Vaccination Schedule for Your Canine Friend

From the very first days of your dog's life, there is a long list of diseases that can threaten them. Protecting your pet from dangers, including contracting often very troublesome, debilitating, and even deadly diseases, is one of your primary responsibilities. Which vaccinations for your dog and when are mandatory, and which are optional?

Before Vaccination - What to Prepare?

The first visit to the vet is not yet the time to vaccinate your puppy. When scheduling your first appointment, remember that it may take longer than usual. Your dog will need a thorough examination to ensure that everything is okay with your new companion. During the visit, the vet will carefully examine the puppy, check its ears, eyes, and make sure the dog does not suffer from any congenital diseases or disabilities. Usually, during the first visit, the vet administers a deworming medication, or you, as the owner, will receive a small pill to give to your pet at home. Only a week later can you take your puppy for its first vaccination.

What else can be taken care of during the first vet visit? A MICROCHIP FOR YOUR DOG!

Many pet owners do not realize how important their pets' safety is and that they can ensure it by deciding to microchip their dog. The procedure takes only a few seconds and can be done during the vet visit, including the first one when you want to vaccinate your puppy. Your dog's skin is still thin, so the microchip can be implanted in no time, giving them a unique worldwide identification number.
However, remember to register the chip after implantation. Log in to the Central Dog Registry on the WORLDPETNET website and provide the required information so that if someone finds your dog, they can inform you of its location.

Vaccinations Step by Step - What and When to Vaccinate Your Dog?

The first puppy vaccination can be an emotional event because, as a responsible dog owner, you are learning how to care for your pet. Schedule the vaccination appointment between the sixth and seventh week of your puppy's life. This will be a vaccination against distemper and parvovirus. When to go for the next one?

• 6th week of the puppy’s life - first vaccine against parvovirus and distemper

• 9th week of the puppy’s life - vaccine against distemper, parvovirus, and infectious hepatitis

• 12th week of the puppy’s life - vaccine against distemper, parvovirus, adenoviruses, and parainfluenza virus type 2

• 14th week of the puppy’s life - rabies vaccination

• After the dog’s first year of life - booster vaccination

Other important vaccinations include:

• Rabies vaccination - performed once a year

• Vaccination against parvovirus, distemper, and infectious hepatitis - usually performed every two years

What is the Purpose of Vaccinations?

The dog’s vaccination schedule aims to build your pet’s immunity to diseases that are dangerous to them but can also affect human health, such as rabies. A bite from an infected dog may not initially show symptoms, but if the first signs of rabies appear in a human, the disease is 100% fatal. Without valid dog vaccinations, a series of shots is necessary to avoid a severe threat to life.
When can't you vaccinate your dog?
There are several situations that contraindicate dog vaccination. These include:

• Allergy or sensitivity to vaccine ingredients

• Congenital or acquired diseases that may excessively weaken the dog’s immune system, leading to greater illness or death

• Ectoparasites

• Dogs taking medications, including those that suppress immunity

• Pregnancy in female dogs

When going to the vet, always remember to bring your dog’s vaccination booklet and keep it up to date. This important document proves that you are fulfilling your responsibilities as a dog owner and complying with the law.

Dog Vaccination and Legal Requirements

According to Polish law, you are required to vaccinate your dog against rabies once a year. At present, this is the only vaccination for which failure to comply may result in criminal liability. It’s worth organizing a few things:

How long is the rabies vaccine valid for a dog?

Exactly one year. Proof of vaccination is the date and signature with the doctor’s stamp in the dog’s health booklet.

Do dogs need annual vaccinations?

Booster vaccinations, apart from rabies, can be administered every two years.

Vaccinating your dog after the deadline - what could happen?

If you missed the rabies vaccination deadline, you could face a fine of up to 500 PLN.
More severe consequences await the owner whose unvaccinated dog bites someone. The absence of a vaccination certificate in such a case can result in serious consequences, including financial ones, depending on the severity of the bite and the health status of the victim.

What is a multivalent vaccine?

A multivalent vaccine is a very good, though expensive solution. With one shot, your dog can be vaccinated against several different diseases instead of multiple separate doses.

How much does a full set of vaccinations for a dog cost?

The first vaccine for a puppy costs around 50 PLN. Subsequent, multivalent vaccines are slightly more expensive, with each dose costing between 80 and 120 PLN. Further rabies vaccine doses cost only 30 to 40 PLN.