You bring home your new puppy and your heart melts. Within days, questions flood your mind about keeping this little life healthy. Pet Vaccinations Calgary clinics see hundreds of worried new owners each month. Your puppy’s immune system starts weak. The right vaccines at the right time build the protection they need to thrive.

Why Puppies Need Multiple Vaccine Doses

Your puppy inherited temporary immunity from their mother. This maternal protection fades between six and sixteen weeks of age.

Veterinarians give puppies a series of shots every three to four weeks. Each dose builds stronger protection. Think of it like layers of armor.

Missing even one dose creates dangerous gaps. Diseases like parvovirus kill puppies in days. Distemper attacks the brain and lungs.

The DHPP Vaccine Your Puppy Must Have

The DHPP vaccine protects against four deadly diseases.

Distemper causes seizures, pneumonia, and death. Most puppies don’t survive. Those who do suffer brain damage.

Hepatitis attacks the liver. Your puppy’s eyes turn blue. Severe cases end in liver failure.

Parvovirus destroys the intestinal lining. Puppies vomit and have bloody diarrhea. Treatment costs thousands. Many die despite care.

Parainfluenza causes kennel cough. It makes puppies miserable with weeks of coughing.

Your puppy gets their first DHPP at six to eight weeks. Boosters follow at ten to twelve weeks and fourteen to sixteen weeks. One year later, they need another. After that, the vaccine lasts three years.

Rabies Vaccination: The Law Protects Your Puppy

Alberta law requires rabies vaccination for all dogs and cats.

Rabies kills every infected animal. No treatment exists. The virus spreads through saliva from bites. Wild animals carry rabies in Calgary. Bats, skunks, and foxes all pose risks.

Puppies receive their first rabies shot between twelve and sixteen weeks. A booster follows one year later. After that, vaccines last one to three years.

Licensing your dog requires proof of rabies vaccination. More importantly, rabies can jump to humans. One bite puts your entire family at risk.

Additional Vaccines Based on Your Puppy’s Lifestyle

Beyond core vaccines, your puppy might need extra protection.

Bordetella prevents kennel cough. Boarding facilities and dog daycares require this vaccine. Annual boosters keep immunity strong.

Leptospirosis spreads through contaminated water. Dogs who hike face higher risk. This infection damages kidneys and liver. Humans can catch it too.

Canine influenza spreads in group settings. Discuss this vaccine with your vet if your puppy attends training classes.

Finding a Pet Vaccination Clinic Near Me

Calgary offers many options for puppy vaccines. Walk-in vaccination clinics focus on preventive care. No appointment needed.

Some clinics offer package deals. All puppy shots plus microchipping might cost one hundred thirty dollars.

Bring previous vaccine records if available. The clinic needs to know what shots your puppy received.

What Happens During Your Puppy’s Vaccine Visit

The technician checks your puppy’s weight and temperature first. They’ll ask about appetite and energy.

Most puppies tolerate vaccines well. You’ll see a quick pinch. The whole process takes seconds.

Your puppy might feel tired that evening. A slight fever sometimes develops. Decreased appetite for twenty-four hours is normal.

Serious reactions are rare. Watch for facial swelling, hives, or vomiting. If you see these signs, contact a pet emergency clinic right away.

Deworming Goes Hand in Hand With Vaccinations

Most puppies are born with roundworms. The mother passes them through the placenta or milk.

Worms steal nutrients your puppy needs. Heavy infestations cause pot-bellied appearance, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some worms transmit to humans.

Deworming starts at two weeks old. Puppies need treatment every two weeks until eight weeks. Monthly preventive medication works best after that.

Your vet should examine stool samples four times during your puppy’s first year. The test catches infections early.

The Real Cost of Skipping Vaccines

Some owners delay vaccines to save money. This gamble rarely pays off.

Treating parvovirus costs two thousand to five thousand dollars. Your puppy needs hospitalization and IV fluids. Many still die despite treatment.

The DHPP vaccine costs twenty-five dollars. Three doses total seventy-five dollars. The math makes vaccination obvious.

Beyond money, you risk losing your puppy. Distemper and parvo kill young dogs.

Protecting Calgary’s Pet Community

Vaccines don’t just protect your puppy. They protect every dog they meet.

Unvaccinated puppies spread disease. One sick puppy at a dog park can infect dozens. Puppies under sixteen weeks haven’t finished their series yet. They depend on other dogs being vaccinated.

Community immunity shields the most vulnerable. Your choice to vaccinate protects puppies who can’t get shots yet.

Creating Your Puppy’s Vaccination Schedule

Mark these dates on your calendar now.

Six to eight weeks: First DHPP and deworming. Ten to twelve weeks: Second DHPP and deworming. Fourteen to sixteen weeks: Final DHPP, first rabies, and deworming. One year: DHPP booster and rabies booster.

Set phone reminders two days before each appointment.

Missing appointments by a week won’t ruin everything. Get back on schedule as soon as possible. For significant delays, talk to your vet.

Taking Action for Your Puppy’s Health

Pet Vaccinations Calgary services give your puppy the best start in life. Protection begins with that first visit.

Your puppy depends on you to make smart health decisions. Vaccines prevent suffering and save lives.

Schedule your puppy’s vaccines today. Don’t wait until next week. Every day without protection is a day at risk. Silverado Veterinary Hospital welcomes new puppy owners and provides complete vaccination services at 318-19369 Sheriff King St SW. Visit us to start your puppy’s protection plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should my puppy get their first vaccines?

Puppies should start vaccines at six to eight weeks old. They need boosters every three to four weeks until sixteen weeks. This timing protects them as maternal immunity fades.

Can I take my puppy to dog parks before finishing vaccines?

No, avoid dog parks until your puppy completes their series at sixteen weeks. Unvaccinated puppies risk catching deadly diseases. Wait at least forty-eight hours after the final dose.

How much do puppy vaccines cost in Calgary?

Expect to pay fifteen to twenty-five dollars per vaccine at walk-in clinics. Package deals range from forty to one hundred thirty dollars.

What if I miss my puppy’s vaccine appointment?

Get back on schedule quickly. Short delays don’t require restarting the series. If you’re months behind, your vet might recommend repeating doses.

Do indoor puppies need vaccines too?

Yes, all puppies need core vaccines regardless of lifestyle. Viruses can enter your home on shoes and clothing. Rabies vaccination is required by law.