Puppy vaccinations, when, do's and donts.

Lola is 12 weeks, and we have just had her first jab done on wednesday. Its 2 weeks before she has her last one, and then the vet has told us that she still has to remain indoors for 14 days after that. I have to say, she is a bit of a live wire, and even with a load of toys, and plenty of games with my 10 year old and myself, she does seem to be getting to the point where she needs to be going out. We are taking her to the pet shops with us, and out and about, carried of course, but she is a big girl and is growing so fast that I cant see myself doing this too much longer.
I have been looking at a lot of info on the subject of imms and see that there is a lot of different opinions and advice. Some say its ok to go out after first jab, others a week after second and some like my vet to wait 14 days after. I have even read that some owners dont vaccinate, and let the dogs build their own immunity.
In a nut shell, I would like to hear about what other owners do/have been advised/have done.
I know that Lola is quite late to start her imms, but we got her at just over 11 weeks, and then had to delay the jab for a couple of days while treating an infection that she had. Bad luck really, as I do feel that she is ready for walking, but I guess we will have to be patient!

My vet is heavy on them. What applies to parvo, applies to some other things too. Read through http://www.avma.org/animal_health/br...o_brochure.asp My puppies usually
come with a combo at 6 weeks, and then my vet wants to do more every 2 weeks for a while. As explained in the link above, many of the early ones are useless and all of them have a small risk.

The period between 6-12 weeks is a dangerous time. One sniff where a sick dog relieved itself in the last 6 months can bring on parvo or another life threatening disease. Fail to expose it to strangers, including men, women, children, noise, etc. and you could end up with a misfit you can't take out in public. They also need continuing contact with other dogs, but it must be limited to ones you know are getting good care. See http://www.apdt.com/po/news/docs/Messer_Nov06.pdf

Both vaccinations and socialization lead to long threads on dog forums. I support more checking for antibodies, titers, and less immunization, but go with my vet.

I also believe you need to do socialization, limiting the real risks the best you can.

Maybe frequent titers until a negative one would be best. Then be very careful until the shot has 2 weeks to build immunity.

I would always go by what my vet tells me. I just don't think it's worth the risk. I always had Ivan out and about in the car and I used to walk him in my youngests old buggy. We did get some funny looks but at least he got to see the world

My vet says first injection, then in the garden to meet other vaccinated doggies straight away....like same day!!....back in 2 weeks for second injection, then out in another 2 weeks.

Thanks everyone. Love the idea of using a buggy! We have a large extended family, so have lots of adults and children coming and going. Also live nextdoor to my mother-in-law so we pop in there to use her garden too (she has no dogs), as mine at the moment is more like a mud pit where we have been working on it! I did think that the vets advice was best to stick by, but just read so many other things that I just wanted to see what you guys thought/did!
Here's looking forward to when we can get out and about with her! Its around bank holiday weekend so planning a visit to the beach. I think she will love that!

My vet doesn't believe in over vaccinating. He will not vaccinate a puppy before the age of 8 weeks, then never before 1 month later for the second set. does not give third sets, and at 6 months give a boost for parvo/distemper etc, and Rabies if you want rabies to be given. He does not recommend taking a dog out in public 'till 2 weeks after the second set of vaccines. So puppy would be about 14 weeks.

I would go by what the vet advises however inconvenient it may be . It's just not worth the risk

Did the breeder give any advice. My last puppy had had his first injection just before I had him at 9 weeks the breeder said he'd been with the other dogs at the kennels & I could take him to places where I knew other dogs had all had injections straight away but not on streets. My vey advises one week after second injection for going out locally, but ptefers a couple of weeks before going further afield like taking them on holiday.

I am taking Ari out and about everywhere.Not where loads of other dogs have been but she is with all mine and Tassles plus some visiting dogs.

I'd rather take a bit of a risk and make sure she has been socialised before it is too late.

Its a difficult one but 14 years is a long time to have a freaky undersocialised dog.

rune

You are right. You must take the risk to socialize, but need to be very choosy about where. All summer I am our at festivals doing fund raising. My fall puppy is well out of danger. Many of these are public places where pets are permitted. I have trouble keeping quiet when I see people with obviously very young puppies. It is not at all the right place to take them. I also see some very ill behaved dogs that are very unfriendly to my dog, barking and growling with their hackles up.

I am really disappointed how may vets say to keep the puppy in. Surely they covered the classic studies on socialization in school.