Best age for first vaccines I've read/heard so many conflicting opinions on the best age to give puppies their first vaccine round. Vet says 6 weeks, then I read it won't do any good and to wait until they are 9 weeks. Another vet said 8 weeks. The sooner the better in my opinion, but not if there's no benefit to it. I know there are a lot of experienced people here regarding puppies. Any opinions out there? Thanks ~Kendra |
My vet wants them started at 6 weeks too but I feel that is too early for our tiny yorkie babies. I would not start until at least 8 weeks. Then you can give a second set at 12 weeks and then most will be ready to find their forever home. The smaller puppies may need to stay with mom until 16 weeks and then they are ready for their 3rd set of shots. Even this may be too early. But when they are going off to new homes, I feel more secure making sure they have at least 2 sets of shots,since you don't know what other dogs they may come in contact with. This is just my opinion, after trying to balance what I read and hear from other breeders and vets. Others may prefer to do it differently. I am always reading and learning. Sometimes I change practices if there is enough information to warrant it. For instance, I read that " At six weeks of age 25 percent; of the puppies could be immunized. At 9 weeks of age, 40 percent; of the puppies were able to respond to the vaccine. The number increased to 60 percent by 16 weeks of age, and by 18 weeks, 95 percent of the puppies were protected by the vaccine. " This and other similar articles is making me think maybe puppies should wait a little longer for their vaccines. Sooner the better is not always the case because if given too soon to have the vaccine "take" then it is just as bad as not getting it at all. |
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Administering vaccinations prior to 8-9 weeks is only inhibiting mother's immunities obtained through the nursing process and subjecting the pups to the possibility of contracting diseases innoculations are supposed to protect them from. First innoculations between 8-9 weeks 2nd at 12 weeks and 3rd and 16 weeks; with a booster given at a year and 4 months after the 3rd. |
Not only are vaccines given at six weeks not effective, puppies who are vaccinated too soon finish before 16-18 weeks so they may not be fully protected. In one study of a cross section of different puppies the age at which they were able to respond to a vaccine and develop protection covered a wide period of time. At six weeks of age, 25% of the puppies could be immunized. At 9 weeks of age, 40% of the puppies were able to respond to the vaccine. The number increased to 60% by 16 weeks, and by 18 weeks of age, 95% of the puppies could be immunized. Parvovirus: Serious Diarrhea in Puppies & Dogs Here is Dr. Dodd's vaccination protocol. The majority of US vet schools have adopted this protocol. W Jean Dodds Vaccine Protocol VACCINATION PROTOCOLS |
Thanks all. I thought 6 weeks sounded too soon also, but if they worked, then good, but I agree it's better to wait until the vaccine has a better chance to really work. I wonder if the vet school/6 week recommendation is just an 'across the board' thing, not taking into account small dogs, such as Yorkies, which are certainly are much different from a St. Bernard. Kendra |
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