Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

Is it safe to vaccinate a 5-month puppy who's never had shots?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Husky | Female | unspayed | 4 months and 27 days old

Hello. I am about to adopt a 5 month old husky puppy from someone. I just found out that the puppy hasn't had Any shots yet.. No deworming, absolutely nothing. What are the consequences of me adopting a puppy of 20 weeks of age with no shots whatsoever. How would it impact the dogs health if she were to get thr shots now? Thanks so much

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on February 1st, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If she is doing well and you proceed to vaccinate and deworm her now then that would be fine. As long s it gets done then it should not have any longterm consequences. Good luck and have a great day!

Vote icon

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 5th, 2018

    It will not cause any problem in the future but you must restart the vaccination course from the beginning at 8 weeks of age as vaccination at 4 weeks have no effect at all and will not protect the puppies from the diseases they should protect them from.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
If a mini dashchund is 5 months old and hasn’t had any of its shots is this a problem? I want a healthy puppy so a little concerned to purchase this one.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is not a problem that the puppy has not received its shots yet. Once you adopt the puppy, you will need to take him to the vet to start the vaccine series. I cannot tell you if the puppy is healthy or not prior to purchasing it. It would require a vet to perform a physical exam first. Vaccines are not the only factor in determining health. The puppy also needs to be free on internal and external parasites, heart disease, hernias, and any other physical problems. I hope this helps in your determination. Good luck with your decision!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
So I have a 3 year old husky that is up to date on all his shots & heartworm prevention, I want to get a puppy but the guy that I'm buying her from told me she's only a month & one week & apparently she got her first set of shots. First off isn't she
Thanks for visiting Boop by Petco! She is not too young to be away from mom if she is 5 weeks of age. Pets are vaccinated as early as 6 weeks of age, and are usually weaned off of mom at this age. Since you have another pet in the home that does go outside, it is best to start vaccines for this pup once she is 6-8 weeks of age. Intestinal worms usually don't make pets too sick, but it can cause loose stool and potential vomiting. They still will eat well and do well as long as the worms are treated in a timely fashion (within 1-2 weeks), so this is an easy fix if you do encounter this. If your other pet is on a monthly heartworm prevention, then it has a natural intestinal dewormer in it as well that can protect your pet against 2 types of worms (hookworms and roundworms), which are the most common types of worms seen in puppies. But again, if you do happen to encounter a worm problem, this is easily dealt with with the appropriate dewormer, so keep an eye out for any loose sto
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My gsd puppy is 2month old i havn't vaccine yet can i start vaccination now
Hello and thank you for contacting Boop by Petco. Yes, it is time for Luna to have her first vaccination now. The vaccine will have to be repeated in 2-4 weeks. Please, remember to de-worm her before or just after the vaccination.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
hello i want to buy a pup...and no deworming or shots so far, its seems to me some more dogs in the house hold that not very attending to the good dog care...can i buy a pup 7 months old from this guy, or better wait for a clean household. thank you
Hello and thank you for contacting Boop by Petco. If the puppy has not been vaccinated or de-wormed I would not recommend buying him. Responsible breeders vaccinate pupps at 7-8 weeks of age and repeat vaccination 2-3 times. Also, 7 months old puppy should have been de-wormed at least 4-5 times so far. In my opinion, buying a 7 month puppy that has never been seen by a vet is a great risk of getting a sick dog.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hey doc, simba got his first vaccine and deworming...so what are the do's and don'ts
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! There are no specific do's and don'ts specifically other than making sure to continue the vaccination and deworming protocol as specified and recommended by your veterinarian. Keep in mind that he may be a bit sore at the vaccination site for 24-48 hours. Other than that, you are all set. Have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I currently run a shelter at my house for unwanted dogs, i recently got a puppy and i believe he is 3 months old and hasn’t gotten any vaccines yet. My question is , is it safe for him to get vaccinated with the 5n1 set of vaccines? or will it
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Yes, it is safe to give the full dose of the 5 in 1 vaccine. It is not recommended to give less or more of the vaccine, it is not based on the animals size. He should get the 5 in 1 every 3-4 weeks until he has had 3 of them. The 3rd is good for 1 year. He will need to see a Vet for his Rabies vaccine. Since he is small I would give that separately. At what age the Rabies should be given depends on your State's laws. In PA it is around 12-16 weeks. I wish you the best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I just got a puppy pit bull that’s only 5 weeks old, I got him given to me at 4 1/2 weeks he was neglected so I saved him from where he was. I want to get him in for shots and deworming ASAP. Can I get them before 8 weeks old? Or even before 6 weeks
Congratulations on your new puppy. At his young age, he can go to the veterinarian for a wellness exam to make sure everything looks okay and he could receive his first deworming treatment. Most veterinarians would recommend waiting to give the first vaccination at 6-7 weeks. If you have any concerns about him including diet due to his very young age, I would take him right away for his first exam and deworming, if he is eating well with no issues, you could wait and take him at 6 weeks for the deworming and vaccine to be done at the same time. Thank you for using Boop by Petco
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I should be getting a puppy today she is 5 weeks old. Is it okay to bring puppy home away from mother and litter and no vaccines? Puppy is on wet food. There will be no dogs around.
HI, thanks for using Boop by Petco! 5 weeks is a bit young to leave her mother but if she is fully weaned it should be ok. We usually do not start vaccines until they are 7 weeks of age. Some breeders will give them a parvo vaccine at under 7 weeks. You should be fine until she gets her first vaccine but people with sick dogs or unvaccinated dogs shouldn't handle her and she needs to be kept away from all dogs. I hope this helps and good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 2 month old male Golden Retriever puppy who's been with me for exactly 1 week. He's had 2 vaccinations and 4 dewormings before I got him. Is it alright for me to take him to the vet office 5 days from now? That's when my appointment is but I
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco and thank you for the photos. Booster vaccines for puppies should be given 3-4 weeks apart so his vaccine booster can be given anywhere from July 6 to the 13th. So, I think you are fine taking him 5 days from now. Hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Brought the puppy day before yesterday and she will be approx of 4 months age. The previous owner is telling that the puppy is fully vaccinated with canine shots and anti-rabies but not providing any proof. What am I suggested to do that in this case
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern! In this case, I would recommend going through 2 more rounds of vaccines. This also depends on the veterinarian vaccinating as some would recommend 3 more rounds. If this were my case I would vaccinate with Distemper, Parvo and Adenovirus 2 more times with each vaccination being 3 weeks apart. I would also vaccinate for Rabies if you do not have any proof of vaccination. The rabies vaccine can be administered with the first or second vaccine. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored