I have a dog that just turned a year old. I got her from a shelter 5 months ago. When I got, I took her to the vet to get her caught up on all vacs and the usual (start preventatives and check for intestinals). At that time, I gave them her kennel card which listed everything they had given her. The vet gave her her rabies shot and said she was all caught up on her vacs.
I didnt really think anything else about it till I was going through her paperwork looking for my reminders on her vacs because I knew she needed a booster for bortadella in March. On her kennel card, it says that they never gave her her puppy shots and there is no other record for them (at least that I have been able to get a hold of). I doubt that my vet missed that because she actually put a date for a DAPP2 booster on my reminders. Should I trust my vet or go to another one and get her the shots? I know shes not a puppy anymore, but arent they kind of essential?
2007-01-29 08:26:41 · 8 answers · asked by Christine T 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I was NOT charged for any vac but rabies...the kennel card came from the shelter and just said that they gave her bortadella. The vet said she didnt need any other vacs until september when she gets her boosters
2007-01-29 08:44:24 · update #1
The Vet said that I didnt need them...even though there is no record of her having them. I really just want to know if this sounds sketchy or completely wrong. Shes been a vet for 30+ years.
2007-01-29 08:54:17 · update #2
They are essential. Just call the shelter and ask them to check their records. They should be able to fax or send you paperwork showing that your dog has been vaccinated, as they are required by law to keep that paperwork. They also don't generally adopt out any animals unless they have been vaccinated (at least in PA).
If for some reason they didn't vaccinate her, you can still start now. I would ask your vet personally about what happened, because they should be keeping thourough records as well. I would go back to them before another vet, so you can figure this out.
I'm sorry that you have to go through this when you are obviously just trying to take good care of your dog. Good luck.
2007-01-29 08:44:05 · answer #1 · answered by BL 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The pup will be fine. The only reason why vets frequently vaccinate the pups until 4 months old is when they give there rabies. The mother dog passes on antibodies that are known to kill vaccines and harmful viruses. They are giving a shot at 6 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, then there final booster with rabies at 4 months to ensure that the antibodies are out of the pup so the vaccine can take over.
2007-01-29 16:39:50 · answer #2 · answered by Ruby 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Your dog should definitely get the Bortadella shot. I'm really surprised that the shelter didn't update her shots. Go back to the vet and ask them about it. It could have been something that was overlooked. Even though you dog is one year old, she is still a puppy and needs her shots. If you doubt the honesty of your vet, you have the right to get copies of your dogs records to get her the proper care.
2007-01-29 16:43:45 · answer #3 · answered by shabby92 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your vet charged you for the shots, the vet HAS to have a record of when the shots were given and what "batch number" the vaccinations came from; that's required by law. Contact your vet and ask for a copy of your dog's records. If the vet refuses to furnish them, you can file a complaint against him with the Veterinary Board in your state.
You really DO need copies of your vet's records in case of emergency or in case your dog ever gets picked up by Animal Control. The authorities will ask for copies of the vaccination records to make sure the dog isn't a health risk. You also need copies for yourself, so you can keep track of the dates of the vaccinations (when your vet's staff doesn't do their bookkeeping or reminders correctly.)
You shouldn't have to go through the expense of having the shots re-done. If you do (because your dog's vet keeps shoddy records), go to another vet, keep a record of the charges and then sue the first vet to recover the extra expense you had to incur.
2007-01-29 16:40:47 · answer #4 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Usually we vaccinate three times starting at 8 weeks of age because your dog was 7 months old it had probably already had at least one other set of shots and most shelters vaccinate them too. Because she was almost a year old the threat of getting the diseases was slimmer than if she was only a couple of months old so it probably didnt need the whole series. At that age they have already started building immunities and the vaccine was more of a precausion than anything. I would conitue to use the same vet and if you are really concerned you can ask for another set when she is due for her bordetella shots. If you have any questions or need me to clarify something email me.
2007-01-29 16:42:31 · answer #5 · answered by Ryne's proud mommy 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If your dog came from a shelter, they jacked her up on every vaccine under the sun already whether she needed them or not. The only vaccine an adult dog should possibly need is the rabies vaccine, that that one is only required due to archaic legislation.
2007-01-29 21:16:38 · answer #6 · answered by dee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you like your vet, no reason to change. Just update vaccines. Rabies is required and distemper is highly recommended. Bordetella is for kennel cough and should be given to any dog who is ever around other dogs.
2007-01-29 16:36:28 · answer #7 · answered by dog lover 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
go to the vet and ask for their records of your dog.... if they are not there switch vets
2007-01-29 16:43:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋