We went to the vet today...
 

for Franklin's vaccinations and check up. Everything is fine! The doctor said he was back to normal. His vaccinations went well, but I had a couple of questions. I have already searched YT for these answers and have not found quite what I'm looking for.

Before I start however, I want to say that I don't really want to be attacked about this. I would really just like some answers to the questions I have. I also would like to remind everyone that everything has already been done so there's not much that I can do about it now.

Now with that being said, the vet gave him DHPP, lepto, bordatella, and rabies today. :eek: I know. I was concerned, and let her know I wasn't sure about him getting all of these at once. She told me that it would be fine, and so I let (I'll emphasize let) her do it. She has been a wonderful vet and honestly, I don't have a background in animal medicine and so I don't feel right about challenging her knowledge for no real reason. She's a professional and I trust her. Whether or not anybody thinks this was a good idea is beside the point. Franklin seems to be doing fine. I also told her that I'd read that Yorkies don't do well with lepto, and asked whether or not it was necessary. She told me that she had vaccinated lots of small dogs and they did fine on it, and yes it was necessary if they were ever to come into contact with standing water or urine or something like that. It's also transmittable to humans. After everything we've been through, I decided it would be best to go ahead and vaccinate for it because I just don't think I could handle Franklin getting another deadly disease and I don't want to risk it. Same with bordatella, considering he'll need it for puppy classes and grooming.

ANYWAY.. when I bought Franklin, we were told that he had two series of puppy shots. The breeder told me she would send me the shot record and as it turns out, she was NOT a good breeder (as I'd originally thought) and we have not yet received the record. Needless to say, I can't really trust her. So, he's due back in three weeks for his "4th" set of puppy shots. If the breeder lied to me and he only ends up getting 2 sets of puppy shots, is he protected? Or will we need to give (at least) another set?

I asked her about giving an additional supplement (like EicosaDerm) and she told me that since I was feeding a higher quality food, he didn't need any extra supplement. Is this true? I'd prefer he get the extra Omega-3 and Vitamin E. I take vitamins and truly believe they have a health benefit. For those of you that DO supplement, when did you start? Is Franklin too young? Should I start with a much smaller dose?

you can do another set just to make sure it will not hurt them just make sure it's spaced at least 3 weeks apart and rabies is given with the 12 week shots set here they will make your pup sleepy but will be fine the next day

Hey Diana. So glad to hear Mr. Franklin is feeling better! Layla had that dose as well and i wasn't as educated as you were.. she had a horrible reaction so now when we go for shots she gets her booster one day and her rabies a week later since they take such a toll on her body.

I'm sorry i am no help for the rest of your questions but i'm glad your boy is doing better!

Thank you! :)

I'm sure I'll be learning a lot more about vaccinations in the future. In the past all my pets were vaccinated at 6, 9, and 12 weeks. They received a DHLPP vaccine (dogs) and whatever the combo is for cats. They also received rabies at 12 weeks. I have never had a problem with a reaction in any of my pets or problems with any of the vaccines. Lacy was accidentally vaccinated again 6 months later...I had taken her in to be dewormed only (because she kept eating cat poop) and wasn't paying attention to what the vet was doing and he vaccinated her with DHLPP and Rabies.

However, I now know and believe that no vaccines should be given until at least 8 weeks of age. 8, 12, and 16 weeks are the proper times. I'm not sure how old Franklin is, but he will probably be okay with 2 rounds of vaccines. But talk to your vet and see what they recommend.

So far as vaccinating so many at once...I've heard people here say not to do it, and I've worked for vets that always give them all at once. I'm sure I'll be learning a lot about vaccination protocol within the next year or two. Most are probably fine having them all at once. But the downside is if there is a reaction, you won't know which vaccine caused it. And some dogs don't handle so many vaccines at once. Most dogs do just fine getting them all at once though. So I'm sure Franklin will be fine.

With Lepto, it all depends on how prevelant it is in your area. Lacy was vaccinated for Lepto I think three times but wasn't vaccinated for it last time. She never had a problem. When I get my next dog, I most likely will not vaccinate for Lepto unless its very common where I'm living...but even then, I doubt my dog will have access to Lepto-infected water.

I believe overvaccinating can be a big problem. When Lacy is due for vaccinations again, I will most likely have a titer done. I don't want to revaccinate unless its really neccessary. I will most likely never vaccinate my older cat again (she's indoor only). I will vaccinate my younger cat one more time as she's only 1 year old, but will probably not vaccinate her again after that (although I might do a titer).

In the future I'll do more research into which vaccines are really needed depending on what I think my dog is at risk for.

I would just start doing research if I were you...so that after his next set of vaccines are done, you'll know what you want done in the future. Its and individual choice really...depends on your individual dog, where you live, diseases prevelant where you live, your vets recommendation, and what you feel comfortable with.

oh - the fish oil. I feed Lacy a raw diet and feel it is as top quality as you can get. However, I still give her a fish oil/vitamin E supplement (eicosaderm) and It has really made a difference in how fast her hair grows.

The problem with over vaccination is that most of the time your dog will act fine after the vaccinations but weeks and months down the line other health issues can arise due to the fact you have compromised your dogs immune system buy subjecting him all those unnecessary vaccinations. Then guess who gets to treat all the ill effects the vaccinations have caused....your vet. I pray your dog will be alright.

What vaccinations did I give that weren't necessary, besides lepto?

Bordetella isn't necessary but I understand you're in a bit of a spot with that one. Parainfluenza is also not necessary but that goes with the DHPP, so that is tough to get around also.

If I wasn't sure able my dog's vaccination history, I would want them to have at least two sets of shots after 16 weeks. I would understand if a vet wanted them to have three though. I guess if I thought the breeder gave them two sets then I would insist the vet only do two sets. If I was pretty sure my pup did not get two sets from the breeder, I would allow the vet to do three sets but I would be comfortable with two.

There is no need to add anything to a dog food that says AAFCO on it. Adding minerals can throw off the nutrient profile (if added in access). There are tons of vitamins and minerals in there already. Something like fish oil for a shiny coat is totally different though. It won't hurt, so if you want to give it, go for it.:)

I will no longer give more than one vaccine in a day because each one demands an immune response and that is a lot on the body. It is also almost impossible to tell what vaccine caused a reaction if one would happen.

I know you want your furkid protected from lepto but there are so many strains that one vaccine will not do that. Lepto vaccines only last for 6-9 months on average. There is a high reaction rate and Yorkies have died from it. This vaccine should only be given where the problem. I think a human would get lepto from contaminated water faster than from their pet. I also am not sure that lepto vaccine prevents transmission.

Yeah.. I was already hesitant about it but went ahead and did it because I wanted to be extra careful. Franklin is a little groggy. I'm really worried about him, but I'm just overprotective. He did throw up, but just once. I've been keeping a close eye on him. There has been no swelling, hives, or shock so I think he'll be fine.

After doing more research this afternoon, I think I'm going to tell her not to do Lepto next time. I wish I had thought it through a little more before I went and let him get it but it's too late now.

So you think that just two sets after 16 weeks is okay (even if, hypothetically, he hasn't had ANY? I'm pretty sure he's had them though)

I agree with all Ellie May said. My vet gives only distemper and parvo, the first set around 10 weeks and the second set at 14 weeks. It really angers me the number of vets that are over vaccinating dogs. Just google 'danger canine vaccination' and you will find all kinds of information about the dangers of canine vaccinations.

I had blood work done on Jazzie before her spaying and it showed high levels of antibodies, the vet mentioned to me that it was an indication of the immunizations in her body, which scared me. Like you I was not sure that the breeder had given her the immunizations in a timely manner so I covered them again, I probably shouldn't have. Just sharing in case its helpful to you.:aimeeyork

I would say two sets after 16 weeks is okay even without prior shots. Nobody can guarantee that he will be protected though. But then again, he could be vaccinated 100 times and that doesn't guarantee protection.

The lepto vaccine is a touchy subject with me because Ellie was vaccined for DHLPP-C and rabies all in one day and then she threw up, collapsed and went into shock. If emergency medical help wasn't available, I could have easily lost her. We can only guess it was the lepto because they were all done at the same time. Also, the risk of reaction with the lepto vaccine increases the more you give it... A dog would be more likely to react after its second dose of lepto then its first. It should only be given where there is an extreme problem and that is even questionable.

I understand but I also don't really feel like my vet is purposely "over-vaccinating". I told her she could give DHPP, Lepto, and Bordetella. Next time, we won't get Lepto.

I just wanted to know if he'd be protected with two sets.