Pups First Shots

[Larry G]

I've been using the intervet parvo only at 6 weeks rather than the combo shots. I feel this is a better way to stimulate the immune system rather than shock it with the combination vaccine. I shoot the 5 way at 9 weeks. Anyone else have an opinion? I'm coming up on the 6 weeks now for a litter and would like to see what some of you breeders say.

[Windkist]

I've been using the intervet parvo only at 6 weeks rather than the combo shots. I feel this is a better way to stimulate the immune system rather than shock it with the combination vaccine. I shoot the 5 way at 9 weeks. Anyone else have an opinion? I'm coming up on the 6 weeks now for a litter and would like to see what some of you breeders say.

Larry,

I think thats an excellent plan. I believe you can start the parvo only vaccine younger than 6 weeks. I'd have to look it up but, thats just sticking in my mind. We also use the proguard 5 and have had zero problems.

Leah

[allniter]

My VET told me any time you give a shot of any kind --while the pup is on the female --her milk will kill any vacine ---the VET said the pup should be off the female at least a week --before you give one a shot of any kind

[Larry G]

You might want to get a new vet. The maternal antibodies are passed to the pups in the first milk (colostrum). It is true that these antibodies will cancel out most vaccinations given too early, but many people use the high titer parvo shots at 4 weeks. The pups are not getting any more antibodies from the dam long before that, and the effect of them decreases by about 50% per week and by 4 weeks old the protection is slight. I like to wait until the pups are 6 weeks old to be sure the shot will take effect. There is a small window of low protection there to be sure and it is a risk. Also you are doing more harm that good by vaccinating any more frequently than 3 weeks apart, so at 4 weeks and again at 6 is NG because you have to give the immune system time to recover. I give the shots again at 9 and 12 weeks. At 12 weeks tests have shown close to 100% of the pups develop good immunity to parvo.

[Bunny Runner]

The level of maternal immunities can vary from puppy to puppy.

There has been many studies recently in this regard and some conclusions have been that, while it is generally agreed that the maternal antibodies (immunities) are still intact at 6 weeks and that the window is small (for giving the vaccines) some pups retain antibodies until 8, 9, or even 12 weeks, while other pups lose all maternal antibodies at 4 weeks. This is why we vaccinate every 2 - 3 weeks. We are trying to catch the drop in maternal immunities while the window is cracked.

I try to vaccinate all pups with a high titer, parvo-only shot at 4 - 5 weeks because I live in an area where it's very prevalent. It's a HORRIBLE virus to have to deal with. Make sure that you get the high titer vaccine, as it works the best in young pups that may still carry some maternal immunities. Also, you can do only parvo for the first couple of vaccinations if distemper is not much of a concern in your area. I don't like over-vaccination, as I feel it doesn't do alot for stimulating a natural immunityor encourage a healthy immune system, but with the parvo virus, you don't want to mess around.

Here is some info from a Veterinary leader in veterinary immunological medicine.

http://www.critterchat.net/immune.htm

[Larry G]

What part of NC are you in? I looked at the Ft. Dodge peoples' recommendations and they are saying revaccinate in 2-3 weeks, while the Intervet folks say 3-4 weeks. It could be a difference in the way the vaccine works.

There is no way for most people to know just what level of maternal antibodies are present in a pup, and I agree is can vary quite a bit from pup to pup in the same litter depending on how much of that first milk they got. What I usually do is try to keep them in a kennel that has been sterilized with bleach especially during that period of low resistance to parvovirus. I have had parvo here before but never distemper so I am not too concerned about it. This area seems to be a good place for the P virus and I know people who have lost their whole litter because of it.

[swamper]

A little off base but would like some opions on this .
i was looking at my vaccine this morning getting ready to give some 7 week old pups there 1st shot . the exp date is good on the powder vial but went out in feb on the liquid vial. the have been kept in the fridge ever since i got them last year . how long past the exp date do you belive the vaccine are still good.

[Bunny Runner]

A little off base but would like some opions on this .
i was looking at my vaccine this morning getting ready to give some 7 week old pups there 1st shot . the exp date is good on the powder vial but went out in feb on the liquid vial. the have been kept in the fridge ever since i got them last year . how long past the exp date do you belive the vaccine are still good.

In some vaccines, the liquid is merely a carring agent for the actual vaccine, but others actually have a portion of the vaccine in the liquid.
As far as the potency of the vaccine, most have a shelf life greater than the actual expiration date.

The only problem you might encounter is a vaccine that has lost it's potency, but shouldn't do any actual harm to your pups.

What part of NC are you in?

I'm in the Mebane (near Hillsboro, chapel hill, burlington) area.

[Larry G]

Had a good friend there, Steve White, bred some of my mares to his stallion Ron Gypson back years ago. He's likely not with us any more, but I hope he is still kicking.