Puppy had 1 set of shots twice and has to take again?

Question

My puppy is 5 months old. She had her first set of shots on time. When she needed to go back for the second set I could not get them until two weeks later, which she had to have them all over again. She was due for shots again, the same first set of shots today, I could not get her to the vet, now they say when I bring her in on the 17th of Nov. that she will have to get the first set again. I feel I am being railroaded. I had a lab several years ago who did not get his second set of shots on time, but when I did take him in, they gave him all of the shots needed to catch him up, plus his rabie. He turned out to be fine. My puppy was also going to be spayed today along with her shots. Because I could not make the appointment, I am also being charged $25 because I missed the appointment although I contacted them before time. I am better off buying the vaccinations and administer them myself.

Answer 1

No, you are not. Buying vaccines yourself is risky business. You cannot be sure if they were handled properly or not. If they weren't, they can be totally ineffective.
The vet is trying to get the dog to have vaccines to protect it from disease. If you do not follow the protocol, the vaccines are also ineffective.
A lot of vets are charging a missed appt. or late fee now. If you called just before you didn't snow on time, they can and do charge. Their time is worth something too.

rescue member, anyone can buy the Dist combo vaccine at most any feed store. Like I said, proper handling of the vaccines is hard to rely on!! Also, they tend to sell the 7 in 1 combo vaccine which is WAY more than the pup needs.

And it is RABIES vaccine, not rabie.

Answer 2

Puppies and kittens get a series of distemper vaccines. Sometimes (if your getting them from a breeder) they will begin giving the shots @ 6 weeks of age, so 6,10 and 14 weeks. More commonly, they are given @ 8,12 and 16 weeks of age. It's given this way so they can build immunity, then given once annually. If you miss a vaccine and go well over 4 weeks in between the series, some Vet's like to start the series over. In my opinon, it's not necessary. Also, puppies and kittens who are a bit older and have no vaccine history should get a initial seriers of Distemper vaccines as well. Rabies should be given @ 14 weeks old and Bordetella (for dogs only) @ 10 weeks old. They are also some other optional vaccines that your pet can get, but are shown to be alot less affective.

If you cancelled your appt well in advance, then I'd argue the fact that you should not be charged the $25. Also, if you are unhappy with this Vet, find a new one. The new Vet can always get your pet's medical records from your current Vet.

Most Vet's do not recongnize any vaccine administered by anyone other than a licensed Vet, Vet Tech or Licensed breeder. Rabies vaccines can only be administered by a licensed Vet. Due to the fact that if the vaccines are handled, stored or administered improperly, they can lose afftectiveness.

P.S. There has been talk lately about vaccines only having to be administered every few years as apposed to every year, it has been shown that vaccines still remain effective in the body for well after a year. Especially if your talking about a older dog who has received annual boosters for many years. However, the vaccine manufactuers still recommend vaccinating annually....so until they say other wise, the Vet should be recommending yearly vaccines (exluding Rabies) unless the pet is sick/ill etc.

Answer 3

You definitely need a new vet.
Read about vaccinations at Wisconsin University
http:svmweb.vetmed.wisc.edu/articles/68/5/39
Another place to read is Dr. Bob Rogers' site. He's a regular vet in Texas. Http://www.critteradvocacy.org
Also, never allow a vet to give shots on the same day as surgery! The immune system can only take so much at one time. I won't even allow a Rabies shot to be done on a rescue on the same day as anything else.
I do not vaccinate my dogs anymore and will not!

If a puppy has had a vaccinations any time over the age of 6 months, they do not need another.

Answer 4

Sounds like you need a new vet. While I can understand the $25 charge with less than 24 hours notice (if that's the case) I don't understand their vaccine protocol and personally would feel very uncomfortable it myself.

New research shows that overvaccination leads to health issues including cancers and possibly immune disorders.

Look for a new vet. Vaccinating yourself is an option, but since the FDA put new laws in effect a few years ago, its hard to buy just a single dose of a vaccine. You generally have to buy them in the case, or a multi dose vial. You don't need that much, especially since they will go bad. Rabies you want a vet to do, while in some states you can get the vaccine, in most it is invalid if a veterinarian hasn't signed off on it.

Answer 5

Sorry, but because you couldn't keep the schedule, you have to keep repeating it. Puppy vaccines are usually given 3 to 4 weeks apart starting at 8 wks, 12 and 16 weeks of age. Some areas with high incidents of parvo virus go til 18 or 24 weeks. You see, they aren't considered protected with antibodies until 2 weeks after their 3rd set of vaccines. I would not advocate purchasing the vaccines and giving them yourself just because you don't know how they have been stored before you got them.......I might suggest that you try another clinic. You said that you called and they still charged you a missed appt fee, did you say you weren't going to make the appt? If you did, then I would ask to speak with the clinic manager and explain your position. I wouldn't go on about you thinking that they are trying to rip you off, just that you called and said you won't be keeping the appt., and ask that the charge be removed. Most people want to be fair if they are not being abused.

Answer 6

If you contacted them ahead of time you should not be getting charged for can cling the appointment. You can always get the shots done at a clinic. A lot of pet stores have them these days and they are still done by a vet. Don't put off getting the pup spayed though. If you are against going to this vet then ask a friend for a reference to another in your area.

Answer 7

You need a new vet and you need to keep appointments.
Are you sure you aren't confused? Pups need 3 sets of shots - doubt he is getting the same one over and over - and then needs annual rabies and booster shots, plus heartworm test every year.

Where can you "buy" the vaccine? Are you a vet or a licensed breeder?

Answer 8

You need to go to a new vet, it seems like they are giving you the "run around" for your business. Your puppy should not be getting all those vaccinations--yikes, they charge you for missing your appointments!! That should tell you something about "milking" you for your money.

Answer 9

i think that is a better idea to get the shots your self and do them and you will save money taht way to but he only shot that you cant do is rabie shot you ave to have a vet do that one so for her next rabie shot take her to the vet. you can buy the shot at you local feed store if your not sure what a feed store is it is a place where you can buy hay for horses or fodd for ducks rabbits all kinds of animals and its just a store for animals an you can get them at your local pet stoe like petco or petsmart.