Where Can I Get My Dog Vaccinated

Where Can I Get My Dog Vaccinated – The COVID-19 pandemic affected the veterinary profession in ways none of us expected. In addition to forcing pet owners to comply with the inconvenience of roadside medication, on-site shelter operations exploded with pent-up demand for new puppies. Don’t get me wrong – having a clinic schedule full of cute baby dogs definitely increased the job satisfaction of my colleagues. We stocked the fridge with vaccines in response to the puppy boom, hoping to meet demand as the rest of our inventory slipped into a perpetual back order.

Veterinary medicine has remained largely immune to the vaccine skepticism that has arisen during the pandemic. But the first puppy vet visits definitely now include a more thorough explanation of what is needed and why.

Table of Contents

Perhaps the best way to break down vaccines is to divide them into two main categories: optional and mandatory. In an optional group, consider your dog’s risk of infection and your comfort with potential side effects. The last category includes vaccines that you should not negotiate about. The vaccine series prevents diseases that pose significant health risks to your dog or humans. Since I cannot understate their importance, let’s dive into the details of this group first.

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Mandatory vaccines One of the most frustrating parts of my job is animals succumbing to preventable diseases. A few cases still stick with me, not only because of the pain the patients went through before they fell to their death, but also because the suffering could have been easily prevented. That’s how you help me and other vets avoid an unnecessary medical disaster.

The most common vaccine you will find in dogs is the DA2PP vaccine, which is an important, life-saving immunization. The acronym represents the multiple viral diseases targeted in each vial. Most dog owners have some recognition of this name

(parvovirus or “parvo”). Both are nasty diseases that are often fatal, highly contagious and – in the case of parvo – all over the environment. Germaphobes among you may be horrified to learn that even as you read this article, you are basically riddled with parvovirus.

Puppies should receive three vaccinations at 3-4 week intervals, at six weeks and four months of age. Booster vaccine after one year, then annually or every three years after that depending on your veterinarian’s recommendation. Vaccine reactions to the DA2PP vaccine are rare, and it is surprisingly effective in preventing disease if given according to the recommended schedule. Although breakthrough infections do occur, very few veterinarians can demonstrate a case of parvovirus in a fully vaccinated dog.

Puppy Vaccinations Guide

If financial constraints prevent you from having a vet administer the vaccine, by all means channel your inner do-it-yourselfer and head to your local farm and feed store and pick one up. I’m all for a well-executed series of at-home needs if it means never having to take care of another parvo puppy.

The rabies virus vaccine is another non-commercial immunization that not only protects your dog from the deadly disease, but also serves as a public health measure to prevent transmission to humans. Yes, there are indeed places on the planet where dogs spread rabies to humans, despite what a few vocal vaccine critics said in my clinic.

In addition to being legally required to vaccinate your dog against rabies for humanity, consider it insurance against heartache and legal headaches if your dog bites someone. Of course, it is unlikely, but the protocol for biting a dog without a current rabies vaccine could involve long periods of isolation or, in the worst case, euthanasia. This is the only vaccination that requires a veterinarian to administer the vaccine, but fortunately most clinics consider rabies vaccination to be an affordable option to encourage compliance.

Optional vaccines The list is long and varied depending on where you live and what activities you like to do with your dog. With these vaccines, I offer my best recommendations to my clients, but I respect their decisions to delay, postpone or outright reject them.

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High on my list is the lepto vaccine, which does a reasonably good job of protecting against the waterborne bacteria (

Sp.), which can cause destruction in the liver and kidneys of affected animals. Although the extent of vaccination coverage is debatable, I think almost every outdoor dog should add this vaccine to their portfolio.

The vaccine in particular gets the most resistance from owners. It is especially evident among those who have purchased puppies from breeders who continue to breathe life into outdated stories about adverse reactions to the lepto vaccine. I have undoubtedly seen patients with local vaccine reactions to the injection, just as I have with any other immunization. I have also seen several unvaccinated dogs die from leptospirosis and I would be willing to endure a day or two of discomfort to avoid that.

Other optional vaccines include those that protect against a dog’s upper respiratory tract infection, colloquially known as kennel distemper. Although immunization is a standard issue in shelters, its effectiveness is questionable because the disease can be caused by a number of pathogens outside of vaccine coverage.

Puppy & Kitten Vaccinations, Desexing And Microchipping

I am not concerned about unprotected but otherwise healthy dogs at home becoming seriously ill. Even if they do get kennel cough, in most cases their symptoms seem a little worse than the flu. My own dogs were vaccinated and they still got kennel cough when they were on board. Except for a hoarse bark, he didn’t let up for a moment either. Although you may feel inclined to skip this, remember that some kennels, trainers or boarding facilities require you to comply with this vaccine in order to use their services.

Lyme and canine flu vaccines are lower on my recommended list. However, their suitability for your dog and geographic area may require an honest discussion with your veterinarian. I focus primarily on tick prevention rather than immunizing dogs in Lyme endemic areas, as vaccine effectiveness is a topic of debate among many of my colleagues. Several outbreaks of dog flu occur each year, and although not common, they deserve an honest risk assessment if your trip includes these areas.

Staying civil Instead of causing frustration for both parties, there is an opportunity to engage in a civil discussion about vaccinations. Aside from the mandatory vaccinations above, there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula for every dog and lifestyle.

Today’s dog owners are more concerned about their pet’s health, including what they put in their food bowl or inject into their body. The evolution of the human-animal bond should serve as a celebration between dog owners and veterinarians rather than a declaration of war.

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Despite your attempts to drive a wedge between you and your vet, the growing amount of misinformation and fear online has caused more confusion than anything else. As a dog owner and avid hunter myself, I can relate to most of my clients who are simply seeking veterinary advice to navigate the muddy waters.

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Vaccination For Dogs And Puppies

In my experience, foot and pad problems are common in all hunting breeds, and if you’ve found this article looking for advice, know that you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. Are you interested in the steps you can take to protect your pet and promote a healthy life? Read on!

Thank you for considering vaccinating or updating your dog’s vaccinations! Below you will find all the information you need to know about properly protecting your puppy from diseases and viruses it may be susceptible to!

Each appointment consists of a home visit fee (the price varies regionally) and a consultation and medical examination fee. For multiple puppy visits or initial vaccination series, the consultation fee is reduced for the following visits! The vaccination cost is the same every time. We also offer a free interceptor dewormer with vaccination. We have added information about microchips, which we can also do in your own home to ensure your pet’s safety!