Getting A Pup

[Gimbo]

My wifes dog, a large scoundrel of a village dog died from snakebite about a month ago. And know the wife wants a new one. Me I am all for it, as I grew up having one. But this was the typical: Please daddy, can we have the puppy and we promise to take care of it and walk it every day...of course my dad ended up walking and training the mutt for the next 14 years.

So I have some experience in keeping a dog, but knows next to nothing about puppies. So if we find a suitable barking machine, what are the things I should do:

I am thinking about what kind of vaccines I should get and those sorts of things. The rest of the dog care and responsibilities I think I have a fair handle on...being that I am not 8 years old anymore, and pining for those cute puppies....

[Nienke]

It is advisable to vaccinate your dog against the most life-threatening diseases, including rabies, canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2). CDV and CAV-2 is together with leptospirosis, according the vet I use, only available as a three-in-one combined vaccine.

In the thread http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...vaccines+Nienke I wrote :

I just wrote last week a mail to Dr. Dodds (she is a guest speaker on the TruthAboutVaccines email list and has done lots of research on this subject. Based on this research, veterinary universities in The States have changed their vaccine protocols). In this email I explained the situations in Thailand (streetdogs, strays, puppy farms etc. of which the majority is in some extent malnutritioned and/or carry disease) and asked her opinion about not vaccinating puppies and adult dogs (I asked it in this way as many members of that list are against vaccinations, but so far I know none of the ones of whom I've read their posts are dealing with situations such as in Thailand). And i asked her if she would suggest a different vaccine protocol for Thailand.

Her reaction was that 'given the rampant steet virus load, it would be foolish not to vaccinate companion pets', which includes all dogs. I'm not surprised about this answer, but I rather dubble check with one of the world's top immunologists once I have the chance.

In her protocol for The States she suggest not to vaccinate before the age of 8 weeks (vaccinating at an too early age can interfere with the maternal immunity and, as a result, leaving the pup unprotected). But given the situation in Thailand she said that one might start vaccinating at the age of 7 weeks and then repeat at 11 weeks and 14 weeks (vaccinating with 2 weeks in between can increase the risk on side-effects and repetition after two weeks can repress the effect of the first vaccinate, also leaving the puppy unprotected)

For adults she suggests a booster at one year and then every three years. BUT, she says, she would ONLY vaccinate for the serious infectious diseases and rabies (that are the core vaccines). She did not mention not to give combined vaccines. But for what I've read till now I think it is better for the health of the dog to give the vaccines seperate with a month in between. On the other hand, Dr. Schultz recommends parvo and canine distemper combined vaccines in one of his reports for puppies.

The situation for street and stray dogs is more complex and difficult, as often it is (very) hard to catch them or to have the owner come several times with their dog for the necessary vaccinations. But still, fact remains, vaccinating them combined vaccines or even only the rabies vaccine just after spaying or neutering (as that's, understandable, the easiest way) and/or when they carry other disease and/or are malnutritioned can make them more susceptible to adverse effects of (over)vaccinating.

My last question to her was about something a vet here in Chiang Mai once told me :

"dogs can come in contact with the viruses much easier, therefore, it is a must to vaccinate them every year" and " that the immune system of dogs here react different on the infectious diseases (because of the high risk on infection) than dogs, for example, in The States ." (during epidemics it's advised to vaccinate pups at least 3 times and rottweilers even 4 times parvo-virus, with 2 to 3 weeks in between).

Her reaction was that there should be NO difference in the immune system (surpise, surprise) and that the weakened immune sytems of 'these unforunates' (as she put it) would likely make them more, not less, susceptible to adverse effects of overvaccinating. She said, that perhaps they would tolerate better a half dose. Although, I'm not sure exactly what she meant with this last remark. Half a dose of each vaccine and then vaccinate the same vaccine several times or just only one time half a dose? And what will be the protection of a half dose?

I asked for a reaction of the other list members on my mail and Dr. Dodds answer, but unfortunately, nobody did. I also asked permission to post this particular mail elsewhere and use material of the list to give as information to others, but also here I did not receive any reply.

So, I'm still not sure what is the best option. But just to play it the safest way I suggest to my customers to seperate the vaccines (but then we are talking about pet dogs).

Also here, like what I said in another thread about spaying and neutering, I think dog owners should be well informed on the pro's and con's of vaccination. The owners of the dead and crippled dogs found out the hard way, and there is no turning back for them.

But again, I acknowledge the much more complex situation that dog rescue organisations are dealing with.

Nienke

Vaccines are NOT harmless. Combined vaccines have many very serious side-effects. Annual boosters aren't necessary.

Here some links to help you on the way:

http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM

http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/VACCINE1.HTM

http://www.naturalrearing.com/J_In_Learnin...ATIONSPart4.htm

http://critteradvocacy.org/The%20Science%2...Been%20Done.htm

Both Dr. Dodds and Dr. Schultz are top-of-the-top in this field.

In Thailand the Rabies vaccine should be given annually by law!

Nienke

[Nienke]

On my website (see my profile) you can read the following articles on health (care) and behavior:

Health

* Checkpoints for a healthy pet

* E.Canis . A dreaded and deadly killer

* Coat and skin care for all dog breeds

* General health care of your dog

* Diet

* Spaying or neutering - Pro's and Con's

Behavior

* Introduction to dog behavior

* Genetic influence on the dog's behavior

* Hormonal influence on the dog's behavior

* Environmental influences on the dog's behavior

I have to admit that I reasobly soon have to update the articles. Nevertheless, I hope they will be of some help to you.

Nienke

[Nienke]

Last but definitely not least. Places where you can find very nice puppies:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...t=0&start=0

Dog and cat Rescue organisations in Thailand. Very worthwhile a visit:

Bangkok:

•Soi Dog Rescue http://www.soidogrescue.org/

Chiang Mai:

•Care for Dogs http://carefordogs.org/index2.php or PM Allyt

•Lanna Dog Rescue http://www.lannadog.net/

Hua Hin:

•Hua Hin Dog Rescue Center http://www.dogrescuecenter.org/ or PM November rain

Koh Samui:

•Elfe's Animal Crowd http://elfesworld.blogspot.com/ or http://www.elfesworld.com/index.php?id=64,0,0,1,0,0 or PM Elfe

Pattaya:

•Tony's Dog Shelter http://www.tonydisco.com/html/dog_shelter.php

•Pattaya Animal Welfare Society PAWS President Ms. Alvi Sinthuvanik, Office Address 341/27 Soi Kasemsuwan, Pattaya City 20260. PAWS Vice President. Mrs. Mirin Mac Carthy, Email: <[email protected]> Fax: 038-231 675. PAWS Secretary Bob Davis, tel. 038-225-583 038-225 514 Ext. 224. PAWS Treasurer Dr. Nop Sukpanyatham, tel. 423410, fax 410311.

Phuket:

•Phuket Animal Welfare Society P.A.W.S. Office: 371/12 Yaowaraj Rd., Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand, Tel: +66-76-355 408, Fax: +66-76-224 113, Email: [email protected]

Few more dog and cats rescue organizations:

Ko Payam http://www.animalpayam.org/

Ko Phangan: http://www.pacthailand.org/

Phuket: http://www.thaiwave.com/atigaro/

Samui: http://www.samuidog.org/

Nienke

Edited September 6, 2007 by Nienke