When are puppies ready?

foreign_correspondent

Mupette wrote: »

I didn't get mine until he was 12 weeks, and he had no jabs, supposed to been wormed, but even though things were delayed, he had more time with his mum

They could have taken him for his puppy jabs... it would have been a tragedy if he had succumbed to parvo

Frugalista

arlybarly wrote: »

I wouldnt buy a puppy without it having its first inoculations as obviously the breeder doesnt want to spend any money on the puppy and that does not make for a good start.

What absolute rubbish!!

Was at a barbecue at the weekend (doggy event) with three Vets. We were discussing the timing of vaccinations and the rather worrying statement on the dogs trust website that pups should be vaccinated at 6-9 weeks. All three said that they did not recommend vaccinating before 8 weeks old and definately not at 6 weeks. My own personal preference is for later vaccination, but that's just me .

Puppies are usually ready to leave at 7-8 weeks although some of the toy breeds are kept until around 12 weeks. No reputable breeder would let a puppy go at 6 weeks old so to see such an advertisement would be a red flag to avoid them at all costs .

It is not common practise for breeders to give the first innoculation (in my own breed I'm not aware of anyone who does so) and to say that the breeder "doesn't want to spend money" is completely wrong. It is entirely possible that the breeder doesn't believe in early vaccination (like myself and the vets I was talking to :cool:) and is more concerned about the well-being of the pups than the opinions of some money-grubber.

alleycat`

So i'm the only sicko that thought "when the microwave goes ping"?

8 to 10 weeks is the "norm".

foreign_correspondent

Frugalista, out of interest, what are the reasons for waiting later to start vaccs? When would you consider is the latest they should have had their first jab? (i.e when you say later vaccination, do you mean 8-9 weeks, or later than that?)

Frugalista

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Frugalista, out of interest, what are the reasons for waiting later to start vaccs? When would you consider is the latest they should have had their first jab? (i.e when you say later vaccination, do you mean 8-9 weeks, or later than that?)

I usually start my puppy vaccs at around 12 weeks (although I don't have a "latest" date) - I have started as late as 16 weeks.

As for my reasons why - I have spent the last 30 years involved with dogs (mostly the dog showing world :cool:) and have been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time listening to very, very experienced dog breeders, judges, vets and specialists in all fields of dog care from all around the world. I have also attended events, seminars and teach-ins in the USA and Europe.

Much of my reasoning for later vaccination is based on anecdotal evidence from the "grass roots" dog breeders - which is very often "pooh-poohed" by vets, etc. Unfortunately, I cannot provide links as this has been a gradual, growing awareness - however you could try googling Catherine O'Driscoll as a starting point. Also, as we now know, vets (and vaccine manufacturers - went to one of their seminars too ) have reluctantly agreed that boosters only need to be done bi-annually. One of the arguements for that was that our own children only have one lot of childhood vaccs - why do we need to bombard our pets immune systems every year with a cocktail of drugs?

I am lucky in that I have the facilities to allow a new pup to go out for exercise and training without leaving my property. Socialisation can be done "off property" although you have to be very careful (and a little more inventive) about where you take them. My own vet agrees with, and supports, this regime.

Just to clarify, this is my own personal preference - I am not recommending anyone else to do this or implying that this is the way things should be done - it is just what I prefer to do with any pups joining my doggy family.

HTH .

foreign_correspondent

I think there is a balance to be struck, depending on risks and circumstances... your circumstances are not the norm, as you have other dogs and access to outside space that is not open to hundreds of other dogs - whilst most people taking on a single pup will only have streets and parks as the venues for socialisation with other dogs...

I think, given your circumstances the risk of delaying vaccs is low, but I am thinking that for many people living in urban spaces the risk of parvo or of not socialising their pup may outweigh the potential risks of early vaccination?

My vet is happy for dogs to be boostered every two years, except for lepto, which seems to have a shorter 'lifespan'

Frugalista

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

I think there is a balance to be struck, depending on risks and circumstances... your circumstances are not the norm, as you have other dogs and access to outside space that is not open to hundreds of other dogs - whilst most people taking on a single pup will only have streets and parks as the venues for socialisation with other dogs...

I think, given your circumstances the risk of delaying vaccs is low, but I am thinking that for many people living in urban spaces the risk of parvo or of not socialising their pup may outweigh the potential risks of early vaccination?

My vet is happy for dogs to be boostered every two years, except for lepto, which seems to have a shorter 'lifespan'

And your point is what? I know of many people who live in urban areas who follow a similar regime to me - like I say, you have to be prepared to put in the effort. Unfortunately, it's that tiny, little word "effort" that seems to be such an alien concept to most people.

Many vets and training classes have puppy classes for un-vaccinated puppies to socialise - this is but one example.

As for the risks? Found this link for you to get you started

http://www.whale.to/vaccine/driscoll1.html

foreign_correspondent

I can see the author of the article you link to attributes the early death of some of her dogs from cancer with the fact they had been vaccinated... whilst I understand her concern, I can see little evidence of cause and effect here - it seems to be on a par with the autism/mmr concerns - in that is raises an interesting question, but it's not proven.

As far as relating autoimmune/inflammatory responses to vaccines, I certainly know of someone who had no childhood vaccinations at all, (due to parental concerns) and went on to develop a chronic lifelong autoimmune/inflammatory condition in early adulthood...

ETA - I have luckily never had a dog with any of the problems the author is concerned about, but I have had a dog that almost died from distemper, and a friends dog died of lepto after being bitten by a rat..

arlybarly

Frugalista wrote: »

What absolute rubbish!!

Was at a barbecue at the weekend (doggy event) with three Vets. We were discussing the timing of vaccinations and the rather worrying statement on the dogs trust website that pups should be vaccinated at 6-9 weeks. All three said that they did not recommend vaccinating before 8 weeks old and definately not at 6 weeks. My own personal preference is for later vaccination, but that's just me .

Puppies are usually ready to leave at 7-8 weeks although some of the toy breeds are kept until around 12 weeks. No reputable breeder would let a puppy go at 6 weeks old so to see such an advertisement would be a red flag to avoid them at all costs .

It is not common practise for breeders to give the first innoculation (in my own breed I'm not aware of anyone who does so) and to say that the breeder "doesn't want to spend money" is completely wrong. It is entirely possible that the breeder doesn't believe in early vaccination (like myself and the vets I was talking to :cool:) and is more concerned about the well-being of the pups than the opinions of some money-grubber.

The Wise Words of a breeder. Obviously breeding dogs to death to 'enhance' the breed and not for the pile of money at the end of it

Frugalista

arlybarly wrote: »

The Wise Words of a breeder. Obviously breeding dogs to death to 'enhance' the breed and not for the pile of money at the end of it

LOL!! :rotfl::rotfl: as opposed to the Stupid Comments of a half-wit!

Read the post - where does it say I breed???