Anyone Heard of This Before?

[Dangels]

So, I was talking with a breeder friend of mine, Casey, yesterday about some of her puppies, and somehow the subject of puppy shots got mentioned. Another breeder told Casey that she shouldn't give her puppies any type of puppy shots because doing so will cause the puppies to have a weak immune system. I've never heard of this before, and was just wondering if anyone here has heard this before. When I got home last night, I did some research online, and I did find some articles on the subject. However, as a breeder and dog owner, I do find very hard to believe that not vaccinating puppies will do them any good. It's always been my understanding, and the understanding of my vet that puppies SHOULD receive age appropriate vaccinations. Below of links to some of the articles that I found.

HEALTH

Is Your Vet Still Overvaccinating Your Dog? | Content for Reprint

I've always vaccinated my dogs and puppies, now i'm being told that it's doing more harm than good? I guess i'm just curious as to how many of you have heard of this, and if anyone here actually goes by the don't vaccinate or don't yearly vaccinate schedual.

[LilacDragon]

Interesting.

I don't think that yearly shots are necessary and don't vaccinate yearly. I do get rabies shots as required by law. As for the rest - my dogs are rescues with issues so they aren't exposed to other dogs often.

I don't think that skipping the first series of puppy shots is a good idea though. The purpose of the shots is to build an immunity. They can't build an immunity if they don't have the shots so whether the shots are good for 6-9 years is pointless.

[Rivsky]

I definitely think puppies need to be vaccinated to develop immunity to diseases. The main issue I keep coming across with puppy vaccinations is the fact that most of the time their very first shot is given while their still nursing from their dam which many people think interferes with the maternal antibodies and thus wipes out any immunity the puppies have altogether.

I have done some research on yearly vaccinations myself, mainly because the dog that I'd like to get next is a breed that is known for autoimmune problems, which are often triggered by yearly vaccinations.

With River he has had all his puppy shots and a booster at one year. When his next booster was due I opted to titre test instead and the results of that showed he still had quite high immunity and didn't need further vaccination.

I've spoken to my regular vet about this issue and titre testing is still relatively new here in Australia so they're wary about relying on the results and would prefer me to bring him back later in the year so they can give him a further booster which will cover him for 3 years. I haven't yet made up my mind about this as from what I've heard this 3 year vaccine is actually the same as the yearly booster but with the labelling changed on it.

[Lunachick]

I believe puppies should get the required shots until they are a year. After that, yearly boosters are unneccessary. Every few years is good. I'm not sure as to whether the shots do more harm then good...but I really don't think skipping the puppy shots is something you want to chance, especially with parvo.
Rivsky, what breed are you looking into getting?

[Dangels]

Thanks for all the information!

The reason why I am asking, is because I vaccinate my puppies, and I also get my dogs their yearly boosters throughout their lives. In addition to vaccinating my dogs yearly, it is also stated in my puppy contract that any puppies purchased from me, must be kept up to date on their yearly booster shots. I just always went by what my vet told me. However, now that i've researched this subject a little more.... i'm wondering if I should maybe consider not requiring my puppies to have yearly boosters, except for the rabies vacc. This is definately something that I will be looking into further.

Thanks again!

[Punkygirl0101]

Where I live parvo is so bad that even puppies that ARE vaccinated (Like my Zen was) get parvo, and die from it. Puppies NEED vaccinations....

When my mom had a litter of Dachshunds, 3 of the 6 puppies got parvo (Bob, Reese, and their brother Copper.) Copper and Reese didn't get it to bad, they were 7 weeks old at the time when they got it, and they had their first shots. Bob got it the worst and was hospitalized for 10 days and almost died..His immune system got really messed up from it, and about a week after being home (Not even being fully recovered) he got kennel cough AND mange. It was horrible!! Hes almost 3 now and very healthy, and hasn't been sick since..but I am a strong believer that puppies NEED to be vaccinated.

[Rivsky]

Originally Posted by Lunachick

Rivsky, what breed are you looking into getting?

I'm hoping to be able to add a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever to our family once we've managed to buy a house.

Dangels if you want to amend your puppy contract I'd personally look at saying something like if you aren't going to vaccinate yearly after the 12 month booster shot that they titre test. While titre testing isn't 100% foolproof and is a snapshot of what's happening in part of the immune system at that particlar time, I feel there's a very big difference between not vaccinating due to the possible risks of over vaccination and simply choosing not to do it for other reasons.

[Ritz459]

I'm hoping to be able to add a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever to our family once we've managed to buy a house.

Oh, it will be like a big River!

Chloe had all of her puppy shots and I'm taking her back for her yearly boosters next month (which will be freak'n expensive, but oh well), but after that I'm planning on getting the titre testdone. Blackie and Rose are also do for vaccs, but I told my mom to only have their rabies updated. We don't live in town and the dogs rarely go out with us so I just don't feel it nccessary, espcially since they've had yearly boosters for the past 9-12 years.

[calgal]

I think giving shots too soon is very bad.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/front/1377004

[Dangels]

Dangels if you want to amend your puppy contract I'd personally look at saying something like if you aren't going to vaccinate yearly after the 12 month booster shot that they titre test. While titre testing isn't 100% foolproof and is a snapshot of what's happening in part of the immune system at that particlar time, I feel there's a very big difference between not vaccinating due to the possible risks of over vaccination and simply choosing not to do it for other reasons.

I've done some more research, and from what i've read so far wether or not to give yearly boosters depends a lot on the breed in question. From what i've read so far, it sounds like Great Danes get more good than bad from getting their boosters, so it sounds like I may be on the right track. I'm still doing more research, and plan to try contacting some professionals about this issue before I decide totally. I always like to do lots of research so that I have all my facts straight. However, what you have suggested is a very good idea. If I make changes to my contract, that is exactly what i'll do. My main concern is making sure that all of my puppies are kept happy and healthy.

Thanks again for all the info!

[GSD]

I think the same for my dogs as I do for myself. Nature didn't give me immunity in a bottle, it gave me an immune system. I keep it strong and myself strong, same for my dogs. My last puppy has only had one rabies shot so far at a year of age, and has to get another one this fall. No puppy shots whatsoever. People think i'm crazy, but then that has never bothered me.