What the core vaccines prevent
- Distemper: high fever, cough, seizures; often fatal
- Parvovirus: violent vomiting and bloody diarrhoea; can kill a puppy within days, and Yuen Long sees cases every year
- Infectious hepatitis
- Parainfluenza
- Leptospirosis: spread by rat urine, can infect people, common in Hong Kong; usually included in the combined vaccine
- Rabies: required by law; see our dog licence article
Puppy schedule
| Age | Vaccine |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | First combined vaccine |
| 10 to 12 weeks | Second combined vaccine |
| 14 to 16 weeks | Third combined vaccine |
| 3 to 5 months | Rabies vaccine, microchip, licence |
| 1 year | Booster |
| After that | Combined vaccine every 1 to 3 years depending on the product; rabies every 3 years with licence renewal |
Three doses are needed because antibodies from the mother's milk interfere with the vaccine, and nobody knows exactly when they fade, so doses are repeated every few weeks until 16 weeks.
When can a puppy go outside
Full protection comes 1 to 2 weeks after the final dose. Before that, carry your puppy outside, visit friends and meet fully vaccinated dogs for socialisation, but avoid park grass, dog gathering spots and other dogs' faeces.
Non-core vaccines
- Kennel cough (Bordetella): advised before boarding, daycare, grooming or regular contact with other dogs.
- Others depending on lifestyle and the vet's assessment.
Around each visit
- Your dog should be well on the day; diarrhoea, fever or poor appetite means postponing.
- Stay 20 to 30 minutes after the injection to watch for an immediate reaction.
- Mild tiredness or a small lump at the site can occur for 48 hours; facial swelling, vomiting or hives need an immediate call.
- No bathing or hard exercise for 5 to 7 days.
Missed a booster
You do not start again. One catch-up dose is usually enough; only a very long gap (well over a year) needs two. Bring the old record card and we will plan it.
Our puppy package
Three combined vaccines, rabies, microchip, licence, deworming and health checks, with a written estimate when you book.