BackInBlack

I am curious as to how some of the multiple dog owners/ breeders feel about this. (I would also love to hear from some of the vets on our forum)

I know ALOT of people in the dog world who do this. They do it for their own dogs and they also do it for their puppies. At first I was kind of "eh" about it, and looked down on it, thinking they were not doing what was best for their dogs, but what was cheapest...but I guess I have kind of become accustom to it and dont think it is as big of a deal anymore.

Administering a shot is not hard, and of course you can buy them at alot of feed stores and online.

Other than the rabies shot which has to be administered by a vet......how do you feel about doing your own shots? I know alot of people do titers or only vaccinate every three years...

As of now, I have never done titers and vaccinate according to my veterinarians recommended schedule.

Just something I am curious about..... Pro's, Con's?

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Murreydobe

I used to do my own vax. It can be difficult to get into training classes and impossible to get your dog into a boarding kennel. Since I do quite a bit of traveling now, whatever is done (and at this point it's primarily titers) is done at the vet so there are no hassles with boarding the dogs.

Another con is the vaccine companies won't stand behind their product if a vet doesn't administer them.

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robinb

I've had horses all my life so I learned very young to give shots. I do titers so not too many shots for the dog. My only concern with some feed stores is if they have stored the vaccines correctly, providing they have it should be no problem.

I buy all the vaccines that I give myself from my vet, horse and dog.

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DobeGirl07

Amanda-
I had a thread started about this awhile back. I too know lots of people who give their own shots. We did with our puppy. It's been fine.



Puppy Vaccines

DobeGirl07

I think the biggest issue is to just make sure that the vaccines have been stored correctly. Good luck!

alwayshadpets

This was a very interesting post. I`m glad it was brought up. I often wondered about it myself. I think with only having 2 dogs & 3 cats, going to the vet is ok for me at this point in time, but if you become a breeder or have more than 4 it becomes quite expensive and very time consuming.

They had a radio show on this morning and the stats for a small dog expense wise the first year the cost is $2000 and every year after that $800. This does not include any training where money is involved. I`m not sure what my expenses are, but I would guess a lot more than that.

doberkim

My biggest issue is a few things:

1) Vaccine quality. I have pushed long and hard (And it is an evolving process) to get certain vaccines in my clinic, and avoid others. What vaccines we carry is a big thing for me, and how often we give them is thought out heavily by me for each animal. I discuss with every owner what each vaccine is, how often it is recommended to give, and what the risks are and what the vaccine covers. NO one does this for others, especially the new owner just hoping to save a buck and do it themselves. The stuff you get from the local feedstore is not the same as what I am giving. These vaccines haven't been stored the same way (my vaccines ship directly from the manufacturer, come still cold in coolers, and go straight into my fridge. I know where they have been, the company backs them. I am comfortable with their ingredients, preservatives, adjuvants if they have them. believe me, i talk people OUT of vaccines

2) Yeah, it's just a sq shot - but some studies have shown it is purely the ACT of vaccinating that can lead to vaccine associated sarcomas - I vaccinate dogs in certain areas, I make sure it is given correctly, I record where it is given - if you god forbid have a reaction, you have a strong legal basis that the manufacturer is going to cover you for any vaccine reactions.

3) some people use the vaccinating at home as a reason to not see the vet- the reason you need to see a vet is not for vaccines, it is for my exam. my physical is the most important thing i can do -

I have many friends and clients who vaccinate themselves - they ask what ones I recommend and purchase them, some of them do not. I have some clients who simply choose to purchase the vaccines I stock and take them home. Heck, I have some aggressive dogs where I encourage this - especially for bordatella vaccines, I'll just give them the intranasal shot and they take it home, or give it in the car. And then there are others who just tell me what they give at home and I write it in their records and take their word on it, but I could never sign off on it.

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triciakoontz

I know a family with a huge feed store. I have seen that the vaccines are sometimes left sitting in the heat after they arrive because a huge order of feed or hay came in. I have asked about it but they are not really concerned. I would never get a vaccine from anyone but a veterinarian.

Also, I wonder if people who give their own vaccines are fully checking out the animal's health prior to administering the vaccine.

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Best Regards from Trish & The Zoo
* Bella, Amazing Dobergirl
* Zen, Super Doberpup
* Bailey, Wolf Hybrid, Adopted, Therapy Dog
* LuLu, Yellow-Naped Amazon, Free-Flying
* Montie, Lilac-Crowned Amazon, Free-Flying
* Poppy, Maine Coon Cat, Adopted
* Leo, Sweet Cat, Adopted

"Whatever may come, think that it is a part of the Divine Will, the Cosmic Law. That way, you won't lose your peace."

2gooddobes

I have titers done on my dogs but bring them to the vet 2-3 times a year for checkups.

Dobemom2b

When I raised kittens I ordered vaccines and had them shipped overnight via ups. I had to send more than one batch back because I opened the box and if the ice packs were totally melted and not cold the vaccines are of no use.

I have also purchased them from my vet and carried them to the car to give or home in a cup of ice chips, especially if I had visited with the animal for a rabies recently. I never rabies with any other vaccine. I also have teeth checked while there.

I have been in places that sell vaccines like farm stores and even big name pet stores where the vaccines are still sitting beside the cooler they will eventually go into hours after they arive. I would never buy vaccines some place like that because there are too many places along the trail for someone to drop the ball.

Every vaccine this pup has had the vet has done and an exam with it other than the ones the breeder had already done.