When it comes to vaccinations, there are a lot of opinions out there. My own opinion about vaccinations has changed multiple times over the years. People and breeders and veterinarians generally form their opinions based on their experiences and in the case of veterinarians, usually what they are taught in school. It's important to remember when we talk with others about vaccinating, that we all want our puppies to be healthy. Don't let yourself get caught up getting angry at others about what they believe about vaccinating. Everyone decides what's best based on their own experiences, and everyone has different experiences, so we all have different opinions.
We are against vaccinations — we only do the bare minimum to what our clients' choices are, but if you give the leptospirosis vaccination it voids our warranty. This is after years of watching vaccine damage to these little dogs.
Things to consider about vaccines
– Veterinarians may not honor vaccinations done by a breeder. They do this because they say they can't control if the breeder properly handled the vaccinations. Proper handling of vaccination prior to giving the vaccine is important. They need to be stored at a certain temperature to keep them cool to work properly.
– Make sure you include the stickers on the sides of both bottles when you buy your vaccines from a local tractor supply company.
– There is an increased risk of mishandling of vaccines from a tractor supply. Many people have reported seeing vaccine doses laying out on the counter at the tractor supply where they warm up. This can greatly increase the risk for the virus contained in any "LIVE" virus vaccine to grow and multiply and make your dog very sick. However, I believe this situation to be very rare. It could just as easily happen at a vet's office when a tech leaves them out on the counter.
– One concept that I have learned after many years of experience, is that you can have a genetically disease-resistant breeding stock. If I have 3 litters of puppies, and all of the puppies get sick with a bug/virus except one mom and her babies — the mother and babies that didn't get sick could potentially just have stronger immune systems. I personally breed for strong immune systems. I breed for puppies that can be exposed but survive. The lepto vaccine covers around 7 strains of lepto, and there are some 200+ strains of lepto. Think with your own mind. Not just what the Veterinarian is saying. Listen to every source and then make up your mind.
– DNA testing through Embark helps you determine if your dog has many forms of immune system diseases.
– I originally started doing my own vaccines because of the risk of exposure at the veterinarian's office. Sick dogs go to the vet's office. I was in a vet's waiting room with a pregnant mom in my arms when someone came in with a possible parvo case — no leash on — and the dog jumped up on the bench with me trying to nose my puppies. If that dog had parvo – it was all over the floor and bench already. You can track it in on your shoes. So that's an added risk to think about when you have puppies and you're taking them in to get vaccinated at the vet.
