Cross Breeds

Why do small and big dogs get the same amount of a vaccine?

It seems like small dogs should get less? There must be a reason the same amount is needed. Anyone know why?

Public Comments

1. It doesn't matter, their immune systems are the same size, puppies have no immunity regardless of their breed size.
2. I'm not in the habit of just copy+pasting answers, but summarizing this would proabably remove or confuse some of the info: "Q: Why do all dogs get the same vaccine dose, irrespective of size, or breed? A: When we give drugs such as antibiotics or wormers, the effect depends on achieving a certain concentration of the active ingredient in the body of the animal and, for this reason the larger the body mass, the greater the total amount needed to achieve a dose level of 'X' mg/kg. However, vaccination doesn't work like this, when we give a dose of vaccine what we are doing is giving a sufficient dose to stimulate the body's immune system to generate a protective immune response. The immune system in fact requires the same degree of stimulus irrespective of the body mass or breed, therefore we need to use exactly the same dose of vaccine for a Chihuahua as for a Great Dane!"
3. I can't tell you why, but I wonder too. That's why smaller dogs and young puppies tend to be at more risk of having an adverse reaction (and either being permanently damaged or killed) from shots, mostly lepto and rabies. Its stupid, really, with all of the new research showing how dangerous vax are, but hey, vets make a ton of their money that way, not to mention that that's the only reason some people bring their dogs in to the vet ever. I go for no vax, personally -shrugs-