I brought a stray dog into my home a little over a year ago and when he was found I knew nothing of his history, specifically whether he had been vaccinated or not. He was very young at the time, and healthy, and he has continued to be a perfectly healthy, wonerful dog the whole time I've had him. We are about to move accross the country and in order to ship him I need proof of rabies vaccination, but I'd also like to go ahead and get him vaccinated for everything anyway just in case. Would this hurt him if he had already been vaccinated as a puppy? Maybe there are only certain things a dog can get a safe re-vaccination for and if so what are these?
Any advice?
2007-03-10 11:00:01 · 11 answers · asked by nearnorth 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
ALL vaccines need to be given on a routine basis--some are given annually, and some every 2 to 3 years. It will not hurt your dog one bit to be re-vaccinated for anything.
The only concern with vaccinating dogs is that in some *rare* instances they can have a vaccine reaction--things to look for are swelling of the face (you'll definitely notice if this happens), vomiting, diarrhea, and severe lethargy. If you notice any of these after he is vaccinated, have him seen by a vet right away. But, like I said, these reactions are very rare, and the risk of not having him vaccinated for disease is far greater than the risk of a vaccine reaction.
Take him to the vet and they will be able to assess which vaccines he needs.
2007-03-10 11:07:34 · answer #1 · answered by Biz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have had him for a year and haven't had any vaccinations done then his history starts now. If you found him as a stray puppy the odds are very good that he never had any vaccinations. I applaud your choice to do the full series. The protection is a lot less expensive than the cure of some of the infections that your dog may pick up.
In my area, dogs are vaccinated yearly for the full series because we are in a high risk area for a number of things. I've never heard of any ill effects from being vaccinated but I have heard of a number of nasty things happening because they weren't.
2007-03-10 11:11:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way it would hurt to revaccinate a dog is if the shots were given within a 48 hour period. I'd say it was safe to give him the distemper, bordatella and rabies with no problem. Get him vaccinated at least a week before leaving, in case he has a reaction to the vaccines.
2007-03-10 11:04:48 · answer #3 · answered by trusport 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It wont hurt to vaccinate if you don't know the history, but since it has been more than a year I would definitely recommend vaccines and heartworm check.
Sines he is being shipped, I would also recommend a blood panel be done to make sure there are no underlying problems that my be aggravated by being shipped.
2007-03-10 11:05:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, first of all, if you haven't given him any vaccinations since you've had him, then YES, it's safe. as far as puppy shots go, you would need to ask the vet about that. because they need 3 shots befour they turn 12 weeks old. if you've had him for a year, then YES YOU CAN GET HIM ALL OF THE ADULT DOG SHOTS. cause they need a booster shot ever year for the rest of their life, and they need a rabies shot every year as well.
2007-03-10 11:18:48 · answer #5 · answered by Fox29 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have had him over a year, and you haven't had him vaccinated, then it's safe to vaccinate him before you go. Normally vaccinations are done yearly, so you know he hasn't had them this last year... It's fine.
2007-03-10 11:04:40 · answer #6 · answered by DP 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
when dogs are found and taken to the shelter they are vaccinated anyway. Just make sure they inject into the neck and not the butt as there was confusion about this causing cancer.
2007-03-10 11:04:53 · answer #7 · answered by Shelly t 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Probably not! If you haven't been giving him any vaccinations since you found him then he probably needs them all.
2007-03-10 11:03:43 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No it wont hurt.I woud give him the shots if I didnt no the records on the dog.Be safe than sorry.
2007-03-10 11:07:37 · answer #9 · answered by spanishorses4me 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go for it, distemper and rabies are requried every year anyway. dont for get heart worms too.
2007-03-10 11:08:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋