Dog Vaccination Schedule: Which Jab and When?

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect your dog from potentially fatal infections such as parvovirus and distemper. Vaccines given at the right time protect not only your own dog but other dogs around it and, in some cases, people too. In this guide we outline the vaccination schedule commonly followed in Turkey.

The schedule below is a general guide. The exact plan should be set by your vet, taking into account your dog's age, health, lifestyle and local risks.

Before vaccinating: parasite control

For the immune system to respond well to a vaccine, the dog should be free of parasites. Most vets therefore give a worming treatment about 7–10 days before the first vaccine. In puppies, worming usually starts from around two weeks of age and is repeated at set intervals.

Core vaccines

These are recommended for every dog, whatever its lifestyle:

• Combination vaccine (DHPPi/L): covers distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and, in most products, leptospirosis.
• Rabies: a legal requirement in Turkey, needed for registration and travel.

A typical puppy schedule

1. 6–8 weeks: first combination vaccine. Some clinics start with a "puppy" jab (parvo + distemper) at this stage.
2. 10–12 weeks: second combination dose (booster).
3. 12–16 weeks: third combination dose. Where parvovirus risk is high, an extra dose after 16 weeks may be advised.
4. Around 12–16 weeks: rabies vaccine (usually after three months of age).
5. Additional vaccines in between: kennel cough and canine coronavirus may be scheduled during this period depending on lifestyle.

Antibodies passed on from the mother can blunt the effect of vaccines in the early weeks, so a single dose is not enough. That is why puppy vaccines are repeated every 3–4 weeks.

Lifestyle (non-core) vaccines

• Kennel cough (Bordetella): recommended for dogs that visit boarding kennels, dog parks or training classes.
• Lyme disease: worth considering in rural or wooded areas with heavy tick populations.
• Canine coronavirus (CCV): given during puppyhood at some clinics.

Talk through your dog's daily routine and decide with your vet which extra vaccines make sense.

Boosters for adult dogs

Once the puppy course is complete:

• The combination vaccine is repeated at the end of the first year, then usually annually. Under some protocols, certain components are given every three years.
• Rabies is repeated every year.
• Kennel cough is boosted annually for as long as the risk remains.

Keep the vaccination card safe and set a reminder on your phone for the next due date.

Protecting a puppy mid-course

Immunity is not complete until the course is finished and roughly two weeks have passed since the final dose. Until then:

• Avoid parks and pavements frequented by unknown dogs.
• Allow controlled socialising with healthy, fully vaccinated dogs.
• Take your shoes off at the door; parvovirus can be carried in on footwear.

After the vaccine

Mild tiredness, reduced appetite and a small lump at the injection site are normal for 24–48 hours. However, contact your vet immediately if you notice:

• Swelling of the face or around the eyes
• Vomiting, diarrhoea or difficulty breathing
• Itchy hives or collapse

Avoid strenuous exercise and bathing on the day of the vaccine and the day after.

In short

The formula for protecting your dog is: parasite control + a puppy course on time + regular annual boosters. Planning the schedule with your vet is the strongest guarantee of a long, healthy life.