2 Beagles die of 'parvovirus' 7 days after going to the pet shop

"Is your vaccine not effective?" a top breeder asked. "My 2 Beagles had 2 vaccinations and they die in the pet shop due to 'parvovirus'. If it is 2-3 days after sale, I will bear responsibility but they die after 7 days."

Before I could answer, the breeder replied, "The Shih Tzu in the same pet shop did not die."

"When did you sell the Beagles after the 2nd vaccination?" I asked.
"One week, but I sold the Shih Tzu later than the Beagles."

"It is hard to say what the Beagles die of as we do not have the clear picture. Gastroenteritis is not caused by parvoviral infection alone.

"Don't sell till 2 weeks after the 2nd vaccination." But he had no complaints for some months when he adopted this procedure. Much earlier, he sold after the first vaccination and had more complaints of deaths due to parvovirus. So, he adopted the 2 vaccinations before sale.

Yet there are puppies that have got 2 vaccinations and still die from parvoviral infections. I have had attend to parvoviral cases from puppies given 2 vaccinatons by another veterinarian and sale to the pet shop. Not many.

Could there be a super parvovirus or the puppies affected not able to produce the antibodies to protect themselves? Nobody knows.

FAQ on Vaccination of dogs

How Vaccines Work. T J Dunn Jr., DVM, Dog World July 2005.

1. Same dose for big and for small breeds. Why?

The 1 ml usually used is the minimum amount of viral or bacterial antigen that is needed to stimulate the dog's immune system to produce antibodies in the highest percentage of dogs. If more than the minimum amount is given, there is no "overdose" effect as would occur with a drug. Therefore Great Danes and Chihuahuas get the same 1 ml dose.

2. Half dose for small breeds?
Not sufficient amount of antigen to stimulate the dog's immune system to produce sufficient antibodies. If the stimulus does not take place, the dog is not protected.

3. Adverse reaction to any vaccine.

4. Over-vaccinating dogs.

5. Vaccine-induced illness.

6. Questions on safety, efficacy and frequency of administration.

7. What's inside the solution that is in the vaccine?
Mainly the antigen, a harmless bacteria or virus. Other ingredients are preservatives and buffers or immune stimulators.

8. Safety and effectivenss. Vaccine production are regulated by the Uited States Department of Agriculture's Center for Veterinary Biologics. Vaccines are pure, safe, potent and effective. Major companies are Fort Dodge Animal Health, Merial, Pfizer Animial Health, Intervet Inc., Schering-Plough Animal Health.

9. Future developments.
9.1 Transdermal Vaccines given bycompressed air, not a needle, through the skin. These are available for cats.
9.2 Using DNA sequences that code for specific proteins on the virus or bacteria.

SINGAPORE FAQ ON VACCINES
1. Must receive 3 vaccinations for puppies before going outside or mix with other dogs?

2. Can bathe after vaccination? No. Wait 7 days.

3. Can go out after 3rd vaccination. Wait 14 days.

4. Any adverse effects of vaccination? 99% none. Sometimes not eating, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea for 1-2 days. Occasional deaths. Don't vaccinate too young for very small breeds. 8-10 weeks old best for mini-Maltese.

5. Must vaccinate every year?

6. Go to puppy kindergarten classes before 3rd vaccination?