How often does my dog need a booster?

Most dogs have a primary course of two injections as a puppy, then a booster once a year. Not every disease is covered every year, and it is easy to lose track. Here is how the schedule works and what to do if you have missed one.

The primary course

Puppies have their first injection at about eight weeks and the second two to four weeks later. Until a week after the second one, keep them off pavements and away from dogs you do not know.

The yearly booster

Leptospirosis needs a dose every year. Distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus last longer, so those are given every three years. Your booster appointment covers whichever are due, and we check the whole dog while we are at it.

If you have missed one

A few weeks late is usually fine. More than three months late and the vet may recommend restarting the primary course, which means two visits rather than one. Ring us and we will look at the record.

Kennels and travel

Boarding kennels usually ask for kennel cough as well, which is a drop up the nose rather than an injection. Mention it when you book and we can do both in one visit.