Advice on Vaccinations

[Jamie and Jinx]

Monday I will be taking my 9 week old pup to the vet for his 2nd round of vaccinations.  When I went in for my wellness check up 2 weeks ago, I was a little concerned about what vaccinations I should give my pup.  My vet started rattling off a list of vaccines that the puppy "should" have outside of the standard Combo Distemper (which covers distemper, adenovirus, leptospirosis, parvo virus, parainfluenza and corona virus).  They mentioned a Lyme booster that they add to their combo do to the area we live in having a large about of ticks and I understand that one and agree with it, but some I am not sure about. I really don't want to over medicate my dog but I also want Jinx to be healthy...

What are your feelings about the Canine Influenza Vaccine?? That mixed with the Bordetella and the others I am just afraid its all too much! Does anyone have any information, advice, and/or experience on the subject.   

[Malenie Piscetelli]

I did all the shots except Bordetella. I wait a month to get a Bordetella.

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

My breeder told me to not even consider giving the lepto vaccine until the pup is at least a year old as some have allergic reactions to it. So, we did the core vaccines and rabies vaccines all completed by the time he was 16 weeks old.

At 8 months old, he got the lyme vaccine and the flu vaccine. I don't know if there was much sense in waiting for those two but it made me feel a little better. He wasn't going to get ticks in the winter, so getting it in May made sense for us. As for the flu vaccine, I wasn't going to get him that one until his friend at day care came down with the flu and they had almost $20k in vet bills for their 10 month old puppy. If Tenley didn't go to day care almost every day, I wouldn't have gotten him the flu vaccine. But given that he does go to day care AND we live in the city so he meets more dogs on a daily basis than most dogs meet in their lifetimes, I decided to get both. We may do the Lepto vaccine when he hits a year old - I have to read more about it. I do know the flu vaccine doesn't cover EVERYTHING but since he is exposed to so many dogs I want to make sure he is as covered as he can be.

[Jordan & Daisy]

We did the second and third DHLPP vaccine (distemper, hepatitis, lepto, parainfluenza) at 3 and 4 months. Rabies at 4 months. I'm pretty sure the canine influenza vac is different from parainfluenza and we didn't do it. I do know that local boarding/daycare kennels require it but she has never been to one. 

We did the 2 part Lyme vaccine at totally different times than all the other shots and our vet instructed us to watch her carefully for signs of fever, etc because dogs can have bad reactions to this vaccination. However, we live in Mass and I know tons of dogs (and people) that have gotten Lyme so we felt we should do it. It is important to know that they can still contract Lyme even with the vac so many people say don't vaccinate... if they get Lyme then you TREAT it. Otherwise you are basically giving them an unnecessary vaccination that doesn't even prevent it and then you have to treat them if/when they get it anyway.

If you want to get all the vaccines maybe specify to your vet that you would like them to be more spaced out. That way if something goes wrong (God forbid) you at least know which vaccine may have caused the issue.

[al haskins]

I believe our dog has his immune system altered by too many vaccinations at one time. We had always raised Mastiffs who could handle it. I would get the basic shots and wait until the dog is older for the others. I realize there is a risk,but my dog is still on medication and will be for the rest of his life.

[Toni Clayton]

We did the basics, and then at 16 weeks they added the Bordatella, because I asked for it..I do intend for George to go to day camp once a week, and they have to have that vac to go. It was oral...my vet doesn't usually do rabies until 6 months, but I couldn't take George to training without it because he was over 16 weeks. So we took him back a few days after his 4 month visit for a rabies shot. Otherwise he did really well with all his vaccinations..we had talked about lymes, but he didn't get one yet.  The vet didn't seem to think he needed the canine influenza vaccination.

[Linda And Loo]

My dogs received all shots including Bordettla. If your dog goes to daycare, groomed outside your house or boarded you will need the Bordettla, it helps prevent kennel cough. My dogs had no problems with any of the shots, which was a relief since I had a small dog that had a real bad reaction to the lepto. When my Vet gives my dogs shots she does not combine any other shots with with the distemper combo and the Lepto. We are lucky with the dogs now that they have had no reactions. When you get your dog their first round of shots especially the distemper/Lepto , keep a close eye on them when you bring them home. If there is any swelling around the eyes or mouth get them back to the Vet ASAP! Good luck, chances are your pup will have no problems but watch them after their shots!

[John Hillers]

I feel the same way about vaccines in my dog as I do in kids. If there is a way to protect him, I am going for it. I can't imagine saying no and then him getting that very disease. 

Then again maybe that is just me. I'm a bit of a science nerd so I like the fact that this is something that is possible. Plus my friend is my vet so she tells me all the geeky details about it and how it was created. 

[Jamie and Jinx]

Thanks for all the wonderful advice! I think I have decided to hold off on the extra vaccinations until he is a little older because he won't be going to any doggy day cares or groomers (I plan on doing this myself) I will probably do the others later though bc as he gets older I hope to get him out and about more and more! I'm still effie on the Canine Influenza though bc I don't even get a flu shot and I am a teacher! haha so I don't really see a need for it in my pup!