Giving own vaccinations
Thanks Sue |
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| When I was running my parents farm I would give all of our pets rabbi shots annually, as per the direction sincluded with the box. That is all I ever gave them, and they did fine. Used to buy it at the Feed store.
I would just pinch their skin an inject it in their rumps or a big muscle. I wouldn't give them all of their vaccinations together. Distemper, Corona, and Lepisira (don't know how to spell that one) really should be given spaced apart if possible. Try not to buy the combo shots. It is easier on the immune system. We gave the vaccinations because the animals were all strays that stayed and we were operating on a tight budget in a place surrounded by skunks and racoons (not to mention more strays). I am not sure how much cheaper it was than the vet. Seems there was less than a $10 difference. May be easier to just let the vet handle it for one dog. Most of the shots need to be kept refrigerated. And it is nice to be able to ask questions. But space vet visits so the vet doesn't give them all at once. No matter what the vet says, I figure Abbi's bad reaction was compounded by a combo shot. |
| I used to vaccinate my animals myself, but haven't in a long time. The problem with doing it yourself if you are not a vet, or at least have some education and experience in animal sciences is that your pet misses out on yearly check ups. These are very important, to make sure any infections, injuries, or illnesses are caught as soon as possible. If your pet had a tumor for example, and you missed it, your pets chances of survival are greatly reduced with every day that it passes undetected.
It's not worth saving 50 or 60 dollars to risk shortening your pets life. I have a degree in animal sciences, raised cats for 15 years, worked at a vets office, and volunteered with an animal welfare society fostering sick and injured animals, so I had a great deal of experience, and wouldn't have considered it otherwise. Also, there is risk of the vaccine going bad during transport. |
| I know people who have vaccinated their own pets, but unless you totally trust your mail service or the meds come by Fed Ex, UPS overnite express or some such, beware. Serum must be refrigerated, it if gets warm in transit, it dies. A friend lost a dog to parvo and nearly lost another all traced back to "bad" serum.
As to how often, the protocols are changing. Research this thru the internet but stick with the vet med school bulletins, not dog breed related columns. Sceientific info is what you want, not testimonials or half truths. |
| Me again: read this for a starting point: http://www.doglogic.com/vaccineinfo.htm |
| Thanks for all the advice and warnings. I'll stick to my vet, it's not worth the risk as you say. Thanks SheepieBoss for that link, that looks very interesting, I'll check it out.
Sue |
| We have our house vet, but for vaccinations and quick checkups we rely on a friend that is on vet school. She vaccinates dogs on her spare time to get some money for college and has worked great for us, maybe that could be a choice for you too. |
| Does a dog have to have rabbi shots every year? I read somewhere it is not necessary every year........some advice please....... |
| Once a dog is 1 year old they can be given the a 3 year Rabies Shot..
Protecting the dog for 3 years. They must be given the initial 1 yr shot first |
charts.1 wrote: Does a dog have to have rabbi shots every year? I read somewhere it is not necessary every year........some advice please.......
I think this varies depending on where you live. There are studies that indicate vaccines (or over vaccinating) can cause problems - but there are studies to say just about anything - and another one to dispute it. Rabies in RI is every two years. |
| PA is 2 as well. |
| If anyone is interested in reading up on new vaccination protocols
www.hemopet.com Dr. Dodds site http://www.katberard.com/hol_vaccination.htm another very informative site http://www.avma.org/ The American Veterinary Medical Association VACCINATION NEWSFLASH I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats. Some of this information will present an ethical & economic challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics. Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs those concerned about potential side effects. Politics, traditions, or the doctor's economic well being should not be a factor in medical decision. NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY "Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces an immunity which is good for the life of the pet (ie: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not "boosted" nor are more memory cells induced. "Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. "There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines "Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk. This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks. Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1 year 4 mo) will provide lifetime immunity. CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOGS "Distemper & Parvo. According to Dr. Schultz, AVMA, 8-15-95, when a vaccinations series given at 2, 3 & 4 months and again at 1 year with a MLV, puppies and kitten program memory cells that survive for life, providing lifelong immunity. "Dr. Carmichael at Cornell and Dr. Schultz have studies showing immunity against challenge at 2-10 years for canine distemper & 4 years for parvovirus. Studies for longer duration are pending. "There are no new strains of parvovirus as one mfg. would like to suggest. Parvovirus vaccination provides cross immunity for all types. "Hepatitis (Adenovirus) is one of the agents known to be a cause of kennel cough. Only vaccines with CAV-2 should be used as CAV-1 vaccines carry the risk of "hepatitis blue-eye" reactions & kidney damage. "Bordetella Parainfluenza: Commonly called "Kennel cough", recommended only for those dogs boarded, groomed, taken to dog shows, or for any reason housed where exposed to a lot of dogs. The intranasal vaccine provides more complete and more rapid onset of immunity with less chance of reaction. Immunity requires 72 hours and does not protect from every cause of kennel cough. Immunity is of short duration (4 to 6 months). RABIES There have been no reported cases of rabid dogs or cats in Harris, Montogomery or Ft. Bend Counties [Texas], there have been rabid skunks and bats so the potential exists. It is a killed vaccine and must be given every year. Lyme disease is a tick born disease which can cause lameness, kidney failure and heart disease in dogs. Ticks can also transmit the disease to humans. The original Ft. Dodge killed bacteria has proven to be the most effective vaccine. Lyme disease prevention should emphasize early removal of ticks. Amitraz collars are more effective than Top Spot, as amitraz paralyzes the tick's mouth parts preventing transmission of disease. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VACCINATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED Multiple components in vaccines compete with each other for the immune system and result in lesser immunity for each individual disease as well as increasing the risk of a reaction. Canine Corona Virus is only a disease of puppies. It is rare, self limiting (dogs get well in 3 days without treatment). Cornell & Texas A& M have only diagnosed one case each in the last 7 years. Corona virus does not cause disease in adult dogs. "Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse reactions in dogs. Most of the clinical cases of lepto reported in dogs in the US are caused by serovaars (or types) grippotyphosa and bratsilvia. The vaccines contain different serovaars eanicola and ictohemorrhagica. Cross protection is not provided and protection is short lived. Lepto vaccine is immuno-supressive to puppies less than 16 weeks. |
| Our neighbors never take their dogs to a vet, but they are not veterians. I heard before that they gave their dogs shots. The problem is they do not follow the leash law. Is there proof that their dogs had their shots? |
| Individuals can give many of the vaccinations themselves but...
I don't believe they can give rabies vaccinations. Those I believe must be given by a licensed veterinarian who has to keep records. In our area, all dogs must be vaccinated and licensed. If you're in doubt that these dogs have been vaccinated, you might contact your own vet about it or call animal control. If this occurred in our area, the owners would be required to provide proof of vaccination and license. Some people are so ignorant about letting their dogs run loose... they ruin it for those that properly control and contain their own dogs. |
| In Minnesota a rabies shot must be administered by a vet to be considered legal. We can't buy a rabies vaccine to give to a dog. Even the catalogues won't ship to a MN address.
This does vary by state. Iowa is one that can give rabies vaccines, and I think WI is, or at least used to be. Our Rabies vaccines in MN are given once as a puppy, repeated in a year as the 1st booster, then every 3 years thereafter. I do give all the other vaccines myself. My dogs are all seen annually for an exam/heartworm check and of course when their rabies are due. |
| Yep, it varies by state on whether or not they acknowledge the three year shot. My cat was given the three year vaccine in Alaska, but every time we flew home and landed in Chattanooga, TN, I would have to get her a one year shot, even though we were actually staying in GA, which accepts the three year shot, since we landed in TN, we had to meet their vaccination requirements. In Louisiana, they only do the one year shot as well. |
| In OK, we used to be able to go to the feed store and buy rabies vaccine.
You could take the feed store receipts to the local animal control office and buy your tag. The only catch was if your animal bit someone, they wouldn't recognize the rabies vaccine as given. In TX, it's one year vaccinations, by a vet. At least in our county (lots of things are different from county to county down here).  |
6Girls wrote: Individuals can give many of the vaccinations themselves but...
I don't believe they can give rabies vaccinations. Those I believe must be given by a licensed veterinarian who has to keep records. In our area, all dogs must be vaccinated and licensed. If you're in doubt that these dogs have been vaccinated, you might contact your own vet about it or call animal control. If this occurred in our area, the owners would be required to provide proof of vaccination and license. Some people are so ignorant about letting their dogs run loose... they ruin it for those that properly control and contain their own dogs. I would call our Animal Control, but they are lazy. One day we had a skunk walk through our yard and it look like it had rabies. If our dog did not bark at it. We called the Animal Control and they said that we should shoot it. |
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