When pups come to you, they will have had a C3 vaccination at between 6 and 7 weeks of age. The manufacturer (Boehringer) recommends an early completion regime, with the first three vaccinations done at 3 weekly intervals. You can read about it in more detail here. Some vets still like to use the old protocol which is 4 weekly vaccinations, however we prefer to see pups out and about that month earlier, which can be achieved with the early vaccination protocol.

Please note that some vets do not stock early completion vaccines (they are more expensive than some others), and may not be familiar with the product or regime. If you direct them to the above Boeringher link, it compares the efficacy of various protocols. Depending on where vets source their vaccines from, some may not stock the Protech type, and you may need to find another vet or have them bring it in for you. There are two other brands of early completion vaccines - Duramune and Nobivac.

Following are the manufacturers’ recommendations for pups, for Protech early completion vaccine.

Protech

Live vaccine for immunisation of healthy dogs 6 weeks of age or older to protect against disease caused by canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 1, canine adenovirus type 2 and canine parvovirus. This vaccine provides cross protection against CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c. This vaccine prevents viral shedding caused by canine parvovirus infection. Early protection of puppies with final vaccination from 10 weeks.

In any population of dogs a very small proportion may fail to adequately respond to vaccination due to concurrent illness, stress, immunosuppression, genetic factors or the presence of maternal antibodies. The epidemiology of each disease, the likely persistence of maternal antibodies and the dog's history and environment should be considered when deciding on a suitable vaccination program for a particular animal.

Primary vaccination program: Puppies less than 10 weeks of age. Vaccination of puppies at 6, 8 and 10 weeks is highly recommended to maximise protection. When puppies present for their first vaccination at 8 weeks of age, a second vaccination at 10 weeks is recommended. Vaccination according to these programs provides 12 months' protection against diseases caused by canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus types 1 and 2 and canine parvovirus. However, to ensure optimal cover it is highly recommended that a vaccination program be instituted at an earlier age as described above.

Annual revaccination. It is recommended that dogs be revaccinated annually with Protech C3 to ensure continuity of protection. For protection against canine parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica, annual revaccination with Protech Bronchi-Shield III or Protech Bronchi-Shield Oral and Protech Pi2 is recommended. Annual revaccination against canine coronavirus and Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni is recommended using Protech C2i Vaccine. Protech C2i may be used as a diluent for Protech C3. Two doses two to four weeks apart will protect against Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni and canine coronavirus.