Puppy Vaccinations, With a Full Exam at Every Visit
A puppy vaccination series typically includes three or four visits, depending on your puppy’s age and vaccination history. At every visit, your puppy receives a complete veterinary examination before vaccinations are given. We don’t just vaccinate your puppy — we examine their overall health, growth, and development at every visit.
Core vaccines
Vaccines every dog should have
Core vaccines protect against widespread and severe diseases.
For dogs that means canine distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, rabies, and Leptospirosis — which we recommend as a core vaccine in California rather than an optional extra.
Puppies need a series rather than one visit, because immunity from their mother interferes with the early doses. The number of visits and the spacing depend on age at the first vaccine, and you leave the first appointment with the actual dates.
- A full physical examination at every visit
- Weight tracked from the start
- Deworming covering roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms
- Flea, tick and heartworm prevention matched to your dog
- Microchipping
- A conversation about spay or neuter timing
Non-core vaccines
Vaccines based on your dog’s lifestyle
Non-core vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle, risk of exposure and specific health needs. For dogs those include canine influenza, canine parainfluenza (kennel cough), the canine Lyme vaccine, canine enteric coronavirus and the canine rattlesnake vaccine.
A dog who hikes in the Orange County backcountry faces different risks than one who walks the neighborhood. We will talk through which of these actually apply to your dog rather than defaulting to all of them.
What to expect
The first appointment
Bring the paperwork
Anything from the breeder, shelter or rescue, and a stool sample if you can manage one.
Examination
Nose to tail, including heart, hernias, bite and joints — the things easiest to correct early.
Your puppy’s plan
Vaccine dates, parasite prevention, and what to expect over the next few months.
Keep your puppy away from unvaccinated dogs and from places where sick dogs gather until the vaccine series is complete. Socialization still matters during this time, so ask us where it is safe to socialize your puppy rather than stopping altogether.
Parvovirus
Why the schedule matters: parvovirus
Parvovirus can turn a two-week delay in vaccines into an emergency hospital stay.
Parvovirus is common, it survives in the environment for months, and it kills unvaccinated puppies. Treating it means hospitalization, intravenous fluids and isolation — none of which anyone wants. Finishing the series on time is why we schedule all the dates at the first visit. Emergency care · Urgent care
Common questions
Questions we are asked
When should a puppy start vaccinations?
The series starts at 6-8 weeks and repeats every 3-4 weeks until at least 16 weeks, typically 3-4 visits. Call (714) 274-9305 with your puppy's age and we will give you dates.
Why does every visit include an exam?
Because the vaccine is the smallest part of it. Heart murmurs, hernias, retained teeth, parasites and joint problems are found at these appointments, and all of them are easier to deal with early.
Is Leptospirosis really a core vaccine?
At Animal Republic, yes. Leptospirosis is recommended as a core vaccine in California, alongside canine distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus and rabies.
Call us or schedule a visit
Call us with your questions, or to schedule a visit for your pet.
- Address
- 6937 Warner Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92647 - Hours
- Monday – Saturday, 9 AM – 8:30 PM · Tue to 6 PMSunday: closed.
- Phone
- (714) 274-9305