What shots is my puppy supposed to get? How much will it cost?

Question

I'm considering getting a maltese/chihuaua puppy tomorrow for $250. I'm a college student and don't have an excessive amount of money. The puppy is 6 weeks old and hasnt had any shots. Should it have had shots already? What shots will it need in the next year and how much will it cost me??? HELP!!!

Answer 1

Here is a chart with the schedule recommended by most vets> http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=85
My vet charges $15 per combination shot.
the puppy will also need to be de-wormed at least a couple of times, but that shouldn't cost much more..Call around to different vets to see who charges the least, as they really do vary widely, even in the same town..

Answer 2

For one thing, $250 is an awful lot of money for a mixed-breed puppy. I'm sure it's cute...but why on earth are you spending that much on it? You can find a puppy that's just as cute from the shelter for a lot less money...and you'll be saving a life.
Not only that, but if that puppy's owner is selling them for $250 each, and hasn't even bothered to start it on shots/worming, then that puppy's owner isn't a responsible breeder and you could be getting a puppy with a lot of health issues.
AND a six-week old puppy is 2-3 weeks too young to be adopted out, unless there's special circumstances.

But after this, if you still want to buy that puppy...and I'm hoping I made you think...
You can expect to spend a great deal of money on a puppy if you plan to raise it correctly. Over the next year, you will be getting a series of booster shots for it that will cost you at least $300. Additionally, getting the puppy spayed or neutered will cost at least $50, and you will have to spend time training it and housebreaking it..and if you're a college student, that might be tough.

Please, please, please....reconsider what you're planning. If you really want a puppy and you are in a position in which you can care for it properly, consider the shelter angle.

Another bonus? That puppy will already have its shots!

Answer 3

I am a breeder. The breeder should have given her the first shots, but that's likely why she's so cheap. (Be careful of too low prices, sick puppies can cost you a lot more later in vet bills!) Anyway, she needs: Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus and Paraininfluenza. That's ALL at this age. Do not allow you vet to give her Lepto or Corona. Neither are necessary, and an unnecessary vaccination could do more harm than good. She could have a reaction--you never know, it does happen. She will need 2 repeat vaccinations of the same shot 3-4 weeks apart, for a total of 3 shots. If money is very tight, you can order your own shots from one of many online companies. This is where your vet gets them, so don't worry. www.RevivalAnimal.com is the one I order from most often. Giving a shot is very easy. If you'd like to do it yourself, email me and I'll give you details on how to do it properly. VERY SIMPLE!! She also should receive at least doses of dewormer. Pyrantal 50 is best, but you need to get that from a vet or online too. You can go to Walmart, Petco, etc and buy dewormer too. Give two doses 10-14 days apart. Good luck!

Edit: She's too young for Rabies!! And the gal that paid over $700, she must've had "idiot" written across her forehead!!

Answer 4

First off you should take her/him to a vet. I'm not sure about where you live but here, in Washington, a lot of vets will give you a free puppy evaluation. You might want to check your local vets to see if they offer that. In that evaluation they will tell you the appropriate shots for your puppy. Generally the puppy will need a series of rabies, parvo and distemper shots. They can cost anywhere from 6-50 dollars. I take my dogs to the vet for their rabies shots only.(only a licensed vet can give you the verification tags). It cost $8 and they didn't need a booster for a year. After that booster they won't need another for 3 years. The parvo, distemper runs about the same as far as when the shot is needed. I , however, give these shots to my dogs myself. Your vet should show you how to administer them and then just buy them at your local co/op type of store. You can can usually save a little as the shots are about $6 at the store and can be over $40 if you go to the vet. They usually will tag office fees. Anyway, check your local vet for the free puppy visit and get more info from them. Good Luck!

Answer 5

For your puppy at six weeks you'll need the following vaccines:

Parvo
Distemper
Adenovirus Type 2
Hepatitis
Parinfluenza

Later at 12 and 15 weeks of age you can get the (2-Leptospirosis) vaccine which is not given to puppies younger than 12 weeks. As far as cost, go to google and type in: Low Cost Vaccinations in (your city). It should list websites containing local shelters/clinics that provide the vaccinations at low cost usually about 20-40 dollars depending on where you live. Good luck.

Answer 6

Well, dogs can be cheap, they can be expensive. Depends on the dog's health. There have been years where my dog's had virtually no costs outside of food/heartworm medication/toys, and then other years where we've spent upwards of $8,000 for various diagnostics/treatments. If you don't have the money (and don't have a way of getting it and aren't willing to find a way), then you shouldn't get a puppy... especially buying one... having a stray fall into your lap that you end up saving is different - they kinda choose you... but to actually actively go out and buy a dog that you aren't sure you can afford is very irresponsible.

Also, breeders are generally scum. Not always - some are wonderful and genuinely care about the animals they breed... but many are very sleazy (excessive inbreeding which leads to diseases, mistreating animals, etc...) and contribute to dog overpopulation (and there are so many dump-offs who already need homes) and I wouldn't recommend supporting them (then again, its not the animal's fault, so why should they suffer? It's a horrible catch 22, really). $250 is also a LOT for a mix... unless you already have an attachment to the dog.

As for shots... between shots (which Animal Control, SPCA, etc... will do for very little or, if you qualify, for free), vet check-up, fecal exams (for each round of shots), and heartworm medication... about $150-200. But factor in the possibilty of emergencies/unexpected issues... Make sure you have enough.

And whatever you do, don't be like some a**holes my girlfriend's friends with who let their animals die coz they can't afford vet bills, but blow $100-200 a week on alcohol, CDs, eating out, movies, etc... Be willing to cut corners for yourself when your dog's in need - remember, you chose him and he's dependent on you, so its your responsibilty to keep him healthy and safe. He's smaller and weaker... so he owes you nothing, you owe him everything.

Answer 7

Usually the most common ones are :

1. Rabies
2. Distemper

And they generally give medication to rid the puppy of worms if it had been kenneled for any period of time. The main one they target is heartworms, which can kill your puppy.

Usually if you go to a vet, they can charge you more for the shots. Many of the local SPCA or animal shelters will give your puppy shots either for free or for low cost. You might want to try there. I personally would not recommend taking your puppy to an animal shelter for spay or neutering, and would trust a vet a whole lot more. But for shots, the shelters and SPCA are fine.

Best wishes.

Answer 8

Alot lot of vets have a "puppy package". its a program to get all of his shots, and the date to bring the pup in. It takes all the guess work out of it. I beleive it coted me like 125$ for all the shots, including a checkup and weigh in during all shot visits. The price is discounted pretty good. I use this system alot. Its also good for the pup to see other animals at the vets, and the people. This helps with socialization. My digs have loved this. They all know where the vet hides the treats. :-) I'll put it that way....

EDIT:: This also includes a de-worm and a flea treatment in this package. This includes ALL maintanace intitialy.

Answer 9

The rewards of a puppy are unlimited as are the prices. You will need Distemper-Parvo combo vaccine, rabies *can't be given until 4 months of age, bordetella *prevents kennel cough, heartworm/lyme testing *can't be done until 6 months, giardia vax, lyme vax, corona virus vax, and lesptosiris vax--not to mention having the pay the office visits. Look for a vet that gives these options in a package deal.

Answer 10

It depends on the vet, but usually it's 3 sets. I would get a second opinion from another vet. Get your vaccination records just to make sure your puppy has been given proper dosages.