These pups were rescued from a flea infested home. Not only that, but they have round worms that I am treating. I want 2 know if I can give them their 1st set of vaccinations at 4 weeks of age due to the rough start they have had. Plus, they have been exposed to land that a puppy died from parvo on. I want to protect them but don't want to do anything that will harm them any farther. Can anyone help out? Please, only HUMANE and SERIOUS answers ONLY. This is 2 small lives we are talking about. Thanks!!
2006-08-28 14:16:19 · 17 answers · asked by Shauna 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I'd ask a vet, but from MY experiences, I would wait until the pups are stronger. With that kind of flea infestation, they need to build their iron level first, not to mention if you vaccinate with modified live virus, it will give them a low grade virus and if they're not strong, it could do more harm than good.
I know you're worried about parvo and if one died from that already...you have reason to be concerned. It might be wise to vaccinate JUST for parvo for now, but like I said...I'd ask a vet first. Parvo is a 2 injection vaccine and he/she may want you to get it started now, in light of being exposed already.
2006-08-28 14:20:11 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa E 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely vaccinate them now. If they were still nursing a mom that had been vaccinated before then they would get the antibodies from her, but from the sound of things, I doubt if she was ever vaccinated. Have the vet do it. He will know which vaccines to use on pups so young. He probably will not want to give all the shots at once, maybe just start with the parvo shot. Thanks for rescuing these 2 precious babies. Good luck with them. Sounds like you are being a good doggy mama.
2006-08-28 14:28:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not vaccinate them now. Wait at LEAST 10 and probably 14 days with any dog exposed to Parvo and first shot should be at 6 weeks anyhow...so definitely better to wait. Most vets will tell you to do it now but any vet with a lot of rescue experience will tell you to wait the 10-14 days. It takes the virus that long to show up and a vaccinate can compromise the immune system of a puppy just like it does us. Thanks for helping these babies.
2006-08-28 17:22:53 · answer #3 · answered by ohiogreyrescuer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Having just treated and saved a Dog with Parvo my recomendation for you is to either keep them inside at all times, or board them somewhere until they are old enough to get the Parvo vaccine. I wouldn't recomend getting them their first round of shots...normally those come at six weeks and you only have two to go. I would wait as long as humanly possible to get them their shots. Yeah they've had it hard, but other then the Parvo threat anything they survive will make them stronger in the end, and you really don't want to overload their system after just being rescued. Ask your Vet, call him up, and ask if giving them their shots early would have any ill effect, if he says no and your worried about everything they might be at risk of then yes go ahead....but either wait or consult your Vet. The parvo thing is terrible, we saved our dog and I hope you never have to worry about it with yours. Best of luck to you and your puppies.
2006-08-28 14:22:12 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs. Compton 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IF they had a rough start, do not go taxing the immune system by giving the vaccines too early. 6-8 weeks is soon enough.
Talk to a vet. They should be seen, not just given vaccines. Worm them, treat for fleas, then worry about the vaccines. If they were already exposed to parvo, it is too late to vaccinate.
2006-08-28 14:22:00 · answer #5 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My vet says that the mom's immunities don't start wearing off until around the 6th or 7th week. And that is why she suggests giving the just a parvo shot at 6 weeks of age. Then in three weeks when they are 9 weeks old she says do the distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvo shot or sometimes call the DHPP shot. Then in three more weeks do the DHPP and then three more weeks later do the DHPP for the final time for a year. She says if you give it to soon the mom's immunities just wipe it out and you are wasting your vaccine.
2006-08-28 14:25:08 · answer #6 · answered by bcringler 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take them to a vet and see. I'd say yes, but Iam not a vet. Call up any vet or shelter and they can give you all the information you need. Also you may want to watch them for parvo and make sure they don't have it. If they were exposed they too might have it and there may be no saving them. If they have parvo you can not have another dog in your house or yard for 6 months becuase it could spread. Try bleaching your (bleach and water) carpet and yard if this happens. Good luck
2006-08-28 14:24:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
usually any vaccinations given to a puppy before 6 weeks is voided by the maternal antibodies. If you are at all in question of the correct time to vaccinate especially since they could have been exposed to parvo I would IMMEDIATELY contact your vet
2006-08-28 14:53:47 · answer #8 · answered by leftygirl_75 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should also start their 1st set of vaccinations at 6 weeks. They should have a set of 3 shots 3wks apart and then a rabies vaccine at 4 months. Hope this helps,
2006-08-28 14:21:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO....no vaccine ever does any good on a puppy younger than 8 weeks. You would do more harm than good although many Vet's nowdays say you can do it as early as 6 weeks. I have never seen any done at 4 weeks tho.
2006-08-28 14:22:09 · answer #10 · answered by Emma <3 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋