im getting my new puppy when should i take him to get his shots?

Question

he will be a bit more than 8 months so should i take him right the next day to get his shots? also if i was to get him a bit sooner like at 7 weeks would he be more at risk for health?? should i just get him after 8 weeks im asking b/c the lady will be leaving out of town when he is about 7 weeks and wont be back till he is almost 9 weeks and my daughter really cant wait that much longer she is very gentle with dogs and i know she will with this chihuahua

Answer 1

It most towns/states it is the law that the puppy MUST stay with the litter until it is 8 weeks or older. If your breeder is willing to give up the puppy before then... I wouldn't buy from that breeder. Who knows what else is wrong with that dog. If you take the dog before 8 weeks you're going to end up with a lot of behavioral issues.

Answer 2

The smaller the breed of dog the longer it should stay with it's litter mates.

A chi should stay with litter mates until no earlier then 9 weeks but 12 weeks is the best for a dog that small. The misinformation they get from litter mates is priceless.

As for the shots question. Has the "breeder" given the pups any vaccinations? If so when? They should have gotten their first set of vaccinations at 6 weeks. Then they would get shots again in three weeks and once again in another three weeks.

Answer 3

Obviously a vet is not going to vaccinate your puppy if he's too young. Vets don't just blindly do what you tell them - they're there to tell you how things are done!!

Dogs start their vaccinations at 8 weeks of age. Get the puppy now by all means, before the lady (breeder?) goes away, then wait until he's 8 weeks to get his vaccinations.

Please pick up the phone to a vet when you have any such questions!

Chalice

EDIT: I think the variety of answers above make it quite clear that you need to phone your vet to ask what their vaccination protocol is. And never EVER give vaccines yourself, or let anyone but a vet do it - vaccines are controlled drugs, they are not supposed to be handled by anyone but a licensed professional - which a breeder isn't!

Answer 4

No no no - never get a dog before 8 weeks. Any breeder who would even offer that as a possibility isn't a good one. The puppy HAS to stay with the litter until 8 weeks old. Make sure you get all the prior vet care paperwork from the breeder, take the dog to the vet within a couple days and they will tell you when you need to bring her back and what she'll get for each visit. All my dogs had 3 visits for shots after I got them.

Answer 5

Puppies are not ready to go to a new home at the age of 8 weeks. Usually, pups are okay to go around 12 weeks of age. 6-8 weeks is a standard age to get a puppy started on shots. Usually, the Distemper combo vaccine will be given. Booster shots need to be given once for the next 3 weeks up until the age of 12-16 weeks of age, depending on what your veterinarian recommends. Deworming programs are also started around this age. Depending on your state, Rabies is given at either around 12 weeks of age, or 16 weeks of age. The dog would not be at more risk health wise if vaccinated at 7 weeks of age.

Good luck, and I hope you and your family enjoy your new pup!

Answer 6

When I got my first puppy (about 3 years ago for free) I took her to he vet to make sure things were fine like looking for spine or hip problems or parasites. She couldn't receive her rabies shot at 6-7wks but I believe she did get booster shots. If you are paying for your puppy, I would suggest getting it checked out ASAP so you can find out if the pup has any abnormalities before the family gets too attached and can make a decision on whether or not to keep, exchange, or get a refund for it if the family is not willing to take care of or pay for additional medical expenses for a sick animal. Hope this helps. Good luck and have fun with your future puppy!

Answer 7

I am a breeder and vet asst. You have two choices in shots for your pet. One is to take the puppy to the vet or you can give the shot your self. its up to you. A vet is expensive but good to do. A puppy at 7 weeks is OK to give the shot. Just don't do it if its is under 7 weeks. If you choose to give it yourself by the 8 and one shot at any local pet store or animal or farm supply. it cost around 3 dollars. Vets say its not as good as there's but its the same thing..They just want to get the extra money it cost.. Its easy to do..Just take the extra skin behind the pets neck pull up tight and inject the needle. A dogs skin is tough so its takes a little pressure to insert the needle. After the needle is inserted push the liquid in. Remove the needle and rug forcefully the area of the injection for about 2 to 5 mins. that's all it takes. its easy.. make sure to document the injection date time and the kind of meds. you use. keep for your files.

Answer 8

Leave the puppy with the breeder til he is 9 weeks. As long as someone responsible is going to be watching the puppies.

Answer 9

I got my Great Dane puppies done at 6 weeks but the vet told me they would usually wait til 8 weeks with smaller breeds. I personally would wait.

Answer 10

Have a veterinarian examine your new puppy or new older dog as soon as possible after you acquire it. Watch how she/he handles your dog and ask what she/he is checking and why. It will also be very helpful to buy Chihuahuas for Dummies (Paperback) by Jacqueline O'Neil. or The Everything Chihuahua Book: A Complete Guide to Raising, Training, And Caring for Your Chihuahua (Everything: Pets) (Paperback) by Joan Hustace Walker.