[kjc]

Thanks for correcting me... I need to explain further...

Originally Posted by ladyjane

While I agree that people need to educate themselves about vaccines, I must say that this reference to GME is concerning. I keep seeing this pop up in threads on YT and to date I have found nothing that indicates that vaccines trigger GME. If there is research to back this, then I would certainly love to see it. It really concerns me because a lot of people read this forum and to give information that might frighten people into not giving vaccines is worrisome to me. There are people who believe that vaccines are a trigger for GME....there are also people who believe that vaccines in children cause autism. In both cases, to my knowledge, neither is validated by research.

Puppies need vaccinations... the diseases they prevent are far worse as they are preventable through vaccination. The problems come from vaccinating for diseases that are treatable or preventable, and as I am talking about vaccinating very small dogs and puppies, there is a health concern of stimulating the immune system too much, especially all at one time, or by giving vaccines too close together. A week is not long enough after a Rabies vac or a DHPP vac to be giving another vaccine. It is much safer and more effective to wait 3-4 weeks.

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I also do not agree that titers should be done at one year following the puppy vaccinations. A booster is recommended at one year and I believe Jean Dodds also recommends that? Correct me if I am wrong.

Sorry...my mistake... I consider 'the puppy series' to include the initial set of puppy shots done at under 1 year of age and the boosters at one year, Rabies at 6 months (or later if pup is tiny) and a booster at one year. Then, in Maryland, the recommendation is every 3 years for DHPP and Rabies for the rest of the pet's life. So it's important, too, to know what your state laws are concerning vaccinations.

Originally Posted by ladyjane

We all need to keep in mind that dogs are still dying from Parvo and Distemper because people do not vaccinate. There is such a thing as risk vs benefit. That is true in vaccines and in medications.

I totally agree.

Originally Posted by ladyjane

The OP has a puppy and I do hope that she will take into consideration that not everyone on YT is an authority on vaccines...or anything vet related. It is good to take information here...but please speak with your vet about your concerns AND do your own research. I am not a believer that the majority of vets give vaccines for profit....they give them because the SEE FIRST HAND the results of NOT VACCINATING WHICH CAN BE DEADLY.

I just wonder what the OPs vet will tell her as he is trying to sell her a non-core vaccination and wants to give it too close to the Rabies vac she just got for her puppy, as per Dr Dodds, who is an authority on vaccines.
Link to Dr Dodds Vaccine Protocol for 2010: DR. JEAN DODDS' CANINE VACCINATION PROTOCOL ? 2010) I know it will be up to the OP to decide what is best for her puppy. And she may want to ask her vet some questions about this vaccine (how long will it protect my puppy from getting the flu?, how many dogs has he seen at his practice that have contracted the flu?, what are the possible side effects from the vaccine?, etc)

Originally Posted by ladyjane

As to a flu vaccine....I personally would not give it to any of my pups. I don't even get a flu vaccine myself. To each his own I suppose. The risk of a pup dying from the flu because it is not vaccinated is MUCH less than the risk of an unvaccinated dog dying from distemper. Parvo can be treated (although it is often fatal), distemper is DEADLY.

Yes, some vets do over vaccinate and we all need to be educated consumers; but that does not mean we should be so frightened that we do not protect our dogs from deadly diseases.

I totally agree, and in no way meant to say that the puppy vaccine series and boosters should not be given. Those are core vaccines and all dogs need them. There is a better way to get them done and to have them be more effective and safer for the puppy, is all I was trying to get across to the OP, and all who read this thread.

The OP got her puppy the Rabies vaccine less than a week ago. When she goes back for the well puppy visit, her puppy's immune system will be working full tilt on producing antibodies for Rabies, It takes 3-4 weeks for this activity to subside and die down. At which point, when the Rabies antibody activity is done, it is safer to then give another vaccine, if the OP so decides. To give another vaccine when the puppy's immune system is already compromised and busy on one thing, to introduce another vaccine at that point could possibly cause a problem. Not all the time, and every dog is different, but the possibility is there. Why not wait 2-3 weeks longer, till the pup's immune system is more available to do the job and can do it better? The OP would be avoiding certain risks, and her puppy would be able to make a larger number of antibodies and therefore be better protected.