is this too young? or wrong

juztin · #1 11-22-2008, 08:30 AM

hey, well my mate has a 4 month english staffy and he wants to bring it over his puppy also has only had its 1st shots?

just want to know if i should make my 7 week old boxer play with it etc?

is this bad since it hasnt had all its shots?

kathysboxer · #2 11-22-2008, 11:02 AM

I don't think there is too much risk as long as your baby is up to date on shots and not ill. It's not like you'd be going to the dog park or anything. IMO it would be ok. Just don't go for a walk or anything that may put him at risk. I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in.

Caney Creek · #3 11-22-2008, 01:53 PM

It actually depends on WHEN the other pup got his shots, not how many times he's had them. Nursing puppies get antibodies from their mother's milk, which serves as disease protection when they are very young. This immunity fades after the pups are weaned. A puppy can retain maternal antibodies for anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks after being weaned, but there's no real way to know EXACTLY when that protection is gone and the puppy needs to be vaccinated. If vaccinated too early, the pup's maternal antibodies destroy the vaccine; it doesn't work at all. If vaccinated too late, you could be leaving the pup exposed to diseases for weeks with absolutely no protection. This is the reason for the vaccination series that puppies get. Depending on when the pups were weaned, it's very likely that their first round of vaccinations don't work at all. Come time for the second round, some pups will have lost their maternal antibodies and they will benefit from the vaccine at that time; others who still have immunity from mom will not be affected, same as the first set of shots. By the time the last shots are due, it can be assumed that the vast majority of pups have been off mom's milk for at least a month, and the vaccines will work like they are supposed to for all puppies. Some vets even do a 4th round of shots for pups.

So... if your friend's pup had his first round of shots very recently, they probably worked and the dog is protected against those diseases. BUT if the first shots were given back when the pup was tiny, they might not have worked.

Just a little "Puppy Vax 101"

IMO, as long as the other pup hasn't been out and about in public places, being exposed to many other dogs or dog areas, he should be fine.

kathysboxer · #4 11-22-2008, 05:20 PM

Boy, CaneyCreek
You had my head swirling on that one

I knew they needed shots at different intervals, but didn't really realize why. Thanks for the FYI 101!

juztin · #5 11-22-2008, 07:17 PM

yer well his puppy had the shots at the normal time that the shots should be given but he has taken his pup to the park ?