I had it in my mind to follow Dr. Jean Dodds' vaccination schedule however my vet and several others I have called today only offer the 5 way vaccine. One even said in order to get just the parvo/distemper I would have to go to a farm supply store? When Bruno was a puppy I did what the vet said with the shots but as he got older and started reading more I cut out the vaccines/boosters except for rabies. I guess my question is then; is this normal for a vet to only have the 5 way? What am I supposed to do now?

A puppy I adopted once died as a result of being administered Vanguard 5 Plus (vax was given at the rescue before I got the dog.) It was an extremely painful experience.

Where I am they only have the 5 way as well. The only way for me to get single vaccines is to order and entire box of each (parvo/distemper) and then use only what I need and try to sell off the rest I guess.

So I called a friend who lives is Sask. She gets her vaccines at the local feed store and does it herself. So she is shipping up 2 sets with an ice pack and I am going to do it myself.

I do recommend still doing a health check/physical with the vet first, then administering the vaccine after your pup has been cleared.

Do you know anyone who could show you how to administer the vaccines?

I get my rabies done at the vet. I only do puppy shots (2 sets) and then nothing for life, and only parvo and distemper because parvo is unbelievably common here because we have such a stray dog problem, that everyone seems to keep skirting around....but another topic, for another post!

Lori,
I am not sure if this will help you, but I found a list of holistic vets and was hoping that some of them might be able to give the Dodd's protocol that you are looking for.

I think it is great that you are looking into this before giving your pup a whole bunch at once. I believe it is just too much for the young pups immune system.
Here you go, hope it helps:

 Quote:

. The first one is Catherine Alinovi, DVM, Hoofstock Vet Service, 202 E. Church St. Pine Village, IN 47975, 765-714-5973. The next is Julie Anderson, DVM, West Central Veterinary Service, PO Box 150 1472 S. US Hwy 41, Rockville, IN 47872, 765-569-3210. Penny Dowden at 4850 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46205, 317-253-5964

Also, have you asked any of the vets if they will allow you to follow the Dodds protocol? Sometimes if you insist, a vet may consider doing this. Many of the vets nationally, have been turning towards this protocol because of new research.
It is worth a try to ask.

Well so far I found 2 vets that will do parvo/distemper only. One of them is fromt he list of holistic vets you gave Joyce. I had a good feeling talking with them on the phone until I asked their opinion on the raw diet to which I was told it caused more digestive problems than had benefits which I thought was kind of odd considering she was holistic? The other vet said she doesn't advocate raw because the animals she sees aren't wild animals and I even had to explain to the receptionist what I meant by raw diet. I've had the same vet for over 20 years and hate to move but I really don't want to do the 5 way shot. Can they special order what I want?

How frustrating! You know, there are a whole range of vets out there and sometimes I wonder if they "use' the term 'holistic' to gain more clients!

How I wish that they were better educated on the raw diet too.
But I think that I would be very tempted to just ignore their opinions and get the two shots needed and be on my way.

Just remember, you are the one paying them and it is your right to advocate for your pup, the way you deem fit.
While it would be one thing to question if the person giving the raw diet was doing all the necessary things to provide a balanced diet etc. But to just rule out the entire diet because of "digestive problems" it seems this vet does not fully understand the full benefits entirely.
In fact, it can be the exact opposite. Most dogs when switched to the raw diet, have far fewer digestive upsets altogether.

If it were me, I would tell them what I want, and ask if they will work with me on it. If not, I would be finding a new vet.

Also, it is my humble opinion, that many of the receptionists as well as the vet techs that work in most of these offices, know so very little about much of the things like raw diet, Dodds protocol, and many more things, that I have come to let most of what they say, just go out the other ear.
Bottom line, I won't let anyone tell me about something, I have researched extensively, and allow them to use their scare tactics on me.
If they want to work with you, great, if not, find someone who will.
I have also learned that it may not be possible to find the absolute 'perfect' Vet, but maybe one that will allow you to do what you feel is right for your dog.

Yes they can order what you are looking for. It is my understanding that to keep costs down and inventory down they typically bulk buy the 5-way. To cover their expense they will probably charge you for the pack (they would have to buy the 20 or 25 individal pack the manuf sells it in or in the multi dose vial) or you could online purchase it the same way and take it to them and ask them to admin the vaccine, I would think the feed stores sells it in the manuf packaging as well. Are their any breeders in your area that may "stock" their own vaccines that you could purchase a set from and have your own vet just admin if you are uncomfortable with doing the injection yourself at the vet check? BTW how old is the dog you are discussing?

Aimee,

She will be 13 weeks this coming Monday. She's already had the first parvo/distemper from the breeder at 8 weeks. I've emailed her. She doesn't live that far away so maybe I can see what vet she uses.

Joyce,

I was kind of thinking the same thing. Just get the two shots and go. Would it be bad to get the two shots and the initial exam from one of the places that has just the parvo/distemper but then after that go back to my regular vet for the rabies later?

It is your pup, you can take her to whom ever you wish without having to get anyone's approval. Don't be bullied into giving vaccines that you don't want your pup to have. Many vets can be VERY intimidating because they know that most owners will back down & follow their (the vets) protocal if they are.

Ditto on the front desk people & vet techs not knowing much. Even if they do, they would be forbade to express their opinions, at least in the office. Basically they are instructed to regurgitate verbatum the scripting that the vet has instructed them to lean. I interviewed at a vets a number of years back & the Office Mgr, after speaking with me & asking me a number of questions, (asking if I had dogs, how I vaccinated & fed them etc) knew my view of feeding & vacicnation & told me that she questioned whether I would be comfortable following their feeding & vaccination protocal of multiple vaccine cocktails at freequent intervals & science diet foods. I told her that I would not be able to lie to people that questioned their protocal & felt that I would not work somewhere that was so closed minded that they would not even consider hearing out an owner that has done their research & was expressing an interest in learning about the best possible care that their dog could get instead of just lining the pockets of the vets. I know that vets are in business to make $$$ but in all good consencience, I don't feel that it sould be at the expense of the animals that they treat.

I have a regular local vet that for the most part am happy with. Although since she & her husband own the practice, I usually only see her unless it is something that can't wait. I spent a good deal of time on the phone with her prior to switching to her practice discussing my feelings about my dogs care & she was very willing to do that. For which I was very grateful. Since a I rarely go to the vet, I have only seen one of the other vets who is totally NOT on board with ANYTHING that I do with my dogs. So we just agree to disagree. Fortunatly she really likes my female but not my male at all. She has only seen each 1 time. My regular vet does approve (if done correctly) raw diets but does not openly advocate it. (many owners think that throwing hanburger to their dog is feeding a raw diet) She is also onboard with my view of minimal vaccination, although I am sure that most of her clients pets get less then they used to get but far more then I would ever in a million years consider giving my dogs. I also have a holistic/chiro vet that is an hour + away that I use. She has treated my female for a back injury over the last year. I get meds & suppliments if needed from her for her cost which is a wonderful thing. Some of which I used to get from my regular vet at much higher costs.

So it is possible to use different vets for different things without stepping on toes.

Good luck with your pup. BTW, I personally would not give the Parvo/Distempera 3rd time & Rabies not until a year. JMO & what I did.

Lori,

Sorry about all the trouble you're having. Personally I'd just order the shots myself and give them myself. It's $100 for a box of 25 parvo/distemper shots but you can always donate the rest of the shots to a shelter or rescue who'd likely be very grateful for the donation.

If you don't feel comfortable giving the shot yourself simply take the vaccine with you to the vet for them to give.

It's not unusual for vets to only have 5 way and 7 way vaccines although most usually have the mono parvo shot. It's a simple calculation of cost vs expiration date. A shot expired is money down the drain (although not much).

Let me know via PM if you need a link to a place to order shots.

Best,

Melissa