When you bring that soft, sweet-smelling little ball of puppy fuzz into your home, you know right away that she depends on you for, well, everything. It’s up to you to give her all the care she needs every day. It can be a little intimidating — she needs your love and patience, the best puppy food, plenty of attention, gentle training, safe toys, puppy socialization, a comfortable home, and proper veterinary care. And that includes puppy shots at the appropriate times.

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Puppy Vaccination Schedule

The first thing to know is that there is not just one puppy vaccination schedule for all dogs. Factors such as which part of the country you live in, and your dog’s individual risk factors will come into play. Some dogs do not need every vaccine. This decision is between you and your veterinarian. Always discuss puppy vaccinations at your regularly scheduled appointments.

**We do not recommend or support the use of leptospirosis vaccine in Shih Tzu puppies.  Speak with your veterinarian about this vaccine and if he/she suggests that vaccine because of local outbreaks.  My contract does not support using this vaccine before the age of one year old.  ​


​This is the 'normal' vaccination schedule that is widely accepted.  The reason that a puppy usually gets three to four sets of vaccines is because we are trying to find that elusive window of opportunity when antibodies from the mother's colostrum (known as passive immunity) wears off and the puppy's body can then accept the vaccine.  Until recently it was impossible to easily determine when that window of opportunity happens.
But, there is a new technology available to all breeders that will help us know when to vaccinate puppies in that window of opportunity.  It is called a nomograph.  A nomograph is a specific titer test that measures the levels of immunity for distemper and parvo in a mother dog while she is pregnant.  The University of Wisconsin -Madison's CAVIDS Lab now offers this service to breeders, and it is something that we are so excited about here! 

When we are expecting a litter our vet draws a small amount of blood and spins out the serum.  We can send this serum to the CAVIDS lab at the UW-Madison and they send me a report that tells me exactly how much immunity she can give to her puppies and when the optimum time to vaccinate puppies is! This means that I can potentially give fewer vaccines to puppies and at more likely times that their bodies can accept the vaccine.

​I know! So exciting!


What does this mean for your puppy from Shurbeez? 
  • It means that before your puppy leaves our home they will have at least one vaccine, possibly two.  
  • It means that I will give you a copy of the Nomograph report so you can explain this to your vet (yes, they may not know anything about nomographs - please DO NOT let them start a 'puppy series' of shots over again). 
  • It means that I will help you know what to do for the best outcomes for your puppy. 
  • It means fewer vaccines & less stress (for you and puppy).
  • It means that your puppy may not need any more vaccines after leaving us, except rabies and booster shots...
  • It means that you can send a serum sample into the UW-Madison CAVIDS Lab from your puppy (we will tell you exactly when and how to send it) and they will give you a report of exactly how much immunity your puppy has for distemper and parvo. (The only cost to you is a small fee from your vet to collect and spin the blood sample down to serum, minimal shipping cost to mail the package, and a $45 fee for the report from CAVIDS)
  • It means peace of mind knowing how well your puppy is covered by the vaccines, that puppies will not be over-vaccinated, and that you will be empowered with this new technology! ....and relief that you won't have to pay the $275 titer fee that your own vet will charge you... ;)
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Which Shots Do Puppies Need?

We read about so many different vaccinations, for so many different illnesses, that it can sometimes be confusing to know which vaccinations puppies need and which ones are important but optional. Here is an overview of the diseases that vaccinations will help your pet to avoid.


Bordetella Bronchiseptica
This highly infectious bacterium causes severe fits of coughing, whooping, vomiting, and, in rare cases, seizures and death. It is the primary cause of kennel cough. There are injectable and nasal spray vaccines available.
If you plan on boarding your puppy in the future, attending group training classes, or using dog daycare services, often proof of this vaccination will be a requirement.


Canine Distemper
A severe and contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and nervous systems of dogs, raccoons, skunks, and other animals, distemper spreads through airborne exposure (through sneezing or coughing) from an infected animal. The virus can also be transmitted by shared food and water bowls and equipment. It causes discharges from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, twitching, paralysis, and, often, death. This disease used to be known as “hard pad” because it causes the footpad to thicken and harden.
There is no cure for distemper. Treatment consists of supportive care and efforts to prevent secondary infections, control symptoms of vomiting, seizures and more. If the animal survives the symptoms, it is hoped that the dog’s immune system will have a chance to fight it off. Infected dogs can shed the virus for months.


Canine Hepatitis
Infectious canine hepatitis is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and the eyes of the affected dog. This disease of the liver is caused by a virus that is unrelated to the human form of hepatitis. Symptoms range from a slight fever and congestion of the mucous membranes to vomiting, jaundice, stomach enlargement, and pain around the liver. Many dogs can overcome the mild form of the disease, but the severe form can kill. There is no cure, but doctors can treat the symptoms. There is a vaccine in Europe but it is not used in the US yet. 


Canine Parainfluenza
One of several viruses that can contribute to kennel cough.


Canine Coronavirus
The canine coronavirus is not the same virus that causes COVID-19 in people. COVID-19 is not thought to be a health threat to dogs, and there is no evidence it makes dogs sick. Canine Coronavirus usually affects dogs’ gastrointestinal systems, though it can also cause respiratory infections. Signs include most GI symptoms, including loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Doctors can keep a dog hydrated, warm, and comfortable, and help alleviate nausea, but no drug kills coronaviruses. Because of a major influx of undervaccinated dogs imported by the for-profit shelter systems Canine Coronavirus has made a comeback in the U.S. in the past several years.


Heartworm
When your puppy is around 12-to-16 weeks, talk to your vet about starting a heartworm preventive. Though there is no vaccine for this condition, it is preventable with regular medication that your veterinarian will prescribe.
The name is descriptive — these worms lodge in the right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries (that send blood to the lungs), though they can travel through the rest of the body and sometimes invade the liver and kidneys. The worms can grow to 14 inches long and, if clumped together, block and injure organs.
A new heartworm infection often causes no symptoms, though dogs in later stages of the disease may cough, become lethargic, lose their appetite or have difficulty breathing. Infected dogs may tire after mild exercise. Unlike most of the conditions listed here, which are passed by urine, feces, and other body fluids, heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. Therefore, diagnosis is made via a blood test and not a fecal exam.


Kennel Cough
Also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, kennel cough results from inflammation of the upper airways. It can be caused by bacterial, viral, or other infections, such as Bordetella and canine parainfluenza, and often involves multiple infections simultaneously. Usually, the disease is mild, causing bouts of harsh, dry coughing; sometimes it’s severe enough to spur retching and gagging, along with a loss of appetite. In rare cases, it can be deadly. It is easily spread between dogs kept close together, which is why it passes quickly through kennels. Antibiotics are usually not necessary, except in severe, chronic cases. Cough suppressants can make a dog more comfortable.


Leptospirosis
Unlike most diseases on this list, Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria, and some dogs may show no symptoms at all. Leptospirosis can be found worldwide in soil and water. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be spread from animals to people. When symptoms do appear, they can include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, severe weakness and lethargy, stiffness, jaundice, muscle pain, infertility, kidney failure (with or without liver failure). Antibiotics are effective, and the sooner they are given, the better. 
**The Shih Tzu breed, and many small breeds can have severe reaction to the Leptospirosis vaccine as puppies. Please do not give your puppy this vaccine until 1 year old, unless there is an outbreak in your area and the veterinarian suggests your puppy should get it to protect their immediate health.


Lyme Disease
Unlike the famous “bull’s-eye” rash that people exposed to Lyme disease often spot, no such telltale symptom occurs in dogs. Lyme disease (or borreliosis) is an infectious, tick-borne disease caused by a type of bacteria called a spirochete. Transmitted via ticks, an infected dog often starts limping, his lymph nodes swell, his temperature rises, and he stops eating. The disease can affect his heart, kidney, and joints, among other things, or lead to neurological disorders if left untreated. If diagnosed quickly, a course of antibiotics is extremely helpful, though relapses can occur months or even years later.


Parvovirus
Parvo is a highly contagious virus that affects all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies less than four months of age are at the most risk to contract it. The virus attacks the gastrointestinal system and creates a loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, and often severe, bloody diarrhea. Extreme dehydration can come on rapidly and kill a dog within 48-to-72 hours, so prompt veterinary attention is crucial. There is no cure, so keeping the dog hydrated and controlling the secondary symptoms can keep him going until his immune system beats the illness.


Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease of mammals that invades the central nervous system, causing headache, anxiety, hallucinations, excessive drooling, fear of water, paralysis, and death. It is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Treatment within hours of infection is essential, otherwise, death is highly likely. Most states require a rabies vaccination. Check with your vet about rabies vaccination laws in your area.
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Of course, your veterinarian should weigh in and can always provide more information and guidance if needed on necessary and optional vaccinations.