Adding a new puppy or dog to your household is an exciting time for any family. But many new pet owners forget to add the estimated costs of pet vaccinations to their budgets.

Vaccinations are one of the easiest steps you can take to prevent your pet from becoming ill from a variety of illnesses and diseases in Australia. We’ve compiled a list of the most common vaccinations and their costs, so you know what to expect when it comes time to pay the bill. The cost of dog and puppy vaccinations will depend on the type of vaccine but generally, the cost of the C3 vaccinations is approximately $250 for all three rounds

The Importance of Dog and Puppy Vaccinations

Vaccinations are important for dogs and puppies to receive in Australia because they help to keep your pet healthy when faced with common diseases and illnesses. So how do vaccines prevent illnesses in pets?

There is much technical information out there about vaccinations, but the easiest way to explain how they work is that they pretend to be an illness or infection, which stimulates an immune response in the body. If your pet then encounters the disease or illness later in life, your dog or puppy will only be mildly ill, or could avoid becoming sick at all.

Why are vaccines so important for puppies? Puppies have weaker immune systems than adult dogs, which means they are more likely to become seriously ill or die from viruses they catch. A good example is the disease, canine distemper. Coughing is often the first symptom of distemper, followed by fever, eye or nasal discharge, twitches, disorientation, and seizures. Secondary infections can include bacterial pneumonia. There is no treatment for distemper that kills the virus in your pet once it becomes infected, so preventative vaccination at a young age helps to keep pets healthy.

Your adult dog should continue to receive its yearly vaccinations on schedule to help support the efficacy of prior vaccinations.

How Much Do Dog & Puppy Vaccinations Cost in Australia?

Parvovirus, distemper, and adenovirus (canine hepatitis) are core vaccines (C3) that are given to your puppy between 6 and 16 weeks of age, at regular intervals. The cost of the C3 vaccinations usually adds up to a total of approximately $250 for all three rounds of C3 vaccinations. Veterinarians usually recommend the C3 be given to dogs every three years if they don’t need the added protections of the C5.

C5 vaccinations protect against distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, bordetella (kennel cough), and parainfluenza. A veterinarian may recommend that C5 be given to a puppy in place of one of the scheduled C3 doses, if the puppy is going to be attending puppy school or be boarded—as Bordetella and parvovirus may occur under these circumstances. Veterinarians may also recommend this vaccine every three years for adult dogs, instead of the C3 to help prevent bordetella and parvovirus infections.

Your veterinarian may recommend a C7 vaccination if your dog lives in an area where they may come into contact with rodents, due to the risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can kill your pet. One of the most common ways for your pet to contract leptospirosis is through contact with stagnant water or puddles. If there are rodents in your area, or your dog loves to swim or play in puddles, speak to your vet about the C7 vaccination.

Vaccine Summary & Costs

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should I Vaccinate My Dog or Puppy?

Puppies have a set schedule of vaccines that need to occur at certain timeframes to stimulate their immune systems, to protect them against illnesses and diseases that can make them very ill, or that can cause death.

The first dose of C3 vaccination occurs at 6-8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 10-12 weeks, the third dose at 16 weeks, and the final dose occurring at 12-15 months.

Once a dog is over 15 months, routine vaccination should occur every 1-3 years. For many years, the commonly accepted practice was to vaccinate annually, but the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) recommended in 2015 that C3 vaccinations be given every three years.

Your pet’s health, the environment they’re exposed to, and disease outbreaks may lead to more frequent vaccinations. Always check with your vet to determine the best vaccine schedule for your dog.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog & Puppy Vaccinations?

Many pet insurances cover unexpected accidents and illnesses, usually covering between 80-100% of the vet bill, depending on your coverage. Some pet insurances also offer a routine care cover, which is an add-on that can help pay for vaccinations. Routine care covers may cover some or all the expenses related to desexing, teeth cleaning, and dental care.

Some pet insurances will have a benefit limit for treatment options, such as $50 toward vaccinations each year—so you may still have some out-of-pocket costs. Other insurances will cover all routine care costs if you’re paying a higher upfront cost for your premiums. If you already have pet insurance, check to see if routine care is included in your plan.

Conclusion

Vaccinating your puppy and dog against common illnesses and diseases will help your dog live a long and healthy life. The average cost of vaccinations for puppies up to 6-16 weeks is $170-$250 for all three vaccines. You can expect to pay roughly $90 every 1-3 years for your vaccines for your adult dog to receive its C3 vaccination.

If your veterinarian recommends additional vaccines for your pet, based on your location, you can expect to pay $92-$150 for one of the C4, C5, or C7 vaccinations. Your veterinarian will help you figure out the correct immunizations your puppy and dog need to live their best life.

• See Also: Beware of Over-Vaccinating Your Dog: Vet Reviewed FAQ & Recommendations

---

Featured Image Credit: FamVeld, Shutterstock