Where can I find single dose vaccines

[bruins mom and dad]

We have an eight week old female. She has been to the vet for her first check up and everything was ok. I am trying to find a source for single dose vaccines. The breeder used Vangaurd Plus 5 and I can only find it in 25 dose.
Thanks

[Canula2000]

Are you asking to vaccinate the pup yourself?? I buy direct from the vet and he will give me a discount.

[jlaack]

I would check with the vet about the risks/benefits of vaccines that are a single dose. There used to be an annual heartworm preventative shot given 1xyear vs. monthly dosing. The product is now off the market. The strength of the vaccine in a single shot is going to be much more powerful and will tax the immune system. We stopped vaccinating our dogs a long time ago (now we rely on titers) but even when we did vaccinate we used to give single shots spread out over a period of time. Most vaccines are relatively inexpensive even if you have to go to the vet to have them administered. Since there is a lot of talk about vaccines and cancer, I would probably err on the side of being extremely cautious were vaccines are concerned.

[vVRotts]

Check through the forum archives regarding vaccines and you'll see that most who have a preference have a strong one for Progard. Unfortunately that is not available in single doses either.

What has worked for me in the past is to get together with a few friends/family members locally and share in the cost of the 25-pack. The doses that we knew would not be used within the expiration period were donated immediately to rescue.

I realize that's not the ideal plan in terms of economical spending, but it was worth it to me to be able to use the Progard. If it is ok to name a vendor, I generally found the best pricing at Revival Animal Health.

If you are going to do your own vaccinations, make sure you follow all of the guidelines for proper storage (refrigerated) of vaccines and also that your breeder or vet teach you how to give them if you don't already know.

[GypsysMom]

My vet reconingizes the vacines that I purchase from a feed store, but they suggest the ones that I purchased, I bought mine at TSC, the vaccines Gypsy received from the vet were just what was by law, rabies etc.. I know Fosters and Smith you can buy them in bulk I know alot of breeders do it that way

[pauldalton]

Jlaack has the answer,don't vaccinate.I had my rotty vaccinated as a pup and still do because she is put into kennels for our holidays,otherwise i would not bother.I don't give worming tablets either as my dog has never shown any worm problems.Funny is'nt it that we all had our vaccinations as babies and never needed anymore except if you were in the forces etc.Its a good money spinner for vets.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by pauldalton

Jlaack has the answer,don't vaccinate.

Are you actually advising the OP not to vaccinate their 8 week old puppy?

[jlaack]

I definitely don't recommend not vaccinating, rather to be cautious about doing so. My younger dog had his initial puppy shots including a one-year (not 3 year) rabies shot. He is now 3 and half and rather than vaccinating every year we test his antibodies to ensure he still has high enough levels to protect from the disease. His antibodies are sufficient that he probably won't need another rabies vaccine for the rest of his life, but we still have to test this annually to prove this to the powers that be. I think your comments were aimed at pauldalton's response, but I just want to clarify that when we have vaccinated our dogs we do not do them all at the same time since it really taxes the immune system to have to process several vaccines at once. Furthermore our younger pup had a blue eye reaction (which could lead to blindness) after being vaccinated but since he got all the shots at once it is hard to say which triggered the reaction or if it was the combination. Vaccines are good, but I think we would all question it if we were required to get 3-4 shots a year ourselves.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by jlaack

I think your comments were aimed at pauldalton's response, but I just want to clarify that when we have vaccinated our dogs we do not do them all at the same time since it really taxes the immune system to have to process several vaccines at once.

Yes, they were - I didn't get the impression from your post that you were anti-vaccination, just cautious.

My dog received two sets of puppy vacs (following the Schultz protocol), then she was titered and did not need a third set. She received a one year booster and was titered again - good immunity. In 3 years I will titer her again and use her titers to determine the need for boosters. I only vaccinate for the killers - Parvo, Distemper and Rabies. We have a 3 year requirement for Rabies here, and I will give her that.

[pauldalton]

Are worms dangerous?.Like almost everythng the answer is complex.Yes worms can kill.If a dog is so unhealthy that the worms have built up to a dangerous levels,then yes the worms can cause considerable damage,and sometimes lead to death.However if you feed your dog on an appropriate raw diet have minimal(if any)vaccinations,and limit its exposurer to flee treatment,then the dog should have a good platform on which to biuld its overall health.A healthy dog can manage worms easily.
Rather then necessarily being an embarrassing and awful condition,perhaps we need to change our mindset were we think instead,"good-my dogs immune system is now being stimulated for an appropriate response.This will help the immune system develope well.I believe there is a direct relationship between de-worming and auto-immune disease and if true then our dogs are prime targets for auto immune disease.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by bruins mom and dad

We have an eight week old female. She has been to the vet for her first check up and everything was ok. I am trying to find a source for single dose vaccines. The breeder used Vangaurd Plus 5 and I can only find it in 25 dose.
Thanks

Why is your vet not giving the vaccination?

If you had a kennel full of dogs, I could see doing it yourself, but for one pup, it's easier to just let your veterinarian do it.