vaccination overdose?
 

Hello... my puppy had its first health check up with the vet today... everything went fine.. his temp.. heart rate.. and even his fecal sample.
But as for his vaccination, the vet recommended that my puppy should get the first puppy shot again even though I told them and showed them that puppy already had 2 of his puppy shots. He's 10 weeks old at the moment.. one shot at 6 weeks and another one at 8. I was told that breeder got the vaccination from the vet and stored it in the fridge and she administered it herself. I also told the vet this....
The vet was "concerned" that the shot may not have been administered correctly.. or was stored in wrong temperature and was convincing me that we should just disregard those puppy shots and start fresh...
so he ended up getting his first shot again.. Im a bit worried since it might be over doing the med and it wasn't necessary.
should I be worried? Or is this normal thing the vets do?
Thanks in advance.

Wow, that's a lot of shots in such a short amount of time. Most puppies receive 3 sets of shots. Immunity begins to wean around 8 weeks. A vaccination schedule my breeder uses is: 8-9 weeks, 10-12 weeks, 14-16 weeks, then rabies around 6 months. Personally I'd have told the vet "No thank you" in regards to administering another set. Too many shots is just as bad as having no shots because their little bodies will be overwhelmed. My vet accepted my breeder administered shots, it's not hard to store the vaccine and its dilution at all! From what I've seen they are stored at the temperature insulin is stored in one's refrigerator. Basically, if you can set your refrigerator's temp you can store a vaccine. The vet we have on our military post tried the same thing your vet did and wanted me to restart both Rasta and Laveau's vaccines since they were given by the breeder and give them lepto which was in my contract not to give....I found another vet. Some vets will not accept shots that are not given by a vet/vet tech. What is your vet suggesting in terms of any further vaccination?

Vaccinations started before 8 weeks old, are essentially ineffective....mother's antibodies are still over-riding them. That is the cause of concern for your vet....I am thinking the vet is not confident in the breeder's knowledge since she started giving her vaccinations too early....he is leary of any other decisions she has made.

That said, vaccinations are money makers for vets....there are some that will NOT let go of those purse strings. Many times I have come here and said I have NEVER had a vet refuse my vaccination record.....and wouldnt you know, I just sold a pup from this current litter, and as the new momma and I were going over all the papers and info, she told me the vet she was considering had told her he would NOT take a breeders vaccination record and said the pup needed to be re-vaccinated. (I can not even imagine a vet demanding you go my way or the highway....revaccinate or .....or WHAT???? they refuse to see the pup???) What happened to the patient having any say in the treatment plan??!! I was stunned and told her to find another vet....she did, the vet was perfectly happy with the shot record I provided and she has a vet that works WITH her, rather than demanding he run the program or she can leave! She did herself and her pup a huge favor by finding a vet that takes the time to form a treatment plan for her pup, that includes the owners input and concerns. THAT is what you want in a vet....or a doctor for family members....JUST SAY NO!!!!

I would find another vet or just tell this one NO!

@colesmommy01, the vet is suggesting that I come back in 3 weeks (May 15th) and get his 2nd puppy shot, as well as rabies, and then again in 3 weeks for his final 3rd puppy vaccine... I feel like its overkill since he had 2 already.. but when I've called petsmart's vet, I think receptionist answered and she told me... "well if that's what the doctor suggested, I'd go with her plan". I feel like she didn't really know what she was talking about.. but then again, I may have been too worried... (I still am though)

@yorkiemom1, I think one of the reason why vet wanted to start over with the puppy's shot was because the breeder gave his shot bit early too. When I mentioned that I read that dog gets their vaccination at 6, 8, and at 12, she was telling me that they start at 8, 12, and 16.. I honestly felt like she just wanted to make money off of my puppy.. When my boyfriend came home and I told him about this, he was confused too, since he had dogs since he was little..

Another concern I have though. My breeder suggest that for puppy not NOT receive lepto and corona, as it has risks... But when I've asked the vet, she was actually suggesting it since risks are rare... what are your opinions...?
And what should I do about his next shots?

Technically the next set of shots will be his fourth, no? Personally, I wouldn't get another set until 14-16 weeks. I only do core vaccines (DHPP). Your pup has followed the same vaccination schedule as I have excluding the 6 week. She's had shots at 8 weeks, 10 weeks, and will go back for her third between 14-16. Immunity garnered from the dam can taper beginning at 8 weeks but vets do 3 sets of shots to hit the window when there is no more immunity from the mother. Please do not get the rabies in conjunction with any other vaccines, get it as a standalone shot at least a month after the last (14-16 week)DHPP. I always do rabies at 6 months, then I'm done for the next three years excluding the booster of DHPP my dogs receive when they turn 1. I don't have my vet administer corona or lepto since it's not a problem in my area as well as being a clause in my contract not to get(lepto). I would take your breeder's advice in regards to not administering those particular vaccines, but if you decide to, give them as a standalone like rabies. Your vet works for YOU, you decide what's best for your puppy and if the vet has a problem with it, I'd find another more accommodating vet who listens to me.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
I do 8, 11, 14 weeks, rabies at 6-8 months depending on the size of the pup. I dont recommend lepto as it is not an issue in my area, and it is risky for small dogs, my vet doesnt recommend it to her patients....premedicate with Benadryl injection in the office, wait 20 minutes, give the lepto, then hang around the vet office for another 20-30 minutes to be sure the pup is not going to have an anaphyllactic reaction to it. I recommend bordatella injectable, not the nasal....the nasal is live virus and can often give the disease to the pup.....and it can take months to clear it up, plus $$$$ for antibiotics to prevent/treat pneumonia, breathing meds, etc.

@colemommy01, I thought the puppies were required to have rabies shot at 12 weeks or older.. If he waits till 6 months, does that mean that he can't go out until then? What kind of shots will he have to have so that he'll be able to attend puppy kindergarten or even park?

@yorkimom1, I'm not sure exactly how he's going to get his next vaccines, but I know it'll be DHP puppy vaccination. What breeder gave was Duramune Max 5.
If he is to have lepto, are they going to provide benadryl? or will I have to? I prefer not having it done if not necessary, but I don't want to risk him being sick... So I don't know what to do for sure.. But if anything I'll make sure it's not done through nasal.. Thank you :)

The kennel cough is given nasally.....not the lepto! You will have to pay for the benadryl that is given prior to the lepto....Find out what the incidence of the disease is in your area....dont aske the vet wanting to give the vaccine for it!!....if it is not a problem in your area, just tell the vet NO! you do not want the vaccine given!!!.....

I looked up the incidence of lepto in Honolulu....it is BAD!!! Just premedicate with the benedryl give 20 minutes to take effect, then give the lepto...and then wait around the vet office to make sure the pup doesnt have a reaction to the lepto shot.

I am not familiar with the Duramune Max components...it may alreaady contain the lepto!

Duramune Max 5 does not contain the lepto vaccine.....

Puppies/dogs ARE required by law to have rabies but not at 12 weeks...may I ask who's telling you this? I take my dogs out to get used to walking 2 weeks after their last DHPP, but other than that they stay home until 2 weeks after their rabies. I don't think dog parks have any regulations regarding shots, at least the one's near me. As far as play dates/groups, it depends on the group. The group in my area core vaccines as well as rabies have to be completed. Do you have a vet that specializes in small breeds in your area? Or that someone you know who also had a small breed recommends? You'll more than likely have to administer the benadryl yourself. I gave Rasta 1/2-1 ml at least 20 minutes before I arrived at the vet(check with your breeder in regards to dosage). As Yorkiemom1 stated, if you decide to get lepto stay in the immediate/general area of the vet's office in case he has an adverse reaction.

I wish I could post the pdf, but here's the link for your state in regards to rabies. Dogs/cats 90 days(3 months) and older entering the state must be vaccinated, but it doesn't state when the vaccine has to take place for animals already on the island.

THIS. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

And THIS. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

No dog already in the state of Hawaii is required to get a rabies shot ever.. It is only required for dogs coming in from another State or dogs that will be going out of state. My dogs are 6 & 7 and have never had rabies shots.

They have not had lepto shots either because I don't expose them to areas of risk, around farm animals and dog parks.

Unfortunately, we don't have very many reputable/knowledgable Yorike breeders in Hawaii, and I seriously doubt the person you got your pup from is telling you the truth. Your vet is not following standard vaccination protocol either, so if I were you I would question both, and seek a new vet opinion.

Congratulations and welcome to YorkieTalk. Through the years, none of my Yorkies had the lepto vaccine. If you decide to give it, you can buy Children's Benadryl for your little boy. You should check with your vet, but you can administer this at home a little while before you go to the vet. You can use this as a guideline for administering the medication, but your vet would know best.

@yorkiemom1, I currently reside in Arkansas. I've made the account when I was visiting my Mom's at Hawaii and just came back couple days ago... Forgot to change it. Haha. But I've decided on not getting Lepto and Corona later. It seems too risky now..

But how do I find out if Lepto is predominate in Arkansas?

@colesmommy01, I only thought rabies were administered at 12 or 16 weeks.. from what I've been seeing online. The vet I've met was saying that he can get the rabies shot next time along with his 2nd dose of puppy DHP. I'm not sure if the vet I went to specialize in small animals... but when I did get there, there were lots of puppies and kittens, as well as birds and such... And since I'm fairly new to this area, I don't know anyone who has pets or know anyone who knows vets around the area.. I've asked my breeder but she doesn't know one where I live.

I've registered for the AKC puppy kindergarten coming up in May 24th. By that time, if he goes by the vet's vaccination plan, he should have his 2nd shot and rabies shot on the May 15th. Will this be too early for him to take the class?

@lisaly, Thank you :) I'm still debating on lepto and corna shots, but I'm leaning more towards not doing it. I'm scared of what kind of reaction he may have.. I'm not that comfortable with administering any kind of medicine even if it's just benadryl... Maybe I'll try to learn that from the vet later lol.. :/

I've provided an excerpt from Science Direct for you to read along with the link where you can read more about the disease(lepto) as you see fit.


"The Americas
The disease is absent from Canada and has been removed from the notifiable diseases list in the USA, where few annual cases occur, randomly related to recreational activities in fresh water. Hawaii is the exception, with an estimated annual incidence of 12.9 per million population."


Again, as I and other have stated, please wait to get rabies at least a month after the last DHPP and as a standalone vaccine. Contact Petsmart and ask them what vaccines are required for their puppy classes and if you can prolong recieving rabies for your puppy. Your vet can give the rabies vaccine with the DHPP but that doesn't mean he/she should. I suggest you wait two weeks after the last DHPP to attend any classes.

Hi and welcome. I live in Arkansas. Can I ask where you are at? What vet are you seeing? Mine did not recommend the lepto shot.

More recent:

Medscape: Medscape Access

@babygirl rosie, Hihi, thank you :) I'm in North Little Rock Area, and the vet I've visited was at North Hills Animals Hospital

@colesmommy01, Thank you for the link. Checking it out now :)

There is an epidemic of highly contageous "canine flu" going around....many states have put in place very strict restrictions on dog parks, puppy classes, boarding facilities, etc....be very careful "socializing" with this flu going around....be very cautious about this....

You are about 4 hours away from me. I was hoping you were closer because my vet is great! However, I would question the lepto. I am thinking its carried by cattle? Does anyone else know? Being in the Littke Rock area I wouldn't think there would be a demand for the need of the lepto vaccine. Anyway, welcome to Arkansas!

When I brought my puppy in for initial puppy check with vet, he also was questioning my breeders vaccination schedule and was wanting to start the vaccinations from scratch stating that unless the vaccinations were administered by a licensed vet, he could not ensure they were done correctly. I thanked him for his concern but respectfully put my foot down as I did not want my puppy over-vaccinated. I had thoroughly vetted and researched my breeder beforehand and trusted her records and ability to administer the vaccines correctly. I asked him to proceed with the recommended vaccination schedule from her age (14 months) onward and he respected my request. He did not recommend Lepto and I requested Bordatella which he agreed would be good as I was planning to take her to regular dog handling classes and dog shows.

@yorkiemom1, I've heard of the canine flu... I'm worried about that too.. I think I'm worried about everything since I became a puppy mom.. lol :/ I'd like to take him outside soon, but it seems I'm stuck for a bit.. :/

@babygirl rosie, aw. if you were close to where I live, I was going to ask if you wanted to have our puppy to have a play date. lol I've contacted the AKC Puppy Kindergarten instructor that I've singed up for and asked about what was going on. He was saying always trust the vet, and apparently the one I've went to was known to be good... I just emailed him asking what he thinks about lepto and corona so I'll be waiting on his response.. :) (still leaning towards not doing it though lol)

@smelcerk, I'm regretting letting him get another *1st* puppy shot.. vet was recommending it and so was vet tech... So I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do... I've only had a dog when i was little and I did not pay attention to the vaccination and what not..

Do you guys think he'll get some kind of reaction later on for repeating those 2 first puppy shots? He seems perfectly fine right now though. I'm calling couple vets asking what they think, but it seems I'm only getting to the receptionists and they are saying its fine, but I'm still paranoid and I'm constantly looking over him to make sure nothing is wrong with him... ugh I feel like I'm being a terrible mom..

If there was no reaction at the time those shots were administered, I'm sure your dog is fine. My Bella's worst reaction was to her first rabies vaccination--she was sleepy for a few hours, but was fully recovered by the next day. I agree with the others--have the rabies shot done on a separate day from the other shots, preferably a couple of weeks separation.

I personally don't think you need to do Benadryl unless the dog has previously had a reaction. Benadryl is for allergic reactions and can be administered intramuscularly along with a steroid if needed for an allergic reaction. I've never in 15 years of owning my yorkies had to administer Benadryl ever. I've done more than core vaccines. However, if the dog had a reaction then that's an issue for future to be discussed. Puppies are not the ones reacting, it's usually to an adult shot except in very small number of cases from what I understand.

But I agree, dump the vet.

My vet chose to break up Gracie's immunizations because she was quite a tiny puppy. We took her in for tech visits to have them done except for the rabies that was done later on when she had gotten a chance to get quite a bit bigger. The vet is required to give the rabies injection anyway.

We chose not to have the additional injections such as for Lyme disease.

There are some vets that are raising concern about the over vaccination of pets. They are looking at titer results and finding that many pets still have antibodies at the appropriate level when they are scheduled to have added immunizations. I'm sure if you google it you can find reading on the subject. It is something every concerned pet owner needs to study and decide what they think is best for their pet. I have titers drawn on Gracie twice a year and will not re-vaccinate until she needs it. Of course, by law she must have the rabies done despite the titer level.

I have spoken to many people who have been advised by vets to repeat vaccinations that were done before the pet was brought to their office. Everyone has to decide about the wisdom of that decision. How much do you trust your breeder or previous owner to give the correct information about previous injections. I know you can't change it now but hopefully others will look into these things ahead of time thanks to your post.

my vet will not give rabies and shots together, yorkies are to small, do them seperate

@pstinard, yeah i think he's ok for now... i haven't really been seeing any kinda reaction from his shot... i'm just worried about his next few ones that's coming up soon..

@107barney, i'm thinking if i really should change the vet or not.. i mean.. even if i do, what then? what will happen to his next shots..? i feel like since he had his 2nd-first set of puppy shot again, he'll just continue as planned.. not sure... :/

@gracielove, yeah, i was wondering why she didn't do the titer test too.. she could have simply done it, just to see how he was.. maybe she was over confident.. i donno... i'll make sure to ask her that later.. i've been reading up on vaccination and titer test, but i'm paranoid since i really don't want to make my puppy sick..

@chestermama, i've been calling around and different vets are giving me different answers.. it seems most of you guys are advising me to give a bit of a break between vaccinations though... this whole vaccination is just feeding my paranoia.. lol... i just want my puppy healthy... :/