This article covers some information related to the cost of getting your puppy vaccinated, as well as the schedule that you should maintain. This will help you plan a visit to the vet’s clinic and be well-prepared.
Getting a puppy home is more than just the funny antics that will keep you on your toes. You need to take care of its health as well. Just as a newborn baby needs to be given the mandatory vaccines, a puppy also needs to be vaccinated to keep away any dog health problems that may affect it. Visits to the vet for the common dog illnesses that your puppy may contract are necessary.
Injections your Pup Needs
When you bring home a puppy, you will need to visit the vet more often during the first year. This is because you will need to follow a proper puppy shot schedule. Apart from the shots, the puppy will be prone to different dog health issues like a parasitic infection, dog worms, or an upset stomach. You will be vaccinating the puppy when it is two, three, and four months of age. Adult dogs that are not vaccinated will be given two rounds of shots three weeks apart. Puppies and dogs will be given booster shots annually. All puppies need to be given the basic shots. These shots include distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenze, leptospirosis, and coronavirus. They are administered to the puppy in the form of combination vaccines. You should give your puppy its rabies shots according to the local pet laws.
You need to follow a proper schedule for shots in order to give your puppy optimum protection from diseases. The following is a list of the approximate costs that you may have to bear during the first year.
Cost for a 9 Week Schedule
These first shots cost about $35 to $50 depending on the vet and the area you live in.
Cost for a 12 Week Schedule
These shots cost about $35 to $50 depending on the vet and the area you live in.
Cost for a 16 Week Schedule
These shots are for about $7 to $40 and the cost depends on the vet you visit.
Parvo/Distemper Shots Cost
These cost about $25 depending on the area and the vet.
Annual Rabies Shot Cost
The rabies vaccine costs about $18.
Heartworm Preventive
This costs about $40 to $100 per year. The cost depends on the dog’s size and the type of preventive measure you choose. The heartworm prevention tablets can range from $40 to $100 depending on the brand, the number of tablets in the pack, and the weight of your dog.
Spray or Neutering
This is a one time expense that you may have to carry out. It may cost between $45 to $110.
Total Minimum Cost
The minimum amount of money you will be spending on the puppy vaccination and medication will be around $350 to $400. The vaccinations that cost a minimum $20 to $150 dollars in the first year, will cost about $10 to $100 every following year. By the end of the year, you may have to spend approximately $700 for vaccinations, heartworm medications, flea management, spaying/neutering surgery, food, and other requirements related to dog care.
Other Expenses for Puppy Care
Apart from the costs that you will incur on this, you will be spending money on other essential necessities of raising a dog. You will spend about $200 per year on dog food, dog treats, and dog biscuits. Dog grooming will cost you about $100 annually and investing in kennels and carriers will cost about $30 to $350.
After a summation of all the expenses that include these costs and other essential necessities, you may have to spend about $900 in the first year. These are some of the unavoidable expenses. You may find the costs too high, but if you follow this schedule diligently, you will be avoiding major expenses in the future. Your puppy will grow up to be a healthy and active dog, which means lesser visits to the vet. Make sure you take all the possible expenses into consideration before bringing home a puppy. A pet is a responsibility of the owner and you should make sure that you are able to provide it with all the basic essentials. Speak to your vet for more information.
