Weimaraner HEALTH

 A small percentage of Weimaraner puppies exhibit a syndrome following vaccination or other forms of stress. This syndrome can include one or more of the following symptoms; Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (swollen and painful joints), Elevated WBC, Elevated temperature, Diarrhea, Lethargy or depression, Lymph node enlargement, Pain to touch.

One of the theories to explain this syndrome is that the mechanism that shuts off the antigen/antibody response fails to work properly. Most of the problems seen have been in puppies between 12-14 weeks of age. This is the age at which the maternal antibodies are declining & the immune system is vulnerable to vaccines. The distemper vaccine has been implicated in this problem. Distemper virus has been isolated from the joint fluid of puppies with the problem.

Dr. John Angles, Univ of Dublin Veterinary School, Dublin, Ireland and Dr. Niels Pedersen, UC Davis Veterinary School, Davis, CA, are currently involved in research on this problem funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation & the Weimaraner Club of America. The ultimate goal is to develop DNA markers for this problem.

The recommended treatment consists of administering intravenous steroids (dexamethasone) at a loading dose of 0.1-0.5mg/kg followed by oral prednisone or prednisolone at a dose of 2mg/kg divided into twice a day dose for one week and then tapered over the next 3-5 weeks to 0.5mg/kg every other day. What this treatment does is to reduce the immediate inflammatory response and suppress the over reacting immune system.

If the problem occurs, the recommended treatment should be initiated immediately. This usually results in a rapid recovery. Dr. Angles has found that the puppies who are not treated immediately take longer to respond and a small percentage of these puppies do not recover.

Although many puppies can be vaccinated with the combination MLV vaccines, there is no way at the present time to determine which pups are going to adversely react. Therefore, it is recommended that the High Titer Parvo vaccine, which protects with 2 vaccinations, be used. Since Parvo is still an active disease in young dogs it is important to vaccinate against this disease. 

The use of Lyme disease, Bordetella & Corona vaccines are not recommended unless endemic infection of these disease are present in your area. These should never be given in combination with other vaccines.

Dr Angles is currently at Dublin University but is still actively pursuing research on this problem. He can be reached via email: John.Angles@ucd.ie

fax: 353-1-667-5401

phone: 353-1-668-7988

Health & Vaccination Information

I guarantee the health on all my puppies.. If the vaccination schedule outlined below is not followed, I can not guarantee the puppy if the puppy should have a reaction to a combination vaccine or vaccines other than those listed below. Should the puppy have a reaction to any vaccine, please contact me immediately (within 24 hours). You will be given the option of returning the puppy for a refund or you may chose to treat the puppy at your own expense.

Nemex for Roundworms (given at 2, 4, & 6 wks of age)

Vaccination Protocol

Once a month heartworm prevention, Intercepter, should given monthly throughout the year.  Intercepter not only prevents heartworms, it also is effective in preventing and eliminating roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Your puppy does not need to be tested for heartworm but needs to be on heartworm prevention starting at 8 weeks old. 

DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT.... use a heartworm prevention which also has a flea product in it until your puppy is over 18 months old.

For flea protection, I recommend and use Frontline -- it is only available from your vet and should not be started until after the rabies shot at 20 weeks.