Help - vaccinations

[SingingGoldfinch]

Hi - I'm hoping for some wise words of advice on puppy vaccinations. We will be bringing home a gorgeous puppy in 3 weeks time and we're all very excited. I'm a complete novice when it comes to dogs but the time is right and we're as ready as we'll ever be. One thing that's really stressing me out though is vaccinations. Our breeder rears the puppies naturally and so does not vaccinate before they move to new homes. She uses nosodes on all her dogs and recommends against any vaccinations before 16 weeks if we do decide to do it because pups will still have immunity from Mum. She has given us all the literature about this approach and there is a lot that makes sense - over-vaccination of puppies that have antibodies and don't need it and the logic of tincture testing instead of annual boosters. However I admit to being nervous about taking what might be seen by some as an irresponsible approach and can see the obvious benefits of sticking with the status quo and vaccinating. I'm also aware of the implications not vaccinating might have on insurance, kennels etc. Are any wise, more experienced dog-loving mumsnetters able to offer any advice please? Has anyone gone down the no vaccinations route and have experience to share? Ultimately we just want to give our little pup the best start and a happy healthy life but this decision is stressing me out before we've even brought him home!!

If you are on Facebook OP, I would recommend joining the Canine Health Concern group so you are getting a balance of opinions.

Mumsnet is VERY pro-vaccine.

We always give puppy vaccinations but wait until 10 - 12 weeks for the first vaccination and along with virtually all of the dog people I know (hundreds), we don't do annual boosters. We have titre testing done on occasion but this will only show antibodies if the dog has been recently exposed to the disease (hence immunity). A score of 0 doesn't necessarily mean there is no immunity!

The manufacturers even state on their documentation that repeat vaccination is recommended every 3 years, not annually as many vets encourage (££).

As for insurance, as a PP stated, you will be covered for all accidents, conditions, just not for those diseases that are vaccinated for.

I would 100% recommend having a good read of that group as this sort of question has come up hundreds of times and you need to make a well informed decision based on all the information you can glean.

So, whilst I always DO vaccinate puppies, and am therefore not agreeing (or necessarily disagreeing, don't have sufficient knowledge so follow the status quo) with the breeder ...

If you are not prepared to follow the advice of someone who's slaved over a litter for 8 weeks, I think you should be up-front with her about it and give her the opportunity to decide not sell to you and find someone who will follow her advice.

It may well be that she's had puppies die from vaccination (it happens) and has gone down a different road for that reason.

(Oh, and insurance is very unikely to be invalid in general, just for diseases that would normally be vaccinated against.)

Puppies are not usually vaccinated before leaving the breeder so it’s up to the new owner. Our vet doesn’t start until a puppy is 10 weeks old. There’s no hurry to take a baby pup out on a lead, you can socialise before then.

(Oh, and insurance is very unikely to be invalid in general, just for diseases that would normally be vaccinated against.)

Looking at my T&Cs that is the case. But if the OP has never had to claim they may not know that if a dog has to be admitted for several days with treatment the costs can easily be in the thousands.

Just another thing to weigh up with the pros and cons.

Thanks Mertyle - good to see another side to the issue. I have definitely discovered that mumsnet is very pro-vaccine!! The info our breeder has given us is from the canine health concern group and I've been reading Facebook page too. Interesting that you delay vaccinating pups to 10-12 weeks - I think this is the compromise we're coming to - I'm very wary of waiting until 16 weeks but having read all the info I can see the argument for delaying. We will then look to titre test rather than blindly giving annual boosters that may well not be required.

And I totally agree Whitney - I am prepared to follow advice of breeder and fully appreciate her dedication to rearing healthy puppies. That's exactly why I'm looking into the issues - I just want to be informed than blindly following one path with no knowledge or understanding.

The booster vaccinations aren't yearly but actually 3 yearly.

The one that is yearly is lepto but I suspect people think when they go for the 'yearly vaccinations' they are getting all of them unless they actually look at the sticker on the vaccination card.

The manufacturers even state on their documentation that repeat vaccination is recommended every 3 years, not annually as many vets encourage (££).

Vets don't give them yearly, though.

We get Lepto every year, but otherwise it's every three years. So while he goes to the vets every year for vaccinations, he doesn't actually get all of them.

I doubt many people pay that much attention though.