Dog Vaccine Basics Every Owner Should Know
📝 Summary
Core dog vaccines: distemper, parvo-2, adenovirus-2, rabies. Non-core by risk: parainfluenza, leptospira, Lyme, Bordetella, flu. Combo at 6/9/12 wks, rabies at 14 wks, then yearly. Stay 20–30 min post-shot (rare allergy), no bath 7–10 days, never vaccinate sick dogs, no online vaccines—keep records.
1 Which and When
Core (must): canine distemper, parvovirus-2, adenovirus-2, rabies. Non-core by risk: parainfluenza, leptospira, Borrelia, Bordetella, canine influenza. Coronavirus vaccine is not recommended. ‘N-in-1’ just counts diseases covered; any combo with core works. Mainstream schedule: combo shots at 6, 9, 12 weeks, rabies at 14 weeks, then yearly.
2 Safety and Records
Stay at the clinic 20–30 minutes—allergy is rare (~1.2%) but can be fatal within 30 minutes (pale gums, hard breathing, weakness). Wait 7–10 days before bathing; never vaccinate a coughing, vomiting, or feverish dog (it’s like injecting virus into a fighting immune system). Don’t buy vaccines online—use a vet and keep the vaccine booklet for the license and shipping.
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