First vet visit today….have some vaccination questions

[Sukey]

Today was Lilah's first vet appt and she did great! She was calm and let them hold her and didn't even flinch when getting her nails trimmed. The vet and the vet tech couldn't believe how relaxed she was (of course she made up for that as soon as she got home and let her crazy puppy side show haha)

I'm trying to come up with a vaccination list and schedule as well as some other meds based on the breeder's recommendations and the vet's (they differ quite a bit). I'll start with saying I'm in the "let's not over vaccinate" group. Anyway, Lilah is due for her 3rd DAPP shot on Saturday (she'll be 15 weeks, 2 days) and the vet wants to give her the nasal bordatella vaccine then as well, but I'm not sure I want to do that. She said that she'd need the bordatella vax if I plan on ever getting her groomed or going to a dog park. (neither are going to happen in the next few months).

The vet also said to do her rabies vax 7-10 days after the DAPP (she'd be 16.5 weeks old) and the breeder says she would try and wait until she is AT LEAST 8 months. My question here is PA state law says I have 4 weeks from the time she turns 12 weeks old to do the rabies vax……so, if I do wait until she is older, am I going to have any problems?

Lastly the vet wants me to put Revolution on Lilah tonight because it's been oddly warm here the last few days and she said there may be ticks (although Lilah is potty pad trained and hasn't even gone outside yet)…..breeder says no way to the Revolution. So I'm on here doing research and asking questions….would love some input. Thanks!

[MyFairLacy]

I wait until my puppies are at least 6 months before I do rabies. Actually I just vaccinated my almost 10 month old today against rabies. Waited longer because she is small. Dogs that I have bought from other breeders have been vaccinated earlier however, and so far fortunately no problems. I vaccinate my own puppies at 8, 12, and 16 weeks for DHPP and rabies after 6 months. Have so far never had a problem doing rabies later. If your dog doesn't bite anyone and your groomer doesn't require it so early, you'll probably be fine. I've never had anyone ask to see my dogs rabies certificate, and I travel with and show my dogs often.

I would personally wait on the revolution. Too much with the vaccines in one day. Wait at least a week, although if your puppy doesn't even go outside then you might want to wait until you actually need it.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I wait until my puppies are at least 6 months before I do rabies. Actually I just vaccinated my almost 10 month old today against rabies. Waited longer because she is small. Dogs that I have bought from other breeders have been vaccinated earlier however, and so far fortunately no problems. I vaccinate my own puppies at 8, 12, and 16 weeks for DHPP and rabies after 6 months. Have so far never had a problem doing rabies later. If your dog doesn't bite anyone and your groomer doesn't require it so early, you'll probably be fine. I've never had anyone ask to see my dogs rabies certificate, and I travel with and show my dogs often.

I would personally wait on the revolution. Too much with the vaccines in one day. Wait at least a week, although if your puppy doesn't even go outside then you might want to wait until you actually need it.

You do your own rabies?

May I ask how you manage to do that when the laws say they have to be administered by a vet??

[107barney]

You should vaccinate your dog for rabies according to state law not according to what your breeder says. As for bordatella, I don't bother with it and my dogs go to the groomer, dog class, and go out in the world. I don't like revolution. It doesn't do anything to protect against the Lyme tick, and I don't trust it for heartworm prevention. I've used frontline plus and heartgard for years without a problem.

[Lovetodream88]

I do Bordatella because I take my dog many places and she also goes to the groomers. I agree with Cathy I would follow your law for rabies because if your puppy nips someone or even nips another dog they can take them and put them into quarantine to watch for a month or longer to see if they have rabies. I do not trust revolution for heart worms so I do Heartguard and Advantix.

[Sukey]

thanks ladies

I'm going to research the different heart worm meds and then ask the vet about them. We've been dog free for a while and I can't remember what we used to use

[Lilah Charm]

Hi sukey you are the other lilah mama! I had the vet spread out my girls vaccines as well so that there wasn't as much for her to have to take on all at once, the vet was very understanding and did not argue with my preference. We did do the bordatella because it is required to participate in many dog related activities in my area and showing is of interest to me. Her breeders who I felt were excellent people did not want her to receive bordatella, I made sure she had that vaccine separate from all of her other ones especially so I could observe her reaction (if any- she had none). We waited til six months for rabies and did that one separate too. We also preventatively gave Benadryl before vaccines in case of a reaction because she is so small. We also use revolution, I live in oregon where heartworm has not been considered a large problem in previous years but it has definitely grown in our area. I was wondering - Callie May if you are still following this thread- I noticed that you are a consistent an frequent poster and seem to have had a lot of challenges with your little girls health problems and consequently become very knowledgable about a lot of medical issues for these little guys: may I ask why you feel revolution is inadequate or what makes it less desirable to use? I noticed it was effective for flea control and felt good that it was multi purpose for heartworm prevention, I would love your input as you seem to have some good experience in this area

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by McheleM

You do your own rabies?

May I ask how you manage to do that when the laws say they have to be administered by a vet??

No, my vet does their vaccines. I love my vet...he respects my opinions on vaccines and doesn't push me to vaccinate more often or to vaccinate earlier than I'm comfortable with. Ultimately you have to do what you are comfortable with.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

No, my vet does their vaccines. I love my vet...he respects my opinions on vaccines and doesn't push me to vaccinate more often or to vaccinate earlier than I'm comfortable with. Ultimately you have to do what you are comfortable with.

I misunderstood-sorry.