Your canine will need to start an early vaccination schedule in order to help combat common infectious diseases and viral infections. After your dog receives their vaccinations, they develop an immunity to the disease.
Common Diseases and Pet Vaccinations
Core – Canine Dog Vaccines (C3)
Life-threatening diseases that are prevalent in Australia are covered by what is commonly called the C3 vaccines. This is also called Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus vaccinations (DHP for short).
- Canine Distemper Virus: A highly contagious viral disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Other symptoms include eye and nasal discharge, nervous signs, blindness and convulsions. It is usually fatal.
- Canine Adenovirus (Infectious Canine Hepatitis): A viral disease that can cause liver and kidney damage. Can cause sudden death in young puppies while older dogs can develop fever, abdominal pain and lethargy. Recovery may occur with intensive treatment.
- Canine Parvovirus: A highly contagious and often fatal virus that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical signs in your dog are vomiting, diarrhoea and severe lethargy. It is highly contagious and the virus survives in the environment for long periods.
Non-Core Dog Vaccines (often combined to create C4 or C5)
These vaccines are recommended for most puppies in Australia based on their lifestyle and the risk of exposure to other dogs, and are all administered at our North Hill Veterinary Clinic clinic.
- Bordetella bronchiseptica: One of the primary causes of ‘Canine Cough’ (also known as kennel cough), a highly contagious respiratory infection. A C5 vaccine is the most common combination vaccine for puppies and includes the C3 components plus protection against both parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica. This is highly recommended for puppies that will socialize with other dogs, such as at puppy school, dog parks, or boarding kennels.
- Parainfluenza Virus: The other major cause of Canine Cough. A C4 or parainfluenza vaccine combines the C3 core vaccines with protection against parainfluenza virus.
Puppy Vaccinations and Schedules
Puppies gain some immunisation from their mother’s milk (as long as the mother has immunity) but these immunisations gradually declines around 6-8 weeks of age and we need to commence routine vaccinations. A typical vaccination schedule for a puppy in Australia involves a series of vaccinations to build their immunity. While the exact schedule can vary slightly depending on the brand of vaccine used and your veterinarian’s recommendations, it generally follows this timeline:
- First Vaccination (6-8 weeks old): This is usually a C3 vaccination.
- Second Vaccination (10-12 weeks old): This is typically a C5 vaccination.
- Third Vaccination (14-16 weeks old or older): A final C5 booster is given to ensure the puppy’s immune system is fully primed.
If a puppy commences the program after 10 weeks of age only one vaccination is required. This is NOT a reason to delay vaccination until then as the puppy will be unprotected between 6–10 weeks
Adult Dog Vaccination Schedule
Once your dog has completed their puppy vaccines course, their immunity needs to be regularly maintained throughout their adult life.
To maintain lifelong immunity, adult dogs follow a regular booster schedule after completing their initial puppy vaccinations. Your veterinarian will tailor the program to your dogs specific needs, but it generally follows this timeline:
- First Annual Booster Vaccine (at approx. 15 months old): Your dog will require their first major booster vaccination 12 months after their final puppy shot.
- Ongoing Core C3 Vaccination (Triennially): In adult dogs, the core C3 vaccine (protecting against Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus) provides immunity for three years.
- Ongoing Canine Cough Vaccination (Annually): Protection against Canine Cough (Bordetella and Parainfluenza) wanes more quickly and requires a booster every year to remain effective. This is especially important for dogs that socialise at parks, kennels, or daycare.
This means your dog will visit us for a health check and their Canine Cough vaccination every year, and every third year they will receive the core C3 booster at the same time. Our team will keep track of this vaccine schedule for you and send reminders when your dog is due for their next visit.
When is your dog required to be Vaccinated?
For most puppy owners, the vaccine “requirements” come from the services they wish to use. Private businesses and organisations set their own vaccine health and safety policies, which are non-negotiable.
- Puppy Preschools & Training Classes: At least the first vaccination (C3), Puppies are usually allowed to attend Puppy School about 1-2 weeks after their first vaccination program shot.
- Boarding Kennels & Doggy Daycare: C5 Vaccination is the standard minimum requirement across all states. Proof of being fully vaccinated, at least 10-14 days prior to boarding, is usually mandatory.
- Airlines (for Interstate Travel): C5 Vaccination is strongly recommended and often required by the airline’s conditions of carriage. A veterinary ‘fit-to-fly’ certificate may also be necessary.
- Grooming Salons: This Varies, but many now request proof of current vaccination, especially for Canine Cough.
