Vaccination Schedule For Your Labrador Retriever Puppy
Did you recently bring a labrador retriever puppy into your home? Pat yourself on the back, as you chose a tremendous breed! Labrador retriever’s are famous for being loving, outgoing, family friendly, and playful dogs, which contributes to them being the most popular breed of dog according to the AKC rankings. While adding a puppy to your family is an exciting time, raising a young puppy also requires pet owners to undertake a series of responsibilities. Puppies will require regular feeding, potty training, some toys to play with, love and attention, and, last but certainly not least, vaccinations.
Throughout your labrador retriever’s life he/she will need vaccinations. However, during their puppy period, they will require a series of vaccinations that are essential to their ability to fight off bacteria and diseases. Puppies, like young people, are more vulnerable to contracting an illness during their young years than when they’re older. To help guide your through the puppy process with your new labrador retriever, we put together an outline of the vaccination schedule you’ll need to adhere to in order to provide your puppy with a happy and healthy life.
Booster Vaccinations for Labrador Retrievers
The first vaccinations that your labrador retriever will need are called boosters. Why call them boosters? Well, they are a series of vaccines that *boost *your puppy’s immune system. Super creative, we agree! The first booster vaccination is recommended to be done between 6-8 weeks old and is done to combat canine distemper.
Canine distemper, sometimes referred to canine measles, is a virus that affects a dog’s gastrointestinal, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Having a lowered immune system exposes puppies to contracting canine distemper, which is why it’s so strongly recommended your labrador retriever receives a vaccination to prevent it.
Your puppy’s second vaccination takes place around the age of 12-20 weeks when they should receive their rabies vaccine. You remember that horrible sad book/movie Old Yeller? You’ll want to give your labrador retriever puppy their rabies shot so that they don’t get rabies, which is the traumatic affliction that Old Yeller contracts near the end of that story. In many states, giving your pets a rabies shot is required by law.
DHPP Vaccine and Beyond
The third vaccination that your labrador retriever is scheduled to receive takes place between 16 and 20 weeks old. This vaccination is when your puppy get’s their DHPP vaccine. This very efficient shot contains four vaccines all in one that fight against distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza.
Depending on the where you and your new puppy live, your labrador retriever might also need to be vaccinated against diseases such as lyme, leptospirosis, and coronavirus. These diseases are prevalent in specific geographical locations, so it’s always recommended that you consult your veterinarian to see what additional vaccinations your puppy may require.
Details on Labrador Retriever Puppy Diseases
Bordetella is a bacteria that causes kennel cough. The name kennel cough derives from the likelihood that dogs that are boarded contract it. However, your lab can contract kennel cough anywhere, from the vet’s office to a dog park. The vaccine DHPP is used to prevent kennel cough.
Hepatitis in dogs is a viral disease that attacks a their liver and eyes. It can lead to reproductive issues and causes significant discomfort. Though humans can also contract forms of hepatitis, this form can not be transmitted to humans.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that aggressively attacks a dog’s liver and kidneys. It can be transmitted to humans. DHPP is used to prevent it.
Parvovirus is a serious and highly contagious disease that is especially dangerous for puppies. Sometimes abbreviated and referred to as Parvo, this nasty disease suppresses a dog’s immune system and makes them experience severe vomiting and diarrhea. It is often fatal.
Learn More About Your Labrador Retriever at PetPlace
Now that you’re armed with an approximate vaccination schedule to guide you through the puppy years of your labrador retriever, it’s time to talk about the costs of vaccinations. The cost of vaccinations will vary slightly depending on the provider. We recommend that you call a few of your local veterinarians or clinics to ask for price quotes for of each vaccination you are preparing to give your puppy. This way you’ll be able to compare and contrast the fees that each provider charges. Another option for pet owners is to consider acquiring pet insurance for their labrador retriever. Pet insurance provides pet owners with the freedom to make veterinary decisions without stressing the financial implications. Learn why most vets recommend pet insurance to pet owners.
Looking to learn more about your labrador retriever? PetPlace is a wonderful resource for pet owners who want to discover more about their pet, and others. We have thousands of vet-approved articles that will quench your thirst for pet-related info. Specific to labrador retrievers, you can discover 5 attributes about labs that make them great or tips for house training your new puppy.