Puppy Health Check-Up

Pups went in for their first shots and health check last night. We highly recommend the minimal use of vaccinations for puppies. So many health issues can be caused by over-vaccinating young animals. Here is what we use as our standard. Not the vaccine only has Distemper and Parvo. We do not recommend the more powerful vaccines for diseases the puppies will never encounter. Also, equally important, NEVER give Rabies before absolutely necessary and NEVER in combination with any other vaccinations.

The vet, Dr. McLean at Kind Animal Care, is always impressed with the condition of our dogs, from the young puppies to Linda's old man Wallis. He gave them all highly passing grades. Because he does work out of his house, there is no worry about encountering sick animals in a waiting room. So nice to have his services available.

A Google search of Dr. Dobbs website will provide a wealth of information on raising healthy puppies.

Dr. Jean Dodds,

http://www.doglogic.com/vaccination.htm

CANINE VACCINATION PROTOCOL - 2005
MINIMAL VACCINE USE
Note: The following vaccine protocol is offered for those dogs where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one I recommend and should not interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It's a matter of professional judgment and choice.

AGE OF PUP	VACCINE TYPE
9 - 10 weeks	Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy DPV)
14 weeks	Same as above
16 -18 weeks (optional)	Same as above
20 weeks or older, if allowable by law	Rabies
1 year	Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
1 year	Rabies, killed 3-year product (give 3-4 weeks apart from distemper/parvovirus booster)

Perform vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus annually thereafter. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request.