Here's an important word regarding shots: multivalent (mull-tee-
VAY-lent). It means bundling up a lot of different vaccinations
into a single shot. After all, nobody really likes getting
shots, and your dog is no different. Puppies, whose immune
systems are still forming, need quite a few shots. Distemper and
parvo, for example, require shots at three-week intervals
starting at six weeks. Other vaccines can be combined with these
for canine hepatitis (hep-uh-TIGHT-us) or parainfluenza (pair-
uh-in-flu-EN-za). Rabies shots are required by law and given
separately. Once your dog is fully grown, an annual booster for
multiple vaccines, plus rabies, is all that's required to keep
your pet immune to the most common doggie diseases.