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Originally Posted by raratani  Just have question on my veterinary that I pay for my pup Giggy he's 8 month old.
I see veterinary that was recommended by my friend in Whiteplains, NY. Today was the third visit for my Giggy, but feel like every time I go there, theres something new that they tell us that Giggy needs to have.
Before getting Giggy he already had 3 booster Vaccine (8/24,9/21,10/19) 3 DeWorming (8/24, 9/21, 10/19) 2 Bordetella (8/17, 9/21). Since then we brought Giggy three times and it total cost me $622. Heres all details.
First Visit (October 26,2011)
Health Examination: $68
Fecal/Giardia Analysis: $68
later on the week found Giggy needed medication for dewarming $20
2nd Visit: (December 28, 2011)
Health Examination: $68
Annual DA2PP Vaccine: $38
Annual Lepto Vaccine: $33
Envirosafe Medical Waste Fee: $4
Bordetella Booster: $38
3rd visit was today: (March 2, 2012)
Annual Rabies Vaccine: $32
Lyme Booster: $45
Envirosafe Medical Waste Fee: $4
Annual Bordetella Vaccine: $38
Brief Examination: $67
Revolution Dog 5-10(purple) for 6 month: $99
On Vaccination certificate that I got today note that I need Lyme Booster again on Mar 30, 2012 when I just got it done today.
I asked them about neutering and they told me with all blood test etc it will cost me roughly around $700.
I feel like I'm being ripped off, every time I visit them something new comes up.
I already paid $622 to this place and yes I know some of these stuff is necessary but are these all necessary? and what I'm paying is reasonable?
I recently moved to Fairfield County as well so I was thinking about changing my veterinary. If anyone could recommend Veterinary around Fairfield will be great.
Thank you
I really appreciate everyones help!!!! |
This vet is surely over-vaccinating this pup. They are not only over-vaccinating this pup but they are vaccinating the pup incorrectly. I highly suggest you do some research too avoid this kind of thing in the future. It's not your fault this happened, we expect to go to a professional for advise we can trust but as you can see this is just not so. You really need to protect your pup from uneducated vets that are doing thing kind of thing. This is what I see from your post:
NEVER GIVE ANY OTHER SHOT WITH A RABIES SHOT. Wait at least three or four weeks between the rabies shot and other shots.
Do not give heartworm or flea meds, and do not worm, within two weeks of any vaccination. Shots don’t combine well with heartworm, worm, or flea and tick meds — or rabies shots.
They told you that it's ok for a pup to have multiple vaccines in one visit? That is incorrect. Small dogs are at a greater risk and greater care should be given as to avoid this from happening. Vaccines should be done one at a time and spaced at least 4 weeks apart. This is from the experts:
Small dog alert! Small dogs are more likely to experience adverse reactions, and shots containing multiple vaccines are more likely to cause adverse reactions according to renowned pet vaccine expert Dr. Jean Dodds.
Giving combo vaccines (multi-valiant, polyvalent) and/or several shots at once increases the risk of adverse reactions as well as the risk that the vaccines will interfere with each other, resulting in neutralization or negation. (American Animal Hospital Association)
If they are telling you the vaccines are done annually that too is outdated information. The recommendation now is no sooner three years for core vaccines (distemper, parvo). If a vet is doing annuals this is overvaccination.
We don't repeat vaccinations for parvo and distemper because we need vaccines more than once to form immunity. They are repeated for two basic reasons only: Habit, and to catch those few individuals who for some reason don't respond to the first vaccination. A single immunizing dose of a modified live virus vaccine - in other words, one vaccine that works - will form long term, probably lifetime, immunity to parvo and distemper. (Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XIII; 2000)
The AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force in 2003 note that MLV vaccines are likely to provide lifelong immunity, stating “when MLV vaccines are used to immunize a dog, memory cells develop and likely persist for the life of the animal” They recommend boosters every three years, but Dr. Schultz, Dr. Dodds, and Dr. Pitcairn all say this is too often. Dr. Dodds compares immunity to," Once you’re pregnant, being more pregnant isn't useful." If the dog is immune to the disease, he's also immune to the virus in the "booster" vaccine.
Lyme and lepto are not even recommended by the experts. They are linked to too many adverse reactions and the protection they provide is poor.
"Research at Cornell University veterinary school brings up some suspicion that there may be potential long term side effects of the vaccine, though nothing is certain. These side effects may vary from rheumatoid arthritis and all the major symptoms of lyme disease to acute kidney failure." ...... "Many veterinary schools and major veterinary centers do not recommend the vaccine for the same concern regarding potential side effects. "
This is Dr. Dodds vaccine schedule it might be very helpful for you to print it out and keep it with you, you'll see she has "core" and "non-core" vaccines listed.
Vaccination Schedule Recommendations For Dogs
These are two very helpful easy to understand links to read about vaccines:
The Rabies Vaccine for Dogs: Side Effects and Precautions You Can Take Truth4Dogs
Good luck in finding a more knowledgeable vet for your pup.....