogs should be vaccinated on a yearly basis.

What diseases are prevented with vaccinations?

Vaccinations prevent a host of diseases that we used to see regularly back in the 70s. Diseases like distemper and hepatitis have been almost eliminated with vaccines.

If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (913) 912-2319, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram

Dog Vaccinations - FAQs

Dr. Larry Nieman
Neighborhood Vets Mobile Care

When does my puppy or dog need to be vaccinated?

Puppies need to have a series of vaccinations, and we normally give those vaccines every three to four weeks until the puppy is at least 14 weeks of age.

How many times a year does my dog need vaccinations?

Yearly. Your dog should be examined by a veterinarian on a yearly basis, and during that yearly exam, the vaccines that your dog needs will be given during that time.

Can there be any variations in the puppy and dog vaccine schedules?

Yes, some veterinarians are strict about every three weeks or every four weeks. But, it's basically every three to four weeks until the puppy is 14 weeks of age, and for adult dogs, it's once a year.

Is it safe to get multiple dog vaccinations at the same time?

Yes. The vaccines that we're currently using are manufactured in a way that reduces the side effects so much that most of us hardly ever see a vaccine reaction.

What is titer testing and is it effective?

A titer test is a test for antibodies in the blood against a disease, for example, rabies. However, the titer does not infer immune feed. This means your dog may have a titer for Parvo, but yet might still be susceptible.

Does my puppy need to restart boosters if they miss a vaccination?

No, your puppy just needs to be vaccinated on the recommendation of your veterinarian.

If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (913) 912-2319, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram