Good Morning!
I'd love to thank you for helping to save one of my puppies! She was born with airway obstruction - still undiagnosed - that seems to have resolved with growth and development. The puppy gasped for air and had audible wheezing for weeks. I tube fed her using your formula recipe and she continued to thrive. At this point - she is now 8 weeks old. She did not get mother's milk as she was unable to suckle for weeks. The vet put her on antibiotics as a precaution since so little air was passing through the tinyest bit of mucus could have grown bacteria. She was on them for 3 weeks (until she was 4 weeks old). She is now vigorous, fat and lovely! We can hear a tiny wheeze with a stethoscope in her bronchial area so I'm planning to keep her and grow her into full health. My question is - should I follow regular vaccination schedules with her?
I'd love to post some development photos to encourage other breeders to not give up on their puppies...even when the vet gives you "the look".

You know that vaccinations are for healthy dogs, right?

I'm bumping this in hopes of breeder attention.

I'm happy your pup is doing well Deanne.

Do you live in an area with a high incidence of parvo?

Any distemper reported in your wildlife?

Is your pup out and about much where she is exposed to other dogs AND areas that other dogs may potty in?

We live on Vancouver Island in Canada - there are racoons and deer that wander through our yard every night - even though we are in the middle of the city. My vet should know about Parvo incidence here - I believe last year there was a case or two in the area. It certainly exists here. Distemper exists as well.

I haven't let Gracie (or the other pups) out of the house yet - I do walk my adult dogs in public areas and parks - but the puppies have been indoors so far since they aren't vaccinated (Oh and winter is rather chilly here for little dogs). I have Shelties. The other puppies are to be vaccinated tomorrow.

Gracie appears healthy at this point (other than the little wheeze you can hear with a stethoscope) - but certainly struggled for her first 5 or 6 weeks and, like I mentioned - she didn't get mom's milk and was on antibiotics for 3 weeks. I feel her immune system may well be too immature for vaccines? After all of the struggle to keep her alive - I'd hate to put her in danger now by trying to keep her safe! As a side note - she runs and romps with the other pups and her dam with no problem. She doesn't tire easily...and she isn't the smallest pup in the litter any more. I'm certain you wouldn't be able to tell that she had any problems at all by looking at the litter as a group. But - even if she is healthy now - would she be ready for vaccines?

(PS, the first formula she was on was Mammalac - it made her very sick - yours was wonderful! I did, however, mis-interpret full-fat yogurt and gave her the Balkan formula which is 6% rather than 3%. lol...she gained weight very nicely). I was thankful to have her eat and not whimper with tummy pain. Thank you again.

Ed's puppy formula is wonderful...... I've used it many a time.

I wouldn't have any problem postponing the vaccines for a couple of weeks and limiting her exposure to risks.

Talk to your vet and weigh the pro's and con's.