Hi, I would really like some advice regarding vaccinating my bitch. She has come into season today and is 2 months early. I was planning on mating her but when I have looked she is way overdue her booster (I honestly thought she wasnt due till next month).

I have phoned my vet who says she will have to start again which means one today and one in 2 weeks. I am concerned about getting her vaccinated so close to mating. Last time she ovulated on day 17 and was mated day 20.....obviously i know she may be different this time.

Would really appreciate knowing what you would all do.  Thanks

My Rio was due her booster in 2008 at the time of mating. She was mated one day, vaccinated the next, mated the day after again. Had ten healthy pups. Vet said it was fine and showed me the manufacturer's data, can't remember what it said (possibly that vaccinating during later pregnancy was not okay) but it backed up what he said about vaccinating at same time as mating was not a problem.

Assuming your bitch was fully vaccinated as a puppy and then went on to have her annual booster the following year - I'm not sure why your vet would insist that you have to "start again"?  My bitches have their boosters every 3 years now since that is what Nobivac advises.  Of course the Lepto booster is annual still but doesnt last a full year anyway.  Have you considered titer testing to check her immunity levels? 

Yes my bitch was fully vacc as a pup and then had her annual booster. I asked about checking her immunity but they said it would cost about £80 and then obviously if she still needed vaccinating would be a further delay.

My vet is back on Monday (spoke to a different one) so i think I will wait to see what he says.

thanks for your replies.

I don't vaccinate but in general I would say that they always try and sell you a complete new course!!

1 of our dogs went 4m over date and still had booster and had a girl due to have hers when she was pregnent i waited till pups had gone and stopped feeding from her. x

I missed the date for one of mine to have her booster, the vet refused to do it until the pups had stopped feeding from her....but they did give the booster as they allowed 14 months between jabs.

My vets have said that you can wait up to 18mths for the booster - this has come up because of having dogs that were unwell when boosters were due

Does your vet also insist on the whole lot every year rather than run on the three year protocl??

Exactly how overdue is she?

My vet is fine for the 3 yearly but it is the lepto he said I would have to start again. I have decided to leave it until she has finished feeding her pups (if things go according to plan).

She was due it in Dec.