Shots - what to expect?

[Faith]

when we got Faith from the rescue group, she was already up to date on her shots so i've not had to go through it with her.

she's due for her distemper booster this week and i was just wondering if folks could share things about what to expect when she gets her shot.

i know every dog is different, and you can never tell how they'll react, i'm just hoping to read some things that other forum members have gone through.

are they big babies? do they cry? are they a bit sore for a day?

[BabyElephant]

Well Poppy has always been fine when she's got her shots - even when she was a puppy, even when she had her microchip done. She never yelped or cried or anything - but some dogs do. They should give them a health check (teeth, nails, feel abdomen, take temp etc) and then they will give them the shot.

They will take the fur at the back of the neck and inject there, Poppy will usually scratch at the injection site, only a little though, and perhaps on and off for a few hours. They do say that sometimes they are subdued for a day or so but Poppy never was

Anyway, I'm sure both Faith (and you) will be fine!

[rottiebaby]

mojo had her first one on Friday and she was fine

[Faith]

i'm sure she will be fine - it's just that Faith can be quite the actress, so i guess i was looking for things that are "normal" so i know whether she's just acting it up.

[weezyNollie]

Dogs handle their vaccinations very well, sometimes they don't even notice them.

The only thing to watch for (regardless of drama queens or not) is reactions. Itching, swelling, allergic signs. Call you vet if this happens.

They'll give an injection of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and then for the duration of the animal's life; prescribe an anti-histamine prior to giving vaccines.

[shadowfacedanes]

I will be doing titers on Hannah as opposed to vaccinating when she's "Due". I'll let the titers tell me if and when she needs to be revaccinated. Many vets are stepping outside of the box and admitting that vaccines provide immunity WAYYYYY longer than we have been told in the past. (Yearly vaccinations aren't nearly as necessary as we've been told)

I'll post some links on the subject when I have a few minutes.

Anyhoo, most dogs do fine with vaccines unless they have had a previous "icky" experience. If so, just provide your baby with a calm and confident demeanor and do not "comfort" her if she starts to freak out for no reason. Provide her with a calm steady energy and she should take cues from you.

Good luck.

[Faith]

i would much prefer to do titers myself, however my training center, as well as the town i live in (for my dog lic.) require yearly rabies shots.

i wish it was more acceptable to just test for their levels rather than give shots again.

[Faith]

in case anyone wondered...

she did fine, not a peep out of her during the shots. she only started giving him a hard time when he clipped her nails.

[frankie]

Glad to hear she took it well. Fireking does not even notice his annual jabs - rabies, booster etc.
Although He is usually quiet for a day or so.
Dont think it is the jabs - just does not like going to vets.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

Cali's my only baby. She doesn't cry for the first one because she doesn't know what's coming. But, for the subsequent ones she screams bloody murder. They said she could be heard all over PetSmart!

The last shot was the worst. She screamed when she got it, then the vet put her down on the floor and she rolled around like a crazy dog, kept screaming and was trying to scratch her back against things.

The vet said there's something in it that makes them itch for a moment.

Bogey and Miko couldn't care less. Not a peep.

I'm hoping Cali will be more grown up about it this year. She was only a puppy then.