What Vaccinations does a Puppy need at 12 weeks?

Which Shots Do Puppies Need?

Going to the vet for a series of puppy vaccinations over the next few months—and then for boosters or titers throughout your dog’s life—might feel like a bit of a hassle, but these vaccinations protect your puppy from serious, sometimes deadly diseases that are mostly preventable.

With so many different dog vaccinations available for various illnesses, it can be confusing to know which ones are essential for your puppy and which are optional but still important. Here’s an overview of the diseases puppy vaccinations can help your pet avoid.

Bordetella Bronchiseptica
This highly contagious bacterium causes severe coughing, whooping, vomiting, and in rare cases, seizures or death. It’s the main cause of kennel cough, and there are injectable and nasal spray vaccines. If you plan on boarding your puppy, attending group training classes, or using dog daycare services, you’ll likely need proof of this vaccination.

Canine Distemper
This severe, contagious disease attacks a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It spreads through airborne exposure, like sneezing or coughing from an infected animal, or by sharing food and water bowls. Symptoms include eye and nose discharge, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, twitching, paralysis, and even death. There’s no cure for distemper, and treatment focuses on supportive care.

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Canine Hepatitis
This viral infection affects a dog’s liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and eyes. While many dogs can recover from the mild form, the severe form can be fatal. Symptoms range from fever and congestion to vomiting, jaundice, stomach pain, and liver enlargement. There’s no cure, but symptoms can be managed by a vet.

Canine Parainfluenza
This virus is one of the causes of kennel cough.

Canine Coronavirus
Not to be confused with COVID-19 in humans, this virus usually affects a dog’s gastrointestinal system, causing symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can also cause respiratory issues. There’s no cure, but doctors focus on keeping your dog hydrated and comfortable.

Heartworm
Around 12 to 16 weeks of age, talk to your vet about starting heartworm prevention. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, and though there’s no vaccine for them, they’re preventable with regular medication. Heartworms can grow up to 14 inches long and cause serious damage to the heart and other organs.

Kennel Cough
Also called infectious tracheobronchitis, kennel cough is an inflammation of the upper airways caused by bacterial, viral, or other infections like Bordetella and parainfluenza. It often results in dry coughing and can sometimes lead to gagging, loss of appetite, and even death. It’s highly contagious in places like kennels and dog parks. Your vet may recommend a cough suppressant or throat soothers to help your puppy feel more comfortable.

Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria and can spread from animals to humans. It can be found in soil and water worldwide. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, jaundice, and kidney failure. The earlier antibiotics are given, the better the outcome.

Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection that causes limping, swollen lymph nodes, fever, loss of appetite, and fatigue. It can also affect the heart, kidneys, and joints. Antibiotics are effective, but relapses can happen. Keep your dog on tick preventative medication, topicals, or wearables once they’re old enough.

Parvovirus
This highly contagious virus mainly affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It attacks the gastrointestinal system and causes symptoms like vomiting, fever, and bloody diarrhea. Parvo can lead to severe dehydration and death in just a few days, so quick veterinary care is crucial. There’s no cure, but supportive care can help your puppy recover.

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Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. It can cause symptoms like headaches, anxiety, excessive drooling, paralysis, and death. Treatment must be administered within hours of exposure, or death is highly likely. Most states require regular rabies vaccinations, so be sure to ask your vet about the laws in your area.

Be sure to talk with your vet about which vaccinations your puppy needs and when they should get them.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

It’s important to know that there’s no one-size-fits-all puppy vaccination schedule. The vaccines your puppy needs depend on things like where you live and your dog’s specific risk factors. Some dogs don’t need every vaccine, and the right choice for your puppy will depend on discussions with your vet. Always talk about vaccinations during your regular vet visits.

That said, here’s a general guideline for the first year of vaccinations:

Puppy’s Age	Recommended Vaccinations	Optional Vaccinations
6–8 weeks	Distemper, Parvovirus	Bordetella
10–12 weeks	DHPP (Distemper, Adenovirus [Hepatitis], Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)	Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease (as recommended by your vet)
16–18 weeks	DHPP, Rabies	Influenza, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Bordetella (as recommended by your vet)
12–16 months	DHPP, Rabies	Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease
Every 1–2 years	DHPP	Influenza, Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease (as recommended by your vet)
Every 1–3 years	Rabies (as required by law)	None

Be sure to talk to your vet about your puppy’s specific needs!

How Much Do Puppy Vaccinations Cost?

The cost of puppy vaccinations can vary depending on several factors. One big factor is where you live. Vets in busy, expensive cities usually charge more than those in smaller towns. You might also find low-cost clinics offering rabies vaccinations, sometimes sponsored by local governments. But no matter where you go, some vaccines, like the core vaccines and rabies, are essential.

On average, the cost for vaccines can be around $75–100. This typically covers the core vaccines, which are given in a series of three at 6, 12, and 16 weeks old. The core vaccines include DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvo, and Parainfluenza). Your puppy will also need a rabies shot, which usually costs $15–20 (some clinics might include it in the price).

Animal shelters often charge less for vaccines—around $20—or even offer them for free. If you got your puppy from a shelter, they likely had some vaccinations up until the point you adopted them. Just keep in mind that the initial costs for puppy vaccinations are higher than when they’re older.

Also Read: How Often Should I Bathe My Puppy?

Vaccinations for Adult Dogs: Boosters and Titers

There are different opinions when it comes to vaccinating adult dogs every year. Some vets believe that too many vaccines could cause health issues, while others argue that yearly vaccines help protect against dangerous diseases like distemper. It’s important to talk to your vet to figure out what’s best for you and your dog.

Many pet owners choose to do titer tests before deciding on annual vaccinations. These tests check a dog’s immunity levels, which can help determine if any vaccinations are still needed. However, there’s one exception: rabies. A titer test isn’t an option for rabies, as it’s required by law in the U.S. Your vet can give you the vaccination schedule for your state, and boosters usually last about three years.

In the end, it’s all worth it. With the care you give, your puppy will shower you with love for a lifetime. This first year is such a special and exciting time for both of you, and as your puppy grows, so will the amazing bond between you.