My 1 yr old chihuahua/rat-terrior mix is due for his distemper booster. I was wondering how important this shot is for him. I know he has already had a rabies shot, is this the same thing?
2007-07-17 06:55:29 · 15 answers · asked by Cate 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
no it is not that is one they need for puppies can get distemper easily and die very quickly....it is a necessity for there series of shots it effects there sinuses and can kill them there lungs are affected or afflicted with fluid
2007-07-17 06:58:44 · answer #1 · answered by ragincajun87123 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Distemper is an airborn virus as well as bodily fluid contact conatgious. It is deadly but survivable however pet is usually not the same afterwards. In most all cases is a dog is not getting over it it needs to be euthanized.
Call your animal control officer. There are many more cases of distemper than rabies!!
Get the yearly shot!!! Wether you do 5-1, 6-1, 7-1 distemper will be in it. Should have been done with the rabies vaccine .
2007-07-17 07:16:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, rabies and distemper are two different shots.
It's important to get your dog his distemper shots because it prevents him from catching a highly contagious virus that can be fatal. The booster shot is much cheaper and easier than treating your dog for distemper.
2007-07-17 07:01:21 · answer #3 · answered by Sturm und Drang 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not the same thing - rabies vaccination protects against rabies, distemper vaccination protects against distemper - different diseases!
Vaccination for canine distemper is important. It's a fairly prevalent disease, but if you keep your dog vaccinated against it then you will be contributing to the eradication of this disease in the long run.
Dog vaccinations run out. All vaccinations do. If you don't get your dog boostered annually, he will not be protected against the disease.
Chalice
2007-07-17 07:34:30 · answer #4 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rabies vac and a distemper booster is VERY different. Rabies is usually required by law and a distemper booster are at the owners discretion.
I vaccinate for distemper yearly until the dog is 2 years old - then every 3-4 years - if that. There are reputable studies out that vets over vaccinate dogs and cats. Serious health and auto-immune problems have occurred from over vaccinating.
Like infants, pups should receive all puppy vacs and at least 1 adult booster. I have friends that show dogs at AKC sanctioned shows all over the country and do not DHL- Parvo, etc..vaccinate yearly - with no problems.
Vaccine markups are 300%-500% and easy money for vets - so they tend to push them on consumers as a yearly requirement and increase the number of "required" vaccines.
Do you receive yearly vaccinations for tetnus, polio, whooping cough, measles, etc ?
After the initial vaccinations for your pup I'd be more worried about yearly heartworm prevention.
Oh, my opinion does NOT include rabies vacs which are required by state LAWS. (I still think we over vaccinate)
But I would question why in California you can rabies vac a 6 month old pup and it's good for 5 years - BUT using the very SAME vac administered in Michigan to a 6 month old pup is only good for 1 year?
Go figure.... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
2007-07-17 07:14:30 · answer #5 · answered by ldf 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Not the same thing - different disease entirely - and it is very important. The distemper booster is usually a combined vaccine that protects against several common dog diseases, some of which can be deadly to your dog. Get it done.
2007-07-17 06:59:33 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is importatnt, and I think required for some boarding places.
One think to keep in mind... There is an additive in some distemper shots (depending on which brand the vet uses) that is completely optional. You can get it without this additive.
My point is, one time I took my dog in for his yearly shots after years of no problems. I went to a new vet who apparently used a different brand of distemper than my first vet. About 2 hours after we got home I noticed little bumps on my dogs head. Didn't think much of it. Within an hour, his head was so swollen all over (eyes, lips, ears, etc.) that he looked like a cartoon character. Needless to say he was very uncomfortable. I called my vet in a frenzy, and the vet said he was having an allergic reaction to the "additive" and that I needed to give him a benadryl. It took almost two hours for the swelling to go down. I was a nervous wreck.
My dog is small like yours, Jack Russell, and maybe it happens to small dogs, I don't know. the vet marked down on the chart to omit that additive for his next shots, so I know that it is optional.
Ask your vet about it when you go in, seriously. It will save a lot of headaches and worries.
2007-07-17 07:05:55 · answer #7 · answered by Jen 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why are you even asking this question? I'm going to assume you're merely uninformed - but that's because I'm being kind.
Distemper is not the same as rabies - nor is it the same as parvo, leptospirosis and the other 4 or 5 often fatal illnesses that the shot contains.
Not getting a booster shot for your dog is like not getting Measles/Mumps/Rubella or polio shots for your baby.
2007-07-17 07:01:08 · answer #8 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
This is different. Get the shot. We passed on it for our alaskan husky. We lived in the country and had no other dogs. We boarded him at a kennel when we went on vacation and he escaped. At the pound he got distemper. Diagnosis came too late and he died. Get the shot.
2007-07-17 06:59:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a different vaccine. The distemper vaccine also includes the parvo, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and possibly leptospirosis vaccinations in it. It is very important if you want your dog to live a healthy life.
2007-07-17 07:00:37 · answer #10 · answered by i_love_my_teddy_dog 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋