I don't handle the shots that we give to our puppies, so I'm not very knowledgeable, but I'm of the opinion that we are giving our puppies to much medication. My wife gleens info from other breeders as to what they use and it differs greatly from one to the other. Consequently I think the puppies get too much wormer and other meds. What do PROFESSIONAL breeders use to get a puppy through their first eight weeks?

-- Ken in Texas (palooza@ev1.net), May 09, 2002

Answers

Ok Ken when are you giving shots and worming ? What are you giving .Go to the nearest vet schools web site and see what they suggest .I could give you mine , but since I am in Northern NY my schedule is going to be different than yours.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.

When we used to have puppies here we used to vaccinated them at 5, 7, 9, 12 and 16 weeks. If we adopted the puppy out before the vaccination schedule was complete then the new owner could bring the puppy back to us for the shots which were included in the adoption price. We started them on heartworm preventative at 8 weeks. I can't remember the schedule for deworming.

-- Anita in NC (anitaholton@mindspring.com), May 09, 2002.

Ken, I've owned Daschounds for years and sell a litter every year to the pet store. I worm with 'strongid' every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks of age. This won't take care of tape worms though. Fleas cause tape worms. If a problem with tapes occures I use 'Adams' tape med. For vaccines I only give 2 shots before selling. I give 'Performer Seven' at 4 weeks and at 6 weeks. This dosen't include corona. Others may do things differently. This is the way that I do. The pet store recives a copy of my schedule and so does the vet and no one has told me to change. The 'strongid' I get from my vet. Good luck. ps. the 'Performer' and 'Adams' meds. I get from the local feed store.

-- Michelle Thomas (mpthomas83@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.

Vaccinations: DA2LP-PV (Fort Dodge) at four and eight weeks. We have done four, six, and eight weeks, also. All pups ended up healthy. Worming: Pyrantel Pamoate at four, six, and eight weeks. Mom is wormed regularly before whelping with tape and hook wormer.

-- Scotsirish (notreal@anywhere.net), May 09, 2002.

Ok I am going to burst everyones bubbles here .The last shot should be given at 16-18 weeks .A certain percentage of pups where shown to still have mom's antibodies before this .The study came from Tuff's I believe.The shots are given 4 weeks apat to cover when Mom's antibodies wear off.Differents pups at different times.The shots last 4 weeks and if the pup still has Mom's antibodies it is no good.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.

http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/news/veterinariansurged.html

you all might find this interesting

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.

The vacc/worm schedule I listed is for pups we sell. Ours are usually reserved before they are weaned and are sold and placed at eight weeks (never earlier). We then instruct the new owners to set up a vaccination and worming schedule with their vet. We explain that the pups have received their "puppy shots" and must continue with their adult vaccinations. We send a puppy packet along with all our dogs. It has a copy of their pedigree and purchase agreement,a list of all vaccinations and wormings they have received (to be shown to their vet), a list of recommended books and breed magazines, a list of breed/working clubs, etc. We also include a week's worth of dog food.

-- Scotsirish (notreal@anywhere.net), May 09, 2002.

Everyone will have a different idea about what is best. If you asked 10 different Vets, you might get 10 different answers. I worked as a Vet Tec and at that time it was reccomended that puppies have a shot at 8 weeks and another one at 12 weeks and then once a year after that. Now, I feel like the vets are just trying to make more money with all of these excessive numbers of shots. I give my own personal puppies (and I have alot) one shot(with corona but without Lepto) at 6 weeks and maybe another shot at 10 weeks. But usually just the one shot at 6 weeks. And I have had excellent results.

-- Jodie in TX (stanchnmotion@yahoo.com), May 09, 2002.

When a puppy of ours is sold we ALWAYS tell them to take it to a vet for a check up and to follow up and continue shots. We do things differently for any that we keep.

-- Michelle Thomas (mpthomas83@hotmail.com), May 10, 2002.

Like I said in my original post, I think my wife is giving our puppies to much meds.Here is what she does:

3rd day Dewclaws, tails and ears if needed

2 weeks Strongit wormer (1 dose)

3 weeks RFD wormer (1 dose)

4 weeks Parvo, Droncit wormer (1 dose)

5 weeks Distemper/Measle, Strongit wormer (1 dose for 3 days straight)

6 weeks Vanguard 5, Strongit wormer (1 dose), Bordetella

7 weeks Droncit wormer (1 dose), Albon ( 1 dose for 7 days straight), Ear Mite treatment (7 days straight)

8 weeks Vanguard 5

Is this to much, not enough, missing something? I sure wind up with a lot of dead puppies at about 7 weeks of age.

-- Ken in Texas (palooza@ev1.net), May 10, 2002.

Vanguard is given 3 to 4 weeks apart, not 2 wks. The new Parvo shot is 3 wks apart also. You are putting live parvo into the pups 3 times by 8wks old. PLUS the Distemper/Measles is for 6 weeks, not 5 wks. You are killing them with the vaccines. You are giving them Distemper/measles 1 week apart too. You cannot give pups vaccines 1 week apart. Does the Vanguard 5 have Lepto? If so, not for pups under 9 wks. Why so many shots?

You do not need all that. We give the best puppy shot at 5 1/2 or 6 weeks old for the first time. NO vaccines before that. The Vangurad HAS measles and distemper in it, you don't need more.

Droncit is only for tapeworms, and 4 wks is WAY too young to give that. I use Panacure, or Safeguard liquid, same thing, at 2,4,6 and 8 weeks. 1cc per 5 lbs, 3 days in a row. Very safe for pups and moms nursing. The Strongid is safe, use that or Panacure, not mix all the others. You are shocking their systems, and pups can't take that.

The earmite and Albon shouldn't be hurting them, but all the other is. Vanguard Plus 5 is the best shot out there, you don't need any others, and don't give before 5 1/2 weeks old. I would not give Bordetella on the same day as a shot. Only give them one thing to adjust to at a time. Do Bordetella at 4 wks, up the nose, and then their first shot at just before 6 wks, and just worm every 2 wks. (no Droncit) That is plenty for them.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), May 10, 2002.

Forgot, we give the Vanguard Plus 5 at 6,9,12 and 15 weeks. Their protection comes about 10 days after the second shot.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), May 10, 2002.

My Lord, I'm surprised any of your puppies make it. I worm my pups the first time at 3 wks. with Panacur, at 6 weeks worm again and 5 way puppy shot. At 9 weeks second puppy shot. At 12 weeks third and last puppy shot and check for worms, worm if needed. Also worm the mom each time you do the pups till they are taken from her. My very able vet recommended this schedule and I have raised several hundred healthy puppies this way.

-- Jo Ann Weaver (hillfarm3@peoplepc.com), May 12, 2002.