I am taking my puppy to get her first shots, what should I expect?

Question

Lucy is a seven week old Chihuahua. I am taking her to get her shots this weekend.

The lady at the hospital told me that she will only be able to get one shot (a 5 in one booster). She told me over the phone that my puppy will need to get a a total of 4 boosters: one shot every three weeks over a 12 week period. What shots are in this booster? (parvo?, distemper?, etc.?)

What should I expect before getting the shot at the pet hospital, during, and after getting the shot at home? Will my dog feel weird?

Answer 1

Hi, sweetie...No your dog will not feel weird....since Lucy is just a baby herserlf...the booster is a combination of shots.....it could be a combination that protect Lucy from the following.....Distemper (protects from a very ugly viral disease that affects the Respiratory & Nervous systm), Adenovirus 2 (protects against a canine form of hepatitis), Parainfluenza (which in combination w/Distempr, helps dogs protect themselves against "kenel cough" a respiratory viral disease), Parvovirus (A NASTY CONTAGIOUS disease, this shot helps protect dogs/puppies alike from getting diarrhea/vomiting which can be deadly), Coronavirus (CCV) (this virus is more severe and more deadly than Parvo, but this shot helps protect against that), and also Rabies (the most feared, protects any animal from letting this virus from attacking the brain and is fatal)

I know this because i have three dogs....and two I have had since 2months old and now they are 3, 5.......Besides i asked alot of questions.....but dont worry this booster is just to boost their immune system to fight these ugly bugs.......
When u take lucy to the vet again.....she will be kind of nervous, but after the shot....poor thing is gonna want her mommy.....so just lover her and she will be fine....
any more questions just hit me up and ill try to help.
Fay_Asia

Answer 2

I would not advise a 4 series of vaccinations..it isn't the norm any more among vets. The protocol now is first vaccination at 8 weeks, second at 12 weeks and third and last at 16 weeks. Also since you have a toy breed don't give the rabies at the same time as the others wait at least 2 weeks after the last vaccination before giving. Also many toy breeds have a problem with the Lepto vaccine, so you may want to not give the vaccine that contains lepto or wait until the puppy is at least 16 weeks old. The vaccination usually consists of Distemper/Parvo/Parainfluenza/hepatitis and lepto which I would leave out.

The vet should give your puppy a thorough exam before administering the vaccinations. Your puppy may be lethargic, may not eat well, may have swelling & soreness at the sight of the injection. Also the vaccinations should be given in the thigh not the neck.

Answer 3

Your puppy will be getting what is called a DHPPV in the veterinary world. That is basically parvo and distemper. His last set of shots will contain rabies and lepto plus parvo and distemper but the others will be just like the first. The vet should do an exam on your puppy each visit before giving the shots to make sure she is developing normally. Your puppy may be a bit sleepy after getting her shots because she is so small, but she will be fine! Good Luck!

Answer 4

If you have to ask, don't adminster shots at home, have a vet to it. I'd also recommend a muzzle so you, or the vet, doesn't get bit if the puppy freaks out in the office (I know, it's very stressful for the puppy, but you also have to think about your own protection).

The puppy might be sick after the shots, esp what kind of shots. Some may give them diarrea (sp?), like dewormers etc.. Others may make him tired. Definately talk to the vet about side effects (like the above mentioned ones) so you're prepared to handle them.

The most important factor is that YOU need to remain calm. If your puppy reacts and you panic, that sends the message to the puppy that somehting is wrong (wether or not there is). If you're constantly reassuring it, petting it etc.. and don't change your tone, it will be less stressful for the poppy.

Afterwards, praise your puppy, especially if she was good. Give it lots of love and attention, which will associate the stress of getting shots with a lot of love and affection afterwards.

Answer 5

Your dog will be fine. I have a rat terrier, approximately 15 pounds, so right around Chihuahua weight, and she love the vet. They'll give her a treat and while she's eating they'll stab the hell out of her... just kidding. She won't feel a thing and may be a bit sleepy. If she does have an allergic reaction to it, it will be mild at worst and pass quickly.

Answer 6

They did the same thing with my chihuahua, they are too small to get all the shots at once. Once you get her home she will just be very sleepy. The next day she will be just fine.

Answer 7

You should expect to pay a lot of money - ask the vet if they have a puppy package. Once you get the pup home it will sleep! No problems.

Answer 8

well the she will cry a little but she will be fine i just got a puppy and she just got her first shots 2 and well she didnt like to be touched there and when she got her rabis shots she cryed every time ipicked her up for a week but then she was fine and stilll her cute self

Answer 9

She'll hardly feel the shot and will be sleepy after. I give all my puppies their shots. It's better to hurt them a little to save them from a horrible death. any questions email me.

Answer 10

You're puppy will be very nervous. It will probably piddle on the floor. As soon as you get home the puppy will have forgotten all about it and be fine. It's nothing that bad.