Deciding About Vaccines
We want to help You Make
the best decision for your Puppy
There are diverse views regarding vaccines. This information is provided to instigate your own curiosity regarding vaccines and assist you in arriving at your own conclusions and decisions.
**We are not veterinarians or medical professionals and this is not medical advice. This is simply information we have collected over the years and want to pass on to you!
Myth 1:
My puppy HAS to be vaccinated - FALSE.
While every state has their own laws on canine vaccine's and you need to research what your laws require. In Pennsylvania (and most states), the only vaccine that is required is the Rabies vaccine. So it's really up to you and your vet to decide on the best course of action and how much (or how few) vaccines are needed for your puppy. If you choose to vaccinate, you can be sure to not OVER vaccinate, by having the vet do what's called "titers." Titers show if your dog needs another round of vaccines or is good to go. This is also legally acceptable for Rabies.
Myth 2:
My Vet HAS to be the one that gives the vaccine - FALSE
If you choose to vaccinate, you can save money by vaccinating yourself and choose which vaccines you want and don't want.
In the majority of states, you are able to use online pet pharmacies to order your own vaccines. This is a very cost effective way to give your dog their inoculations. There are a lot of different pharmacy sites.
For our puppy vaccines (NOBIVAC Parvo/Distemper), we buy from www.petsupplies4less.com because their customer service is phenomenal.
There are 3 Choices:
1. Don’t Vaccinate At All
2. Delay & Limit Vaccines
3. Follow the Vaccine schedule your vet has (each vet is different)
Let's Discuss!
What Would You Do Laurel?
This is the most commonly asked question I receive when it comes time to discuss vaccines. I have done a ton of research and I feel very confident in my choice not to vaccinate my dogs at all. In doing so, I don’t have dogs with health issues. I have (to date) never had repeated vet visits due to allergy’s, cancer, or other sicknesses. I believe an immune system not messed with is the best immune system.
So, if you’re already into living more naturally or you want to learn more, you may want to forego vaccines, at least for the time being. Once given, they can’t be taken back.
I don’t recommend dog parks or puppy daycare in these cases because many times, infections of the big scary names, like Parvo and Distempter, can come from the vaccines shedding from other dogs. Keep your pup home, on walks and visiting one-on-one or with family pets is always my recommendation, vaccinated or not, but definitely when not vaccinated.
Perks are overall healthy dogs, with healthy immune systems! It’s nice not to have to pay for vaccines too.
One draw back of not vaccinating is that leaving your dog at a kennel for vacation may not be an option. (sometimes kennels provide waivers). You will likely have to use a friend or family member to keep your dog.
Another drawback is oftentimes you may feel looked down upon, bullied or even asked to leave / rejected by your vet. There are supportive vets out there! I recommend finding one that is kind and not inclined to bully you.
Now…..What about the other two options…..Delayed/limited and fully vaccinated.
Option 2: Delayed Vaccine / Limited Vaccine
Generally Vaccines are given with boosters that follow. The boosters are “needed” because the mother’s immune system is still at work and fights the vaccine. Typically puppies receive their last vaccine of a typical schedule around 16 weeks old and are then considered fully vaccinated.
I’m going to provide you with some information on some information that was given to me by my Australian Vet/Breeder Menor.
Australia has what is called “Early Finish Vaccine.” When given at 16 weeks old, it has been shown that it can last a lifetime. Some Australian vets promote boosters every 3 years.
If you are of the delayed/limited Vaccine mindset, then this may be music to your ears! Titers can be drawn to see your pup’s immunity each year and if you should need documentation for a kennel, etc, the titer paperwork qualifies. This can also be done with Rabies.
This is a great option for those who aren’t sure if they want to go vaccine free, but also don’t want to vaccinate every single year.
The “Early Finish Vaccine” isn’t called this in the USA due to regulatory bodies, however, a Merk rep told me which one it is, and that is what I carry to send home with puppies.
Option 3 - Fully Vaccinate
This is as it sounds, you take your puppy to the vet and follow the regimen that they set forth. I BEG you though, deny the LEPTO vaccine with all your might. This vaccine in particular has come up in many discussion posts about posing significant health risks.
Typically vets want to vaccinate your dog yearly. Even if you decide to fully vaccinated, titers are an option and we highly recommend them.
The downfall is that each vaccine comes with health risks. They compromise the immune system and oftentimes the dogs with the health issues were the ones fully vaccinated and at times, over vaccinated. I don’t say this to scare you, but to lay out the info before you so you can make the best decision for your puppy. I provide an article below that talks more about these health complications.
What We Offer For Your Puppy - Let me know If you need a Vaccine Vile to go!
We do not vaccinate our puppies before they go home with you, but we can provide the Early Finish Vaccine for you.
1. If you choose to not vaccinate your puppy – you’re good to go!
2. If you choose to delay and want to use the “Early Finish Vaccine” – We provide this to you, so that you can give this to your puppy at 16 weeks old. Your vet will likely NOT give your puppy the vaccine we supply and that you don’t buy from them. So we have a video that teaches you how to give it. It’s very easy to give and I can show you the video ahead of time if you’d like to see it.
3. If you feel you cannot give the shot yourself, or if you choose to vaccinate as your vet recommends, then you do not need to take the Early Finish Vaccine with you.
If you're Taking a Vile with you, then you need to bring an ice pack and cooler - vaccines need to stay refrigerated.
Want to Keep Learning & Investigate More? Here you go!
Dr. Judy Morgan is a fabulous teacher. As she shares, there is not a "one size fits all scenario."
Some complications listed and discussed are: arthritis, diarrhea, allergies, ataxia, autoimmune disorders, colitis, dry eye/ conjunctivitis, epilepsy, loss of appetite, nasal drip, nervous/worrying disposition, skin problems, weight loss, vomiting, behavior problems, tumors, cancer, chorea, Encephalitis, Heart conditions, kidney conditions, lameness, liver conditions, paralysis, pancreas, attention span issues.
Do Insurance Companies Want you to Have Vaccines?
HOW LONG DO DOG VACCINES LAST?
As you can see, there is a lot of varying thoughts on how to proceed. Through research and life experiences, we have come to our conclusion as to what we like to recommend. It is only a recommendation, as the puppy is yours to make your own decision with. However, because vaccines can have life altering side effects for dogs (short term and long term) our Life Long Genetic Health Guarantee does not cover any health side effects that are listed on the vaccine informational sheet.
As we’ve discussed, Australia has a vaccine that is labeled as an Early Finish Vaccine. It’s where a puppy gets one dose of vaccine after immunity has worn off and is considered fully vaccinated 7 days later. That means your socialization in public can happen faster! It also means less foreign matter in their body to create potential issues down the line. If you go this way, we recommend titers, every 3 years, however if Parvo is a high concern in your location, yearly titers may be necessary.
Walkerville Vet in AU – https://www.walkervillevet.com.au/early-finish-puppy-vaccination/
The Global Veterinary Community Recognizes the early finish vaccine (page 7): https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/WSAVA-Vaccination-Guidelines-2015.pdf
Oakleigh Central Vet in AU: https://www.oakleighcentralvet.com.au/single-post/2018/08/10/early-finish-puppy-vaccinations
There’s no such thing as the “Early Finish Vaccine” in the USA but….
It’s true, there is no vaccine that is marketed as an Early Finish Vaccine in the USA. After hours of looking, talking to reps from different pet pharmacy sites, we finally made contact with MERK themselves. We DO have the vaccine, but due to regulations, they aren’t allowed to market it as an Early Finish Vaccine.
The Early Finish (same thing) vaccine here in the USA is the Nobivac Canine 1-DAPPv. Here is the link to it on the petsupplies4less website: https://www.petsupplies4less.com/Nobivac-Canine-1-DAPPv_p_3615.html?fbclid=IwAR1HsGGPyOvv_f5Xwa7gv_9JuDJ5CvrNWh86TrGqLEuZaY6BsQuU1QC0leo
As you can see, we clearly lean on the more natural side of things. This isn’t to say that you need to. We like to provide the information, so you can feel good about whatever choice you make for your puppy. You may share these links with your vet if you want to have a more in depth conversation about your options.
Now What?
*Give serious thought and investigation about how you want to proceed with your Puppy.
*Once you have made up your mind, let me know if you would like your puppy sent home with the Parvo/Distemper vaccination. We do not give the puppies the vaccination because it is our belief that they should be given at a later time. However, we will gladly send the vials home with you so it is not an additional cost to you at your vet. You will need to bring a cooler with icepacks at puppy pickup if you would like the vaccine.
*If you don’t want a vile but want to ask your vet for the the Early Finish vaccine, call your vet and ask for it by name. Ask if they carry the Nobivac Canine 1 DAPPv.
*Or you may wish to go Dr. Morgans way and only get the distemper and pavro vaccinations at separate visits and separate ages.
You are able to take vaccine vile with you at puppy pick up day or you can buy the parvo and distemper single dose vaccinations here if your vet does not provide:
https://www.petsupplies4less.com/Neopar-Puppy-Pack_p_20212.html
***If you are using a travel agent for ground transportation or flight, we may have to give vaccinations prior to them leaving. This is the only time we give vaccinations to puppies at that age.
