Unvaccinated dogs danger to puppies

[bimbo123456]

I have two older dogs which I have not had vaccinated this year. My friend has just bought a puppy. I am concerned that I could pass something on to her puppy. Obviously, I will keep the dogs away but can I pass something on myself? Thanks

[woofgang]

Well best advice i think, whether your dogs have been vaccinated or not, would be to visit the house in clean clothes and wash your hands before you touch pup until he's had his vaccs. I don't think that un vaccinated healthy dogs (ie those who aren't incubating or sick with a disease) are any more or less likely to pass infections on to pups, its more the external stuff, what is on the coat nose and paws, picked up walking where other dogs have been and, by extension, planted on you, especially your shoes. The big exception is, of course, kennel cough and if you think you or your dogs may have been in contact with it then don't visit the littlun

[Andyvon]

I'm laying myself open to a basting here Bimbo.

I owned several dogs over the years - and I never vaccinated any of them! I know that will cause many to throw their hands in the air and say I was irresponsible. However, I always gave my dogs healthy diets and we always walked several miles a day. When I lived in Grimsby I used to walk ten miles a day and that didn't include the frequent walks along the beach.
I never had a dog fall ill and I only visited a vet once. That was when Oscar ripped a dew claw. The vet just whipped the broken claw out with some pliers. The dog yelped, then was fine - and the vet charged me about £30! The next time it happened I just did the same myself. I never needed to go to a vet for anything else as I never had a sick dog.

I know there's the argument that vaccinating stops the spread of disease. That's quite true and I wouldn't deny it but the only answer I can give is to say that I agree with Woofgang and my dogs were always healthy. There's also the fact I didn't go to the vet as I don't go anywhere near doctors myself. My last GP died years ago and I don't think I have a GP now. I'd have to go to A&E if I needed anything. I treat my pets the same way as myself with a healthy lifestyle and a good diet.
There's also the fact that many people in Grimsby live in real poverty compared to the South. I knew many people who could hardly feed themselves or their children, let alone pay vet's bills. If vets bills were more reasonable then more people would take their pets, but vets seem to think they can charge whatever they like and then emotionally blackmail anyone who doesn't pay as being cruel and irresponsible. There was a Blue Cross in Grimsby but many people I knew did the same as me (or me as them in fact) by only visiting if the pet gets sick. I never knew any dogs that were.