Vaccination Schedule for Dogs
You need to make sure that your canine companion has been vaccinated and that you get a vaccination card/record from your vet, dog breeder or animal shelter.
Why vaccinate?
Canine vaccines protect your dog from some of the most common and contagious dog illnesses, including Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis and Rabies.
Canine illnesses
Distemper: An airborne viral disease of the lungs, intestines and brain.
Hepatitis: A viral disease of the liver.
Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease of the urinary tract.
Parainfluenza: Infectious bronchitis.
Parvovirus: A viral disease of the intestines.
Rabies: A viral disease fatal to humans and other animals.
Bordetella: A bacterial infection of the upper respiratory system, also called kennel cough.
South African vaccination schedule for puppies (4 weeks to 1 year)
4 weeks: For high-risk puppies, a Distemper and Parvovirus vaccination can be considered (typically reserved for specific high-risk situations).
6-8 weeks: 1st puppy shot (DHPPi).
11-12 weeks: 2nd puppy shot (DHPPi).
From 12 weeks: Rabies shot.
15-16 weeks: 3rd puppy shot (DHPPi) and Rabies booster.
Keep your puppy extra healthy with a diet like Optiwoof puppy— enriched with prebiotics as well as vitamins and minerals to support their immune system.
South African vaccination schedule for adult dogs
DHPPi: Annually (Leptospirosis for those who would like to do this).
Rabies: Annually or every 3 years depending on region.
Bordetella: (Kennel Cough) Annually when going to Kennels
Leptospirosis: Annually
Additional South African vaccines
In South Africa, the DP (Distemper and Parvovirus) vaccine for dogs can be administered from 4 weeks of age, with booster doses required at intervals of 2-4 weeks until the puppy is around 12 weeks old.
There are additional puppy shots that your vet may recommend. These include vaccinations for Bordetella (Kennel Cough) and Leptospirosis.
Whether or not your pup needs these particular puppy shots will depend on variables, such as what area you live in, and whether or not he/she will be spending a lot of time at puppy day care, etc.
Some dog kennels will not accept dogs into their care without current, up-to-date vaccination certificates.
Some breeds are particularly vulnerable to Canine Parvovirus and should have a 4th Parvo vaccination to improve protection. This is usually given at around 16 weeks of age.