Why we give puppies a series of vaccines-
Puppies generally get a temporary immunity from their mother; this is known as "passive immunity". This resistance to disease is passed almost exclusively through the colostrum, the first milk, the pups receive in the first 24 hours after birth. The amount of immunity passed depends greatly on the immune function of the mother. She cannot pass protection to those diseases or organisms to which she herself has not been exposed and to which she has not developed any immunity. The amount of protection passed also depends on the quality of the colostrum produced and the amount that each individual puppy receives.

Once absorbed by the body, antibodies circulating in the blood provide a temporary protection from infection. Over time, the level of these antibodies decreases gradually. If a vaccination is given to a puppy when these levels are still high, the vaccine is inactivated and will not work with the puppies' immune system to begin to protect the individual. One way to avoid this is to wait until this immunity wanes, or you can test each pup to see when antibody levels have dropped to a point that will not prevent a proper reaction to the vaccination. Neither of these options is entirely practical. We know from previous studies when over 90% of normal puppies who got a typical amount of colostrum will be able to adequately respond to vaccination- this is the basis for the recommendation that all puppies get doses at 3-4 week intervals from about 8 weeks of age until they are at least 16 weeks old. This allows protection of those puppies that do not get adequate colostrum and protection of those who received more without leaving either group unprotected for long periods of time.

Relative risk and other consideration-
Any vaccine given to an individual should be selected specifically for that individual based on the animal's actual risk of being exposed to and developing an infection from that organism. There is no need to vaccinate for things the dog will never be exposed to. If Lymes disease is unknown in your area, giving a vaccine is uncalled for. (Do not forget, however, to consider where you will travel with the dog when weighing risk).

Some diseases such as coronavirus are self-limiting and not a great threat to the health of the individual- this virus causes typically a diarrhea of 24 hour duration. I do not typically use this vaccine, except possibly in the case of some breeders who have recurring problems with infection.

Leptospirosis is increasing as a problem in much of the US. There is some evidence that the serovars (specific stains) of this bacteria actually causing infection have changed and that vaccination with one serovar does not protect against other serovars. There is a vaccine available for the strains we are now seeing in clinical disease, but it is not yet widely used. I do not vaccinate my own dogs for the "old" strains of Lepto commonly found in 5 and 7 "way" vaccines, but do use the newer vaccine. The locations where this bacteria is causing a problem have also changed, so I recommend you speak with your own veterinarian about the relative risk of this organism.

Kennel cough is often required for a stay at boarding facilities, participation in obedience classes and by some groomers. It is most often acquired by dogs in close contact with other dogs while in stressful situations, such as dog shows. But it is entirely an "optional" vaccine for dogs that do not travel to such environments.

Some breeds seem to be at extra risk for some viruses- specifically Rottweillers and Parvovirus. I will give these pups vaccines until they are at least 20 weeks of age.

Not all vaccines are "created equal". The vaccines known as "high titer/low passage" do a better job of vaccinating pups in spite of some degree of maternal or passive immunity. They contain more of the parvo virus particles in a slightly stronger form They are less attenuated- passed fewer times through cell lines that make them less infective. I would never use these in pups whose immune systems I had reason to believe were not normal, though this in itself would make me strongly question use of any vaccine.

Never give a vaccine if there is any reason to think the individual dog, puppy or adult, is not completely healthy. Previous exposure with infection, however minor to any organism will at best prevent the proper immunity we want an individual to develop and at worst might increase risk of adverse reactions.

My schedule for my dogs-
For puppies, I begin at about 8 weeks of age and give a DHPP vaccine at 3-4 week intervals until they are at least 16 weeks old. This vaccine includes Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. I do not use Lepto in any form in pups this young and I do not use coronvirus vaccines. I do feel comfortable using a vaccine that includes all 4 of these viruses, but try not to give them any other antigens at the same time (no kennel cough, lepto, etc). I do use "high titer/low passage" parvo vaccines.

I give one dose of DHPP at about 16 months of age- 1 year after the last of the puppy series, followed by a dose every 3-5 years after that. I consider stopping all DHPP vaccines once a dog reaches about 7 years for my IW's and 12 years for my other breeds, depending on how often they leave my house to travel.

I consider giving the vaccine specific for newer Lepto serovars at 6 months of age with a booster 3-4 weeks later, followed by an annual booster. This is not technically a vaccine (made from viruses) but a bacterin (made from bacteria) and as such does not cause the development of the same degree of immunity as standard vaccines. I'm more likely to give the vaccine to individuals who regularly dig, as this is a risk factor because the organism can live in moist soil for a very long time.

I give a 1 year rabies vaccine at 3-4 months of age as required by the state in which I live, followed by a 3 year vaccine regularly for the lifetime of the dog. Some areas do not allow the use of 3 year vaccines, and I would follow the law in the area in which I lived.

I vaccinate for Kennel cough at about 6 months of age using 2 doses of the injectable vaccine at a 3-4 week interval followed by a yearly dose, but only vaccinate those who are going to shows regularly. Those past their show or performance careers do not continue to receive this vaccine.