Ask the Veterinarian/Dog vaccinations

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Expert: - 5/9/2011


Question
I have recently welcomed a one year old chihuahua into my family. Paco is male, not neutered, and never been to a vet or received vaccinations. What vaccinations should he be given? Also what type of annual, booster, and/or three year vaccinations should I give him later on? I've been thinking about administering the vaccinations at home because I've noticed many vaccinations at Tractor Supply (local feed store) so I wanted to be sure of exactly what I need to give him. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Paco needs a heartworm test before you do anything else for him. Then get him neutered and his rabies shot while he is at the vets. You can get him a 7way vaccination to protect him from parvo, distemper, etc at Tractor supply but I have to warn you that even here the feed stores and place like TS do not take very good care of their vaccines from the get-go- actually it's more like their sales reps don't usually do a good job keeping them cold. If they are not shipped with ice packs they are pretty much useless.

Of course the companies aren't going to mess with not shipping that way to a vet, so the vaccines are really fresh. Some vets will sell you the 7way over the counter to give, so you might want to ask your vet.

Because he is a year old he will need a 7way booster in one year and a rabies booster as well in one year. If Michigan supports the 3 year rabies vaccinations then he will get a 3 yr one at that time.

But heartworm prevention and testing is paramount. This disease is a killer and the symptoms don't show up until permanent damage is done to his lungs, heart and liver. Get him tested when he is being neutered and you will be glad you did. I hope that he isn't already positive because going a whole year without prevention has exposed him to hundreds of heartworm-carrying mosquitoes.

So that should be your plan of attack Sam. How about those Red Wings!!
Let me know how Paco does.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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