puppy and dog shots

by julie
(montana)

my dog got her first puppy shots but hasn't had any other shots. she is now 2 years old and just had her first batch of puppies. the puppies are all healthy, but she isn't. what shots should i get for her and what should i do to make her healthy again? she is a shit-zhu



Hi Julie
You really need to talk to your veterinarian about this as different vets sometimes have a different approach or opinion on this.

Your dog is at risk of illness or disease since she isn't fully vaccinated

Your pups are also at risk as their mom hasn't got the necessary immunities to pass onto them. Young puppies are especially vulnerable to ,a href="http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com/canine-parvovirus.html">Parvo which has a high rate of fatality. As soon as these pups are 7 weeks old, get them their shots.

As for your older dog, she will need at least one set (most likely two) of the combination vaccinations, and by law she also needs an annual Rabies shot. I'd recommend getting these done asap.

I'm not certain what you mean by 'she's not healthy', but raising a litter can definitely 'take it out of' a momma dog. She may seem skinny, or tired, not surprising really.

Good nutrition and a chance to rest and get a break from her pups now and then is important. You may also want to have your vet give her a check up to make sure that there's no health issues that need to be treated.

Best of luck with your dog and this litter.