Dutch Shepherd Forum

I would like some opinions on how often to vaccinate, and for what.
Looking at the passports of my European imports, it seems that pups over there get a whole lot less of puppy shots, (just DP at six weeks)and just a regular 7 way booster as adults.
Here, there is the puppy shot, (DA2P+CPV?) repeated at 6, and 9 weeks, with a rabies shot and an adult shot at 12 weeks (DHLPPV).
Is the 6-9-12 week schedule overdone, or is Europe a bit too relaxed?

I try to follow this schedule:
http://www.doglogic.com/vaccination.htm

I do the 2nd rabies after a year then every 3 years. And every 3 years on the distemper/parvo.

uhm, not sure what they get (I could check if anyone really wants to know?) but they do get some more than that Judith. Well, mine have anyway. They get the first puppy-vac at 6 weeks, another one at 12 weeks. Then they get one at a year and from there on every year. Depending on if you travel with your dog you can get Rabiës at 5 months I believe, it used to be for one year. But it is now for 3 years, which is a good thing! Turns out it was in the dog's body longer than they thought. Also you have a lot of shots that are "optional" like the "cough" one (Judith please translate kennelhoest?).

I also have a friend that used to have 2 shepherds on the farm that only had a puppy vac once, never saw a vet again :dswink" One lived to 14!! (Good healthy Dutch KNPV line ) The other one died at 10, tumors in the mammary glands.

Marjolein wrote:Also you have a lot of shots that are "optional" like the "cough" one.

Kennel cough? Aka Bordatella

But what is in your coctails Marjolein?
I have import pups that got only a DP (distemper-parvo) as a pup, with a booster and an adult shot at 12 weeks.
Here I have seen pups that get DA2P-P. (distemper-adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza-Parvo) in two boosters and then
DHLPPv+R (Distemper, Hepatitus, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus & Rabies) Bordetalla (cough cough) is optional, as is Coronavirus, Lyme, etc. I am sure a lot depends on where you live, but some basics seem to be more involved here than in Europe. I have just gotten 3 pups, 2 countries, and their puppy shots were DP only. One was old enough to be boosted, with one more round of DP.

I am not a breeder but my dogs got the puppy shots and first rabies. Then I decided after doing my own research, that I would only do rabies from now on, only because it is the law. I might not even do that if its not needed. I did titer tests once on Ember when her shots were due and the levels were all normal, so I wasn't going to give anymore shots, but then we moved across the country and I didn't want to take a chance on getting stopped and asked about the dogs rabies so that is the only shot they got.

I do puppy shots at 6, 10 and 14 weeks, typically. I think booster at a year and titer thereafter. I do think that over vaccinating is a big problem, but I also have a large multidog environment with fosters and boarders coming and going. I won't risk parvo for anything!! Been there - hated it.

The combo that I use is DIstemper, Parvo, Parainfluenza, Adenovirus and Corona. I don't vaccinate for Lepto...... probably should but haven't had it shoved down my throat yet. I don't vaccinate for Kennel Cough and although I've had rescues bring it in, I have never had one of my dogs get it.

Rabies I just do according to the law.

I did have one dog have great titers one year, and then have them fall off the following year showing she wasn't protected (this was 5 years past her previous vaccine). So I still advocate running the test through adulthood if your dog is going to leave the property or be exposed to other dogs.

Christie M wrote:I don't vaccinate for Kennel Cough

Just wanted to state that most of the buildings/classes I've taken with my dogs require Bordatella proof before you can participate. So, my crew has always been vaccinated for it because they've all always been in various classes and buildings...

Funny how that goes. I have never (that I can remember) vaccinated for Corona, but always for lepto. I just found out that leptospirosis (likes it humid..so welcome to the south!) should be repeated twice a year to be effective. And the disease itself wil cause liver and kidney failure.
In Holland, I also used to vaccinate for Aujezsksny (spelling?) a disease that is prevalent in pigs, with no cure for dogs when transferred. I have taken a more relaxed approach since those early dog-days but it is good to hear that many share my practice of not repeating everything once a year.

With pups, I try to give their system a chance to build up imminity before I drag them out to high risk places (like a monthly flea market where they also sell live animals) It is great exposure, but in MORE ways than one How long post (last) booster would you dare to take a healthy pup out in a high risk environment? I am not suggesting that visibly sick animals are being sold there. Just that I have heard enough true accounts of pups bought there (yikes!) that came down with mostly parvo.

And old dogs. What is the consensus on their safety? Vaccinate more, or rather vaccinate less?

vneerland wrote: With pups, I try to give their system a chance to build up imminity before I drag them out to high risk places (like a monthly flea market where they also sell live animals) It is great exposure, but in MORE ways than one How long post (last) booster would you dare to take a healthy pup out in a high risk environment? I am not suggesting that visibly sick animals are being sold there. Just that I have heard enough true accounts of pups bought there (yikes!) that came down with mostly parvo.

Yeh, Judith, from what I am told that "Dog Town" at the first Monday market has been scrutinized regularly and is now followed closely concerning the health of the animals sold there. Years ago, the conditions were horrendous but the last couple of times I went, it was much nicer for the animals. I have bought rabbits and doves there before.

Since I dont 'do' rescue anymore, the family dogs that never leave home dont get vaccines after 3 yrs old. The others get what is required to participate in dog events or for state license. I did find that two of my older family dogs that had Bordatella only one time years back did NOT break with KC when my last rescue arrived and broke with KC a few days later. Two other family dogs who had not had the Bordatella ever did break with it. That said, I was under the impression it had to be given yearly for immunity.

GSDNanny wrote:Yeh, Judith, from what I am told that "Dog Town" at the first Monday market has been scrutinized regularly and is now followed closely concerning the health of the animals sold there. Years ago, the conditions were horrendous but the last couple of times I went, it was much nicer for the animals. I have bought rabbits and doves there before.

You go to Canton? If you ever plan on going again, let's meet! I'll be the one with a Dutch Shepherd (or 2,3)

vneerland wrote:

GSDNanny wrote:Yeh, Judith, from what I am told that "Dog Town" at the first Monday market has been scrutinized regularly and is now followed closely concerning the health of the animals sold there. Years ago, the conditions were horrendous but the last couple of times I went, it was much nicer for the animals. I have bought rabbits and doves there before.

You go to Canton? If you ever plan on going again, let's meet! I'll be the one with a Dutch Shepherd (or 2,3)

Yep, 'bout twice a year. Usually April and October. This year will go that last weekend in April. Bringing my 2 sisters and Mom this time, a girl's trip. Trying to keep Mom busy since Dad passed. Plan to stay over either Fri or Sat night. You live close to Canton? Would LOVE to meet you there!

Oh, I would love to meet more Dutch Sheps!!! More than one at a time would definitely be a novelty for me. There are only three in my area, including my Zip. Let's plan on it!

GSDNanny wrote:Oh, I would love to meet more Dutch Sheps!!! More than one at a time would definitely be a novelty for me. There are only three in my area, including my Zip. Let's plan on it!

Close enough to go there on a fairly regular basis. So if you remind me before you plan to go sometime, I think we should schedule a meeting. I would be the one with the Dutch Shepherd

[Close enough to go there on a fairly regular basis. So if you remind me before you plan to go sometime, I think we should schedule a meeting. I would be the one with the Dutch Shepherd [/quote]


It's a plan!