We are currently looking at getting our first puppy and the breeders were are in touch with all vaccinate their litters. We have recently seen told by our local vet that only certain brands of vaccine are compatible for the pups second booster. Is this the case or is this a money grabbing scheme to start the course of vaccination again? I hate to think it would be, but after a quick Google search but seems to be that most vaccines contain the same ingredients whatever the brand. Is this correct? We want the pup to have the best start in life in terms of physical and social health and we would hate to have to restart another course of vaccines. If so we will have to find a vet that has the same brand as the pup was initially given. Thanks.
This happened to me. We didn't collect our girl until 11 weeks and ended up having to start her vaccinations again. The brand needs to be the same. It's not just a money making thing. It depends too on the age of your pups as too early a vaccination doesn't actually work so well. There is another thread out that on my phone now and hard for me to link.
I had a vet tell me the same when I moved surgeries with my puppy (from one side of the country to the other). In our case, it wasn't a problem, because they used the same brand. The thing with the puppy vaccinations is that they are repeated because of the dog's age, rather than being dependent on simply a course being finished. This is why puppies are often only vaccinated when they first come home at 8 weeks. Until then, they are covered by the antibodies which have come from the mother. The vaccination is repeated because, and here's the rub - if any of the mother's antibodies still remain in the puppy's system, the vaccination won't work. So, if you finish the course of vaccinations too young, there is a chance that your puppy will not be covered until his next boosters. This is why the WSAVA now recommend the longer course of vaccinations. Their guidelines for owners are well worth a read: http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/WSAVA Owner Breeder Guidelines 14 October 2015 FINAL.pdf This, in particular: "Unlike in man where the newborn receives protective pre-formed antibodies from the mother by placental transfer, newborn pups and kittens (that have a more complex placental barrier than in man) must receive these maternal antibodies by taking in the ‘first milk’ or colostrum from the mother. These maternal antibodies are absorbed during the first 24 hours of life and provide systemic immune protection for the neonate during the first weeks of life whilst their own immune system is becoming established. Without this maternally-derived antibody (MDA) the neonatal animal will rapidly succumb to infection and may die. "However, although essential for survival, the presence of MDA also prevents that young animal from making its own immune response – and in particular from responding to conventional vaccines. These maternal antibodies have a finite life span (defined by the ‘half life’) and so eventually degrade away allowing the young animal to replace MDA with antibodies that it produces itself. Only when the MDA has sufficiently degraded is that young pup or kitten able to generate its own 27 protective memory adaptive immune response to a vaccine. This is one of the reasons that we do not vaccinate pups and kittens for some weeks after they have been born" "This situation becomes slightly more complex if one considers that within a litter of pups or kittens the different individuals will likely absorb different amounts of maternal colostrum. The stronger animals may receive relatively more MDA than a small or weaker littermate that is pushed to the ‘end of the line’ for colostral uptake. Essentially, this means that individual animals within a litter become capable of responding to vaccination at different times – depending upon when their MDA was sufficiently degraded to permit their own antibody response. The runt of the litter that received less colostrum might be capable of responding to vaccination at 8 weeks of age, whilst the more robust animals may still have persisting MDA blocking their own 28 immunity until 12 weeks of age. That is why we recommend the last dose of core vaccines for kittens and pups be given at 16 weeks of age or older (see next section)."
Yes, the brand needs to be the same. Our Guide Dog pups have three vaccinations at 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks and, because they have the first vaccination at their first home, our vets always have to buy in the same stuff as they had at 6 weeks. .
Thank you all for your responses. @Boogie If a pup is having say three vaccines, does this mean they can't go out of the house/garden until after 16 weeks? If be worries we would have missed the 8-16week socialisation window if they couldn't go out until after then. Thanks.
It's different for our pups because we can take them in shops, shopping centres, cafes, restaurants, garden centres etc where no other dogs are allowed from 7 weeks old. But, in any areas where dogs may have been, we carry them up to 13 weeks old then they are allowed on clean pavements only until 17 weeks old. (Yep, we are lifting them over grass verges until that age!). Once they are 17 weeks they are allowed on grass for the first time! You'd think that would be a disaster for recall but all five of mine have had 100% spot on recall. .
Yes, even with the longer course of vaccinations, puppies are generally allowed on the floor after their 12-week vaccination (or, once a week has passed afterwards, depending on your vet's advice). But your puppy won't miss out on socialisation before that, because you can still take him out, just carried in your arms. In fact, it's very important to do so. Socialisation isn't (just) about meeting people and other dogs, it's about learning that new things aren't anything to worry about. So, trains, buses, lorries, sheep, horses, different textures underfoot (you can do this in your own garden), wobble boards, people of all ages, colours, wearing hats, helmets, in wheelchairs etc etc. @Boogie has a good list which is worth a look. In fact, you'll probably find these trips out to be completely invaluable. Ten minutes (and that's all it needs to be) sat outside a supermarket will tire out your crocopup so he sleeps like the dead when you get him home
Hi, I am new to this forum (just joined) we have just got a little chocolate lab on Saturday she is 9 weeks called Reyton. The breeder gave her 1st vaccine and its the Eurican brand, and i want to continue with this brand for her 2nd vaccine. However i have rang sooooo many different vets and cannot find anyone that use this brand. I got Reyton from Newcastle so a bit far to travel for a jab but i am willing to do so if i cannot find anyone closer as i dont want her to start all again. I am from Doncaster, was hoping someone may know a vets where they use this? Thankyou!
Hi @Charlotte135 and welcome to the forum. I think phoning around is your best option. I guess the vet you want to stay with longer term MIGHT be able to order one in (well, after further thought maybe not) or borrow one for a "mate". Or even point you to a vet that uses it. You may have to just cut your loses and start the course again. What has your breeder suggested if anything?
Hi Charlotte, I have your problem in reverse. I have sent a puppy to a new home in the Newcastle area and its owner cannot find a vet that uses Eurican. Our pups were vaccinated in Chesterfield using Eurican. Any help in finding the Newcastle connection would be so helpful.I trust you solved your problem.
