[jbeckum]

I know there are several different schools of thought these days on vaccination protocols but I am kind of old school and believe that puppies should receive vaccinations at least at 6, 9 and 12 weeks of age. Given that, here is my question, we are basically looking at a 3 week "window" between vaccinations with the 6, 9 and 12 week protocol. I am currently in a situation where a puppy is due a vaccination on Sunday and due to certain time constraints, I MAY not be able to do it that day. I am thinking of doing the vaccination on Thursday or Friday BUT I do not want to give it too soon (as in earlier than exactly 3 weeks). My Vet has told me in the past that a "few days" either way isn't going to make a difference and I do trust his advice but I wanted to throw this out there to see if anyone has ever had a puppy vaccinated more than 2 weeks but less than 3 weeks from the last vaccination. If so, did you notice any difference? Did you experience any problems?

I am pretty fanatical (it's actually probably an OCD thing) about doing the vaccinations on the date they are due and not a day earlier or a day later.

KEEP IN MIND, I do trust my Vet. I am just looking for comments on if you have done this and what did you notice.

Also, yes. I give my own shots. My Vet was recently involved in a serious accident and is in and out of the office. I don't have a problem asking him this question again but it is hard to catch him in these days. He is in therapy, etc. I would like feed back if possible.

 

[oldhounddog]

jbeckum ,

My thoughts on Vaccination Protocol.

It will not benefit your pups to give any vaccine before 6 weeks of age , IF , the mother has been vaccinated. The milk from the mother for the first 48 hours after giving birth contains antibody-rich milk is called colostrum. So , your pups will only receive antibodies against diseases for which the mother had been recently vaccinated against or exposed to. This part becomes really important for example , a sick pup that may not get a full supply of mothers milk for first 48 hours is at greater risk.

The age at which puppies can effectively be immunized (protected) is proportional to the amount of antibodies the puppy received from its mother. High levels of maternal antibodies present in the puppies' bloodstream will block the effectiveness of a vaccine. When the maternal antibodies drop to a low enough level in the puppy, immunization by a commercial vaccine will work.

The antibodies from the mother generally circulate in the newborn's blood for a number of weeks. There is a period of time from several days to several weeks in which the maternal antibodies are too low to provide protection against the disease, but too high to allow a vaccine to work. This period is called the window of susceptibility. This is the time when despite being vaccinated, a puppy or kitten can still contract the disease.

This is why a series of puppy shots are given , starting at about 6 weeks and immunity starts to develop slowly.

I start puppy shots at six or seven weeks , and then every three weeks for a total of ( 3 or 4 ) puppy vaccine shots , for example: Vanguard 5. What you really want is the last puppy shot to be given at 14 to 16 weeks age regardless of the number of puppy shots given. Wait at least 2 weeks past last vaccine shot to get Rabies Vaccination.

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The bottom line is protect pups at all cost. Keep them away from other dogs except the mother. This is why a trip to the Vet can be so dangerous and hazardous , for example , if a pup or you for that matter walks across the grass where a dog parvo infected dog has eliminated you are in contact with the virus. This happens all the time in the grass right out in front of the Vet office as everyone stops by to let their dogs pee or potty.

Best , oldhounddog

 

[jbeckum]

Thank you!

Have you ever gone less than 3 weeks between vaccinations? Now I am not talking like 2 weeks here. I am thinking like a couple of days shy of the actual 3 week period between vaccinations.

 

[oldhounddog]

Thank you!

Have you ever gone less than 3 weeks between vaccinations? Now I am not talking like 2 weeks here. I am thinking like a couple of days shy of the actual 3 week period between vaccinations.

jbeckum,

The safest and most effective vaccination interval is 3-4 weeks apart. If you are a couple of days less than 3 weeks it prolly will not hurt anything , however , from a standpoint of the most benefit to the dog it would be better to be 2 days over the 3 weeks period between vaccinations.

What is your worming schedule for pups and what product do you use?

oldhounddog