[Teresa]

Hello all,

I browse occasionally, but this is my first post - does anyone have thoughts on the best vaccine for initial puppy shots? Unfortunately, I've heard WAY too many parvo stories this year...both on the net and here in person. Several owners say their dogs were vaccinated. The two brands used in parvo cases that I heard so far were Duramune (Ft Dodge) and Galaxy (Schering-Plough). My normal vet is on vacation and his office is booked, so I will have to schedule my first well-puppy and vax appt with one of the other vets, and all seem to use different brands. Not that I don't know how to do my own, but I value the initial check up and listen from a DVM.

I've heard good reviews (but of course can't find them now) on both Vangard and Progard - I usually do my first shot (MLV and CPV only) at six weeks, followed by the 5 way at around 9, 12, and then 16 weeks. Rabies at or around 6 months, and I recommend owners do *one* annual 5 way booster after that. From reading all the studies, I believe that is all they will ever need for life (or at least 7 years if you quote the study); only exception is if you are compelled to get a rabies every 3 years for the city.

So - for anyone that has poked around recently, or has experience with failed vaccines...I'd love to hear it. My little kiddos will be 6 weeks tomorrow, so trying to decide if I need to overnite the vax I want and just have the vet do the listen and checkup, or accept something different if one the vets I like enough has an opening in the next couple days. I'm not that concerned with cost or convenience...just worried that parvo has been making the rounds again and don't want my little ones at risk!

Thanks!