Hey everyone.

I went to the local humane society yesterday looking for another dog. There were some 6 week old puppies and I was chatting with the staff about them. I noted that at 6 weeks of age, the pups had already had TWO sets of shots! They also said the pups wouldn't be adopted for another two weeks until they had a THIRD set of shots! I about had a heart attack.

The lady explained that pups don't have any parvo immunity, only distempter immunity, from mom at birth. Therefore, it's ok to start vaccinations at TWO weeks of age! WHAT?!

There's no way I'm getting a six week old pup of unknown history, let alone six weeks with two sets of shots. I ended up taking home a darling 8 month old boxer.

I've read a lot on vaccination/vaccinosis. This is the first I've heard about zero parvo immunity at birth. Anyone have any info/comments?

Roz.

 Quote: roz kovacs

The lady explained that pups don't have any parvo immunity, only distempter immunity, from mom at birth. Therefore, it's ok to start vaccinations at TWO weeks of age! WHAT?!

Was "the lady" someone in authority there? I wonder what kind of reference they could give you for that.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=467

QUOTE: The age at which puppies can effectively be immunized is proportional to the titer of the mother and the effectiveness of colostral transfer of maternal antibody within those first 24 hours. High levels of maternal antibodies present in the puppies' bloodstream will block the effectiveness of a vaccine. When the maternal antibodies drop to a low enough level in the puppy, immunization by a commercial vaccine will work. The complicating factor is that there is a period of time from several days to a couple weeks in which the maternal antibodies are too low to provide protection against the disease, but too high to allow the vaccine to work. This period is called the window of susceptibility. This is the time when despite being vaccinated, a puppy can still contract parvovirus. The length and timing of the window of susceptibility is different in every litter.

A study done in 1985 in a cross section of different puppies showed, that the age at which they were able to respond to a vaccine and develop protection covered a wide period of time. At six weeks of age, 25% of the puppies could be immunized. At 9 weeks of age, 40% of the puppies were able to respond to the vaccine. The number increased to 60% by 16 weeks, and by 18 weeks of age, 95% of the puppies could be immunized. END

No one, anywhere, in any book or authoritative web site, recommends vaccinations at 2 weeks. I know I'm saying this pretty fast --- but like many people on this board, I have done a lot of vaccination research.

Maybe she was wrong about the actual practice (the actual age at which the puppies were vaccinated).

These 6-week-old pups were born there, I gather? And they were with the mother?

Connie,

The whole place appeared to be staffed with volunteers. It was a small shelter. This particular person appeared to "know all". Not anyone I cared to really get into a debate with. She wanted me to literally DRAG a 2 year old dog out of its kennel and outside by the leash and collar as "that's how you teach them to walk on a leash". I'm not real "huggery", but I really don't care to give a dog a bad experience in that manner while it's scared and at a shelter. If it's my own dog being a brat, well that's a different story.

The puppies were there alone without mom. I didn't inquire further as I quickly decided they were not the dogs for me.

I think I'll print that link you posted and anonymously send it to the shelter.

Roz

p.s. Not mistake that the pups at six weeks have had two sets of shots. It was on their info card attached to their kennel. I asked a couple of the people there if the vaccination information was right and they all said yes. I just couldn't contain myself and had to ask, "Isn't two sets at six weeks too many?" I asked the wrong person and got an earful.

Roz.

 Quote: Roz Kovacs

I think I'll print that link you posted and anonymously send it to the shelter.

Roz

Maybe you want to highlight the applicable paragraph. This sounds like a shelter where information for the volunteers is sorely needed. I know they struggle with funding, and help, and staffing .... and maybe they will welcome some information.

The poor puppies.....

 Quote:

Therefore, it's ok to start vaccinations at TWO weeks of age! WHAT?!

I would be reporting them for animal cruelty!! That is INSANE!

I feel so bad for the puppies - they are going to grow up with the lousiest health. Good for you for walking away from that; you would just be setting yourself up for inevitable heartbreak in the very near future.