According to the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association), all puppies should be vaccinated against Canine Distemper, Adenovirus 2 and Canine Parvo Virus (given as one multivalent injection) and Rabies. These are known as “core vaccines”.
Rabies is a fatal disease that can affect not only cats but also many other animals, including humans. The recent rabies outbreak in Southern Ontario demonstrates how important it is for all pets to have a current Rabies vaccine. Legally, your municipality also requires that all cats and dogs be vaccinated against Rabies.
Depending on your home environment and lifestyle, your veterinarian may also recommend that your puppy be vaccinated against Leptosporosis (a potentially fatal disease spread via urine, most commonly from infected wildlife), Lyme Disease (spread by ticks) and/or Bordetella (commonly known as Kennel Cough).
All vaccines need to be “boostered” 12 months following the final puppy vaccines, following which the frequency with which the vaccines need to be repeated varies and can be discussed with your veterinarian during your visit.