We are always concerned when puppies exit for their new home. It is not because I am ill over their departure. I can actually rejoice, because we put a great deal of work into each pup’s place. We know the kind of folks that are taking this pup home. The concern surrounds the on-going decisions each family must face.

Once the pup arrives, they will soon be visiting their veterinary of choice. There are all kinds of approaches to veterinary practice. They vary in their way of doing things much like other medical doctors. In truth, most of them have studied longer, and more intently than those that serve us humans. We have a deep respect for them. This is true, even if we disagree with their approach.

The Weimaraner is sensitive; vaccine reactions are real. We highly doubt your veterinarian has ever seen the Weimaraner have a severe vaccine reaction. In reality, this breed would not make up 1% of their practice. That doesn’t mean they don’t care, it means the Weimaraner’s potential problems occur in only about 5% of the breed; the odds of them facing it are slim to none. Regardless, the severe vaccine reaction should be avoided at all cost.

Mild reactions are not something we like to see either; however, the severe reaction can be lethal ( or bring on chronic health issues). Who can guess what is affected when the immune system is over-challenged? Vaccine is meant to challenge the pup’s system to develop antibodies to fight off some of the more life-threatening viral infections. Parvo is the greatest risk, and has been for a number of years. There are others, but all pale in comparison.

We are well aware of the recommendation (and the reasoning behind the recommendation) to forego any puppy shot before the 8-week mark. Nevertheless, we have stuck with our six-week high-titer Parvo only vaccine. People who have followed the recommendations, have been getting excellent results. Our protocol, which is based on the Weimaraner Club of America’s breed-specific protocol, works. We have never lost a pup to Parvo. We want to keep it that way. To put things in perspective, over the years we have received notes from people who never vaccinated their pup. We do not recommend that; however, letting a puppy leave with no vaccination whatsoever, is something we cannot do.

OwyheeStar on the Basics

The basics are something you are going to have to ensure happen. Your veterinary doesn’t have the time to do this for you. They have a broad-based practice, and they do not see the point in this protocol. Reactions when presented with these options can vary, but the pressure to do something else can be immense. It is not unreasonable to follow this protocol. You are not compromising the pup’s health. In a nutshell what you need to remember is fairly simple (the details are listed below).

1. They need two puppy shots–our protocol calls for a 9-week, and a 12-week shot.
2. This puppy shot should not contain Lepto or Corona
3. Skip the 16-week puppy shot — ask the vet to get a titer test. The titer test will determine immunity levels. Only do the the sixteen-week puppy shot if the titer test shows a lack of immunity.
4. Do not combine shots–this includes when you get the pup’s rabies vaccination.
5. Do any other shot at a separate visit -processing one vaccine is enough for the young pup.
6. If you are concerned about the dangers of Lepto spray your yard with a 10% bleach solution using a garden sprayer —frequency would based upon how many Lepto-carrying critters who visit your yard. Once a week might be a good rule of thumb. Lepto is treatable, but of course, we want to avoid it. Wait to get the Lepto vaccine until the pup is a bit older. We recommend 20 weeks.

Note: You are the guardian of the pup’s health. Be holistic in your approach. It is not rude to ask the vet to do each shot separate. It will cost you a bit more doing it that way. It is easier on their immune system. We can all agree we want to avoid health issues, and we do not want something that is meant to protect our new family member to shorten his or her life.

From The Weimaraner Club of America

The use of Corona, Leptospirosis, Bordatella and Lyme vaccines are not recommended unless these diseases are prevalent in the area; and should never be administered along with the core vaccines listed above, but rather separately, and at a time when the pup’s immune system is mature. Rabies vaccinations should be given as required by law, but not coincident with other vaccinations. If possible, wait until the puppy is older than 16 weeks.

Vaccine recommendations are confusing. 

Please keep in mind that at least  5% of  Weimaraners reportedly exhibit a severe reaction to vaccine.  Over vaccination may compromise your pup’s health and well-being.

The Weimaraner Puppy should not receive

• Lepto  (or any shot containing Lepto)
• Avoid the 16 Week puppy shot

The Weimaraner Puppy needs  a…

• 9  week: Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza- Parvovirus
• 12 week: Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza- Parvovirus

Choose the antibody test at 16 weeks

• At 16 week  rather than risk a vaccine reaction, we advise getting a titer test.
• Should the titer test show low immunity to the Parvo , we recommend a  Parvo-only vaccination rather than a combination  shot.