A dog vaccination schedule is on a yearly basis, after the initial puppy vaccinations are complete.
Giving your dog shots will be an on-going priority for many years. They do not stop after the initial puppy shots have been given.
Puppy vaccines are given in a series due to not knowing when the natural immunity phase from their mother’s milk is over.
There are many canine diseases that are fatal, especially to puppies, as their immune system is not yet fully developed.
Parvo is the most deadly and this series of vaccines is given to try and prevent that.
The puppy vaccination schedule begins when the pup is 6 weeks old, and will be given every 3 weeks, although some vets schedule them every 4 weeks apart.
There are two basic combination shots and these are the same shots whether given to a puppy or to an adult.
A 5-in-1 vaccination protects against hepatitis, canine distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and adenovirus cough.
The 7-in-1 shot includes all of the above, plus a few types of leptospirosis.
Your vet will decide which type of vaccination shot is best, depending upon the area in which you live.
Until your Chihuahua puppy has had all of his puppy shots, do not take him places outside of your home and property. It is just not worth the risk of him picking up Parvo or anything else.
Dog vaccinations start a year after the puppy vaccination schedule was completed.
If you have obtained an older Chihuahua and are unsure as to his shot record, then his dog vaccination schedule will be slightly different. He will need only two of the dog vaccines instead of three.
It takes a series of 2 shots for the dog vaccinations to be effective, but the third one is unnecessary for a dog that is over 4 months of age. You'll need to schedule a booster shot a year later.
Rabies vaccinations also take 2 shots in order for them to work effectively. However, the rabies vaccine schedule is given a bit differently.
It is given only one time, between 3 to 4 months of age, and the booster shot is repeated a year later.
Depending on the state that you live, will then determine how often the rabies vaccination is required.
You will need to check with your vet on this.
Additional dog vaccines may include bordetella, which is administered as a nasal spray and helps to prevent kennel cough.
If your Chihuahua will be spending lots of time around other dogs, then it is a good idea to include it with his yearly dog vaccination schedule.