Timberview Veterinary Hospital recommends that your puppy receive his/her first distemper vaccine between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Puppies require a series of vaccinations due to a temporary immunity provided by his/her mother at birth. Our standard vaccine schedule is as follows but a specific plan will be developed for your puppy based on age and weight at first visit, previous vaccination status and your wishes:

AGE 6 to 8 Weeks:
Complete health exam
1st Distemper combination vaccine
1st Canine Influenza vaccine
Intestinal Parasite Screening (Fecal) 

AGE 9 to 10 Weeks:
Complete health exam
1st Lyme vaccine
2nd Distemper combination vaccine
Bordetella (Kennel Cough) vaccine
Intestinal Parasite Screening (Fecal) 

AGE 12 Weeks:
Complete health exam
2nd Lyme vaccine
2nd Canine Influenza vaccine
3rd Distemper combination vaccine
Intestinal Parasite Screening (Fecal) 

AGE 16 Weeks:
Complete health exam
Final Distemper combination vaccine
Rabies vaccine
Intestinal Parasite Screening (Fecal) 

AGE 6 Months:
Neuter or Spay
May elect to Microchip           
Intestinal Parasite Screening (Fecal)

The Distemper combination vaccine is given in a series every 3 to 4 weeks until 4 months of age. The final booster is the most important. Your puppy receives his/her protective immunity from this final inoculation. It immunizes against several diseases including distemper, parvovirus and leptospirosis. These are all contagious viruses or bacteria that can attack several of your dog’s organ systems and in some cases result in death.

Canine Influenza vaccine is necessary for dogs who will board, attend puppy training classes, dog shows or those that visit grooming facilities or dog parks. This vaccine should be given at 6 to 8 weeks of age and repeated 2-3 weeks later.

Bordetella (Kennel Cough vaccine) is necessary for dogs in the same categories as those listed for the Canine Influenza vaccine. Bordetella is a highly contagious group of respiratory diseases.

Lyme vaccine should be given at 9 to 12 weeks of age and repeated 3 weeks thereafter. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted by the deer tick. This tick is prevalent in central Pennsylvania.

Rabies is required by law and your puppy must be 3 months of age or older to receive the vaccine.

An individual vaccination schedule will be provided for your puppy based on the veterinarian’s evaluation of your puppy’s exposure to the diseases these vaccines protect against. This is a quick reference guide to familiarize you with the vaccines Timberview Veterinary Hospital offers.