New Doodle Owner - Have a few question

[Rick Smith]

Hey guys, I have a few questions about our GoldenDoodle regarding it's health care.

I've read up online about all of this and was surprised at the wide number of answers I found. I'm hoping there is a more general consensus.

Jake was born on 9/1/2012

When I received him from the breeder it said he was "wormed" at 3, 5, and 7 weeks.

He also received 2 Vaccinations. One at 7 weeks ol (10/21/12) and one on 11/9/12 (I just found out I was supposed to get his last vaccination 3 weeks after we got him. So I need to get that asap.) 

The vaccinations that he was given was Distemper, adenoviruis type 2, parainfluenza, and parvo (the sticker they put on his records is brown and says "Nobivac 1-DAPPv."

My question is what else do I need to give him? 

There is a LuvMyPet Clinic in my area today so I thought I'd jump on it since it seemed like a great price, and no office visit! 

I know I need to give him one more round of shots, and some of said to give him the rabies now, others say later.

Also do you think I need to do a fecal and heart worm exam? I believe the breeder already did that before I got him. 

Just trying to wrap my head around what all he needs next. Thanks so much! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I personally would think having a vet see your dog, getting a check up and starting a relationship with a vet is very important. You want someone to evaluate him, to give you advice and who can tell you what's needed. Dogs should be getting preventatives depending on where they live, for heartworm and other diseases. In order for your dog to be licensed he will need proof of rabies vaccination. Good breeders have, as part of their health guarantee, a provision that the dog will be seen by a vet shortly after going home.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yes, I completely agree. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I agree that it is important to have a relationship with a Vet who can advise you as to what vaccinations and other preventatives are relevant for your area of the country.  Also, there is mounting evidence that over vaccinating and/or giving too many vaccines at one time may lead to autoimmune problems in dogs later in life. Some vets take precautions to try to avoid over vaccinating while others seem less informed/concerned. Perhaps if you do some research on this subject you can decide what course you would like to take with Jake's health care and find a vet that takes the same approach.

[Rick Smith]

By the way I wouldn't say there is "mounting evidence." There are some vets that feel one way, others that feel the other way. In the end it's better to be safe than sorry in my book.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

There has been research on the subject of vaccinations and auto immune disease in dogs:

http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/scienceVaccineDamage.html

Plus there are numerous members here on DK whose doodles have had mild to severe immediate reactions to vaccinations as well. The "feelings" of vets are really  not relevant here what is relevant is the potential risks involved in over vaccinating.  I am not suggesting that you don't vaccinate Jake. I am just encouraging you to use prudence in timing to give his immune system the chance to adapt to the viruses in his system gradually.  If it were Tara, I would space out the vaccinations (weeks apart), no 5-in-ones, rabies especially wouldn't be given with any other vaccinations. Also, I would not have her vaccinated at the same time that she is undergoing surgery.  Doing something similar with Jake would help reduce his risk of reaction plus keep him safe from the diseases.

[Rick Smith]

There have also been many many many more people who do the 5 in 1 shots with no problems what so ever. I'm not saying what your saying isn't ok, I'm just saying you may be over reacting a bit.

I know people have a lot of opinions when it comes to vacations (my wife is a pediatrician, so we hear lots of feedback on this topic when it comes to humans.) :-)

We have 2 other dogs and they did the combo shots and all ended up fine.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

One of my dogs did have a reaction to rabies vaccine.  Thank goodness we only choose to have one vaccine that day, otherwise she could have been much worse. Also, in the future we were aware which vaccine caused the problem with her and were better able to make health decisions for her.

If, we would have gotten all the vaccines at once, not only could she have died, we would also not have the knowledge as to what caused the problems ( there were several) or how to treat it.

Even if most dogs do just fine, that is a hell of a lot of vaccinations to take all at once.

For humans who seek out GOOD and regular visits with the vet, I think taking it easy is the best approach.  In my opinion, the 5 way vaccinations are more for those who seek out once in a life time care for an animal. For example, Jane Doe finds a pack of puppies outside HomeDepot and they need vet treatment.  For those who just never think to take an animal to the vet. That is when a 5-way seems to be beneficial. It is better than none at all.

But, for those of us who do seek vet care on a regular basis, spacing is the best way, the healthy way, to give vaccinations.

[Rick Smith]

"The best way..."

Come on now. You can say its a good way. It's your preferred way. But you can't say it's the "best" way.

That's just silly.

Sorry to hear your dog had a bad reaction by the way. Glad everything turned out ok.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I suppose~ the best way for me, because of previous readings, research, and experience.

Keep in mind, those vaccinations are a 'good thing', but they can make the receiver so very very sick.

I will never forget having many problems after receiving an MMR vaccination as an adult.

It is a rough go on humans and I believe dogs too.

Take it easy  :)  And that goes for many things in life

[Rick Smith]

Totally agree with that. :-)

[Adina P]

The thing with vaccination reactions is that they are pretty rare overall.  Not as rare as mass shootings, but much more rare than motor vehicle accidents.  We don't hear about all the non-reactions...people don't come to DK or any other forum and report "Guess what?  My dog didn't react to his shots!"  People don't report non events, they report out-of-the-ordinary events and that's what is seen and it makes it appear that it is far more risky than it is. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree.