So I am picking up my new puppy, Oliver, on Friday and have been hearing a number of different things about vaccinations. We live in a world today where a lot of people and animals are over-vaccinated and over medicated. I am very aware of the adverse effects of this and want to avoid subjecting my new pup to this! If anyone knows of any articles about vaccines (whether about core or non-core ones) I would love the links!

From what I've gathered, doing one set of vaccinations of the 3 core ones (not including rabies) at 12 weeks is all the pup will need (as long as the titer test 3 weeks later shows that they were effective). As for rabies I've heard mixed things - some say after 16 weeks, some say after 4 months (which is pretty similar). I was wondering what people have done with their pets and if you know of any good articles about vaccinations.

I got my information from an IVIS article provided by my breeder:
Considerations in Designing Effective and Safe Vaccination Programs for Dogs.

and from the following article:
» Taking The Risk Out Of Puppy Shots

I also know there are a few non-core (like lepto/lime and kennel cough) which typically are done if there is a high risk in your area. Does anyone know where I can find information about if CT is a high risk area for these diseases? Also, I am going to be doing obedience classes with Oliver and competing with him. I've heard that because of this some of the non-core vaccines like kennel cough and parainfluenza would be good to get (because he'll be around other dogs more). I am going to call my vet this week to see what their opinions are, but I'd love to hear from all of you!

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"Nothing can bring more happiness than a Golden Retriever"

Ct is extremely high risk for Lyme disease. I just attended a vet meeting discussing lepto and Lyme. My dogs are always vaccinated for both and if you live in an endemic area, the vaccines are necessary...

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Janice and The Celebration Gang -
"Samantha, George, Tiki, Emily, Mick and Basil" Gone but not forgotten, Sally(Windjammer's Ima Country Girl CDX CGC), Laney(Mandell Marlenes Celebration UD RA CGC), and Cookie(Starseeker's Kissmas Cookie CDX RE CGC).

Do you know what age is best for vaccinating against lyme and lepto? Would it be 12 weeks as well?

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"Nothing can bring more happiness than a Golden Retriever"

I recommend not vaccinating earlier than four months.... For lepto or Lyme. I went to a meeting several years ago, where that was the recommendation. Since I started that practice, I see many less reactions. Actually, we do not find Lyme as reactive as lepto...

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Janice and The Celebration Gang -
"Samantha, George, Tiki, Emily, Mick and Basil" Gone but not forgotten, Sally(Windjammer's Ima Country Girl CDX CGC), Laney(Mandell Marlenes Celebration UD RA CGC), and Cookie(Starseeker's Kissmas Cookie CDX RE CGC).

I know my breeder in CT has lost several dogs over the years to Lyme. I show in obedience and do not give bordatella or influenza.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

The disease or the vaccine? Assuming the disease given where she's from...

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Sarah

Ruby: Topbrass Ravishing Ruby CDX, RAE, JH, AX, OAJ, XF, WCX, CCA, VC, CGC, TT (8/1/04)
Piper: Topbrass Pipe Dream CD, JH, RA, OAP, NJP, WC, CCA (7/19/09)
Sage: Prime Time Sage RN, CGC (10/27/97-12/2/12)

Sorry, First sentence was referring to disease, second sentence to vaccine.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

Thanks everyone for your responses!

It looks like I'll be giving the 3 core vaccines (parvo, distemper, and hepatitis) at 12 weeks and then doing a titer test to see if they worked. Then somewhere around 4 months I'll do the lyme and lepto and rabies (my breeder recommended waiting until 6 months to do the rabies - which I think is the law in NY - so I might wait a little longer for the rabies.) I know lyme disease is from ticks, how does a dog get leptosporosis?

Just brought Oliver home, thanks to everyone for helping me keep him as healthy and happy as possible!

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"Nothing can bring more happiness than a Golden Retriever"

The lyme vaccine does not prevent your dog from getting lyme disease. It is suppose to just lesson the effects which I find contradictory anyway. Ive seen a couple dogs who were vaccinated against lyme disease get the disease anyway and the one ended up dying from it.

As for kennel cough, same thing, does not prevent the dog from getting it. Mine was vaccinated for kennel cough and he still got kennel cough 3 months later! Now, I do not vaccinate for it. All that is, is a dog version of a human cold.

For vaccines I will do a booster shot DHLPP at 8 weeks, then another at 12 weeks then rabies at 16 weeks. No lyme or kennel cough vaccines for mine! After the initial 12 weeks booster and 16 week rabies. I will do another booster a year later then another rabies and thats all mine ever see.

I think 12 weeks is too early if you're just going to do one booster. I vaccinated according to Dr. Jean Dodd's protocol at 9.5 and 14 weeks. You can google her protocol but make sure it is the most recent one. I emailed her about giving a booster at 12 weeks as the last one, and she said my pup would need another one after that, but not if I wait to vaccinate at 14 weeks. Also, most puppy classes won't let you attend until 10 days after the pup has had at least one booster, sometimes two. I was concerned about socializing my pup ASAP, and I was disappointed I couldn't start classes until Molly was 11 weeks but it worked out fine.

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