chickens and vaccinations... more puppy stuff...

[EasyToEatTiger]

Our vet has advised us not to let the pup out in the gardens with the chickens untill she's had her 2nd jab. We have been sticking to this, but wondering what are the problems? I have taken her out to have a look at the birds but not put her on the ground.

[EasyToEatTiger]

Can anyone give me any more information? What are the dangers of a pup around chickens re diseases, not the obvious....

[Lonecatwithkitten]

It is not actually the chickens, but that the vast majority of the time that you have chickens rats will come and eat their food. One of the diseases that we vaccinate against is passed on in rats urine. So this is the risk.

[EasyToEatTiger]

Thank you Lonecat. I hadn't thought of that! I don't think we have rats. I haven't noticed any holes in the food or rat poo. Only another couple of weeks till 2nd vaccination. Our garden is pretty suburban and fenced in like Fort Knox. Well it was, until we arrived!

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

But surely you would have rats running around in most gardens? We put a lot of bird food out, although the ground feed might have to go once we have a puppy running about. We must have rats out there.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Easy whilst you may not see them it is an unfortunate fact that for a variety of reasons if you have chickens you almost certainly have rats particularly in an urban environment. Most urban gardens do have some level of rat population unless you have a highly efficient cat.
Your own vet will have good knowledge of the disease profile in your area. If they are concerned I would not risk it.

[EasyToEatTiger]

I think if there were a highly efficient cat we may not have any chickens!! Pup has not been allowed in the back garden to run around and we will keep her out until she's finished her jabs. I was wondering though, re. meeting the chickens. She's seen them with us holding her, but not that close up. The birds are pretty tame and unafraid of the other dogs.