Can anyone explain to me WHY our puppy needs another DHPP shot?
Question by rachel: Can anyone explain to me WHY our puppy needs another DHPP shot?
She went in to the vet today for her 3rd set of shots. She’s almost 4 months old.
She got her DHPP (parvo) shot, along with others. She’s been very on schedule with her vaccinations and I was under the impression that this was her last set and she would be able to go to parks now.
BUT, the vet said she needs another DHPP shot in 3 weeks because it’s “not about how many sets they have, it’s about how old they are when they get the shots.”
That makes NO sense to me. She’s about 4 months. She’s had her 3 sets. Why does she need more?
With our other dogs, it was just the 3 sets and they were done. I don’t understand what’s different.
Can anyone explain this to me?
I’m just tired of waiting, I want to take her for walks and to the park.. And, personally, I think it would be okay now… right? Opinions?
This is so confusing to me LOL
Thanks for any answers 
Best answer:
Answer by Chin T
They aren’t assured resistance to disease until after 16 weeks because the mother’s milk has some resistance in it which interferes with shots giving them resistance.
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Listen to your vet,
He’s the one with a degree and YEARS of experience, and opposing him is a useless thing that will accomplish nothing except for your dog’s health and his frustration.
Chin T explained it best; I’m not going to pretend I knew a really logical answer. I’m just interjecting something.
i have never heard anything like that.
If i were you, i would call another vet and check back.
if he says 3 shots are fine, your current vet just needs more money.
i’m just trying to remember and i think my dog had 4 shots, 1 before i got her and 3 after. but if your vet says she needs another one that’s the opinion i would go with. personally though i took my dog out before she had all her shots. my vet said that although she could still get it that she wouldn’t get it too severe so i personally thought that was a risk worth taking. i didn’t take her to dog parks but i walked her on the street and took her to friends houses to play with their dogs. both of us were going nuts by the time she had had her 2nd last vaccination so i thought it was a chance worth taking and i could afford to get medical care if she did have parvo.
so i suggest you either call another vet and see what they say or just go with what your vet has said. good luck
Puppies who do not receive the proper vaccinations are highly susceptible to these viruses. This DHPP shot needs to be first given at 6-8 weeks of age (this is usually the time when the puppy weans off of its mother) and should be given every three weeks until the puppy is 16 weeks old. This time frame has been regarded as the critical window for your puppy to develop its own active immunity. Up until that point, puppies receive passive immunity from the mother’s milk. Ideally, your puppy should receive four DHPP booster shots between the ages of 6-16 weeks to help build its antibody levels for the resistance of these viruses. Following its final DHPP shot at 16 weeks, your puppy should receive its first adult DHPP vaccination one year later. Finally, after this first adult shot, we recommend vaccinating your dog every three years for DHPP.
Also the reason you maybe use to 3 sets of shots is because the person who bred the pups should’ve gotten them thier first set of shots.
All my puppies only get 3 sets of shots.
Generally the vaccination schedule is 8 weeks – 12 weeks – 16 weeks
If however a breeder had the first vaccinations given at 6 weeks the schedule would be as follows:
6 weeks – 10 weeks- 14 weeks – 18 weeks
The reason why a fourth vaccination is given in this situation is that at 6 weeks of age the vaccination would have had no effect whats-so-ever due to the immunities received from the Dam through her colostrum would block the vaccinations from doing any good.
If the first and second vaccinations were given at 8 & 12 weeks of age you could take your pup put for a walk.
If however the first and second were done at 6 & 10 weeks of age you should wait until the third set is given at 14 weeks of age for the pup to be protected.
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In any case, you should refrain from taking the pup anywhere other dogs are or have been until completely vaccinated to ensure she doesn’t pick up any illnesses.
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In both cases make sure the last vaccination as well as rabies vaccination is given.
Your vet knows best and you should rely on his/her expertise as they are only looking out for the welfare of your puppy
The long and short of it because of maternal antibodies puppies should be vaccinated every 3-4 weeks until post 16 weeks of age. There’s no way to positively tell when the vaccine protection kicks in and the maternal antibodies subside until around 4/5 months of age. To be fully protected follow your vets vaccine protocol.