Hello,
I just got a boxer puppy, 9 weeks old yesterday. I have a question about vaccinations. I once talked to a breeder in Canada that believed that dogs are over vaccinated for certain things and that certain shots are detrimental to their health. My puppy has had all the proper shots until now, but I am just curious, does anyone know about this?

Also, the breeder that sold me this puppy fed him Alpo from a can (mixed with other things that were much more nutritious thankfully). I am vaguely horrified by this, but am unsure what brand to switch to. Any suggestions?

Dexter my 16 week old tiger brindle and white boxer is fed on Hills Canine Puppy Growth (Large Breed) which is the food he was fed on by the breeder. Its a dry food which is soaked in water - he's certainly done no harm on it judging by the look of him! This food can be ordered from your vets or you can pick it up at large pet stores.

As for the vaccination question maybe different countries have different ideas about them - I think I'd rather by over-vaccinated than
under!

Good luck with your pup.

PS What colour is your pup?

Hi Dexy

Your comment about preferring to over vaccinate rather than undervaccinate made me wince - have you based this decision on sound research and information ?

There is a lot on this Forum about vaccinations - try doing a search and you'll see what I mean !

Or look at http://www.doglogic.com/vaccinemain.htm

Hello,
I know a lot of doggy people who are completely against vaccination, but I personally wouldn't like to think my dog was unprotected. I did check out a lot of info on the vaccinations, and came up with the fact that Parvo and Lepto do only last 12 months, but Distemper, Hepatitis and Parainfluenza last for two years. I asked my vet and he said that's correct, so now my dogs only have the full vaccine every two years - the year in between they are vaccinated only for Parvo and Lepto.
As for food, there are a lot of good ones on the market. Our puppy was on Beta when we got him, but this just went straight through him - changed to Oscars (dried food, given with water at the time), and he's been fine, no problems since and looking good.
Hilda

Hi S/beams, have you or your vet read what Dr Schultz & a few others have written about immunity? Once the animal has immunity to Parvo & Distemper it lasts a lifetime. The Lepto vaccine doesn`t give protection for a full year, so that means your animal is without protection for a few months until the next booster.
Here`s a few links for info you may not have read.

http://critterfixer.com/pages/petcare_duration_immunity.asp
http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Animals/horses.htm
http://www.caberfeidh.com/Revax.htm

Christine, Spain.