Question about DHLP vaccine?

Question

I have a 2 yr old dog and I just recently took her for her yearly rabies shot and the vet talked me into getting this DHLP vaccine. I just found out that I have to take her back in for 2 more follow up shots. What I wanted to know is, how necessary is this shot? My last dog I had for 17 years and I never had to give this shot too. I am kind of strapped on cash and this is going to cost me 50 dollars each for the next two visits. Thanks..

I did get all 3 shots when she was a puppy (like I did with my last dog), but I thought thats all it was, a puppy booster, but the vet said I should get it every year for the rest of her life.

Answer 1

The diseases that the DHLPP vaccine covers are:
-Distemper
-Hepatitis
-Leptospirosis
-Parainfluenza
-Parvovirus

Some of the "distemper combo" vaccines do not contain leptospirsosis (DHPP), and some do contain coronavirus (DHLPPC or DHPPC). It just depends on what the veterinarian recommends, and demographics where you live.

Distemper and parvovirus are 2 diseases that you especially want to protect your dog against. They are highly contagious and very deadly. Parvo is more commonly seen than distemper, and usually is only a problem in dogs under a year old. Therefore, getting your pet vaccinated will not only protect your dog, it will help protect other dogs so your pooch won't become a carrier of these deadly diseases and be a source of spread to other animals.

The 4-way distemper (DHPP) and Rabies are considered "core" vaccines that are recommended for EVERY dog to have. Some distemper vaccine manufacturers combos are good for one year, others 2 years, and now many rabies vaccines are good for 3 years, just depends on the manufacturer. The American Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Associaton (AAHA) have great info about recommended vaccine protocols.

If your dog needs a booster in a few weeks, there could be a few reasons why. Your vet may feel that your pooch when he was a puppy, did not get enough vaccine boosters up to the appropriate age, to build up the best immune response. Or, it has been more than one year since the last time your dog had the distempter combo vaccine.

I would talk to your vet, or get a second opinion. Just be open and honest and let them know why you are confused as to why your pet needs the shots the recommend.

www.avma.org
www.healtypet.com

In addition to what some people said about buying your own vaccines... this is also an option. You just have to be careful, because in some states you can't by vaccines at farm stores or online pet stores. Where I live, in Minnesota, vaccines cannot be purchased anywhere other than a vet clinic; its illegal. If you are able to purchase vaccines elsewhere, be aware of their handling (refridgeration during storage and shipment). The vaccines are very sensitive, and can become "inactivated" or ineffective, if not handled appropriately during shipment and storage. You would have to be careful how you store them at home too.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

A two year old dog can still contract these illnesses. At the age the dog is at though, the initial shot and then ONE booster would be enough. I have no idea why they would make you get two more.
If the dog got all three as a puppy, you shoul;d have gotten one the next year and then you can do every three years thereafter. Yearly vaccines are NOT necessary!!!!!!!!!!
If you have some extra $$, you could do a blood titer now and if there is immunity, the dog would not need anymore vaccines for a while!!!

If you vet was more "progressive" they may only have you get the one you already got and then do it every three years now. Chances are, your dog does not need three now!

DO NOT go and buy them from some feed store. You never know if they were handled caorrectly and a 7 in 1 is WAY more than the dog needs and is over vaccinating!!!!!!!

You can call local shelters and see if anyone has low cost vaccine clinics. Our are has two every month and rabies and dist.combo are always offered.

Answer 3

Dhlp Vaccine

Answer 4

It's critical. It covers some of the most common and deadly dog diseases, including distemper and parvovirus. Your dog needs this vaccine. You got lucky last time.

If you have a local humane society, they may offer reduced costs vaccines. Or ask your vet if he offers a low cost shot clinic. If he doesn't, another vet in your area might.

This vaccine is usually one booster at age 1 and then every 3 years thereafter. Your vet is old school if he is doing annual vaccination for this after age 1. I agree I don't get why you'd need more than one booster every 3 years after the age 1 booster.

EDIT - I concur - do not do your own vaccinations. There is no guarantee they were stored properly and sometimes they do not cover new or recent strains of diseases.

Answer 5

Go to Tractor Supply or your local feed store, and get the 7-way and kennel cough vaccine. This includes parvo and distemper. Look them up and you will know what is included in the shot. Kennel cough includes bordatella vaccine. They are shipped refrigerated. Do some research on the manufacturer. Ask to be sure the vaccination has always been refrigerated. Many people I know, including myself, do this for our dogs. One of my good friends moms is a vet of 42 years and she was the one that recommended this to me. Most folks who own feed stores care about animals and will not sell a shot that has not remained refrigerated for the duration of its life. The shots are very inexpensive. I took my current dog inafter a year for the first time to get checked up and my vet said she was in great shape and awesome health. It's your dog, care for it the way you feel is best and within your ability.

Answer 6

If the dog had the normal course of vaccines when it was young, it probably doesn't need the series of three vaccs this time. That said, however, if you want to be safe, and save some money, depending on your area farm stores like Rural King or TSC carry the DHLP vacc....it's available OTC...and is very inexpensive. Of course, you would have to be confident in your ability to give the vaccine yourself (it's not difficult, but not something I'd want to just "guess at"). I give my own all the time. Since I work for a vet I get them there, but I know they are available in stores.

Answer 7

I work at a vet clinic and the DHLP vaccine is very important. It doesn't matter the age of the dog, they still need these shots because they can get still get Distemper,Parvo or the Carona virus if they do not get the vaccine each year. I see alot of dogs die from one of these viruses, espically Parvo, because people don't know how important it is to get these vaccines. We just had one dog die of Parvo yesterday.

Answer 8

puppies get a set of 4 shots by the time they are 4 months old then this is a booster they get once a year the rabies is one year the first year and then every 3 years in my state

Answer 9

You should get it done. Especially the distemper and parvo, but you should get the entire shot. If you don't, with all the parvo that's been out there recently, your dog is at a big risk.

Answer 10

check with some of your local pet supply stores. i have 2 puppies, and i bought my own vaccines. they are usually called 7 in 1 shot. mine cost me 6.99 for one shot, and then you give them another shot in 3 weeks. it cost me under 50 bucks to give my dogs all their DHLP shots. all you need to do is take the receipt and the stickers off the shot into the vet. this will save you lots of money and time. trust me vets will try to sell you almost anything and these shot are very important. they protect them from many diseases and virusis. good luck