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Health Overview

shih-tzu near me for sale- vaccinations help develop immunity to certain disease and infections, many which are serious or potentially fatal. And while no owner wants to leave their Shih Tzu unprotected, it is very common to have questions about vaccines. Are they safe? Which are actually needed? Does a Shih Tzu need to have yearly boosters?

This article will answer these questions and more, with many FAQ gathered from reader submissions. So, whether you have a Shih Tzu puppy or an older adult, let’s dive into the subject of vaccinations for Shih Tzu.

Which Vaccines Should a Shih Tzu Have?

There are many vaccines, not all of which a Shih Tzu should have. To make this easier to understand, let’s look at the two categories of core and non-core vaccinations.

Core Vaccinations:

These are immunizations for severe and sometimes deadly diseases that have high infection rates and pose a serious threat to pets (and sometimes people). Veterinarians recommend these across the board for all puppies and dogs. Puppies will receive 3 to 4 ‘rounds’ of puppy shots, which are a combination vaccine containing these (more ahead) and adults will receive boosters every 3 to 7 years (more ahead). These include vaccinations for:

Rabies. Because humans can catch rabies from dogs, and this disease is extremely serious, rabies vaccines are a legal requirement in many countries. The first rabies vaccine is given between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks, and then boosters are given as legally required, usually every 1 to 3 years.
Parvovirus. Also known as ‘parvo’, just this name is enough to scare many owners, and rightfully so. Parvo is a fast moving, easily transmitted disease that can live in the environment and inanimate objects for months. Left untreated, mortality rate is 90%.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH, aka adenovirus), is an acute liver infection that is transmitted by bodily fluids (saliva, urine, feces, blood, and/or nasal discharge) of other dogs and also wildlife including coyotes, wolves, and fox.
Canine distemper (+ measles). Distemper is a highly contagious disease that is easily transmitted via body secretions of dogs and cats, but also wildlife including raccoons, fox, and skunks. Animals with distemper suffer quite terribly, with death often occurring after an attack of full-body of seizures. This vaccine is a combo (distemper and measles together) because distemper stems from the virus that causes measles in humans; giving both is thought to offer the best protection for young pups.

Non-core Vaccines:

Non-core vaccines are designated as such because the risk level of your specific dog determines whether or not they are necessary. Even if they are optional, this does not negate their ability to help avoid major illnesses or the necessity for your Shih Tzu to have one or more of them.

#1 Bordetella. The common name for this is kennel cough, a sometimes serious upper respiratory infection. Shih Tzu that are with other dogs in large groups (doggie daycare, shows, boarding, training classes, etc.) may need to receive this vaccine in order to be allowed into the facility.

#2 Coronavirus. This is a contagious infection that primarily attacks the intestinal tract and is spread via contaminated fecal matter. Because this illness is considered relatively mild, most Shih Tzu do not need to have this vaccine. Note: This vaccine has been around a long time and is for a different strain than COVID-19.

#3 Giardia. Giardia is caused by a protozoan parasite and causes diarrhea, weight loss, and dehydration in dogs. The vaccine helps reduce the parasite’s shedding, lowering transmission risks in environments like dog parks or kennels. While not a guarantee against infection, it’s beneficial for dogs at high exposure risk, complementing hygiene and water sanitation measures.

#4 Leptospirosis. This is a serious infection threatening the heart, liver, and kidneys, spread by wildlife through contaminated environments. It easily infects dogs through skin abrasions or ingestion. The need for a leptospirosis vaccine in Shih Tzu dogs depends on their exposure to wildlife and outdoor environments.

The vaccine, linked to higher adverse reaction rates, especially when combined with other vaccines, covers only two to four of the seven leptospirosis strains. Shih Tzu dogs less exposed to wildlife may not require vaccination. This is something to discuss with the veterinarian.
#5 Lyme disease. This is transmitted by the blacklegged (or deer) tick and affects dogs across the US, Canada, and globally, yet only about 10% of infected dogs exhibit symptoms like lameness, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and lethargy. Antibiotic treatment is typically effective, but without treatment, the disease can cause paralysis and nerve damage.

Whether a Shih Tzu should receive the Lyme disease vaccine largely depends on their exposure risk to blacklegged ticks. However, it’s important to note that dogs can encounter four common tick types and are at risk for seven tick-borne diseases, with this vaccine not offering protection against those other threats.

Reaction rate to this vaccine is low (2%); however, taking precautions including all-natural prevention against all ticks (and the other diseases that a dog can catch) is recommended over having a dog receive this vaccine, unless you live in a very high-risk area.

#6 Parainfluenza. Canine influenza, or ‘dog flu,’ and its vaccine are relatively recent developments. Transmitted among dogs in close-contact environments like boarding facilities, shelters, and doggie daycares, this annual vaccine is recommended based on a dog’s exposure risk, particularly if they will frequently interact with other dogs. Unlike seasonal flu in humans, dog flu occurs year-round.
To Summarize:

All Shih Tzu should be vaccinated against rabies, parvovirus, hepatitis (adenovirus), and canine distemper. With puppies, there needs to be a series of vaccines (schedule ahead) and with adults, boosters are needed (ahead, next section).

Vaccines that a Shih Tzu should have, only if at risk or if required (doggie daycare, etc.), are those for bordetella, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and parainfluenza. A vaccine that most Shih Tzu do not need to have is coronavirus.

What is the Vaccination Schedule for Shih Tzu Puppies?

Puppies are born with antibodies transmitted from the dam. Those antibodies can prevent the vaccines from working. However, at some point between the age of 6 and 16 weeks old, the antibodies will be low enough that the vaccines will take hold. For this reason, puppy shots consist of a series of vaccines (since it’s unknown which ones will take) and these are usually done in a combo vaccine (so that just one shot is given, as opposed to multiple). This typically follows 1 of 2 schedules (consisting of 3 or 4 ‘rounds’):

Possible Schedule #1:

3 rounds done at 6 to 8 weeks old, 9 to 12 weeks old, and 14 to 16 weeks old, consisting of a DHPP combo core vaccine for distemper, adenovirus-2 (hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza.
Rabies is given anywhere from 12 to 16 weeks old.
Non-core vaccines are given at the same time as cores, if applicable.

Possible Schedule #2:

4 rounds done at 6 to 7 weeks old, 9 weeks old, 12 weeks old, and 16 weeks old, consisting of a DHPP combo core vaccine for distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza.
Rabies is given anywhere from 12 to 16 weeks old.
Non-core vaccines are given at the same time as cores, if applicable.

Note: Your Shih Tzu’s veterinarian may have a reason for a different schedule, such as spreading the vaccines out or other changes.

Does an Adult Shih Tzu Need Yearly Vaccines?

For core vaccines (aside from rabies), the answer is no. For non-core, it will depend on the circumstances. Let’s look at the details of necessity and timing for adult dogs:

Rabies: Though immunity against rabies can last up to 3 years, the law may require a yearly vaccine, depending on where you live. Your veterinarian can certainly let you know your local laws or you can check with your town hall.

Distemper, parvo, and Hepatitis (adenovirus): These vaccines are recommended every 3 years, minimum. Though, immunity against distemper may last up to 5 years and immunity against hepatitis (adenovirus) may last up to 7 years.

Note that in regard to these core vaccines listed above, if the veterinarian recommends a booster shot every 3 years, you may opt to request a titer test first. This tests the number of antibodies in the bloodstream. If the number is high enough (a score of 1:5 or greater), a vaccine is not necessary.

Bordetella: For those deemed at risk (with large groups of dogs in close quarters) this is given every 6 months.

Leptospirosis: For those deemed at risk (exposure to areas of wildlife) this is given yearly; but, in some cases with an extreme risk level, it may be given every 6 months.

Lyme disease: For those deemed at risk (exposure to areas that may contain blacklegged ticks) this is given yearly.

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