Puppy Vaccines ?

My vets will also say four but I'm cool with three.  Usually the breeder does the first one. I get my dogs between 7 and 8 weeks. Then I take the puppy to the vet within 72 hours (generally requested by the breeder, to make sure we are all happy with the condition of the puppy).  Then I give the second shot 2-3 weeks later (either at the vet or my friend does it).  Then another 3-4 weeks after that, the third shot.  At 6 months I give the rabies shot (by itself).  I personally think three is enough but I guess it depends on the spacing of the shots.  My understanding is that you aren't really boostering the previous shots but only one of the shots needs to work, it just has to be the correct timing based on when the puppy no longer uses the mother's antibodies.  Someone (Callie) please correct me if I'm wrong.  Personally I do not think a fourth shot is going to matter to an otherwise healthy dog but if the shots were spaced correctly I don't think it's necessary.  JMHO

Liesje

when the puppy no longer uses the mother's antibodies. 

More to prevent interference between maternal antibodies interfering with the vaccine according to the AVMA.  AAHA recommends three vaccines between the ages of 6 to 16 weeks.  Last one to be given between 14 and 16 weeks.

AVMA has a link to the AAHA site to read all about vaccine protocols. 

Jackie's info is super and she was quicker than I could be  -- that's a darned good source.  They're also recommending now that the "core" vax be used (distemper, parvo, and adenovirus all modified live NOT the killed-vaccine combo shot)

Gosh, I think this depends on a lot of different factors.  What breed, age when vaccinated, etc. 

My breed, Weimaraners have a lot of problems with vaccinosis and there are a few diseases less understood that are thought to be brought on by over vaccination.  So, our breed club recommends only 2 vaccinations at 8 and 12 weeks then having them titered.  Rabies should be given separately (and we tend to wait for as long as possible 6+ months).  A lot of reputable breeders feel you should then titer from then on, for the rest of their lives (so really you only give another shot if necessary.)

Now, I realize you don't have a Weimaraner.  But, I think that this is fairly good advice to anyone.  .... I may or may not be in the minority when I say, why over vaccinate?  I think 4 is way too many and I think 3 is more than enough, especially when the pup has already had rabies.  I'd titer test, personally.

The timing of the puppy vaccines is what is important - NOT the number.  If a pup gets her first shot at age 18-weeks that is the only shot needed from the puppy series. 

A series of puppy shots is given for only one reason - no one knows when a particular puppy will actually need the one shot that actually works.  The goal is give a shot as soon as possible after the maternal antibodies wear out.  That is usually somewhere between 8-14 weeks, so the puppy series is really a guessing game. 

None of the shots is a "booster".  The shot either works or it doesn't.  The puppy series will not work if the maternal antibodies last past the last shot in the series.  That is rare, but it happens. 

Vaccines are not totally harmless, so extra vaccines should be avoided.  A blood test called a titer would tell you whether your pup has actually developed immunity to parvo and distemper (which are the vaccines that are really important for a pup).  Some folks do a titer 3-weeks after each puppy shot to see if any more of the series is needed, but just giving the puppy series is cheaper. 

The corona vaccine does the pup no good and is never needed.  What else did the combo shot contain?  Lepto is a very dangerous vaccine for pups under 12-weeks and for small dogs.  It should only be given to high risk dogs and it should never be given in a combo to any dog because it is the vaccine that has more reactions than any other.

Big combo shots are hard on a pup.  They are given that way as a convenience to the owner and because the owners might not come back to have the vaccines administered individually.  There is also the issue of multiple doses of the chemicals in vaccines used as preservatives and immune system stimulators.

Here is Dr. Dodds' minimal vaccine protocol:  http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM

erica1989

We always recommend 4 for pits/rots/etc - because they are more prone to parvo.

Not sure what this means.  You give 4 shots between 8 and 18 weeks - maybe at 8, 11, 14, and 17 weeks - to decrease the time between the maternal antibodies wearing out and the next shot?

Or you give 3 shots between 8 and 18 weeks, plus one more at say 21 weeks.  The latter would say that the maternal antibodies tend to wear off later for pits/rots/etc. 

Shots given at 6-weeks have been shown to actually delay the development of the pup's own immunity.

For MLV parvo and distemper Dr. Dodds suggests shots at

(1)  9 - 10 weeks
(2)  14 weeks
(3)  16 -18 weeks (optional)

A couple of more thoughts about vaccines:

(1)  Avoid vaccines with the preservative Thimerosal.  It contains mercury!!
(2)  Get vaccines only from vials that contain a single dose.  Multi-dose vials are more prone to bacterial infection.
(3)  Have the vial label taped into the dog's chart so you have a record of the manufacturer and batch number of the vaccine.
(4)  Consider giving Benadryl before a vaccine to minimize any possible allergic reaction (1mg/lb of weight - dogs need that much because they metabolize it so fast).