We would always say that vaccinations are an essential part of owning a dog, so you need to ensure you can afford them before getting a pet. Of course, people’s circumstances change, so if you suddenly find yourself short on cash there are a couple of options to consider.
For puppies, the 14-16 week vaccination is the one that is the most important for carrying them through the first 12 months of life. If you can only afford one vaccination for your puppy, this is the one to have. It is very important that your puppy is confined to your home until two weeks after that vaccination to minimise the risk of them picking up parvo. It should however be noted that parvo can be spread very easily on clothing and shoes, so your pup will still be at risk from the disease.
Once your dog is an adult (over 12 monthsof age), a single vaccination will cover them for three years. Where cost is an issue, make sure your vet uses a three yearly vaccine so you don’t need to pay for the vaccine every year.
If you don’t have the money for any vaccinations at all, you really need to find a way to pay for one. It is cheaper to vaccinate your dog than to euthanase a dog with parvo, and treating a parvo case can cost $3000-5000.