My dog got two initial canine flu shots. Does he still need a booster?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My dog accidentally got two initial canine influenza shots. Is this the same thing as getting an initial shot plus a booster shot? What's the different between the two shots?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 22nd, 2018
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. An initial influenza vaccine is given and then a booster vaccine is required 2-4 weeks later. They are the same vaccine, but given at this interval in order to properly stimulate the dog's immune system. So even though your dog accidentally received a second vaccine, a booster will still be required at the proper interval for full protection. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 28th, 2019
These can all be given on the same day. She may be sore at the sites of injection and possibly a bit lethargic for 24-36 hours afterwards. If she has had the Canine Flu vaccine in the past, she just needs 1 booster injection. If she has never had it, she needs 1 dose now and a second dose no less than 2 weeks but no more than 4 weeks after the first. It then becomes a yearly vaccine.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Should my dog have a dog flu shot. If so is it an annual shot
The Canine Flu vaccine is initially two vaccines given 3-4 weeks apaRt. After that, it is a yearly vaccine. If your dog has increased risk of exposure, she should be vaccinated. Dogs with increased risk are dogs that board frequently, go to daycare or dog parks regularly or get groomed regularly.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs had to get flu shots to be boarded. The first shot (H3N8 + H3N2) of the two shot series was given 3-1-19. Second shot was due 2-3 wks later (some online sites said a month later). Question is, would it be ok to wait until April 27, 2019 to t
Hi there. In general, it's recommended to give the second booster in 3-4 weeks because this is the optimal window of time for the immune system to respond appropriately. You can't wait too long, or the initial response will have completely died down and the booster won't be effective. It's generally okay to wait up to 6 weeks to give the booster if needed, but I wouldn't recommend waiting longer than that. Waiting until April 27th would likely be pushing it a bit, so I would try to get her in within the 6 week window if possible.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 35 Lbs dog is up for some vaccine renewals. She's needing: Rabies - Due 6-30-19 Bordettella - Over Due Exp. 2-18-19 CIV - Due 4-15-19 Can these shots all be done at once without health risks? Does the CIV (dog flu shot) need another full round of
These can all be given on the same day. She may be sore at the sites of injection and possibly a bit lethargic for 24-36 hours afterwards. If she has had the Canine Flu vaccine in the past, she just needs 1 booster injection. If she has never had it, she needs 1 dose now and a second dose no less than 2 weeks but no more than 4 weeks after the first. It then becomes a yearly vaccine.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
If Parainfluenza is a completely separate illness from the canine flu - so these are two different vaccines that have nothing to do with each other :) H3N2 and H2N8 are two separate flu strains why don't vets tell you that annually. Why tell you tha
I'm not sure what exactly your veterinarian told you that was confusing, but there are two strains of canine influenza that have caused disease in recent years: H3N8 and H3N2. The second seems to be the most clinically relevant and as far as I know is the cause of all flu outbreaks this year. There is a newer vaccine that covers both H3N8 and H3N2, or you can get each vaccine separately. Parainfluenza is indeed a different virus. The canine influenza vaccine (both strains) is not considered a 'core' vaccine, meaning that dogs who are not at risk (primarily those that are not around large groups of other dogs) probably don't need this vaccine. This might be why your veterinarian said FlynnLee was up to date on vaccines but potentially did not have the influenza vaccine.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Okay I have a puppy about 10-11 weeks old. He was brought over from Mexico to California before receiving all his vaccinations. I’m the attached image are the three vaccinations that he has received in Mexico. From what I can understand “parvovirus”
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your puppy. Puppies require boosters of the distemper-parvo combination vaccines every 2-4 weeks until they reach a minimum of 16 weeks of age. Rabies can be given between 12-16 weeks of age depending on local laws where you live. Puppies need two vaccines for leptospirosis. You will also want to consider the influenza and bordetella vaccines. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog had almost all of her vaccinations except one, the vet told us to come back in one year but we forgot. would we be able to just take that shot or would we have to restart?
The first annual booster vaccine is very important to maximise long term protection and it is likely a course of 2 vaccines may be required to reinforce immunity. This depends in part on what she had already and the local disease risk in your area, your vet can advise further at your check up
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I've had a few issues with the vet I took my Kai to among other things coming up so I haven't been able to get him vaccinated on time. I finally have some money so I'm trying to get him at least as caught up as I can for now. I'm just unsure of what
Vaccine recommendations to partially depend upon his lifestyle and where you live. Also, that second vaccine should have been given in a 2 to 4 week window from the initial vaccine. If it was given later than four weeks after the first vaccine, he will need booster vaccines within a 2 to 4 week window. Assuming he was given the vaccines at the appropriate time, Kai should get another DHLPP and a rabies vaccine. If he gets groomed, goes to the park or has contact with other dogs in general, you may consider getting a kennel cough vaccine. Other vaccines are for Lyme disease and Influenza (dog flu). Your local veterinarian can discuss if these diseases are present in your area and what potential risk factors exist. You may be able to find lower cost vaccinations at a low-cost vaccine clinic or a vaccine clinic in general. You can generally find information online. Please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
My puppy was given his first series of shots at 5 weeks of age. It was a Canine Spectra 5 series. His second series of shots was given at 8 weeks of age, which was a Canine Spectra 9. I am told he only needs one more series of shots. He is only 12 we
Thank you for your question. In puppies, with the distemper combination booster vaccines you are mentioning, we do need to booster every 3 to 4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. If your puppy goes longer than 4 weeks between the vaccines, he will need additional boosters. For example, if he had vaccines at 5 weeks, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks, he would need an additional booster at 20 weeks to have complete protection because too much time passed between the 2nd and 3rd boosters.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Should my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel get a canine influenza shot?
If Max will have exposure to a lot of other dogs in close quarters like doggie daycare, boarding, grooming, dog parks, training classes, etc. then he should probably be vaccinated against influenza. If he is mostly a house dog with minimal exposure to other dogs then it is not really necessary.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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I get only one Lepto shot a year hearing they need a booster in three weeks. Is this true
The first time a pet receives the Lepto vaccination they should get the initial vaccine and then a booster 3 weeks later. After that, then they just get one yearly booster. If the pet received the initial vaccine but did not get the booster 3 weeks later, then essentially you should start over with two vaccines three weeks apart. Hope this clarifies. If not, please feel free to post again.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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