So I’m not a vet nor do I have in depth knowledge of vaccines and this is our first time pup so I don’t actually know enough to have questioned the “professionals” in all this but I just wanted to share my experience … also name changed as tbh, I feel this is probably a reflection of a lack of due diligence on my part and I feel a bit foolish about that.
So - you may not be aware that not all vaccines brands are compatible. So your breeder may use one that your own vet doesn’t. You may then have to restart your puppies vaccine programme.
I knew this could be an issue ahead of collecting our puppy and twice asked the breeder of the brand in case we had to have a back up plan. She said she wouldn’t know until they had been for their first jab. She told me not to worry as they are all compatible and if a vet tells you otherwise they are talking rubbish. So like an idiot I took her advice. Because she ls a breeder and knows what she’s talking about 😳 They were given Lepto 2.
Not one vet I spoke to within a 20 mile radius of us uses this anymore as it’s discontinued and replaced by Lepto 4 giving protection against more strains. They all advised a restart or at a minimum, boosters. Breeders vet was willing to administer second dose of their vaccine however even booking in for a later booster locally was going to massively eat into his socialisation window.
Our boy had his second of restart jabs today and by the time we are out of the vet recommended window of caution (3 more weeks) he will be 4 months and 2 weeks old. In this time while he has been out plenty on our garden, in the car, spent time at houses of friends and family, he hasn’t been able to be “on the ground” elsewhere so to speak. Hasn’t met other dogs. Is having very limited exercise. Can’t get to puppy classes. I have barely left the house other than a weekly run, do some grocery shopping or go to the vets. Also a daily cuddle walk with him which I don’t think we can do anymore as he wriggles too much. He’s bouncing off the walls now and teething so that’s a fun combo and my mental health is having an absolute hammering. I’m aware that how I’m feeling right now is making me prone to the dramatic!!
Yes I could dismiss vets advice and take him out as the risk is probably small however a) I can’t take a risk of making him ill and b) small print of pet insurance states claims could be invalid if we haven’t taken vets advice regarding immunisations. Yes I know they won’t know we’ve ignored that advice but we will and that’s bad enough. So I get I’m maybe being a little over cautious.
So yea - absolutely question your breeder and ask for their vet’s details so you can talk to them and make a back plan before collection. To be honest if we did all this again (which we won’t because so far I’ve not enjoyed an awful lot of the puppy journey) I’d insist on knowing this so I could at least book a provisional restart.