Vaccines for Puppies & Dogs

Vaccines are an important healthcare measure, protecting your pet against a range of preventable diseases. Depending on your pet’s risk factors for contracting certain diseases, we’ll develop a vaccine plan based on their needs. If you have questions about vaccines or would like to develop a plan for your pet, please contact us at 403-938-4171.

What types of vaccines are available?

Vaccines are separated into two categories, core and non-core. Core vaccinations are the essential vaccines your pet needs, usually mandated by the government and veterinary association. Some are given as a combination, protecting against multiple diseases and infections. Non-core vaccinations are given based on the risk of your canine friend contracting certain diseases. We recommend the following core vaccines for canine friends:

• Canine distemper
• Canine parvovirus
• Canine adenovirus (infectious canine hepatitis)
• Parainfluenza
• Rabies

When should they start getting vaccinated?

When puppies are born, their mother’s milk provides some antibodies which protect them against infections in their first few weeks of life. This immunity is temporary and vaccines are needed to keep your pet protected. We recommend puppies start getting vaccinated at 8-weeks-old. They’ll continue to receive their first vaccines at 12 and 16 weeks. After their first birthday, they’ll receive more vaccines as well as boosters at least every 3 years, depending on the vaccine. Our veterinary team will create a vaccine schedule for your pet, which will help keep you up-to-date with when your pet should receive their vaccines.

Are there alternatives to vaccines?

We highly discourage using at-home remedies or other alternatives to vaccines. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect your pet against preventable diseases. Though there are a few side effects associated with vaccines, like allergic reactions, swelling or redness at the injection site, these are pretty rare.