I'm planning to get a puppy soon and it's my first time.
I'm still a little new to this and wasn't sure if puppies have to get vaccinated or is it just recommended.
Also what kind of vaccines a puppy needs. And how much will it cost?
If puppies are purchased in pet stores are they already vaccinated and microchipped?
?
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Puppies need vaccinations at 8,12, and 16 weeks. de wormed at 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Put on heart worm prevention before 6 months old. Parvo lives in the ground for a long time, and can be brought into your home on peoples shoes. Parvo will kill your puppy within 24 hours. I don't recommend getting a puppy until it's 12 weeks old, and has had 2 sets of vaccinations. Worms can also kill. I rescued an 11 week old English pointer, that had hook worms, and needed a blood transfusion. Puppies are not protected from Parvo, until 72 hours after the 2nd vaccination.
Depends on where you live, to as how much the vaccinations will cost. The cost for vaccines, is cheaper than paying for treatment once the dog gets sick.
Never buy a puppy from a pet store! They come from puppy mills, and the owner will tell you they have been vaccinated, and weren't. Therefore, you get a sick puppy, due to people handling them, and whatever they bring into the store.
Get a puppy from a rescue group. I rescue and foster for a local group. The fee you pay for the pup, pays for the vaccinations, heart worm testing, spaying/neutering, and de wormings. You will also be saving a life!
Kayla
It's just a recommendation, but it will protect your pup against numerous diseases and viruses. Also, if you want to kennel your dog or join a dog training group you will need a current vaccination certificate.
The vaccinations depend on your country, but in Australia it costs about $85 (also depends on the Vet) usually this also includes a check-up.
Some pet stores include vaccinations, but most do not. They very very rarely include microchipping.
If you are looking for a puppy, you should really avoid pet stores as most of the dogs there come from Puppy Mills(not nice).
You can find private sellers on classifieds sites, or search for a reputable breeder. A great thing to do is adopt from a rescue shelter(yes, they DO have puppies) because you know that you are saving the dog from a bad home or from being put down. Also, most rescue shelter(I know the RSPCA does) sell the animal already microchipped, vaccinated, wormed and desexed - so it is actually cheaper this way, too.
Our local vet also has dogs and cats available for adoption, including microchipping, etc. for a good price.
You should really look around :) It will save you a lot of money
Anonymous
As far as I'm aware, only rabies is compulsory, and even then I don't think all US States require this? Check locally. However, of course it's 'recommended' for a puppy to be fully vaccinated, which can be done any time from 8 weeks of age. These days, with most puppies/dogs having received their vaccination shots, picking up one of the fatal dog diseases is less likely, but Parvovirus is still rife, and if your puppy doesn't have any shots, he could very well go down this this often fatal virus. Depending on the age of the puppy bought from a Pet Shop, it probably will come with it's shots BUT DO NOT BUY FROM A PET SHOP!!! These puppies come from Puppy Mills or BYBs and although apparently 'healthy' often come with loads of problems. In any case, vaccination costs will undoubtedly be passed on to the buyer, if done before purchase.
Microchipping I think, is unlikely to have been done by the owners of a Pet Shop, but I really don't know. Again, the cost will be passed on.
As for cost - vets do vary so phone round but don't shop by price. You should always find a vet you can work with for the health of your puppy above all else.
Anonymous
I don't know which country you live in and the law there, but its usually not compulsary.
It is strongly recommended that you vaccinate your dog.
There are 2 common vaccinations that people vaccinate their dogs with- the first being the rabies vaccination. the reason why people are so careful with this is that rabies is an infectious disease, so if unfortunately the dog gets it, not only will it die but the owners and anybody near it will get bitten and infected too. Which usually results in death.
The other vaccination is for a combination of about 5 diseases. You should ask your vet about the care you should give your dog. Its essential for your dogs health and wellbeing.
If you do not vaccinate your dog, the chances of him suffering from disease are increased. As a responsible owner you should look to minimise the chances. Also you will not need to worry about the dog so much if he goes near other dogs etc if he's vaccinated.
You should DEFINITELY ask the pet store owner about the vaccination your dog's already had and if he has, the certificates to prove that. Because if your dogs already been vaccinated it would probably be harmful to repeat that vaccine.
Inform the vet of all the vaccines the dogs already had, as well as the dogs background.
Best of luck
Nameless
First of all don't get a pet shop puppy. They come from mills and will not be healthy. You can adopt a dog from a shelter that has already had its shots and is healthy.
With vaccinations you should do research. Everyone has their own opinion. I personally think they need to get their puppy shots and then after that only get vaccinated for things that are common in the area you live in and they should get minimal vaccinations (like they shouldn't get yearly vaccinations). Some people never vaccinate, some people do yearly. Again, do research.