Aroura Posted June 16, 2004 Posted June 16, 2004 I hope this works - if I don't reply can you please email me your responses? Dogo has been playing up on me, real weird stuff, so I'm not able to view new posts, but I'm posting here now because I'm curious about something and need to know! How long after vaccinations are puppys safe? I know the whole 2 week thing, my pup is going to come everywhere in a sling with me until 2 weeks after his final shots so he can be socialised but not run the risk of getting parvo. But the RSPCA has some rotweiler x pups, 11 of them! :o They want to know if I can look after one... or two... or three of them. I've told them no, not until I know more about vacinations etc. If I bring one into the house will it put my pup at risk when I get him? Should I wait a bit, then take one? I'm not entirely sure whats going on with the vaccinations, they are under 8 weeks old and although they have been vaccinated obviously haven't had their final shots, is this a worry? Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted June 17, 2004 Posted June 17, 2004 The antibodies from the mother generally circulate in the newborn's blood for a number of weeks. The complicating factor is that there is a period of time from several days to a couple of weeks in which the maternal antibodies are too low to provide protection against the disease, but too high to allow the vaccine to work and produce immunity. This period is called the window of susceptibility. This is the time when despite being vaccinated, a puppy or kitten can still contract the disease. This window of susceptibility can vary widely. The length and timing of the window of susceptibility is different in every litter and between animals in the same litter. Let us take canine parvovirus as an example. A study of a cross section of different puppies showed that the age at which they were able to respond to a vaccine and develop protection (become immunized) covered a wide period of time. At six weeks of age, 25% of the puppies could be immunized. At 9 weeks, 40% of the puppies were able to respond to the vaccine and were protected. The number increased to 60% by 16 weeks, and by 18 weeks, 95% of the puppies could be immunized. Since the length and timing of the window of susceptibility varies so widely, it is impossible for us to determine when is the best time to vaccinate each individual puppy or kitten. There are just too many variables. For this reason, young animals are given a series of vaccinations in hope that we can vaccinate the animal as soon as it leaves the 'window of susceptibility.' Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted June 17, 2004 Posted June 17, 2004 I know the above doesnt help a whole lot. But, it explains in a way that all puppies have different levels of protection and antibodies at different rates. Sorry I can't tell you right out that your pup will be safe around other pups. The best advice I can give it..."its better to be safe than sorry" with myself I have felt pretty safe allowing my pups around other dogs after the second round of vaccines at 10 weeks of age. Quote
imported_Kat Posted June 17, 2004 Posted June 17, 2004 Hi Aurora, perhaps you could foster one of the RSPCA puppies for a short time? When exactly are you getting your own puppy? As long as you leave the house puppy free for about 2/3 weeks before yours arrives, you should be fine with taking on one of the shelter puppies (or 2 or 3!). As far as your own puppy goes, wait until he has all his vaccinations then wait for about 5 days to take him out. Even keeping him in a sling will mean that he will not be completely safe from airborne viruses and it really is safer to keep him in your own territory. Quote
Smooshie Posted June 17, 2004 Posted June 17, 2004 Aroura!....great to see you!....and congratulations on the puppy-to-be (a whippet is it?) I can't wait to see pics :D Not to dredge up sad memories, but I was so so sorry to hear about Lily :( ...but you can rest assured, you did the right thing by her. Best of luck with your new baby...and I agree with both Kat and guest...better not to take risks....keep him in a safe environment,free of strange dogs until you're sure he's protected... Quote
Aroura Posted June 18, 2004 Author Posted June 18, 2004 Thanks for the help - I think I might pass up on taking these puppys now... I guess there is always the next lot (in the world of abandoned animals unfortunatly there is always a next lot...) so after I get my pup and he is fully vaccinated he can play with other puppys! Like sleep overs :) Good to hear from you smooshie! Yes, its very sad and just seeing your beautiful boxer brings a tear to my eye. Seeing as boxers are such a common breed it makes it so much harder for me, everytime I see someone having fun with thier boxer I remember the good times I used to have with Lily :cry: I have weighed up the pros and cons of bringing the pup out before 14 weeks, and have come to the conclusion that the extremely slight risk of the pup picking up a disease is not so much to worry about as the huge risk of him picking up behavioural problems from not being socialised in the critical age. Seeing that parvo is the main worry around here (though I've never heard of a dog dying of parvo in this town, but I'm sure its out there somewhere) I have decided to go for a puppy sling. That way we can go to schools and into town, around traffic and strange people and noises etc but he wont be in contact with the ground. Here are the two boys I have to chose from anyway :angel: Quote
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