Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
Posts: 2781
Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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So I have a dilemmia.
I got a new puppy yesterday. He's a 3 month old Papillon puppy I have dubbed Bodie.
Next month my work is hosting a shot clinic and normally I just ignore these and get any required vaccines done at the vet but they did have a note that they'll be doing rabies vaccines for $5. This is a high shine less than the $60 I pay at my vet's office. This shot clinic is being run by a real vet rather than just some yahoo with a box of needles and vaccines from lord only knows where.
Can anyone think of a reason that puppies at 4 months can't be given a rabies shot?
I absolutely would never vaccinate any of my dogs for rabies at 4 months old.
they are just beginning teething, and it's a terribly stressful time for a puppy. I realize rabies is required by law, but I would hold off as long as you possibly can on this.
just because your dog doesn't show an immediate reaction doesn't mean there may not be some damage that has been done.
Cindy is absolutely right! Here in CO, it's required also, but I *luckily* squeezed by and didn't have it done on my dog til she was about 7 months. 4 months is way too young.
I agree, you can stretch it out here where we live in the county. We rarely get any animal control officers out here. I usually wait for my dogs, until they are much older. Cody was supposed to be done at 4 months but I am stretching it out also. I plan on obeying the law, just not when he is so young. RIght now he is only 6 months old.
To cross the border, (for example a breeder shipping puppies), any dog older than 12 weeks must have the rabies vaccine. Where I live the standard is 12-16 weeks. My guy is 5 months and will be getting his rabies shot next week. Here they give a 3-year vaccine though.
So I would say probably the average is 3-4 months old, but what is the average might not necessarily mean best. I guess you need to do the research and make your own decision about what is best for your dog. If it were me, I would do it at the shot clinic (mainly because I am lazy and would want to get it done so I could get my dog tag), but there are many on this board who would not. I would not use the shot clinic if it was only a 1-year vaccine certificate, it's not worth it to the dog.
I absolutely would never vaccinate any of my dogs for rabies at 4 months old.
they are just beginning teething, and it's a terribly stressful time for a puppy. I realize rabies is required by law, but I would hold off as long as you possibly can on this.
just because your dog doesn't show an immediate reaction doesn't mean there may not be some damage that has been done.
Natalya Zahn Webboard User Reg: 12-22-2006
Posts: 1824
Loc: Cambridge, MA
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Quote: Angela Burrell
I would not use the shot clinic if it was only a 1-year vaccine certificate, it's not worth it to the dog.
Not to hijack here, but is there a physical difference in the 1-year vaccine vs. the 3-year vaccine, or is it all a matter of terminology that just reflects the local laws (they'll call it either one depending on the legal frequency requirements...)?
Reg: 08-29-2006
Posts: 2324
Loc: Central Coast, California
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Quote: Natalya Zahn
Not to hijack here, but is there a physical difference in the 1-year vaccine vs. the 3-year vaccine, or is it all a matter of terminology that just reflects the local laws (they'll call it either one depending on the legal frequency requirements...)?~Natalya
I believe for dogs there is no difference. For cats there is a difference. At least that's how I've understood it (I could be wrong).
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