Innoculations - Page 1

Hello all, I am new to this messageboard and would like to know when is the best time to have a new GSD puppy innoculated. There seems to be alot of differing opinions from vets. They say it depends on the product, this, that and the next thing. Is 8 weeks old too young? Should it be done by a certain age? Are there certain regimes, products, these days to be avoided? Any advice would be much appreciated. Andy Bryson.

Andy, You will never find a consensus, especially on a board like this. There will be many who will tell you not to vaccinate. I suggest you find a vet you like and trust and go by their protocols. Puppies are very vulnerable to disease and vaccines have made a real difference in cutting down the terrible consequences of illness. As with anything, there will always be a few adverse reactions, but the overwhelming majority of puppies who are vaccinated do just fine.

I do not believe in over vaccinating (which is the current practice) however I do believe that puppies need their series of puppy shots.. most vets use some sort of combo and I do as well as long as it doesn't have corona in it.. So my pups get a series of 4 puppy shots 3 weeks apart starting at 8-9 weeks.. they then get their annual booster (usually about 16 months old) and then they are protected for life just as we are from our childhood vaccinations. This is the published protocol from Dr Jean Dodds, who is a pioneer in the veterinary field of immune system health in our animals. I understand she is conducting a similar study on the Rabies vaccination... that is a very much over used vaccine..... I know most states have laws in when an animal needs its first Rabies but I do try to go as long as possible before the first one.. being very careful of course!! I think Dr Dodds would go 1 step further and have all the different vaccines separated and I knowmany other people who also do... It is a controversial subject and there are many camps with many different beliefs.. you have to do your research and then decide what is right and how youwant to protect your dog's health....

The reason one vaccinates a puppy is to give it immunity AFTER mom's immunity is no longer working. THe controvery is at what age does mom's immunity wear off? Most experts will say between 9-14 wks. Because there is varying opinions on 'when' this immunity wears off, the puppy protocal has been develeoped. Basically, they say, vaccinate at 8, 10, 14 weks (with varying degrees on the weeks....example some will say 7, 9, 11 16). What they are trying to do with this schedule is 'guess' when mom's immunity wears off and by vaccinating at all these times it is figured that the puppy is covered. HOWEVER, things to remember /consider. As soon as you vaccinate a puppy, they no longer have mom's immunity. THe vaccine cancels out ANY and ALL immunity the pup may have and now asks the body to build an immune response to the vaccine. THus immediately after a vaccination, the pup is MOST vulnerable as it has no immunity now while it is building it's immune response. Every time you vaccinate, you cancel out any immunity the body built up and are now asking the body to once again build a new response to the new vaccine. I do not vaccinate pups until they are 12-14 wks. old. Then it is a single antigen vaccine (distemper is usually first, but sometimes parvo). After 2-3 wks. another single antigen vaccine is given. (either parvo or distemper). That is it. At this age, the pup most likley no longer had mom's immunity and now has built up it's body's response to the vaccine. There is no point in 'boosting'. If I am unsure, I would titer the pup at 6 months to see where immunity is. I do not vaccinate for anyting but these 2 virus's.

Thanks for all the replies.

People who have had trouble of any kind have probably read up on the many new protocols for vaccines. The safest (in most minds) and easiest 1st step is Dr. Jean Dodd's advice, especially for revaccination, since puppy shots have already been started before the owner finds out there might be a problem with vaccinations. Winnie, I'm inclined to agree with your protocol--it's probably correct--but, also, way too radical for most to try. You've never had to give a booster? As for myself--I will titer the blood for now on--no more annual boosters; and , when a booster is necessary, the shots will be separated not to overoad the system. ADB, Here's the Dr. Jean Dobb's schedule: http://doglogic.com/vaccination.htm Here's some more reading: http://www.caberfeidh.com/Revax.htm http://www.caberfeidh.com/PuppyVax.htm Did you find an 8 week old puppy that hasn't already been given puppy shots?

Well, actually, I don't vaccinate the pups I keep at all. This protocol is for the pups that leave and new owners want to vaccinate. I have never had a problem with no vaccines. I do titers at a year and dogs have immunity to both parvo and distemper. AND..my pups go everywhere, as do my dogs. THey are always around other pups/dogs etc. THey are also in many differnt fields for herding and tracking and amoung different livestock. THat is likley why they have immunity without being vaccinated. I don't take them to dog parks. Titers are good except one has to understand them. A low titer does NOT mean low immunity. It likley means that the dog has not come into contact with the virus latley. Once it does, the body mounts an immune response and you get a high titer. SO...it is best to take your dog out into community LOTS before you titer. This will likley give you a more accurate reading of what is going on. On a side note, I do feed raw and my pups are 2-4 generation raw fed, no vaccine. So, in my opinion may have a stronger immune system than others. However, having said that...even when I first started out not vaccinating....I have not had problems. One might also want to note that I have never had a dog react to any vaccines they have had. That is not the reason I went this route. My protocol and what I do with my dogs, I feel is 'best' for a strong immune system.

That's amazing Winnie. I'm not that brave. I'm comfortable with doing the minimum right now. You're probably right about the raw diet giving more immunity--I should look into it. Does it then have to be exclusively raw, or could you do both? I'd probably have a nervous breakdown giving raw chicken--salmonella, choking on bones, etc. As you can see, I know zilch about feeding raw.

I don't think you can go wrong following Jean Dodd's vaccination protocol.

ADB, I just reread my post and realized I may not have been clear. I do believe in puppy shots, and am recommending Dr. Jean Dodd's initial schedule. Then, yearly, I would do titers and see what is needed That is what I consider the 'minimum'. Sorry about that.