A client recently asked us a great question: “Are vaccinations for Parvovirus and Distemper a once-off, or do they need to be repeated?”

It’s an important topic — and the answer could save your pet’s life.

Vaccinations are not a once-off. They’re essential for maintaining your pet’s immunity and protecting them from preventable, often fatal diseases such as Parvovirus, Distemper, and Infectious Canine Hepatitis throughout their life.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

Starting at 5–6 weeks old, puppies receive their first vaccination. Three vaccinations are given, each one month apart. These protect against:

• Distemper
• Infectious Canine Hepatitis
• Parvovirus
• Coronavirus
• Parainfluenza

The third vaccination also includes Rabies.

Important: Don’t let your puppy leave your property until at least two weeks after their third vaccination, when their immunity is properly developed.

Adult Dog Vaccinations

At one year old:
Your dog needs a booster for all vaccines, including Rabies. This is their fourth vaccination.

At two years old:
Another full booster is recommended for continued protection.

After this, the frequency of vaccination depends on your dog’s lifestyle and risk level:

• Active dogs (those that go for walks, attend training, go to daycare or stay in kennels, or participate in shows): Annual vaccinations
• Homebodies (dogs that rarely leave the property): Every second year
• High Rabies risk areas (such as KwaZulu-Natal) or dogs that travel between provinces: Annual Rabies vaccination is mandatory

Dogs that stay in kennels or attend daycare should also receive a Kennel Cough (Bordetella) vaccination, as this infection spreads easily in social environments.

Why Staying Up to Date Matters

Keeping your pet’s vaccinations current protects them from serious and preventable diseases — and helps prevent the spread of these illnesses in your community.

It’s also important to know that Parvovirus and other infections are dose-dependent — meaning the severity of infection can depend on how many virus particles your dog is exposed to.

If there have been many Parvo cases in your area, or if your dog has come into contact with a Parvo case, you should vaccinate immediately, even if you normally fall into the group that vaccinates every two years.

If you’re unsure when your pet’s last vaccination was, contact us to check their records or schedule a booster.

Bruma Lake Vet
1 Glanville Avenue, Cyrildene
Call 011 622 8813 or WhatsApp 065 977 1082 to book your pet’s vaccinations or confirm their schedule.