Quote:
Originally Posted by Mardelin  If a breeder is giving a puppy it's first shot at 6 weeks she is doing more harm than good and suppressing mother's immunities, there for setting up the pup to contract a case of parvo.
The fact that you got your dog at 8 weeks and your parents got your childhood dog at 8 weeks (don't know how many years ago that was), didn't make it right. And it's all about what is best for the puppy, not the breeder, not the new puppy owner. |
At six weeks puppies still have antibodies from nursing that block the effectiveness of vaccinations. They shouldn't get their first vaccinations until 9 or 10 weeks. The last round must be around 18-20 weeks for full immunity.
In one study of a cross section of different puppies the age at which they were able to respond to a vaccine and develop protection covered a wide period of time. At six weeks of age, 25% of the puppies could be immunized. At 9 weeks of age, 40% of the puppies were able to respond to the vaccine. The number increased to 60% by 16 weeks, and by 18 weeks of age, 95% of the puppies could be immunized.
Mary is right. Breeders who give vaccinations at six weeks are setting puppies up for parvo.
Parvovirus: Serious Diarrhea in Puppies & Dogs