Heartworm and Rabies Questions

[MomtoJasper]

We took Jasper to the vet today for his last set of shots. He weighs a whopping 3 lbs even at 18 weeks old. The vet gave us 2 months of Heartguard Puppy. Is it too early to start him on that? I asked my vet and he said no. But I wanted my friends at YTs opinions.

Also, he was prepared to give Jasper his rabies shot. I asked why he was going to give it to him at 4 mos. I always thought it was 6 mos. He said that the shots are given at 4 mos. now. However, because Jasper is so small, he was concerned giving it to him along with his final vaccinations. So we decided to get the rabies shot next Monday to avoid a possible reaction with the vaccinations he received today.

What do y'all think about all of this? I do trust my vet. I'm just so paranoid about Jasper being so tiny...I know all of you understand. I just want to make the right decisions. Thanks everybody!!

[Lovetodream88]

Tiny pups should have one shot at a time and two weeks in between.

[Deb1]

I wait until mine are 6 months to get the rabies shot and for sure only 1 shot at a time. Mine are small, too and I have my vet give Benedryl before the shot. I started mine on Heartgard plus at 4 months of age, that way they do not need the test if you continue it monthly. It is safe and Tatiana was under 2 lbs when she started the Heartgard with out any reactions! You are such a great mom.....follow your instincts!

[Ellie May]

Your vet is right. Heartgard ok. Rabies in a week ok. Age varies by state. It is state law to get it by four months here.

[MomtoJasper]

Thank all of you for taking the time to answer. I do feel much better about the decisions I've made.

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by MomtoJasper

Also, he was prepared to give Jasper his rabies shot. I asked why he was going to give it to him at 4 mos. I always thought it was 6 mos. He said that the shots are given at 4 mos. now. However, because Jasper is so small, he was concerned giving it to him along with his final vaccinations. So we decided to get the rabies shot next Monday to avoid a possible reaction with the vaccinations he received today.

It's good that your vet shows conern and doesn't want to combine vaccinations. My vet is the same way. ZoE had her final shots, then waited a couple of weeks & had her rabies shot by itself.

[MomtoJasper]

He really is a good vet. We have other furbabies and it took forever to find one that seems to really care, knows what he is doing and that we can trust.

[GeneaD]

Glad you asked this question. I was just getting ready to. I was worried about Louie getting his rabies shot since he only weighs a little over 3 lbs.
Genea

[Verbena]

I gave Galen one shot at a time with two weeks in between and the did great. The rabies shot did not even make him tired. He was only about 2.5 lbs

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Deb1

I wait until mine are 6 months to get the rabies shot and for sure only 1 shot at a time. Mine are small, too and I have my vet give Benedryl before the shot. I started mine on Heartgard plus at 4 months of age, that way they do not need the test if you continue it monthly. It is safe and Tatiana was under 2 lbs when she started the Heartgard with out any reactions! You are such a great mom.....follow your instincts!

I always wait until 6-8 months old...they give the very same shot to that tiny baby that they give a great dane.....I wait as long as I possibly can wait to have that shot given on those tiny babies....and pre medicate with Benadryl about 15 minutes before the shot and then hang around the vet for another 20-30 minutes just to be sure baby is going to tolerate the rabies vaccine.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by MomtoJasper

We took Jasper to the vet today for his last set of shots. He weighs a whopping 3 lbs even at 18 weeks old. The vet gave us 2 months of Heartguard Puppy. Is it too early to start him on that? I asked my vet and he said no. But I wanted my friends at YTs opinions.

Also, he was prepared to give Jasper his rabies shot. I asked why he was going to give it to him at 4 mos. I always thought it was 6 mos. He said that the shots are given at 4 mos. now. However, because Jasper is so small, he was concerned giving it to him along with his final vaccinations. So we decided to get the rabies shot next Monday to avoid a possible reaction with the vaccinations he received today.

What do y'all think about all of this? I do trust my vet. I'm just so paranoid about Jasper being so tiny...I know all of you understand. I just want to make the right decisions. Thanks everybody!!

Bella got her last puppy shots yesterday at 16 weeks of age. They gave her the distemper/parvo AND the rabies vaccination at the same time, and she did not have any adverse reactions, but she weighs in at a moose-like 4 lbs .

[MomtoJasper]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I always wait until 6-8 months old...they give the very same shot to that tiny baby that they give a great dane.....I wait as long as I possibly can wait to have that shot given on those tiny babies....and pre medicate with Benadryl about 15 minutes before the shot and then hang around the vet for another 20-30 minutes just to be sure baby is going to tolerate the rabies vaccine.

I never thought about waiting around the vets office after the shot. We are only a 10 minute drive away. But anything can happen in 10 minutes!! Thank you for mentioning that and the brnedryl.

[MomtoJasper]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Bella got her last puppy shots yesterday at 16 weeks of age. They gave her the distemper/parvo AND the rabies vaccination at the same time, and she did not have any adverse reactions, but she weighs in at a moose-like 4 lbs .

Jasper is 18 weeks and weighs an even 3. I keep hoping that he will be on the large end of the standard and weigh 7. Somehow I don't see that happening. I will still love him no matter how tiny he is.

And you always say something that makes me giggle....Bella is not a moose!! I wish Jasper weighed 4 lbs...goofy! Lol.

[MomtoJasper]

Originally Posted by GeneaD

Glad you asked this question. I was just getting ready to. I was worried about Louie getting his rabies shot since he only weighs a little over 3 lbs.
Genea

How was Luoie's vet visit?

[MomtoJasper]

Originally Posted by Deb1

I wait until mine are 6 months to get the rabies shot and for sure only 1 shot at a time. Mine are small, too and I have my vet give Benedryl before the shot. I started mine on Heartgard plus at 4 months of age, that way they do not need the test if you continue it monthly. It is safe and Tatiana was under 2 lbs when she started the Heartgard with out any reactions! You are such a great mom.....follow your instincts!

Was the benedryl in case there was a reaction? Thank you for your advice. I need all I can get.