If puppies are orphaned and don’t get any natural protection from their mother’s first milk, can they be vaccinated at birth?
Posted by Dog Supplies Advice in Dog Supplies Q&A, Dog Supplies Tips, tags: Dog, Dog Advice, dog care, Dog Health, Dog Infectious Diseases, dog Q&A, dog supplies, dog supplies advice, Dog Vaccination, Infectious Diseases, Pet Supplies, VaccinationIf puppies are orphaned and don’t get any natural protection from their mother’s first milk, can they be vaccinated at birth?
If the puppies haven’t received any substantial amount of maternal antibodies, because they never suckled after birth (for example in cases where the mother dies giving birth), then it would seem logical to vaccinate them as soon as possible. However, the value of vaccination depends upon the ability of the puppy’s immune mechanisms to be able to respond to the vaccine, and in the first two weeks of life the production of antibodies following the administration of a vaccine is usually poor. This is because the body temperature of puppies during that period is often less than the 100.5-102.5 OF (38-39°C) required to ensure the development of effective immunity. Indeed, giving a live vaccine during that time might even be harmful. Since there are hyperimmune sera available to give instant protection against distemper, ICH and leptospirosis, it is preferable at that age to give a dose of serum followed four weeks later by vaccination. Where vaccination is given at such an early age it is best to repeat it three or four weeks later.
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