Giving vaccinations at home

[Sabrina Jay]

If you take your animal to your vets office for vaccines, you are also getting an exam, which is vital for health and possibly catching a problem early.

Another thing, if you vaccinate yourself and your animal has a reaction to the vaccines you have given, then you must make a trip to the vet anyway, and then will be charged. If your vet gives the vaccine and a reaction happens, then you are not charged.

Yes, I can give my own vaccines, but choose not to for the reasons listed above, plus the fact that I do not know forsure the vaccines had been properly shipped to the place I purchased them from. (I would know if they arrived to me ok - on ice).

In Missouri, only a licensed vet can give the rabies vaccine, even though you can buy the rabies vaccine in Missouri. The *generic* tags you are given when you purchase the rabies vaccines can not be traced. If you go into your vet for ONLY the rabies vaccine, they do charge more, than if you do your combination vaccine + your rabies. The clinic I work at charges $8.50 for the rabies + $22 for the DHPPC & the exam. If you go in for ONLY the rabies, its $18.

 

[nmac]

There are owners that give their own vaccines and also take their animals to the vet for routine check-ups. It is possible.

Everyone has their own preference on what they feel more comfortable doing. And you should only do what you feel comfortable doing, however, if you do give your own vaccines & do it properly - then you are not putting your animals health at risk in the long run.

 

[Sabrina Jay]

Yes, it is possible for owners to do their own vaccines and then take their animals in for a check-up, but most of these people just end up skipping the yearly exams, then only bring their animals in when they are sick.

If you go to the vet for checkups (without vaccines), then you are paying an office visit, which normally will run the same or more than the cost of the vaccines.

 

[Faughtey]

My dogs got their yearly exams when they went in for their rabies shot. I gave my own shots for over 10 years. Never any bad reactions or problems. I also was showing and training these dogs, so they were out and about with other dogs. As long as you have a good supplier, you are not putting your dogs at risk. I'm not a vet, but think if your dog was going to have a bad reaction to a shot, it would happen the first time you gave it, not the 2nd or 3rd, or any of the following shots.

 

[ThatsAlly]

Yup, same for me. I have opted to have Chase take the yearly rabies shot just for that reason, she will get checked out then.

 

[Chewy's Mom]

So, if you're purchasing extra coolers, icebags, etc., *plus* paying for next day air shipping all to keep the vaccine fresh, how much are you really saving? I'm not asking to be a smart alec. I'm really actually curious, because it just sounds expensive to take all of the proper precautions.

I pay about $100 for a "puppy package" from my vet. This includes all of my pups shots - including rabies, and it also includes a separate exam or two in case my pup ever has a health issue. It's really not very expensive at all. Maybe some other vets are more expensive, but for me it doesn't even seem worth the hassle to order vaccines and deal with all the shipping arrangements. But, hey, to each his own.

 

[nmac]

When your giving shots to a large number of dogs (example: 7 adults; and when you have litters of puppies)
You are not losing money by ordering and paying the shipping cost. Besides, a cooler is $1.00 & an extra ice pack 50 cents. The cost is not that enormous!

 

[nanabear]

I know someone who is looking (online) for a Galaxy D vaccine (for Distemper I believe) but only wants a vial for ONE dosage. Does anyone know where you can order vaccs by the single dose?

 

[tingoddess]

vaccinations

This might be worth considering. There are studies out there suggesting that we are over vaccinating our animals causing them all sorts of health problems in the long run. As you can see, many vets are reluctant to say this has indeed become a problem because vaccinations are their bread and butter. If I can buy a vac for uner 4 bucks a dose and the vet charges anywhere from 23 and up, depending on your location, you can easily see how much revenue they'd loose.
You can do a search on the internet for vaccinations and dogs/cats and it will bring up lots of articles and stuff. Dr Schultz of UW Madison is only one person who has done studies. There are many others.
I used to give my own shots and I myself don't like needles all that much. It wasn't hard to do at all and it did save a lot of money. Rabies must be done by a vet.
There is nothing unreasonable about seeing your vet once a year to have the heartworm test done and to have a stool sample examined but not have the vet vaccinate your animals.
I see my own doctor for a check up every year, my childhood innoculations protect me still, the exception being Tetnus, which I have to get every 7-10 years depending on who you talk to. Our pets immune systems operate the same way as ours.
Some vets are now changing the way they vaccinate, instead of yearly they are doing every three years or longer depending on the individual dogs requirements. I suggest educating yourself thoroughly before making any decision. Good luck!

 

[ThatsAlly]

All I could find was 25 dose trays

http://www.lambriarvet.com/catalog/galaxy.htm