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First-time owner: My 5-week-old puppy needs shots. What now?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | unspayed | 1 month and 4 days old

I am bringing home a black lab puppy on Saturday, May 19, 2018 and she was born April 13, 2018. The current owner said she got all shots except parvo. This is my first time owning a dog, so I want to make sure I'm fully prepared and do everything I need for her to have a healthy transition into my home. Do you have any advice?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 17th, 2018

If this puppy was born on April 13th, then she is too young to have gotten any vaccines. She will be five weeks of age when you get her, and puppies are not old enough to be first vaccinated until they are six to eight weeks of age. I would make an appointment with a vet for a week after you get her to start her vaccines. She will not be fully vaccinated until she has three series of her DHPPi combination shot (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza) each given four weeks apart. Until that time, she should not be allowed in public, do not take her for walks, and only have her potty in your backyard. She will be susceptible to catching parvo and distemper until she is fully vaccinated, and since those are so deadly, you want to avoid it. The vet will go over the vaccine schedule with you, and discuss getting her rabies vaccines as well (that is required by law). The vet will also talk with you about deworming, flea treatment, and heartworm treatment. Make sure to get her a high quality puppy formulated food. Brands I recommend include Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Purina ProPlan, and Iams. Call a vet in the morning to make an appointment for her to be seen. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

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