Just wondered if anyone else has come across this before?
I have always had my litters of puppies vaccinated firstly at 6 weeks of age as when i had my first litter the vet told me that they could do it from 6 weeks onwards, so since then i have done this presuming the sooner the better. But this week one of the new owners contcted me to say that they took their puppy for his second vaccination which was to be given at 10 weeks of age and their vet told them that they would also have to have a third vaccination (booster) next week, due to the first being given so early. I have not come across this before can anyone shed any light?

the reason 2 vaccinations are given before 12 weeks of age is the first one cancels out the maternal antibodies, so a second is always necessary.  If you leave it until after 12 weeks of age the puppy only needs one vaccination for  and parvo/distemper.  6 weeks is far too young to vaccinate puppies and I think the vet who told you that is a bit out of touch!

We used to give our pups their initial vac when leaving at 8 weeks, we stopped 2 years ago as different vets use diff vac programmes. Some do 8 & 10, 8 & 12 and it was causing confusion as their are  (as far as I am aware)  2 vac manufacturers. now we leave it all to the pup buyers vets, incidently wee do not vac our own pups that we keep until they are 10 weeks old.

Yes i understand that they have 2 vaccinations i have 6 dogs of my own who only had 2 vaccinations as puppies but i dont understand why the need for the third.

they don't need a third, and don't need 2 if the first is given after 12 weeks.

thanks for that (Floradora) I started to give the vaccinations as soon as the vet would allow it as my sister some years ago was given a puppy whom i assume was bred for no apparent reason with no care, therfore no vaccinations (he was PTS as he had parvo) soon after, so i am really cautious, I dont meen to offend but when i have been to see puppies before and they have not had their first vaccine i am always shocked. But i now understand one of the reasons why (and that it may not always be down to cost).

so could this be correct then or not as this is what has been told to the owners.
1st 6 weeks (given whilst still with me)
2nd 10 weeks
3rd a week later.

The norm today is:

6 weeks - no need (Dam's antibodies actually still viable for 10-12 weeks)

8 weeks  - 1st

10 weeks - 2nd

Or if your vet uses a different vaccine, given over 3 weeks.

It is perfectly fine to start vaccinations at 10 weeks though, (pups are covered by mum's antibodies)

The 6 week vaccine really is useless which is why vets re-start again. :-)

Some vets give 1 part of the vaccine at 6 weeks but as Carrington states there is no need as mums antibodies are still viable.

Thanks for that carrington, i will have to have a re-think next time although i took the remaining pup for her second vaccination on friday and she too had her first at 6 weeks and the vet didnt mention needing another.

The reason being for that is you took the pup back to your own vet for the second,  vets today in general will tell us that starting vaccines at 6 weeks  means that they may not be covered.  Which is why when a pup is taken to a different practise the vet will re-start the process again completely discounting a 6 week vaccine. :-) That is why the pup is having another 2.

thanks for the valuble info will remember that for next time.

Vets will give a Parvo jab at 6 weeks if the pups are deemed to be 'at risk' - unvaccinated dam, local outbreak etc. With Canigen (Virbac), the major vaccines are given from 8 weeks (to allow maternal antibodies to die down) and a repeat between 2 and 4 weeks (minimum and maximum) afterwards.

On the 2 occasions that I've bought in pups that had been vaccinated at 6 weeks, my vet would not do the 2nd vac at 8 weeks.  Apart from the fact that different vac had been used, he reckoned the dams antibodies would have destroyed vac.  So I had 2 vacs to pay for, and the breeder of my pups had wasted money. 

I do not have my litters vaccinated before they leave home.  If buyers wish to believe it's because of the cost, that's up to them.  But I don't segregate my bitches from their young, and they will often give them a comfort suckle on the day they leave home.  So I prefer them to have jabs once they have left mum.  To be honest, any pups I keep aren't done until around 10 weeks and 12 weeks, and I've never had a problem with that, so it suits me.

If ever I bought in a pup again, I would make it clear that I don't want a first jab done.  It would be pointless if their vet used different vaccine to mine.

Just looked after a friends litter and I only had the injections done who were using the same vet that was 2 out of 4.

Linda

*6 weeks - no need (Dam's antibodies actually still viable for 10-12 weeks)*

Does that mean the pups are OK to go out (carefully of course) before their first injection, if you get them vaccinated at 10 weeks.  I am always worried about the lack of proper socialisation at this crucial stage, getting them out and about in crowds etc., obviously I would carry pup (I have a bad back so can only carry them so far) most of the time as she wouldn't be able to walk far anyway, but I think they miss out so much when they can't go out.  My litter is due in 2 weeks and I am keeping a bitch (if she has one, fingers crossed), but I had not intended getting them vaccinated as when we bought Archie he had, had his first vaccination at the breeders at 12 weeks, but because our vet used a different vaccine, we had to start again, they didn't tell us anything about only needing one vaccination over 12 weeks. :(   I had intended getting my girl done at 10 and 12 weeks, but don't want to miss the important socialisation before that age. 
I find this whole vaccination issue is like walking on egg shells, my brothers springer had AI from his first booster at a year old, so I am very wary, mine all get boostered at a year and then I will titre test them in a couple of years.

Bear in mind dam's antibodies will only be there if SHE has been vaccinated. I was sold a pup who at 8 weeks already had distemper (and her littersister had it at 7 weeks) -she'd had no immunity from her mother at all as that breeder didn't bother to vaccinate any of her dogs.

I always have my pups vaccinated at 8 weeks and bring them out straight afterwards -but not to meet other dogs. I.e. they will come to training club for instance but will not be allowed to meet dogs, only people.

If they have their 1st vaccination then at 12 weeks like it has been mentioned on this thread, do they really not need 2? why dont we all wait then til 12 weeks of age and just get one jab done?

I never vaccinate mine before going to homes - just get them checked by vet to make sure all healthy but leave jabs to new owners.

I always have my pups vaccinated at 8 weeks and bring them out straight afterwards -but not to meet other dogs. I.e. they will come to training club for instance but will not be allowed to meet dogs, only people.

Just a question, :)

Distemper....

Puppies from three to six months old are particularly susceptible.[9] Canine distemper virus (CDV) spreads through the aerosol droplets and through contact with infected bodily fluids including nasal and ocular secretions, feces, and urine 6-22 days after exposure

Kennel Cough

Both viral and bacterial causes of kennel cough are spread through the air by infected dogs sneezing and coughing. It can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces and through direct contact. It is highly contagious, even days or weeks after symptoms disappear. Exposure occurs in environments where there are other dogs in proximity, such as pet stores, kennels, dog shows, and groomers. Symptoms begin usually 3 to 5 days after exposure

Does the 1st vaccination really give cover to the above straight away?  This is, I will say again, just a question not disputing what you do. :)

Mum had puppy vaccines and booster at 14 months, she is now 24 months old so should still be covered by the booster she had 10 months ago.  I won't be annually boostering, but if I decide to breed with her again, I will get her titre tested before hand and if she needs a booster she will have one.  I will be taking pup to ringcraft, but she will stay in her carrier until the jabs take effect, I will also contact the vets and make sure there have been no incidences of any of the nasties in our area before I take her anywhere.

f they have their 1st vaccination then at 12 weeks like it has been mentioned on this thread, do they really not need 2? why dont we all wait then til 12 weeks of age and just get one jab done?

Because then they will not get out and about for a whole further month.

Does the 1st vaccination really give cover to the above straight away?  This is, I will say again, just a question not disputing what you do. :-)

Well kennel cough doesn't come into it at all as I don't vaccinate for that. Distemper -it's a question of  what you're prepared to risk, and how likely there is to have been distemper in the area you go to. I.e. sitting on owner's lap at dog club would mean virtually no risk at all. Walking on the ground where a lot of dogs walk, much bigger risk.  Walking on the ground where few dogs walk, much less risk.

In my breed lots of early socialisation is vital or you will have major problems for many months, so the risk there is bigger than distemper.

I agree we did 8 weeks and 10 weeks for both dogs. A border & cocker, I also do KC because we day board them if we are off to Twickenham as it is too long to leave them at home.