German Shepherd Puppies Vaccination Schedule

How Often Should A Puppy Eat

Newborn pups generally eat every 2 to 3 hours. Youâll be as busy with them as you would with a human baby. If youâre mixing formula, the packaging should tell you how much to give them. You might find that your puppy will need more or less than the packaging tells you. Be sure to make a note of how much youâre making per feeding.

Puppies require a warm environment to sleep and to eat. Their body temperature isn’t regulated for the first few weeks of life. If they are cold, they cannot eat or digest their food properly.

This means that youâll need to have a source of heat underneath a towel or a blanket in their nesting box. Place it next to a non-heated area so that they can move away if they become too hot.

Around 3 to 4 weeks of age, you might notice that your puppy is biting or chewing their bottle. This means they may be ready to begin eating soft or semi-solid food. You might need to mix formula with canned dog food occasionally when they first start eating. Talk to your veterinarian for guidance when you notice your puppy chewing on the bottle.

If your puppy is between 4 and 6 weeks old, they should be eating solid food on their own from a bowl. Follow the recommendations on their food bag for amounts. The normal feeding schedule for 6 to 12-week old puppies is four times per day.

Bordetella And Canine Parainfluenza

Bordetella and canine parainfluenza virus are two agents associated with a highly contagious cough commonly known as kennel cough, or canine infectious respiratory disease complex .

Diseases from these agents typically resolve on their own but sometimes can lead to pneumonia or more severe respiratory disease. Because Bordetella is so contagious, boarding and doggy day care facilities across the U.S. require your pet to have this vaccine.

Parainfluenza may or may not be included in a combination vaccine with Bordetella or the DAP.

When Do Puppies Need Booster Shots

Abstaining from booster shots can put your puppy at risk. However, not all vaccines require yearly boosters.

• DHPP vaccine booster: every two weeks for a total of three sets, then every three years
• Lepto, Canine influenza, and Lyme disease vaccine booster: one month after the initial series, then annually
• Bordetella booster: 1 year
• Rabies booster: every 1 to 3 years after the initial round, depending on state laws

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What Is Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and spreads through a tick bite. Symptoms dont always appear for all dogs with Lyme disease, although some dogs will show swollen lymph nodes or lameness.

Symptoms

If your dog displays Lyme disease symptoms, be sure to check her over for any ticks that may still be present.

Symptoms include shifting-leg lameness, decreased appetite, and high fever.

Untreated Lyme disease can cause extreme inflammation in your dogs nervous system, heart, and kidneys and potentially lead to death.

Treatment

Vets test for Lyme disease by taking blood samples at least four weeks after the tick bite. If a dog is positive for Lyme disease, early treatment with doxycycline is prescribed. If a more advanced stage of Lyme disease is suspected, antibiotic treatment will continue for longer, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed.

The best treatment is to prevent Lyme disease by keeping your pets tick preventative treatment current.

Lyme Disease Vaccination

The Lyme disease vaccine is usually only given to dogs in areas where Lyme disease is a concern. Dogs may receive their Lyme disease vaccine as early as eight weeks old and a second dose two to four weeks later. For dogs with a high risk of getting Lyme disease, a booster shot is given one year following the second dose and then annually.

Price

The Lyme disease shot is administered as an individual immunization. Price is typically around $20 to $40.

Are There Optional Dog Vaccines

Although puppy vaccines and dog vaccinations are very important to the overall health and wellness of your canine companion, not every puppy or dog needs to be vaccinated against every disease. Some canine vaccinations should only be administered depending upon factors including:

• Age
• Travel habits
• Lifestyle

Therefore, it is very important for us to discuss the vaccination protocol that’s right for your canine companion at your next appointment.

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What Are Dog Vaccines And Why Are They Important

Vaccines help prepare a dog’s immune system to defend itself from any invasion of disease-causing organisms. Vaccines contain antigens, which mimic disease-causing organisms in a dog’s immune system, but don’t actually cause disease. The purpose of puppy vaccines and dog vaccines is to mildly stimulate the immune system by having it recognize the antigens present. This way, if a dog becomes exposed to the real disease, it’s immune system will recognize it, and therefore be prepared to fight it off, or at the least reduce its effects.

What About The Mother Do I Have To Do Anything To Dry Up Her Milk Supply

Starting at approximately three weeks after birth, as you start the weaning process, the puppies will gradually feed less and less from the mother’s milk. She will be happy to leave the nest for longer and longer periods and, depending on her breed or type, will probably enjoy increased periods of exercise and physical activity.

“During this time, her milk supply should be diminishing naturally…”

During this time, her milk supply should be diminishing naturally and you should start feeding her less. It is rare that medical intervention is required to reduce a mother’s milk supply.

Other handouts in this series Breeding for Dog Owners contain further information about intestinal parasites, infectious diseases, and vaccinations. Your veterinarian can provide you with this information and give you specific advice that relates to your circumstances. If you have any other questions, please contact your veterinary clinic.

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What Is A Titer Test For Dogs

Another way to reduce the number of vaccines is to do a titer test for dogs. After a dog has her initial puppy shots in the first year, a blood sample can determine a dogs antibody titer or measure the antibody concentration in your dogs bloodstream.

Research and guidelines suggest that core vaccines give more than a years worth of immunity. A dog titer test is one way to gauge if your dogs immunity falls into the negative threshold and is ready for a booster or not. It takes about 20 minutes to get test results, so your vet can quickly determine which vaccines are needed each year. The cost of a dog titer test can vary, but on average is around $50-100.

When Will I Be Able To Place The Puppies In Their New Homes

You can place most puppies in their new homes at around eight to ten weeks of age, ideally after ten weeks of age to ensure proper weaning and maximum social development. Puppies that are separated from their mother and littermates earlier than this may have an increased amount of behavioral problems later in life.

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Vom Banach K9 German Shepherd Puppy Health Schedule

This is a schedule I stick with when I am raising up a litter. Puppies who may be staying longer may not receive the same schedule as those leaving at the 8-9 weeks of age. I may vaccinate them later then the initial 7 week vaccine so I then follow a vaccine protocol from the date of the initial vaccine giving subsequent vaccines every 4 weeks thereafter for the remaining two vaccines. Because both Corona and Lepto need two boosters following the initial one is why I recommend puppies receive two more vaccines in addition to rabies after leaving here.

I also discuss vaccines with my clients when I give go home instructions. And I hope it mostly sinks in. I think it is very important when they take their new puppy to their vet that they bring the record and be sure they are given the correct vaccinations and only the ones that are needed. I think it is important to be on the same page with your vet that puppies are not over-vaccinated.

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Jumpstart Your Puppys Immune System

In their first year of life, puppies will need to visit their veterinarian numerous times to get vaccinated for and become immunized against potentially fatal, yet preventable infectious diseases. The worst of these are Distemper and Parvo.

The timing and interval between booster vaccinations is critical to ensure your puppy is protected, as their mothers antibodies can interfere with a vaccinations ability to mount your puppys own immune response. Thus, puppies need a series of vaccinations to allow their immune system to break through waning maternal antibody.

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Are Vaccinations Necessary

As a dog owner, youll always wonder if a particular vaccination is truly needed. You dont want to put your dog through any unnecessary discomfort. Some say that vaccinations simply put your mind at ease, while others believe you should protect your dog from everything harmful. Do whats best for your dog.

Consult your vet for advice if you find yourself overwhelmed or questioning a vaccine. You and your vet should be able to make the appropriate decision for your dog to be happy and healthy. If cost is a factor for you, consider a wellness plan to help cover the expense of vaccinating your dog.

And One More: Heartworm

Heartworms are parasitic worms that are spread by mosquitos, and the resulting disease can be devastating. When the worms enter the dogs body, they find their way to the heart and lungs where they grow and multiply until the organs become clogged and eventually fail.

Heartworm prevention medication can be administered as an injection between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks, and thereafter with an annual booster. Additionally, preventative medication can be administered as a tablet which is typically given monthly or bi-monthly.

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Andrews Special Girl Sandy Needed Surgery From Torn Cruciate Ligaments

Andrew took Sandy for x-rays after she started limping. It was found that she had a torn cruciate ligament in the left leg and needed surgery. After 6 months recovery and loading of the other leg, another knee reconstruction was required. Andrew is grateful that Bow Wow Meow were fantastic and and helpful, and seemed to really care about Sandy.

Andrew took Sandy for x-rays after she started limping. It was found that she had a torn cruciate ligament in the left leg and needed surgery. After 6 months recovery and loading of the other leg, another knee reconstruction was required. Andrew is grateful that Bow Wow Meow were fantastic and and helpful, and seemed to really care about Sandy.

Planning For Newborn Puppy Care

If you plan to purchase your puppy from a breeder or a store, you should find one that does not take a puppy away from their mother too early. Opinions differ on when this time is. In general, anywhere between 7 and 8 weeks is considered long enough for them to be trained by their mother to urinate and have bowel movements.

You’ll need to have designated places to take your puppy for potty training and have your house puppy-proofed. This means securing anything they can get into that might harm them. Have a plan for how you’re going to train them and keep them healthy.

Soft, warm blankets over a warming pad in a nesting box with a non-heated zone is essential. If you know that they are still nursing, you’ll also need to have puppy formula and bottles to feed them with. Puppy specific food based on your pup’s size and breed should be ready, as well as food and water bowls.

If you have questions or concerns, be sure to call your veterinarian for new puppy guidance.

Show Sources

AKC: “Puppy Feeding Fundamentals,” “Puppy-Proofing Tips For Your Home and Yard,” âRaising Newborn Puppies,â âWhat Is the Best Age to Send Puppies to Their New Homes?â

St. Francis Veterinary Hospital: “Puppy Shots: A Guide to Your Puppyâs Vaccinations and Shot Schedule.”

Veterinary Medicine and Science: âA model of puppy growth during the first three weeks.â

Veterinary Partner: âOrphan Puppy & Kitten Care.â

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What Do Vaccinations Do

Vaccinations protect your dog against an array of illnesses. The basic premise of a vaccine is to prepare the immune system to recognize an infectious organism and effectively fend off that organism when it invades the body. That preparation involves developing antibodies that will specifically recognize and target infectious foreign invaders.

Vaccines are made in different ways. We wont bog you down with all the technical details, but we can give you a basic overview. Some vaccines are called modified live vaccines, containing small bits of live but weakened virus to activate the immune system. Others are killed vaccines, which contain dead virus. There are also vector vaccines, which use genetics to provide strong and durable protection against disease.

Some vaccines require whats known as a booster, which is given at a specified time after the initial vaccination to help keep the vaccine effective over time.

What Is Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is an extremely contagious viral disease that is caused by the canine distemper virus. This disease is closely related to the virus that causes measles.

Symptoms

Canine distemper spreads through the air and attacks the tonsils and lymph nodes. The virus replicates in the body and attacks the gastrointestinal, respiratory, urogenital, and nervous systems.

Symptoms include high fever, runny nose, eye discharge, red eyes, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and paralysis. Some dogs also experience thickening or enlargement of their footpads.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for canine distemper. However, some dogs can recover fully after receiving treatment for symptoms and constant care. After a dog has fully recovered, she will no longer carry or spread the disease.

Canine Distemper Vaccination

The canine distemper vaccination is given as a part of a combination vaccination, most commonly the DHLPP. The D in DHLPP stands for distemper. This vaccination, known as the five-way vaccine, also protects against hepatitis , leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza.

The vaccine is given in a series. Dogs should receive vaccination against canine distemper starting at six weeks, then every two to four weeks until 16 weeks of age. A booster shot is provided at 12 months and then every three years.

Price

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When To Start Puppy Vaccinations

In general, a puppy should start vaccines as soon as you get the puppy and then every three weeks until approximately four months of age when it will receive the final round. Generally, if the puppy’s mother has a healthy immune system, it will most likely receive antibodies in the mother’s milk while nursing. After a puppy has been weaned off of the mother’s milk, vaccinations should begin.

Puppy Vaccination Cost In Australia

Puppy vaccinations cost for all three rounds of shots is between $170 $250. Adult dog vaccinations are approximately $90 annually. These prices are only an average, prices may vary depending on where you living and the vet clinic.

In Australia, vaccinations are reasonably priced, especially considering how much money they save you in veterinary bills incurred when your puppy contracts one of these diseases.

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What If I Rehomed My Puppy From A Charity Or Animal Home

If you adopt a puppy or dog from us, we’ll have already given them initial vaccinations. That’s one of the reasons we charge an adoption fee when we rehome an animal. You should still register with your vet, and talk to them about additional vaccines in the future.

Start your search for a puppy today or take a look at our puppy buying guide for advice on getting a healthy, happy puppy from a breeder. When you’re ready to bring your pup home, we have lots of great tips about the puppy buying process to help you welcome your new pup to the family, and you can also learn more about caring for your puppy.

Vaccinations For Adult Dogs: Boosters And Titers

There is a difference of opinion about having your adult dog vaccinated every year. Some vets believe too many vaccinations in adult dogs pose health risks. But others disagree, saying that yearly vaccinations will prevent dangerous diseases such as distemper. Talk with your vet to determine what kind of vaccination protocol works for you and your dog.

Many dog owners opt for titer tests before they administer annual vaccinations. Titer tests measure a dogs immunity levels, and this can determine which, if any, vaccinations are necessary. One key exception to this is rabies: a titer test is not an option when it comes to the rabies vaccine. This vaccination is required by law across the United States. Your vet can tell you the schedule for your particular state.

And its all worth it. For your effort and care your puppy will lavish you with lifelong love in return. This critical first year of her life is a fun and exciting time for both of you. As she grows physically, the wonderful bond between you will grow, too.

Dont miss crucial information when it comes to raising your puppy. Get personalized training, nutritional, veterinary, and everyday advice sent straight to your inbox. , a weekly email newsletter with customized content based on your puppys breed and age.

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