Rescue's and vaccination

Re: Rescue's and vaccination

Bob Russell — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:47:59 GMT

[quote user="David Mills"]

It's actually fairly common to vaccinate rescue puppies against parvo with one injection from 5-6 weeks, and start a primary course at 8 weeks.

Vaccinations are like anything other POM-V - they are dispensed by vets but can be given by anyone, which is probably what happened in this case. Sounds like you need more information before condemning the rescue centre which seem to be acting with the best of intentions.

[/quote]

This puppy was vaccinated with a full vaccine at six weeks (actually slightly less) bringing the second vaccination when it was 9 weeks. I am keen that high risk puppies get a temporary parvo at six weeks and would willingly dispense this if necessary as long as the rescue was well known to me and trusted to be sensible. Vaccination certificates are fairly irrelevant for temporary protection other than as information for the new owner and vet. It is better that they get this protection than lack it because of cost.

I need to have confidence that by giving a second vaccination my patient is going to have the best chance of protection. This one has got me scratching my head! Hopefully this puppy will be presented again for a 'top-up'.

Re: Rescue's and vaccination

Bob Russell — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:40:35 GMT

This rescue imports a lot of dogs from Ireland and my concern is that they may be importing the vaccines as well! My greatest concern is that the rescue has access to legitimate veterinary vaccination cards. We see plenty of puppies with sheets of paper with vaccination information scrawled on but it is clear these are not carried out by vets so I recommend restarting.

there are still 'white vans' going to breeders selling 'cheap vaccines'!

My main issues in this case are:

1) is the puppy properly vaccinated with a vaccine of known history especially cold chain control?

2) was it done by a vet or under a vets 'supervision' and this was just a mistake?

3) if it was not done by a vet how on earth did they get proper vaccination cards?

In the 'old days' it used to be fairly clear cut. At the risk of re-igniting an old thread if a vet gives a vaccination surely it should be clear that it is a vet doing it even if it is just by having details on the back of the vaccination card?

Re: Rescue's and vaccination

David Mills — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 23:54:05 GMT

It's actually fairly common to vaccinate rescue puppies against parvo with one injection from 5-6 weeks, and start a primary course at 8 weeks.

Re: Rescue's and vaccination

Claire Fisher — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 22:55:40 GMT

[quote user="newgradvet"]

Do not all rescue centres get vets to check and examine and treat any problems before rehoming animals? Is it just the big ones like RSPCA, Blue Cross, Dogs trust etc.? Sorry if this seems a silly presumption but the only rescue centre I have much involvement with is a local Blue Cross centre and all animals are examined at least once before rehoming , and if any problems are idnetified then numerous times before rehoming.

[/quote]

At our local RSPCA rehoming centre vaccinations are given by non veterinary staff - I think they have a vet visit once a week. The cards are stamped, not signed.

Re: Rescue's and vaccination

Alan Tevendale — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:10:38 GMT

[quote user="newgradvet"]

Do not all rescue centres get vets to check and examine and treat any problems before rehoming animals?

[/quote]

No. I definately think they should have regular checks but there are many out there that have minimal veterinary input.

Re: Rescue's and vaccination

Claire McConnell — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 13:00:39 GMT

[quote user="Gareth Dowdeswell"]I have seen vacc cards from rescue centres with disclaimers saying that the animal's health is not guranteed just because it's had vaccinations.[/quote]

Re: Rescue's and vaccination

Gareth Dowdeswell — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:02:57 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

I had a nine week old puppy presented for second vaccination last night. The first vaccination signature was illegible and was done when the puppy was six weeks old.

The card had a date (yesterdays) by which the second vaccination had to be done. My understanding is that no UK vaccine is licensed for an earlier than 10 week finish. I suspect the vaccinations were not done by a vet but far more worrying the vaccination card was a legitimate Pfizer card with the rescue details on the back. Not a mention of a vet anywhere.

[/quote]

Could be an innocent mistake - might genuinely have miscounted the number of weeks. I usually avoid that calculation by writing 2-4 weeks rather than actual dates.

I have seen vacc cards from rescue centres with disclaimers saying that the animal's health is not guranteed just because it's had vaccinations. I imagine they're just covering themselves against animals being returned for health problems but could be interpreted to say that the animals had not being examined by a vet prior to vaccs.

Re: Rescue's and vaccination

Bob Russell — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:28:37 GMT

This address is described as a veterinary practice on vetclick but not listed under RCVS 'Find a Vet' so I will hold fire until I hear back from the RCVS as to whether this is a vet practice or not!

I am also waiting to hear back from Pfizer, again in case it is legitimate! If it is the vet involved needs a bit of retraining I fear!

Re: Rescue's and vaccination

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:12:56 GMT

Revaccinate from scratch and point out to Pfizer that vaccines are POM and therefore illegal to supply directly to owners Complain to VMD as well

Wynne