Your dog COULD already be immune from the previous shots. It only takes one shot but they are given in a series for this reason: The mother gives the pups her immunity when they are born and while nursing.
At some point after they are weaned (before the 4 month mark) the immunity wears off. The shots given before this happens (and there in no way to tell when that happens) will not give the pup any immunity because the immunity the mother has given him will cancel out the shot. The shot given at 4 months ensures immunity. Then a booster is given at usually 1 year later (one year and 4 months old). It takes up to 3 weeks for a shot to give FULL immunity.
That, honestly, keeps your pup immune probably for life. Yearly vaccinations actually beat down a dogs immunity and do nothing to boost the immunity of the disease you are vaccinating for.
So, in essence you could give only two shots if you ended up getting a dog at 4 months or after and it was not vaccinated when you got it, one at 4 months and one at 1 year and 4 months.
As far as rabies, I would not give it another thought. He would have to get bitten by, or scratched by a rabid animal to get rabies. And...do not give the rabies shot at the same time as the other shot. They should be given 3 to 4 weeks apart because given both together is thought to be too much on the immune system.
At some point after they are weaned (before the 4 month mark) the immunity wears off. The shots given before this happens (and there in no way to tell when that happens) will not give the pup any immunity because the immunity the mother has given him will cancel out the shot. The shot given at 4 months ensures immunity. Then a booster is given at usually 1 year later (one year and 4 months old). It takes up to 3 weeks for a shot to give FULL immunity.
That, honestly, keeps your pup immune probably for life. Yearly vaccinations actually beat down a dogs immunity and do nothing to boost the immunity of the disease you are vaccinating for.
So, in essence you could give only two shots if you ended up getting a dog at 4 months or after and it was not vaccinated when you got it, one at 4 months and one at 1 year and 4 months.
As far as rabies, I would not give it another thought. He would have to get bitten by, or scratched by a rabid animal to get rabies. And...do not give the rabies shot at the same time as the other shot. They should be given 3 to 4 weeks apart because given both together is thought to be too much on the immune system.
