Puppy Vaccinations
Puppies receive antibodies on their first day of life from their mother’s milk. These antibodies protect the puppy until they begin to wane to ineffective levels. This protection period may be different for each puppy. Your puppy should be given a series of vaccinations to provide protection for when their mother’s antibodies wear off. Vaccinations for your Havanese Although it is best to be safe than sorry, there are also the risks associated with over vaccinating. Since you have a Havanese—a wonderful toy breed that typically weighs under 15 pounds fully grown—your instinct to protect them from over-vaccination is highly practical. Toy breeds face a statistically higher rate of vaccine reactions than large dogs because they receive the exact same volume of vaccine fluid as a Great Dane, which places a higher relative burden on their small immune systems. Specific Vaccine Strategies for your Havanese- Separate the Shots: Never allow a clinic to administer the core combination shot (DHPP) and the Rabies vaccine on the same day. Space them out by at least 2 to 4 weeks to give your puppy’s small body time to process each antigen.
- Skip Non-Essential Vaccines: If your Havanese is primarily an indoor companion who doesn’t hike in deep woods or swim in stagnant water, talk to your vet about skipping non-core vaccines like Lyme disease or Leptospirosis, which carry a slightly higher rate of side effects.
- Pre-Medicate if Necessary: If your puppy shows mild lethargy or swelling after their first round, ask your vet about administering a preventive dose of an antihistamine (like Benadryl) right before their next appointment.
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Because they are small, a post-series titer test at 18 weeks old is an ideal way to ensure they are fully protected for the next few years without overloading their immune system.
Dewormings for your Havanese Worms can cause health issues for your puppy: coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, pot bellied appearance, change in appetite, weight loss, dull coat, itching and signs of skin irritations, and can cause damage to internal organs, and lead to loss of consciousness and death. Recommendations for when to begin deworming and vaccinations vary, so please consult with your veterinarian to determine the best deworming and vaccination schedule for your puppy.