[jarn]

help!

i am now completely confused. neb got his 6-week shots on may 31st. he was also dewormed.

the sheet i got from the rescue doesn't say what vaccinations he received.

i just called my vet to set up his 8-week shots, and they said that's too soon, that it's better to wait 3-4 weeks.

i don't want to overvaccinate, but he's a puppy, and at this age, i do want to make sure he's properly vaccinated. i was told he would need 8-week shots.

what is correct? i want to be able to take him places safely.

edit: i have emailed the foster home to find out what vaccines he did receive.

 

[BlackGSD]

I have also always heard 3 to 4 weeks between shots.

Did someone TELL you he would need more shots at 8 weeks?

My pup got her first shot at 8 weeks, she will get her second this week (she will be 12 weeks on Thurday.)

It doesn't matter if he gets them every week or 2 or if he gets them every 3 to 4 weeks, he still won't be considered "safe" until after 16 weeks.

The thing with giving shots more often is that they will need MORE to get them to the 16 weeks, "safe (er) zone".

 

[jarn]

yeah, when i called the vet last week about his stinky breath, they said 8 weeks - but i may not have made the 6-week vaccinations clear.

his foster home very explicitly told me 8 weeks though.

i don't mind waiting longer, i'm just confused now.

especially - i will be careful, especially around dog interactions, but i'm not waiting until 4 months to take him out into the world and socialize him.

 

[Sherush]

Usually shots are done every 4 weeks, ie. if your pup got them at 6 weeks next due date is 10 weeks then 14 weeks (usually rabbies isn't given till 16 weeks) depends on vet. Jesse who we got at 8 weeks we were told he got the first set of shots but the papers we got about him didn't have the date or lot number of the shots so the vet confirmed to me that is wouldn't do any Jesse harm to get another first set of shots at 9 weeks, in case it didn't happen before like they said it did. So Jesse was done at 9 weeks, 13 weeks and last set at 17 weeks).

 

[jarn]

thanks.

right now i've made an appointment for 9 weeks, contingent on what the foster home confirms he got at 6 weeks.

hopefully i will be able to change that to 16 weeks then.

i know some people have said they only do the first 2 sets of shots.

maybe i was told 8 weeks b/c that's normal, and they got shots young? i feel like a lot of stuff (mom adopted, etc) was done younger than normal, so that could be why?

(on a side note, i had my brother pet sit him this weekend and all went well, though he grew! i came home and he was bigger

)

 

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted By: jarnespecially - <span style="color: #FF0000"> i will be careful, especially around dog interactions, </span>but i'm not waiting until 4 months to take him out into the world and socialize him.

That is the idea. Just be carefull where you take him. Most folks say not to take young puppies to places like Petco/Petsmart, dog parks, highway rest areas, and other places that are generally frequented by a lot of strange dogs.

I take my pup to the lake to swim everyday. BUT I don't take her to the park and campground. We go to other areas that are NOT frequented my tourists and very rarely even by the locals. (Luckily it is a VERY large 30 mile long lake, so there are a LOT of places for me to take her.)

 

[BlackGSD]

Wanted to add that it is GREAT that you got your brother to "puppysit" for the weekend.

 

[gagsd]

I choose to use a limited vaccine protocol. Parvovirus only at close to 8 weeks, followed by DA2PP at 12, 16, and 20 weeks. I have rabies done as late as possible and not at the same time as the parvo/combo shot. At one year and four months I have a 3-year rabies administered (legal in most states). I do not vaccinate for distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, or parainfluenza after the “puppy rounds” .Getting titers done is an alternative, albeit more expensive. This is a personal decision I have made after dealing with my systemic lupus dog and seeing two dogs come down with a hemolytic autoimmune disorder post-vaccination. There are new vaccination schedules approved by many veterinary schools. Do not allow your veterinarian to treat your puppy to the “one size fits all” method. Vaccinations are a medical procedure and as an owner, you need to be your pet’s advocate.

http://www.aahanet.org/About_aaha/vaccine_guidelines06.pdf

 

[Lauri & The Gang]

I follow Dr. Dodds schedule: http://www.doglogic.com/vaccination.htm

I do NOT use the combo vax - only Distemper and Parvo. I do each vaccine at least 7 days apart.

 

[Sherush]

Yeah 6 weeks is young cause pups have protection from mother's milk and actually should have it passed 8 weeks but shots are to cover where the mom protection ends.

So Montreal went well I guess.

Jesse did amazing at Woofstock this weekend, better than I thought he would do in crowds like that and a million dogs. For 7 months even for an adult he was great. Did you see the videos on youtube I posted from last night with Jesse in his first pool???

 

[jarn]

thanks - jean, i like that schedule.

mary, i've looked into titering for luc and teagan (not due yet), including for rabies though i think they both got the 3-year while they were in rescue/shelter, i need to confirm that however. but for neb as a puppy i want to make sure he does get some vaccines. i'd figured 8 weeks was correct b/c of the previous conversations w/my vet and the foster home - but i do like that my vet did raise the flag on this issue.

it looks like, as i suspected, neb was vaccinated too young in the first place (6 weeks old).

the more i think about it, the less happy i am with how his puppyhood was handled - early vaccinations - done the day before i got a call from the foster home basically asking me to come get him then even though the arrangement had previously been made that i wouldn't pick him up until this week/weekend since i had to be away this past weekend (yes, i was very happy my brother petsat! yay!). mom was adopted, etc, etc. i get that the foster home had intaked another litter and had adult fosters plus their own dogs and was having space/time issues, but it still disappoints me that what was done wasn't best for the pups. it did allow a maximum number of dogs rescued, i guess though.

 

[jarn]

sherush, yeah, montreal went well. i got tonnes of shots from the french ring trial (around 780) so i will post some when i've sorted through them.

i'm glad woofstock was a success! and on such a hot day, wow.

edit: i didn't see the pics, i'll go take a look.

 

[BowWowMeow]

Chama got early vaccinations too but she was also weaned too early. And she's still here at age 13 and has had no major health problems up until now (and all now are age related). I did stop vaccinating her 7 years ago, except for rabies and I stopped that 4 years ago.

I would wait four weeks between shots.

 

[jarn]

And Neb was weaned too early too.

Well, he could have worse dogs than Chama to follow in the footsteps of.

4 weeks makes sense - it's what i originally thought, and then i got confused b/c the foster home was so insistent and the vet said to take bring in a fecal sample (stinky breath) when we did the 8 week shots - but that was probably a miscommunication

 

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted By: jarn.....the vet said to take bring in a fecal sample (stinky breath) when we did the 8 week shots - but that was probably a miscommunication

Probably. They probably thought an 8 week shot was going to be his first one and didn't realize he had one at 6 weeks.

Is his breath any better?

 

[jarn]

better. it doesn't knock me out any time our heads are within a few feet of each other, but i'm still not exactly inviting him to lick my nose (which doesn't stop him from trying). but it is WAY better than it was when i first got him.

i think it was that they just assumed he hadn't had any. which is reasonable if they're supposed to start at 8 weeks! ....sigh.

 

[jarn]

the foster got back to me; he got his DHPP on may 31st, which is actually the same day she called me and asked me to take him early (i.e., then).

so we're waiting almost a month - we're camping june 27-29, so i'm taking him in on the 26th.

 

[zyppi]

A forum, as much as I love you guys, is not the place to choose your dog's medical protocol.

You will find we don't all agree on any one issue.

Spend the time getting recommendations on a good vet and choose one you are comfortable calling! The best vets are happy to have concerned pet owners and are very willing to take the time to explain why they make the recommendations for you dog.

A conversation should be two sided and you should feel free to ask questions.

It's also a chance to see if they talk about current studies etc..

My vet, knowing that I take good care of my pets, is much more likely to use a looser protocol than some. Interestingly enough, he said he often schedules yearly check ups so that he can see how well the owner is caring for pup. Unfortunately some use any excuse to skimp on care.

He also follows and cites studies I can research and give light on statistics - which we all know can be skewed.

So, my advice is find the best veterinarian care you can and go with their advice. They do far more study and have more experience than the average dog owner.

 

[jarn]

i am working w/a vet i feel very comfortable w/and who has been great w/my adult dogs, and i'm following their protocol. b/c of the initial confusion and what the rescue had requested i do, i wanted to try to gather information if possible, and this is one, but not the only, source.

i set up the next set of shots in consultation w/my vet after confirming w/the foster home what neb had been given at 6 weeks, not based on what anyone posted here.

but, i do also like getting other people's experiences. i have a lot of respect for dr. dodds so was happy to see what jean posted, and that it is in line w/what my vet is doing.

for luc and teagan, i plan on titering, but for neb, as a puppy, i do want him to have initial vaccinations.

 

[3K9Mom]

Hey jarn, I'm just seeing this thread. Does that mean that Neb didn't go camping with you? You chickened out?