 On Sick Puppies and Vaccines
The pup was sick and was treated when purchased, and sent home with meds.
When a pup gets sick, the immune system gets a workout producing antibodies to fight off the infection. So a pup with a cough or sniffles is a sick pup.
When a pup is vaccinated, the pup's immune system is challenged and begins producing antibodies against the disease he is being vaccinated against, very similar to the way his body would react if he were sick from the disease, but to a lesser extent. This process can run for 4 weeks, at which time the pup's production of antibodies comes to a halt.
When a SICK PUP is VACCINATED, the antibodies the pup was producing to fight the illness stops, and the body starts to work on producing antibodies against the vaccine, which can cause the illness to remain longer in the pup's system. This is one reason why sick pups should not be vaccinated.
The second reason is that the sick pup cannot produce the optimal amount of antibodies against the vaccine, and the antibodies in the pup's system from the illness may attack the vaccine and render it ineffective. The pup will need to have these vaccines redone when it is healthy.
When Vaccinating small dogs, especially tinies:
Small dogs will produce a stronger vaccine response for each vaccine when given the DHPP 4 weeks apart from the Rabies. This allows their small bodies to rest and recover inbetween vaccinations.
To the owners of small and tinies:
You need to learn about vaccines for your babies. Vaccines are made strong enough to immunize a 100 pound dog. For smaller dogs, giving these vaccines together can overload their immune systems and can cause problems in the future.
Vets may have differing opinions on vaccines and could make a mistake, or in many cases the techs set up the vaccines for the vet in advance, and may pull up the wrong ones.
The safest way to keep your dog healthy is to learn the vaccines, check the vials in the exam room before it is injected into your dog, and learn to say 'no' if you ever don't understand what the vet is giving your dog.
Lepto is a controversial vaccine. To prevent the disease, do not let your pup drink rainwater from puddles in the road. It is spread through urine of an infected animal and is more common on farms and rural areas.
A vaccine reaction will be more likely to occur the second time a dog receives the vaccine. |