To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate? Lately, this seems to be a popular debate. After all, most of us were vaccinated as children, and occasionally get boosters for things like tetanus. Should our pets get the same sort of childhood treatments?
Perhaps the strongest case for vaccination is tradition. It has worked so well for the past few decades! The late 1970s saw an epidemic of parvo virus that killed thousands of dogs; only a nationwide administration of the vaccine stopped it.
Think of the alternatives: would you like to see your unvaccinated pet suffer through rabies or the parvo virus? Annual vaccinations have been very effective in fighting diseases that used to be common, like hepatitis, canine distemper, parvo, and feline leukemia. These diseases (and others) are real and could be common without the preventative measures of vaccination.
Some veterinarians and pet owners believe that vaccinations are an unnecessary evil. The side effects can be much worse than the problems they should prevent: allergies, seizures, anemia, even tumors and cancer. Some say that we are overwhelming our pets' immune systems instead of helping them develop immunities.
The United States Department of Agriculture and drug manufacturers recommend annual vaccines, but there is no real scientific evidence that says the vaccines have to be administered every year. Some researchers believe that yearly vaccines go against the natural order of a pet's body, and lead to serious auto-immune diseases.
Not sure if a yearly vaccination series is right for your pets? You can ask your veterinarian about annual titers, tests that check the level of antibodies in the blood. If there are enough antibodies, a booster shot may not be necessary.
There are certain core vaccines that probably should be given to all dogs: rabies, distemper, and parvo virus. Other vaccines, like those for Lyme disease or bordetella (kennel cough), may be useful if your dog has a chance of being exposed to the diseases. However, a dog that never sets foot in a kennel probably won't need a bordetella vaccination. Pets that live in an area where Lyme disease is not prevalent may be able to skip that shot.
Talk to your vet about your concerns, and vaccination options for your pets to have the best possible health.
This page contains the following solutions.
I just discovered that the American Veterinary Medical Association and the ASPCA both state that new research confirms that dogs need certain vaccinations only every three years.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
My dog had parvo when he was about 11 weeks old. He was cured from it, but was never given his full vaccinations as a puppy. What vaccines does he still need to get?
Normally there is a set of 4 vaccinations a puppy gets. I'm not sure the exact name of them. I just know if you live in the US your dog has to have a rabies shot. Then there is the yearly vaccination, which he get 2 of them. One is given first and the second one is given 4 weeks later.
I would suggest you call your vet's office and have them check your dog's chart to be sure you have the correct info as well as a time line when each shot/vaccination is needed.
My 9 week old puppy has been healthy w/o issues. He has had loose stools the last 2 days. He is eating, drinking, and peeing normally. Can I give him his 2nd 5Way vaccine or should I wait until his stool is normal. If I wait, will it screw his vaccine up with it being a few days late?
Thank you.
There are several shots/vaccinations that are safe to give to dogs after they complete their one year round of health care but maybe not the first year as the vet needs to examine the puppy during each visit to make sure they are healthy in all respects.
A few days 'off' the schedule may not be a problem but be sure you tell the vet everything about the puppy's behavior.
Here is a great information site: (dumb title but good site)
My cat was spayed in the ASPCA mobile van last year, per registration.
Is it necessary to register my cat at the mobile van this year in to get her vaccinated?
You should contact your ASPCA unit and ask them what you have to do as their primary service is spay/neuter and it may be foolish to make an appointment and wait 2-3 hours for nothing.
According to their website, vaccinations are only given to animals who are being spayed/neutered. This applies to the mobile van. Call the ASPCA to ask whether they will vaccinate if you bring the animal to them.
I bought my niece a puppy and he doesn't have any vaccinations. Where should I go for free vaccinations, if that is a possibility?
By Nayda
Petco has a program where you bring the pet in for vacinations. They are not free but much less expensive that the vet. Dont wait on vaccinactions...some puppy viruses are deadly.
The pup's vaccination should have been current before he was sold and with no disrespect if you can't afford this why leave leave him in the same state he was when he came to you?
I go to my town animal shelter for free rabies shots & many of them do vaccinations for a very reasonable fee. You should give yours a call. Even the SPCA offers services at a minimal fee. I strongly recommend you keep him indoors and away from other animals til this puppy is looked at. Parvo is a deadly & as well as highly contagious disease. Don't hold off having him checked. Many of these places buy their dogs from pet mills where 9 out of ten 10 puppies are horribly ill. Good Luck and remember a healthy pet is a happy pet.
I am planning to adopt my boyfriend's puppy. He was born on June 25, 2015, the puupy, not my boyfriend lol. When should I get him vaccinated and who provides those services for free?
Medical care of any type is expensive and must be considered in adopting a pet. You must be able to provide regular veterinarian preventive medical care, emergency medical services etc., in your decision.
Are you prepared to care for a pet financially? Your question asking about free vaccination services is definitely not a good start in deciding to adopt a pet. Many people adopt pets but are not financially able or do not want to provide veterinarian services for their pets. Then, when the pet needs regular preventive vet services or emergency medical help, the owner may abandon the pet, forcing it out into the world unprepared, or does not provide medical help, letting the pet suffer and possibly die as a result. You must consider the pet's current and future medical and financial needs and your ability to provide them in deciding to adopt.
Some animal shelters provide reduced cost vaccinations but there are very few animal medical service providers anywhere that provide free anything.
I wouldn't suggest adopting this pet.
You will need a license, tags and money for neutering surgery. Most clinics don't vaccinate for free, either.
Even if they did, suppose the dog became ill, ate a toy or got bit by another dog. You could not afford the veterinary care.
This is a page about when do puppies need shots?. There is a generally agreed upon schedule for giving your puppy his or her shots.
Some communities such as New York City have ASPCA mobile vaccination services. In other areas you may have to search to find similar services for your pets. This page offers some suggestions for finding this type of service in Fort Worth, Texas.
