I have a 1yr old English bulldog that was given to me, she has only had the rabies shot, how many more shots ?

Question

basically how many more shots does she need?
it is my first dog and i need to know all about the shots please help

Answer 1

Make an appointment with a good Vet. (You can get some referrals from neighbours who own dogs.) Have the vet do a complete physical, and listen to their recommendations.

Get her spayed. English Bulldogs have a very hard time giving birth, because of their small hips. It is best just to spay females before this situation crops up naturally.

Don't forget licensing and microchipping.

Answer 2

I am very surprised that she ONLY had the rabies vaccination.

Most vets - and even various pet stores like PetCo - offer "puppy packages". This is a series of shots over 3 months, starting at about 6 weeks of age. Prior to that, the pup is protected by his/her mother's milk. These shots are crucial as they include parvovirus and distemper and many other common canine diseases. It is called a "puppy package" as there are 3 sets of shots given roughly a month apart. For the last set of shots, that's when the rabies vaccination is given.

Previously, the rabies vaccination was annual, but now, it has changed. After the first rabies shot, the doctor will given a second shot a year later that is good for 3 years! This will save money and time. The goal of these shots is similar to why we receive shots against polio or even the flu - we build an immune response. Our immune systems have a "memory". Once vaccinated, if we ever encouter the real disease our immune systems will act quickly to fight it off. This will significantly decrease the chances of us, or our dogs, actually becoming infected with the disease.

Some people are against vaccinations of animals, children or even themselves. However, I am strongly for it. While all medicines carry some risk that may affect a very VERY small percentage of the total dog or human population, the outright debilitating affects of the actual disease are far worse. Thanks to vaccinations, we have virtually eliminated polio and smallpox in the U.S. and in most places in the world! But the few people who have suffered these diseases are crippled (I have a former boss who suffers from polio).

There are also medicines your dog should take, such as heartworm. This drug is especially needed during the summer when the mosquito count is high.

Therefore, I encourage you to go to a vet ASAP and bring all documentation with you. The sooner these shots can begin the better. Then please have your dog spayed. The earlier she is spayed, the lower her chances for getting cancer and other diseases later in life.

Congrats on the new dog and don't be intimidated by all these shots and meds - they aren't that expensive and often places have discounted "packages".

Answer 3

I'm a fellow English Bulldog owner - our little guy had a 10-way vaccine as a puppy - at 6,8,10 & 12 weeks, which covered things like Parvo, parainfluenza, corona virus, etc. etc. He was also dewormed as a puppy. He got his rabies shot at about 3 months, and is due for his booster soon.

We also had our pup given a bordatella shot - it's a 2 part shot (but can also be given as a nasal spray!) that protects them from a condition known as "kennel cough" - in its simplest terms, it's a very contagious cold that dogs can catch anywhere they're around other dogs: at the groomers, obedience schools, etc. It's a good idea to vaccinate your dog if you ever need to board her, but also if you're going to take her anywhere where there are other dogs around - puppy school, pet stores, etc.

Can you ask the previous owners if there were any boosters given as a puppy? Or at least who the previous vet was? They might be able to get you a copy of your pup's records.

Lastly, find a vet you are comfortable with. heading to a website like www.bulldogsworld.com can give you a state-by-state listing of bulldog-friendly vets.

Good luck to you - enjoy your new furbaby!

Answer 4

My puppy had 3 needles given at 8 wks, 12 wks & 16 wks. She also had her rabies in there as well. She will need one needle once a year from now on. You should call a vet to see what they would do for an older dog who may not have had these. Generally, a dog that is in good health only has to go to the vet once a year for a check up and a needle.

Answer 5

You can get a combo booster (DLHPP) which is is the vaccination for Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvo and Parainfluenza. This is a one year vaccine that should be kept up especially for the Distemper and Parvo virus which are highly contagious to dogs and often fatal.

You should also have the dog checked for worms and put him on a Heartworm treatment. These are usually given by the owner as monthly chewables and come in 6 month supplies. Heartworm is expensive to treat if they do become infected and it can be fatal as well, so it's just best to keep them on the preventative, which also prevents most other internal parasites.

Also check the animal for fleas and ticks. They carry a lot of diseases and if your dog hasn't been on a preventative he could have some. Your vet is probably best to do this since you are a first time dog owner. He can either recommend a preventative or you can get a wide variety of decent ones at any petstore.

Answer 6

It is best to ask a vet what is recommended for your dog. The most commonly given vaccines are Rabies and Distemper/Parvovirus combination, but others will be given depending on your dog's environment and activities. Also, some vets will recommend doing titers instead of vaccines, as some dogs have reactions to vaccines.

Answer 7

Contact your local vet, some areas require different shots for licensing. On average your dog will get 2 shots, these 2 shot will have multi vaccines in them, she will need to follow up with boosters a few weeks after. The cost will range between $50-$100. Do this quickly as illness is a very costly to you, and very painful & posibly life threatening to your dog.
Enjoy your pup and get it vaccinated!

Answer 8

Parvovirus and distemper besides the rabies. She should also have a heartworm check (We do a Snap3x test which tests for Heartworm, Lymes Disease and Erlichia), and a stool sample to check for parasites. If you're going to board her, before boarding she'll need a Bordatella shot which protects against Kennel Cough.

Answer 9

Your local vet will have puppy plans for annuals.

I don't know the exact names of the shots but I do know that puppies go through a three step process.

You can also most likely get these shots at a reduced price through a local animal shelter.

Good luck with your first puppy :)

Answer 10

Dogs get "puppy vaccines", then a booster at one year.
Then nothing for 3 years.
Contact her previous owner and find out whether she had the 1 year booster.
Only rabies is mandatory...all others are elective.

Don't listen to any vet who tries to do annual vaccines. All the vet colleges have changed their protocols to 3 years.
Dee