Please do not panic....reputable breeders that actually do give their own vaccinations, usually start at 8 weeks of age, give a series of 3-4 shots (depending on the brand of vaccine used) spaced every 3-4 weeks apart, until the pup is 14-17weeks old. If your breeder used Vanguard Plus 5, all you need are three shots to complete the series.
Now, this is why you need to take some deep breaths and calm down. Mothers natural immunity given to her pups starts to disappear from the puppies at 6-8 weeks of age, usually closer to the 8 weeks of age. Studies are being conducted, have BEEN conducted over the last 10-15+ years, which has shown immunity against core diseases can be obtained with just a single shot....the reason we give the series, at 3-4 week intervals, is we are "shotgunning" vaccines at this baby, hoping to hit the minute that baby's natural immunity from mom, drops off to a level where the pup's system will soak up the immunity from the vaccinations we are giving. We know if we "scatter" the vaccines every 3 weeks, for 3-4 weeks, we are going to hit that opening door, and the baby will be protected. Chances are great, your baby is indeed effectively vaccinated, and if you do not take your baby out into the public where he is exposed to all the diseases and unvaccinated dogs running around out there, you are going to be especially safe. For your own peace of mind, when the pup is a year old, I would go ahead and take baby in for his booster shots and then you can rest easy! He will actually be finished with his shots for AT LEAST 3 years, more than likely 7 years, probably for his lifetime.
Valid research has shown and is proven, and is being disseminated to the public, slowly over several years so it is easier to swallow, these initial core vaccines given, provide at least 5-7 years protection, possibly a lifetime of protection in the case of some diseases.....your progressive vets are slowly acknowledging the validity of this research.....but vaccines/worming is the bread and butter of vets and they are VERY reluctant to get behind this proven research....if they agree that dogs only need to be re-vaccinated every 3, or 5, or 7 years, that is taking a huge amount of money right out of their pockets.....and they look at it from the angle that dogs/cats have been vaccinated yearly for many, many years with "no adverse effects".....(of course, there are questions being bantered around about why we are seeing so much cancer in our pets, as well as other immune and system malfunctions that develop over the early years.....?) so why give that up? I used to work for a vet many years ago, and vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and worming were the "bread and butter" of the practice.....he did those things yearly, without fail, because it kept his practice thriving and caused "no harm" to the pet.....or so the thinking was back then. Vet medicine is changing to be much more health oriented to the well being of the pet, and vets are adjusting schedules and protocols, that deliver what is best for the pet. |