Before I adopted JuneBug in the middle of June (how he got his name), I lost my chihuahua on May 29th of this year (pictures in albums on my profile). I rescued her from the SPCA and they estimated her age then in 05' between 10-12. She would have been euthanized if I did not take her. I extended her life way longer than anticipated. When I got her, I gave her a 3yr rabies and the only 2 times we went to the vets the next 11-12 years was for an emergency when she lost a nail and was bleeding badly and when she got ill and had diarrhea and would not eat for a couple days. Because she was so old, she was an indoor dog using puppy pads. She was never on heartworm and never got any additional shots. She lived to be 21-22 yrs old. Nuff said!
Now that I have JuneBug, it's a totally different situation. We are social, go out for walks, etc. and he is young. We also live in the #3 state for tick borne illnesses (Lyme & Rocky Mountain) as well as West Nile Virus. When I got him he already had his DHPP, bortadella and tested negative for a 4DX test and is on heartworm. My plan is for yearly wellness exams that include the 4DX test to continue his heartworm. DHPP every 3-4 years as recommended by the AVMA, rabies every 3 years by law and bortadella ONLY if we need to board him. I do not vaccinate for lyme disease even though it runs ramped here. I use Vectra 3D as a precaution and only use half the vial because it is for dogs up to 20 lbs.
__________________  CARRIBEAN QUEEN OF EDGEWOOD
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