Vaccination Confusion

[alexav]

I am splitting up the vaccines as I just don't feel comfortable with the idea of bombarding the body with 8 different diseases at once!
So yesterday, Petra was given Parvo/Distemper combo and I will wait 2 weeks for bordatella and Canine Parainfluenza will be two weeks after the 3rd set of Parvo/Distemper. We don't see any Corona virus here so I am skipping that as well as Lepto.
Rabies will be given 3-4 weeks after that and only because it is required by law.

I thought this would be a good plan but I was doing some research because my Vet told me that the latest studies show that a pup's immunity "memory" after the second set of vaccines makes it relatively safe to take them out in 2-3 days...
I always like to err on the side of caution and I was thinking more like 7-10.

Then, in doing my research, I find THIS....Vaccine Information Now I am !

I was aware that we as "good, responsible owners" often overvaccinate for the same reasons that many of us have fallen for the Science Diet scam, but what is the best thing for a new pup?

What are your thoughts, oh wise Rott.netters?

[frontierrots]

I use Progard and at 8-9 weeks give a Progard DPv, then about 12-14 weeks either a Progard DPv or a Progard5 then Rabies at 6 months.

I do titers for distemper/parvo and so far all have been WELL above minimum protective numbers

[alexav]

Thanks Diane. She was given "Intervet MLV" at 7 weeks and the vaccine she was given yesterday is manufactured by Pfizer.

She showed none of the lethargy and loss of appetite that has come to be "expected" with vaccines. My opinion after seeing so many pups have adverse reactions is that the protocol should be changed. (Especially for the tiny toy pups. I still don't fully understand the reason that the teenies get the same volume of injection as the large breeds. It's like me going to the doctor and getting the equivelant of a 7-11 Big Gulp injected in my back! )
I realize that current protocols are set up for the convenience of the pet owner since the average pet owner probably won't want to come in for seperate vaccine appointments...Some are lucky to complete the series as it stands!

So much to ponder and revisit now that I have been entrusted with this new little baby...

[rottnkidd]

Hi Christy! Here's an excellent article from my bookmarks. This is authored by Christy Keith who heads the Beyond Vaccination list at Yahoo.
I did titers after the puppy series, and then delayed the rabies until my girl was 6 mos+. Diva will be 5yrs at the end of this month, and hasn't been vac'd since. I'm certainly not telling you to do this, however, read as much as you can, ask questions, then base your decision on what you've learned.
Best wishes!
kathy
http://www.caberfeidh.com/PuppyVax.htm

[Judi W]

In the old days, I did separate the parvo from the others, but with the newer generations now, I don't. I, like Diane, don't give rabies until 6 months but that is the only one I do by itself. I don't give Bordatella or Corona. Neither are fatal diseases so I don't see adding a vaccine for them. They are usually seen as a problem when secondary to parvo (which we have protected against) or a debilitated animal. Lepto is not a problem in my area, so I can't say what I would do there if I were in an endemic part of the country. (I guess I'd do research!)

[rottiesnumberone]

Can you explain what you mean by "The Science Diet Scam?"

[alexav]

Science Diet, is over-hyped, overpriced, junk. They pay vets to push it with perks, profits, and special programs. People believe their vets and take advice from them so when they sell SD, people don't usually question the actual quality.
Do some research and then read the ingredients on a bag...see if you don't see a scam in there somewhere...

[BostonRott]

I follow a similar protocol to Judi and Diane. First vaccine at 8-9wks (I send new puppies home unvaccinated), next one at 4wks later, then titre. Xcel got one Progard DPV and one 5 way from the vet (prefer not to do 5 ways on future pups). He got his rabies at 7-ish months. Will not get Lyme, bordatella or anything else. He'll get a booster set at 1 year (per Dr. Schultz's recommendations) and then nothing else til at least age 5.

[MyPuppyLove]

Baby got all her shots last year (first round of shots at 12-16 weeks and then again at 20 weeks). We are getting them done again this year but then my vet is putting us on 3 years rabies vaccination. Lepto is known here so she got the shot for lepto also. Lyme- the only reason we got that one is because we travel to areas that have reports of Lyme disease.....I am thinking after this round of shots I may do titers next year. I don't want to overvaccinate but I dont want to have her undervaccinated either.

[BostonRott]

Well, I live in an area that is VERY high Lyme (less than 100mi from where it was "discovered") and most vets here will tell you the Lyme vax is basically useless. Instead, I'd get a collar (preventic) and use it those few times when you're in a "Lyme area."