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Heinznywd
LIF Infant
Member since 11/08 135 total posts
Name:
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unexperienced dog owner vet ?
So, this is my first dog. I got him a year ago in April. They think he is from 3-5 dont really know his age cause he is adopted. Of course he had his shots and vet visit when we go him but, I assume he needs to go every year. What shots does he need to get and what do they need to check when I go?
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Posted 5/12/10 3:42 PM  |
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mikeandjess
LIF Adult
Member since 10/07 2278 total posts
Name:
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Re: unexperienced dog owner vet ?
Posted by Heinznywd
So, this is my first dog. I got him a year ago in April. They think he is from 3-5 dont really know his age cause he is adopted. Of course he had his shots and vet visit when we go him but, I assume he needs to go every year. What shots does he need to get and what do they need to check when I go?
My vet usually sends me a postcard when it's time for Ollie's shots. You can always call your vet to see when you should make an appt for your dog's next shots. I know the bordatella vaccination is done every 6 months and the rabies shot is done every year. I don't recall what else they do annually.
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| Posted 5/12/10 10:08 PM |
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HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
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Re: unexperienced dog owner vet ?
do some research. There are some new findings that not all dogs need to be vaccinated every year. There is a blood test they ca do first to see what the levels are in their blood for each vaccine. If they are 95% or greater, they don't need to be vaccinated again.
Of course, rabies is excluded from this
it will save you $ but most importantly save your pet. Overwhelming their bodies with shots that they still have is not good.
Let me see if I can find the thread about this
ETA- here is the link to the thread
Message edited 5/13/2010 11:31:55 AM.
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| Posted 5/13/10 11:30 AM |
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Heinznywd
LIF Infant
Member since 11/08 135 total posts
Name:
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Re: unexperienced dog owner vet ?
what about that heartworm preventive? Do you get that from the vet or can you get it cheaper online?
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| Posted 5/13/10 12:03 PM |
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HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
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Re: unexperienced dog owner vet ?
Posted by Heinznywd
what about that heartworm preventive? Do you get that from the vet or can you get it cheaper online?
I always got it from my vet and brought in a print out from online. they always price matched it. (and I saved the shipping costs)
My vet had said something about the meds coming from Canada and that we should never buy it from 1800 pet meds because in Canada they don't have an FDA that regulates their pet food or meds like we have in the US. they said that's why they price matched. I think it was a lie just to get us to buy them from them, but in the end they were cheaper because of shipping, so it was worth it.
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| Posted 5/13/10 12:13 PM |
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Heinznywd
LIF Infant
Member since 11/08 135 total posts
Name:
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Re: unexperienced dog owner vet ?
so basically, what this article is telling me is that I should get a 3 year rabies shot and then get a titer test to see what else he needs? He is little I am scared now about over vaccinating.
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| Posted 5/13/10 2:39 PM |
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HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
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Re: unexperienced dog owner vet ?
Posted by Heinznywd
so basically, what this article is telling me is that I should get a 3 year rabies shot and then get a titer test to see what else he needs? He is little I am scared now about over vaccinating.
yes that is what the article recommends. I have yet to ask my vet to do this titer test, so I'm not sure they will go for it.
If they don't, I plan to find a holistic vet.
The site recommends using a holistic vet because they do this testing. The article also says vets make most of their profit from the shots yearly. I would be concerned that vets *may* not be honest about the test results because they want the $. They also may not be educated in this titer test to accurately read the test results. I think its important to ask your vet if he does these tests before going back for them.
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| Posted 5/13/10 3:08 PM |
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PumpkinGirl
:o)
Member since 10/08 1838 total posts
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Re: unexperienced dog owner vet ?
I'd call the vet you went to last time (if you liked him/her) and ask what he's due for and when.
If you live on LI I'd also recommend getting the lepto vaccination which is optional and not all vets automatically give it.
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| Posted 5/13/10 4:32 PM |
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SnickNNick
In our new house!!
Member since 8/08 2119 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: unexperienced dog owner vet ?
Our vet does the titer thing for Ali, last time she had the titer and didn't need to get the shots. DH takes her and he said it was actually a little more expensive, maybe if you have to get the titer and then you do need to get the shots you end up paying more b/c you have to pay something for the titer, but it's good b/c she's not over vaccinated 
good luck!
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| Posted 5/13/10 8:48 PM |
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HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
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Re: unexperienced dog owner vet ?
Posted by SnickNNick
Our vet does the titer thing for Ali, last time she had the titer and didn't need to get the shots. DH takes her and he said it was actually a little more expensive, maybe if you have to get the titer and then you do need to get the shots you end up paying more b/c you have to pay something for the titer, but it's good b/c she's not over vaccinated
good luck!
what vet do you use if you don't mind sharing?
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| Posted 5/14/10 3:11 PM |
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MayBbaby21
Baby no. 3 coming soon!
Member since 6/09 5738 total posts
Name:
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Re: unexperienced dog owner vet ?
Posted by HeatherRose
Posted by Heinznywd
so basically, what this article is telling me is that I should get a 3 year rabies shot and then get a titer test to see what else he needs? He is little I am scared now about over vaccinating.
yes that is what the article recommends. I have yet to ask my vet to do this titer test, so I'm not sure they will go for it.
If they don't, I plan to find a holistic vet.
The site recommends using a holistic vet because they do this testing. The article also says vets make most of their profit from the shots yearly. I would be concerned that vets *may* not be honest about the test results because they want the $. They also may not be educated in this titer test to accurately read the test results. I think its important to ask your vet if he does these tests before going back for them.
I switched vets for this reason. My old vet looked at me like I had 5 heads and it's not like this information is so new age--it's widely accepted by a lot of experts now.
I now take my dog to Dix Hills Animal Hospital. Dr. Rhein is well-versed in titers and was thrilled I was going to go that route. My dogs immune levels came back great, so I didn't have to vaccinate. I don't know if it'll really save money in the long run because the titers weren't cheap, but that's not what it's about for me. I just want my dog to be healthy. My dog's breeder says her dogs have lived longer since she stopped vaccinating as often (just her opinion, no flames please).
Message edited 5/14/2010 5:00:17 PM.
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| Posted 5/14/10 4:58 PM |
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