Vaccinations protect your puppy from diseases that are common in India and can be fatal. Your vet decides the exact schedule based on your puppy's age, health, history and local risks. The timeline below is a typical example to help you plan and ask the right questions.
A typical schedule
| Age | Usually given |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | First combination vaccine (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) |
| 9 to 12 weeks | Second combination vaccine, often with leptospirosis |
| 12 to 16 weeks | Third combination vaccine and leptospirosis booster; first rabies vaccine around this age |
| As advised | Rabies booster, depending on your vet's protocol |
| Every year | Annual boosters for the combination vaccine and rabies |
What they protect against
- Canine distemper: a serious viral disease affecting the lungs, gut and nervous system.
- Parvovirus: causes severe vomiting and bloody diarrhoea; very dangerous for puppies and common in India.
- Canine hepatitis: a viral infection of the liver.
- Parainfluenza: contributes to kennel cough.
- Leptospirosis: a bacterial disease spread through water and soil contaminated by rats; a particular risk in the rains. It can also infect people.
- Rabies: fatal once symptoms appear, in dogs and people. Vaccination is essential.
Deworming
Puppies are commonly dewormed every two weeks until about three months old, then monthly until six months, then every three months. Your vet will advise the product and dose by weight.
Tips for vaccination visits
- Keep a vaccination card and a photo of it on your phone.
- Go to the vet in a carrier or a pet-friendly cab, not on foot through areas with other dogs.
- Mild sleepiness or a small lump at the injection site for a day is common. Call your vet for swelling of the face, vomiting, collapse or difficulty breathing.
After vaccinations
Once your vet confirms your puppy is protected, the world opens up: parks, playdates and grooming. Start with a stress-free first grooming session.
Next step: Bathing your puppy in Bangalore.