Vaccines for Puppies & Dogs

Veterinary medicine has advanced to the point where we can prevent harmful and fatal disease in your pet. Vaccines are essential to the well-being of your pet and by extension other pets in their surroundings. At Cornell Animal Hospital, we provide a vaccination program to prevent our patients from missing or having late doses of their vaccines. We offer all the vaccines required by law (core) and other important vaccines that are pet-specific (non-core). To learn more about our vaccination program, please reach out to us.

When should I have my dog/puppy vaccinated?

Puppy vaccination should begin when they are between 6 to 12-weeks-old. These vaccines will continue until they are 3 to 4-months-old. Core vaccine booster shots will be given every 1 to 3 years. Non-core vaccines will be administered based on your veterinarian’s recommendations.

Which vaccines should my puppy or dog get?

All dogs are required to receive core vaccines. Core vaccines protect against deadly diseases that have a high transmission rate. Some of the diseases or infections your pet can develop without these vaccines can spread to humans. The core vaccines your pet should have are:

1. Rabies
2. Canine distemper
3. Parvovirus

Other vaccines may be recommended for your furry friend because of their risk factors. Some important shots your pet may need are:

1. Leptospirosis
2. Bordetella
3. Lyme

Can my puppy/dog have reactions to vaccines?

Yes, some pets have reactions to vaccines. It is normal for some pets to become fatigued, lose their appetite, have diarrhea or experience swelling at the injection site. These reactions are usually minor and generally subside after 48 hours.