Just adopted a rescue dog: Can I vaccinate and how to tell its age?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female
Hi I just took on a rescue dog I’m not sure when it was vaccinated can I do another one to have record. The person I got it from doesn’t know how old he is can you help me estimate his age.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 15th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! When we do not have vaccine records, we start over. So Mickie needs a Rabies and two DHPP vaccines 3-4 weeks apart. The rabies and the DHPP final will be good for 1 year. I wish you the best
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 12th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! She isn’t too old! It’s best for her overall health to be appropriately vaccinated. If a long time has lapsed since her last DHPP then she will need two 3-4 weeks apart. The second is good for 1 years. And she can receive her Rabies. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My dog Angel had only had her first round of shots when I rescued her from a shelter is she too old to get the second round of shots?
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! She isn’t too old! It’s best for her overall health to be appropriately vaccinated. If a long time has lapsed since her last DHPP then she will need two 3-4 weeks apart. The second is good for 1 years. And she can receive her Rabies. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Jasmine is a pure breed chiwhawha however I have no papers or record of her age or shots.
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Jasmine is adorable! I would bring Jasmine to your Vet. They can help you determine her age. Bring a stool sample with you. If you do not have any records the Vet will determine how many DHPP vaccines she will need to protect her. It is in her best interest to receive the vaccines even if she had they before. The Rabies vaccine can be given in most state between 12-16 weeks of age. Your Vet will likely deworm her and get her on a good flea/tick and heartworm prevention. They will also discuss a good time to have her spayed. I hope this helps and I wish you both the best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Sir...i have two indian pariah puppyes...so i was willing to know about the vaccination course.
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Pd and Jacky are adorable! DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, Parvo and Parainfluenza) vaccines are started around 7-8 weeks of age and are given every 3-4 weeks until 2 are given past 12 weeks of age. So they usually get 3-4 DHPP vaccines. If they are over 12 weeks already then they should get TWO DHPP vaccines 3-4 weeks apart. The 2nd vaccine is good for 1 year. The following vaccines are good for 3 years. In the US the rabies vaccine is give around 12-16 weeks of age. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
I rescued a English bulldog that's 1yrs old but didn't get any vaccines done so what should I do?
Congratulations on adopting Rico! Since he has not yet had vaccines, you can start from square one. Rico should be examined by a veterinarian to evaluate his overall health and can then begin his vaccine series. He will need two DAPP (distemper-adenovirus-parvovirus-parainfluenza) vaccines spaced 3-4 weeks apart, as well as a rabies vaccine. In most areas of the country, it is often recommended to being a series of leptospirosis vaccines as well. In Lyme disease endemic areas, Lyme vaccines are often given. If Rico will be going to kennels, doggy daycare or dog parks, you can also discuss canine influenza and bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines with his vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
You I just adopted a dog. She is 2 years old but i found out she did not receive any vaccines. If i bring her to the vet which type of vaccines should i make sure she receives? Is it too late to get her vaccinated?
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lola. Congratulations on adopting her! It is definitely not too late to get her vaccinated. Rabies, DHPP (distemper-parvo) and Bordetella are considered core vaccines. All dogs should receive them. Other vaccines such as leptospirosis, influenza and lyme will depend on your location and her expected lifestyle. She will likely need booster vaccines in a few weeks to give her full immunity. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We resuce max. We don't know how old, and if he has ever had shot. Think he has worms
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Max is very cute! If we do not know his vaccine status, the Vet will assume he hasn't had any. It is best to be safe than sorry and it will not hurt him. He should get a Rabies vaccine and two DHPP vaccines 3-4 weeks apart. Both will be good for 1 year. Bring a stool sample and the Vet will also heartworm test him so you can start prevention. You can also discuss setting up his neuter if you plan on fixing him. I hope this helps and have a great weekend!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I just got a dog that will be 5 in September. I got no medical paperwork but the past owners told me that they weren't able to get his shots the past 2-3 years. What shots do I need to get him?
Your dog will need several vaccines. Most veterinarians give a yearly combo vaccine that includes distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and Corona (DHPPC). He will also need his Rabies vaccine. Rabies can now be given every three years after the initial 1 year vaccine. Other vaccines that I recommend are Canine Bordetella vacine (kennel cough) that is given every 6 or 12 months, and a Leptospirosis vaccine (this vaccine can be added to the combo vaccine or given alone). If your veterinarian offers a Lymes disease vaccine (probably means lymes is prevelant in your area), it would be a good idea to get that one as well. I also recommend getting your dog tested for heartworm disease and putting him on a monthly heartworm pill. Best of luck to you and your new dog and thank you for using pet coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We just rescued a puppy ~10mos old. He only has records of Rabies but there are no other documents of his vaccinations. The shelter tells us he is vaccinated but no proof. How do we make sure he is up to par with all his vaccinations?
I would recommend getting his vaccinations redone if there is no proof. It will not harm him and this will ensure he is fully protected. It is just too risky to assume he is protected with no proof. He will need the DHLPP and Bordetella. He will then need 1 booster done in 3 weeks and that will fully protect him for a year. I hope that your newly adopted pet Tanner does well moving forward. Take care!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We acquired Onyx from an older senile woman. We have no idea what her vaccination record is, although we were told she is up to date, and our vet does not do titer tests. She is approximately 8 months old. We have doubts she was vaccinated properly.
Congratulations on your new dog! If the vaccine history is uncertain, I would recommend starting the vaccine series as though she had not had any vaccines, which would involve a rabies vaccine, and then 2 rounds 3 to 4 weeks apart of the DHPP vaccine. Depending on your dog's lifestyle and where you live, I would also consider the leptosporosis vaccine and the bordetella vaccine. Your vet can discuss these options and your lifestyle with you and help you to decide what vaccines to choose.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I got my dog from someone but they never gave me a shot record. What should I do? Just take him to the vet anyway or what? Also,if I do take him and tell the vet this,what will they do? Give him the shots anyway or what?
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. Great question! Yes, you need to take Dandy to a vet and let them know that you just got him but did not receive any vaccine records. . They will get him started on his vaccines and likely give him a deworming. They will talk to you about what else he may need like heart worm prevention, flea/tick prevention, etc depending on what is prevalent in your area. It is best to get him established with a vet anyway in case of any problems that may arise or emergency situations. Hope this helps. Best wishes!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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