Puppy Vaccination Schedule

[Black Bronson]

Why don't you just titer test two weeks after the 12 week vacc, and then you can be sure your puppy seroconverted? Even if you vaccinate at 16 weeks there's no actual guarantee your puppy is immune to parvo.

You can after the 12 week vacc? I always thought you could only do it after their 16 week. Something else to chat to with the vet, thanks

BB. My boy had his puppy vacc at 6 weeks and then again at about 12 weeks. I didn't do a 3rd vacc, because I thought I was doing the right thing. But it seems I got it a bit mixed up. Fast track a bit and I'm 'talking' with Dr. Jean Dodds, she told me that had his 2nd puppy vacc been after 14 weeks of age, I wouldn't need to go for the annual booster, but because he had his before 14wo, she recommended that I do the one annual booster at 15mo.

I had intended to do that, thinking that his earlier health issues would have been well and truly in hand and he'd be well and strong come the 15mo mark. But that wasn't to be the case so I didn't go ahead with the booster.

What I did instead was have him titred, even though this was 12 months on from his last puppy vacc. Results showed sufficient level of antibodies, even though he'd had 2 x puppy vacc and not 3, and even though the 2nd vacc was at 12wo.

Don't know if this info is any help to you working things out in your mind?

Thanks Erny, much appreciated ;)

[Chocolate]

I am confused regarding the best puppy vaccination schedule against Parvo and have been getting some conflicting advice. My GSD puppy is 12 weeks old, had his C3 at 6 weeks and just had his C5 which the vet considers substantial protection until his 12 month booster.

Many recommend an additional 16 week vaccination as the antibodies from the puppies mother can still effect the 12 week vaccination providing proper immunisation???. Our vet dismissed this suggestion claiming that the type or brand of vaccine they use doesn't need it repeated at 16 weeks???.

I have read several accounts where puppies have had their 6 and 12 week shots but contracted Parvo and died from the virus around 5 or 6 months old that was perceived as being preventable had they had a booster administered at 16 weeks??? I am interested to hear some thoughts an opinions regarding puppy immunisation

Hi Black Bronson,

It needs to be understood that their are different vaccines made by manufacturers and there are indeed ones than can be administered safely twice only with no need for a 3rd at 16wks as they specifically get through the dams antibodies. So if you go to your vet and he gives say a Protech C3 at 6-8 wks and then another 4 weeks later that is all that is needed. Other vets use vaccines which require three shots to provide full immunity. So trust your vet he has told you that brand does not require a 3rd 16 week vaccination as he knows the brand used.

Sorry, but you wouldn't get me to touch Fort Dodge Vaccines with a 40ft pole after the class actions they have out against them.

No need to be sorry, each to their own but I personally have never had any problems at all over the years with my pups being vaccinated with Protech C3.

[stormie]

In the Uk we use a brand of vaccine that isn't affected by mothers antibodies. Vax done at 8 weeks and 11 weeks and then next one at 15 months.

Yes, I have heard of such a vaccine here...........I will check and find out what specific vaccine our vet uses. It annoys me when asking questions at the vet, like is it best to have the 16 week booster also and they treat you like an idiot :D "This is how we do it" answers doesn't mean that regime is best for the puppy

Well that's obviously what they think is best if that's what they do? They're hardly going to tell you they think it's best to finish at 12 weeks, but tell you to finish at 16wks.

What they do and what's best can be two different things???. I have already had a Coccidia mis-diagnosis and incorrectly treated because "that's what they do" with puppy diarreha. What they do with puppy diarreha doesn't work with Coccidia and the puppy ends up in emergency care on a drip after passing blood and dehydrating because they don't look outside the square :D

Well then you obviously need to find a vet that you trust is doing the what is best.

[Erny]

Well then you obviously need to find a vet that you trust is doing the what is best.

Stormie - you're right. But for many, they don't know to tell the difference until perhaps after the event. Not to wage a war on Vets. There are some out there who I have used and who are pure angels wearing white coats. But the only reason I know that is due to the others I saw a long the way and I then had a bench mark for comparison. Yet without that benchmark, I trusted the others, because what else could I know? Not everyone reads DOL. I didn't even know DOL existed back then.

When a Vet prescribes, the general public often have no background knowledge to be able to base a question mark. And most don't believe they need that background knowledge, because they automatically presume they can and should trust their Vet's advice. And that's how it should be.

A great Vet is pure gold.

Edited May 16, 2010 by Erny

[Guest Tess32]

Why don't you just titer test two weeks after the 12 week vacc, and then you can be sure your puppy seroconverted? Even if you vaccinate at 16 weeks there's no actual guarantee your puppy is immune to parvo.

You can after the 12 week vacc? I always thought you could only do it after their 16 week. Something else to chat to with the vet, thanks

You could do it after any vaccination.

[W Sibs]

8 and 12 weeks, then 12 months after that.

This applies for Emmy.

Charlie had C3 at 8, 12 and 16 weeks.

[whippets]

We use C3 at 8,12,16 weeks of age and a booster a year after.

To the OP. If you plan to use boarding kennels at some stage you may need to use C5. I know some of the kennels around here won't take dogs unless they have C5.

[macka]

My puppy had a C3 at 6 weeks, then a nobivac C5 at 12 weeks. He will have one annual booster and then shouldn't need another one for 3 years.

Edited May 17, 2010 by macka