Weimaraners as a breed are susceptible to vaccination reactions which range from very short-term mild inconveniences to serious lifetime impacts. In an effort to minimize vaccine reactions in Weimaraner puppies, the Weimaraner Club of America (WCA) has published a vaccine protocol which outlines a specific combination of vaccines administered over a specific length of time.
There are situations, however, where even the WCA’s protocol may be too aggressive, and a breeder may elect to adhere to Dr. Jean Dodds’ Vaccination Protocol. Reasons for this protocol may include known vaccination reactions in the immediate or near-generation relatives of a particular puppy, or nomograph testing by the breeder to calculate when maternal antibodies wear off on any particular litter.
Check with your breeder to understand which protocol is recommended for your Weimaraner puppy, and make sure your veterinarian is in agreement as well. It takes a village to properly care for the youngsters!
2016 Dodds Vaccination Protocol for Dogs
The following vaccine protocol is offered for those dogs where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one I recommend and should not be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.
9 – 10 weeks of age
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
e.g. Merck Nobivac (Intervet Progard) Puppy DPV
14 – 15 weeks of age
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
18 weeks of age
Parvovirus only, MLV
Note: New research states that last puppy parvovirus vaccine should be at 18 weeks old.
20 weeks or older, if allowable by law
Rabies – give 3-4 weeks apart from other vaccines
Mercury-free (thimerosol-free, TF)
1 year old
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
This is an optional booster or titer. If the client intends not to booster after this optional booster or intends to retest titers in another three years, this optional booster at puberty is wise.
1 year old
Rabies – give 3-4 weeks apart from other vaccines
3-year product if allowable by law; mercury-free (TF)
Perform vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus every three years thereafter, or more often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request. Visit The Rabies Challenge Fund for more information.
W. Jean Dodds, DVM
Hemopet / NutriScan
11561 Salinaz Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92843
Leave a Reply