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Dog Vaccine Calendar for Puppies & Adults

Find out which vaccines your dog needs right now based on age and vaccination history. Covers core WSAVA vaccines (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, leptospirosis) and rabies. Free, 2026-updated guide.

🗓️ Updated June 2026 Reviewed by
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Knowing exactly when your dog needs each vaccine—and which ones—is the cornerstone of preventive pet health. Maternal antibodies block vaccines if given too early; missing boosters leaves gaps in immunity. This calculator applies the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) core vaccine framework: the quintuple shot (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus-2, parainfluenza, leptospirosis) plus mandatory rabies vaccination. Enter your dog's age and prior vaccination status to get a personalized action plan.

When to use this calculator

  • New puppy owners scheduling the 6-, 10-, 14-, and 16-week vaccination visits
  • Owners of rescued adult dogs with unknown vaccination history
  • Verifying whether an adult dog is up to date before a kennel stay or dog park visit
  • Understanding which rabies shot campaign applies to your dog's age

WSAVA Core Vaccine Schedule: Puppies & Adults

Age (weeks)StageRequired vaccinesNotes
< 6Too young — do not vaccinateNoneMaternal antibodies still active; vaccine would be neutralized
6–8Puppy: 1st doseQuintuple (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus-2, parainfluenza, leptospirosis)Start series once maternal immunity begins to wane
9–12Puppy: 2nd doseQuintuple3–4 week interval from previous dose
13–16Puppy: 3rd doseQuintuple + Rabies (1st dose)Rabies effective from 12 weeks; 3rd core dose closes maternal-antibody gap
17–51Puppy wrap-upQuintuple booster if any prior dose missedPlan first annual booster at ~52 weeks
≥ 52 — unvaccinated / unknown historyAdult catch-up2× Quintuple (3–4 weeks apart) + RabiesRestart full series; parvovirus requires the 3–4 week gap
≥ 52 — previously vaccinatedAdult maintenanceAnnual Quintuple + Rabies boosterAnnual campaigns (Aug–Oct in Argentina) via SENASA-registered clinics

Fuente: WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines 2022 (wsava.org) y AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines 2022 (aaha.org). Breed-specific exceptions (e.g., extra booster at 16–20 weeks for Rottweilers and Dobermans) require veterinary assessment.

How it works

Cómo se calcula el calendario de vacunas

La calculadora convierte la edad del perro a semanas (1 mes = 4,345 semanas; 1 año = 52,14 semanas) y la ubica en una de cuatro ventanas inmunológicas:

Edad (semanas)EtapaAcción principal
< 6Demasiado jovenEsperar — anticuerpos maternos aún activos
6–8Cachorro: 1.ª dosis1.ª vacuna quíntuple
9–12Cachorro: 2.ª dosis2.ª vacuna quíntuple
13–16Cachorro: 3.ª dosis3.ª quíntuple + 1.ª dosis antirrábica
17–51Cachorro: cierreDosis faltante si hubo atraso; planificar 1.er refuerzo anual
≥ 52, sin vacunarAdulto sin historialSerie de 2 dosis con 3–4 semanas de intervalo, luego anual
≥ 52, vacunadoAdulto con refuerzosRefuerzo anual (quíntuple + antirrábica)

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Por qué se necesitan varias dosis en cachorros

Los anticuerpos maternos —absorbidos a través del calostro en las primeras 12–24 horas de vida— neutralizan activamente las vacunas porque no distinguen entre virus vivos atenuados y virus reales. El problema es que su vida media varía significativamente entre individuos: en algunos cachorros decaen a las 6 semanas, en otros persisten hasta las 14–16 semanas.

Por eso el protocolo de la WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) y la AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) establece 3–4 dosis separadas 3–4 semanas, en lugar de una sola dosis temprana. La lógica es estadística: al menos una de esas dosis debe caer en la ventana de susceptibilidad, el período en que los anticuerpos maternos ya no bloquean la vacuna pero el cachorro aún no fue expuesto al patógeno en el ambiente.

La vacuna quíntuple estándar cubre Distemper (moquillo), Hepatitis infecciosa canina, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza y Leptospirosis. Parvovirus es especialmente relevante: tiene alta mortalidad en cachorros (hasta 91% sin tratamiento según estudios veterinarios), es resistente en el ambiente hasta 1 año, y requiere que la última dosis de la serie se aplique a las 16 semanas o después para garantizar seroconversión.

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Timing de la vacuna antirrábica

La vacuna antirrábica es eficaz a partir de las 12 semanas de edad (84 días). Antes de esa edad, el sistema inmune del cachorro no genera una respuesta protectora suficiente. En Argentina, la vacunación antirrábica es obligatoria por ley nacional (Ley 22.953) para perros y gatos. El SENASA coordina campañas anuales gratuitas, típicamente entre agosto y octubre, a través de centros veterinarios registrados y puestos municipales. Tener el carnet de vacunación al día es requisito en muchos parques, guarderías caninas y para tramitar el certificado de viaje interprovincial.

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Perros adultos con historial desconocido

Si adoptaste un perro sin cartilla de vacunación, la recomendación estándar es reiniciar la serie desde cero, no asumir inmunidad previa. El protocolo de recuperación para adultos es:

  • Quíntuple: 2 dosis con 3–4 semanas de intervalo (el parvovirus en particular requiere este refuerzo inicial incluso en adultos sin historial documentado).

  • Antirrábica: 1 dosis, puede aplicarse junto con la primera o segunda dosis de quíntuple.

  • Mantenimiento: refuerzo anual de ambas vacunas.
  • Algunos veterinarios realizan titulación de anticuerpos (prueba serológica) antes de reiniciar en adultos, especialmente si hay riesgo de reacción o el animal es mayor. Es una opción válida pero no reemplaza el criterio clínico presencial.

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    Qué NO incluye esta calculadora

  • Vacunas no core opcionales: Bordetella bronchiséptica (tos de las perreras), Leishmaniasis, Lyme (Borrelia), coronavirus canino. Su indicación depende del estilo de vida, zona geográfica y exposición a otros animales.

  • Desparasitación interna y externa: es complementaria al calendario de vacunas pero sigue un esquema distinto (cada 21 días en cachorros hasta los 3 meses, luego trimestral o según indicación).

  • Microchip: obligatorio en varias provincias argentinas; se coloca idealmente al mismo tiempo que la primera vacunación.

  • Ajustes por condición clínica: animales inmunosuprimidos, en tratamiento con corticoides, o hembras gestantes requieren evaluación veterinaria individual antes de vacunar.
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    Errores comunes al seguir el calendario

    Vacunar antes de las 6 semanas no genera inmunidad útil y puede interferir con el sistema inmune en desarrollo. Espaciar las dosis más de 6 semanas en la serie de cachorros alarga la ventana de riesgo sin beneficio inmunológico adicional. Creer que una sola dosis protege completamente es el error más frecuente: hasta que no se completan las 3 dosis de la serie y pasan 7–14 días desde la última, el cachorro no tiene protección confiable contra parvovirus ni distemper. Durante ese período, conviene evitar contacto con perros de historial desconocido y superficies públicas de alto tráfico canino.

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    > Importante: esta calculadora ofrece orientación general basada en protocolos estándar de WSAVA y AAHA adaptados al contexto argentino. No reemplaza la evaluación de un médico veterinario matriculado, quien ajustará el esquema según el estado de salud individual del animal y la situación epidemiológica local.

    10-week-old puppy, no prior vaccination

    Age entered: 10 weeks → falls between 9 and 13 weeks in the puppy schedule.
    Stage identified: Puppy — initial vaccination series.
    Action now: Administer 2nd dose of the core quintuple vaccine (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus-2, parainfluenza, leptospirosis).
    Next step: 3rd dose of quintuple at 12–16 weeks, together with the first rabies shot.
    Rabies note: Rabies vaccination is appropriate from 12 weeks onward.
    Puppy — initial schedule: 2nd quintuple dose due now (10 weeks). Next: 3rd dose + rabies at 12–16 weeks.

    Frequently asked questions

    At what age should a puppy get its first vaccine?
    The first core vaccine (quintuple: distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus-2, parainfluenza, leptospirosis) is given between 6 and 8 weeks. Before 6 weeks, maternal antibodies transferred via colostrum interfere with the immune response and the vaccine will not work reliably.
    How many doses does a puppy need in the first year?
    The WSAVA protocol calls for 3 doses of the core vaccine at roughly 6–8, 9–12, and 13–16 weeks, followed by a first annual booster at 12 months. High-risk breeds (Rottweiler, Doberman) may receive a 4th dose at 16–20 weeks on veterinary advice. The rabies shot is added at the 13-week visit or later.
    Why can't I just give one vaccine and be done?
    Maternal antibodies from the mother's milk block vaccines unpredictably. By spacing 3 doses across the 6–16 week window, at least one dose is virtually guaranteed to trigger active immunity after those antibodies have faded. A single shot might land while maternal antibodies are still blocking it, leaving the puppy unprotected against life-threatening diseases like parvovirus.
    When does a puppy get its rabies shot?
    Rabies vaccine is appropriate from 12 weeks of age. It is typically given at the same visit as the 3rd core dose. Annual boosters are required by law in most countries. In Argentina, SENASA organizes free public rabies campaigns generally between August and October.
    My adult dog has never been vaccinated. What do I do?
    Restart the series as if it were a first-time vaccination: administer two doses of the quintuple vaccine 3–4 weeks apart (this gap is critical for parvovirus protection) plus a rabies shot. After that, follow the standard annual booster schedule. Do not skip the two-dose series just because the dog is adult — prior natural exposure does not guarantee adequate antibody levels.
    How often do adult dogs need boosters?
    After the puppy series, most veterinary associations (WSAVA, AAHA) recommend the core vaccines annually as a minimum. Some protocols allow every 3 years for certain components (e.g., CDV, CPV, CAV) in dogs confirmed seropositive, but this requires titer testing. Rabies is typically required annually by law regardless. Always check your local regulations.
    What is the 'quintuple' (quíntuple) vaccine?
    The quintuple vaccine (also called DA2PPL or DHPPL depending on the manufacturer) protects against five diseases in one injection: Canine Distemper (D), Adenovirus-2/Hepatitis (A2), Parvovirus (P), Parainfluenza (P), and Leptospirosis (L). It is considered a core vaccine by WSAVA, meaning all dogs should receive it regardless of lifestyle.
    Are there vaccines beyond the quintuple that my dog might need?
    Yes. Non-core (optional) vaccines are given based on lifestyle and geographic risk: Bordetella (kennel cough) for dogs that visit kennels, groomers, or dog parks; Giardia in areas with high prevalence; Leishmaniasis in endemic regions. Your veterinarian will assess exposure risk at each annual visit.
    Can I vaccinate my dog at home to save money?
    In some countries, certain vaccines are sold over the counter. However, self-vaccination carries significant risks: improper handling breaks the cold chain (vaccines must stay at 2–8 °C), the lot number won't be officially recorded in the health booklet, and any adverse reaction (anaphylaxis can occur within minutes) requires immediate veterinary intervention. Rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian is legally required in most jurisdictions.
    What happens if I miss a vaccine dose?
    For the puppy series, if you miss the 2nd or 3rd dose by a few weeks, you can still administer it — you do not need to restart from zero. For adults, if the annual booster is more than 3 months overdue, most vets recommend administering a single catch-up dose. If it has been more than 2–3 years, a 2-dose series may be advisable. Ask your vet for a titer test if you are unsure about your dog's immunity status.

    Methodology & trust

    Editorial

    Calculadora de mascotas revisada por el equipo editorial de Hacé Cuentas, contrastada con WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines 2022, según nuestra política editorial y metodología.

    Updates

    Última revisión: June 22, 2026. Los parámetros se verifican periódicamente con las fuentes citadas.

    Privacy

    Calculations run 100% in your browser. We do not store or transmit your data.

    Limitations

    Indicative results. For critical decisions, consult a professional.

    📌 How to cite this calculator

    Rodríguez, M. (2026). Dog Vaccine Calendar for Puppies & Adults. Hacé Cuentas. https://hacecuentas.com/dog-vaccination-schedule-puppy-adult

    Contenido bajo licencia CC-BY 4.0 — reutilizable citando la fuente con enlace a Hacé Cuentas.

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