Vaccines for Puppies & Dogs

Having a new puppy is exciting. They are full of life and energy. They provide unconditional love to everyone around them. We can see why so many people in the Toronto area love having a puppy in the home. At the same time, it is important for every puppy owner to make sure their furry friend has a reliable veterinarian. At Jane Animal Hospital, we strive to be that service. We want to make sure everyone is familiar with the responsibilities that come with owning a puppy. One of these responsibilities has to do with vaccinations. Vaccines play a major role in their healthcare because they protect against illnesses dogs are susceptible to. What's more, your pet will need to get boosters all throughout their life in order to stay protected. To learn more about our vaccination services, contact us at 416-762-5558.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines introduce a small amount of a disease into the bloodstream of your pet. It's not a strong enough form of the disease to cause any serious complications in most cases. The pet's immune system works to fight the infection, which builds up a defense system against the disease if your pet should ever come in contact with it in the future. Many vaccinations require boosters, so your pet maintains immunity to the disease. Keep in mind, you're not only protecting your pet from disease, you're protecting yourself and family from contracting a zoonotic disease as well.

What vaccines does my dog need?

Our immunization options include core (mandatory) and non-core (optional) vaccinations. After your puppy receives their first round of core vaccinations, we must keep them up-to-date with a customized vaccination plan.

When should I vaccinate my puppy/dog?

We must start canine vaccinations as soon as possible. This is because your pet is very susceptible to diseases as a puppy - their immune system isn't fully developed yet. Typically, we begin your pet's vaccinations when they are at least eight weeks of age. We space out the vaccinations to an acceptable window to keep your puppy comfortable, while also getting him or her vaccinated in a timely manner.

Some of the common vaccinations we usually provide include:

• Vaccines against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza Virus (often, this is a single shot to minimize the number of injections)
• Vaccinations against certain Bordetella/Kennel Cough
• Vaccines against Leptospirosis, which can cause severe damage to the kidney and liver
• Vaccines against rabies

Note: Some of these vaccines may require more than one injection over the course of a few months when initially creating immunity in your pet. All vaccines require regular boosters ever 1-3 years to maintain potency. Our doctors can discuss all of these factors with you when your puppy is in to see us.