Giving puppy shots at home

Video: Puppy First Shots At Home

Puppy shots are not optional, they`re essential..... but you don`t always have to rely on your veterinarian to administer them all... I can help you learn how to give puppy shots at home.

Vaccinations protect little Fido from a host of serious, potentially deadly, dogillnesses, including Parvo, Distemper, Leptospirosis, Coronavirus,Hepatitis and more.

The Rabies vaccination has to be given by a licensed veterinarian but if you feel comfortable using a syringe it`s perfectly possible to give the other ones yourself.

Quick Links:

• What shots does my puppy need?


• Puppy Vaccination Schedule


• Preparing the vaccines


• Administering the puppy shots


• After vaccinating your pup - reactions & risks

But, this isn`t for everyone and you need to make sure that you aregoing to be okay about injecting a needle into your precious puppy.

Also, talk to your vet first, plus read ALL the instructions and follow them carefully... that way your puppy is kept safe at all times.

What Shots Does My Puppy Need?

You can find details about which shots your pup needs on my main Puppy Shots page. Plus info. on which diseases these are protecting Fido from.

Even if you are vaccinating a puppy yourself, the same vaccines are needed.

Here is a quick recap of the recommended puppy vaccinations and the puppy vaccination timeline to follow...

Generally a pup will receive either a 5-way `combo` vaccine or a 7-way combo.

These vaccines protect against a number of different diseases....

5-Way Canine Vaccine (aka DHLPP) usually includes:

• Canine Distemper
• Hepatitis/Adenovirus (CAV-2)
• Leptospirosis
• Canine Parvovirus
• Parainfluenza

7-way Canine Vaccine normally include all of the above, plus protection against additional strains of adenovirus, leptospirosis, and coronavirus.

You will need to check the product information on the particular combo vaccine you buy to be sure you know what it contains.

There are also additional vaccinations that your pup/dog might need, depending on the area you live in and other things.

These may include Lyme Disease and Giardia.

Ifyour pup is going to be kenneled, attend training classes ordoggie-daycare, visit the dog park or other public places often andgenerally be a `social butterfly` (which is good!) you will need to protect him against Kennel Cough (with the Bordetella vaccine)

Thereare two options for this, either give him a `shot` or use nasal drops.The intra-nasal method gives faster protection and doesn`t need to berepeated 3 or 4 weeks later the way the shot does.

Whicheveroption you choose, if your pup is regularly in contact with many otherdogs you should dose him twice a year (every six months) rather thanwaiting for a yearly booster.

Rabies is a vaccination all dogs must have by law, but it needs to be given by a licensed veterinarian.

You can purchase the vaccines from feed stores or online. Here are some of the most popular ones...

5-way Puppy Vaccines

• Vanguard Puppy Plus-5 (25 doses) - protects against Distemper, Hepatitis (caused by Adenovirus type 1), Respiratory disease (caused by Adenovirus type 2, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus.


• Canine Spectra 5 (single dose) - protects against Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza.

7-way Puppy Vaccines

• Canine Spectra 7 (single dose) - protects against Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, 2 strains of Leptospirosis.


• Solo-Jec 7 Plus (single dose) - protects against Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, 2 strains of Leptospirosis.

Additional Canine Vaccines

• Kennel-Jec 2 *Intranasal (single dose) - protects against Canine Parainfluenza & Bordatella Bronchoseptica Bacterin (aka MLV)


• Duramune CV-K (25 dose vial without syringes) - protects against Coronavirus.

For vaccines that come without syringes, you can buy these separately. I`d suggest either of these two.....Luer Slip Syringe or disposable syringe/needle combo.

For large/giant breed puppies and dogs, the recommended size of syringe would be 3/4" X 22 ga for subcutaneous shots and 1" X 22 ga for intramuscular ones.

For small/young puppies and kittens, the 5/8" X 22 ga is usually better.

You can also buy vaccines for cats and kittens, horses and livestock. To see more options check out this page...... Vaccines.

Vaccines need to be kept refrigerated or they can become ineffective.

When you order online, vaccines will come in a cooler of some sort with a gel ice-pack (buy extra ice-packs in hot weather) but I`d still recommend choosing speedy shipping options.

Put them directly into your refrigerator as soon as you receive them.

Recommended Puppy Vaccination Schedule

Usually you want to begin your puppy`s vaccinations when he`s between6 and 8 weeks old.

Some high-risk breeds, or puppies in large kennels,may need to be vaccinated earlier (at around 5 weeks old) to protectagainst Parvovirus.

Here is a `puppy shots timeline` to use as a guideline:

Puppy`s Age	Vaccination/s
6 - 8 weeks	Combination vaccine - it`s often recommended NOT to use one with Leptospirosis for puppies under 12 weeks old..
9 - 12 weeks	Combination vaccine plus Coronavirus and Lyme Disease if necessary
12 - 15 weeks	Combination Vaccine plus Coronavirus and Lyme Disease if necessary
After 16 weeks	Rabies vaccine. Additional Parvo shot should be given for high-risk breeds (such as Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and Pitbulls) 3 weeks after the third one was administered.
Annually (or every 3 years)	`Booster` shots (the combo and Rabies) should be given either annually or every 3 years depending on the local law and exact vaccine chosen.

But please remember, this puppy vaccination schedule is a guidelineonly. It`s always a good idea to check with your veterinarian beforedeciding on the type of vaccinations and the timeline you plan to use.

There can be variations depending on the breed and age of the puppy (and any health concerns) and the area that you live in.

Also,bear in mind that just because your puppy has had one set ofvaccinations (or even two or more), immunity isn`t `instant` neither isit guaranteed!

In general it takes somewhere between one and two weeks for the vaccine to take effect, or depending on the age of the puppy the antibodies still circulating in his blood from his momma may interfere with their effectiveness.

This is why three sets of shots, at three week intervals is recommended.

Preparation For Giving Puppy Shots At Home

If you`ve decided that you`re ready to learn more about how to give your puppy his shots at home and want to get started, it`s important to make surethat you understand how to do it correctly, and what safety precautionsto follow.

It`s a good idea to have two people involved ifpossible as you will need someone to hold your pup still while you dothe injection (or vice versa).

Although it may be a bit stressfulfor you to put that needle into your puppy`s skin, it will actually beLESS stressful for him as he won`t have the added anxiety of being inthe veterinarian`s office surrounded by strange people, smells andsounds.

Before we go into the details of how to give puppy shots at home properly, here`s a quick overview of how to get prepared...

Some vaccines come in two vials, one of liquid and one of powder. Before you can give the shot you need to mix both components.

Step 1
Todo this simply insert the needle into the vial of liquid and slowly andgently pull up the plunger. The body of the syringe should fill withliquid. Once you`ve got all the liquid into the syringe, remove it fromthe empty vial.

Step 2
Push the syringe into the secondvial which contains the powder. Push down on the plunger so that theliquid empties into this second vial completely, then pull out thesyringe.

Step 3
Shake the vial well so that the powderuntil the powder and liquid are thoroughly mixed together (make sure allthe powder has completely dissolved and that there are no lumps).

Step 4
Re-insertthe syringe into the vial and draw the mixture up by pulling back onthe syringe (as you did with the liquid the first time). If you draw upany air after the liquid, gently push down on the plunger until you pushit back out. Now remove the syringe from the vial completely and you`reall set.

If the vaccine you are using came premixed, or as singlevial of liquid, then you don`t have to worry about all the mixing!

Either way, at this point you are ready to really learn how to give those vaccinations all by yourself.

NOTE:You need to use all the liquid/powder that is supplied.

Don`t thinkbecause you have a tiny/toy breed that you will need to use less than acomplete dose.

All dogs need the full amount of vaccine, regardless oftheir size, age or breed.

Administering The Vaccinations Yourself

There are 4 ways that you can give these puppy shots, they are.... intramuscular (directly into a muscle), intravenous (directly into a vein) and intra-nasal (drops into the nose).

Mostroutine vaccinations are given subcutaneously (the easiest method), butthe Rabies vaccine is an intramuscular one.

Never try to give anintramuscular or intravenous vaccination yourself, those MUST to be leftto a professional!

The Bordetella is given intranasally, or as asubcutaneous injection, and sometimes is combined with other vaccinessuch as parainfluenza or leptospirosis.

The normal puppy shotsthat we`re talking about here can be given subcutaneously.

Here`s a run-down of how to do it (please read through at least once, thenwatch the `how to give puppy shots at home` video, before you start):

• Usea flat surface, such as a table top, or have your `helper` hold yourpup on their lap. Hold him firmly but gently, and try to keep him asstill as possible so that it`s easier for you to insert the needle.


• Useyour fingers to lift up the skin to just ahead and to the outside ofthe shoulder blade (doesn`t matter which one) and slide the needle intothe fold of loose skin, don`t push it down into muscle or flesh.


• DON`Tinject the vaccine yet... first you need to pull out the plunger just atiny bit and check that there`s no blood being drawn up. If you see anybeing pulled into the syringe you are in a vein (which you don`t want)and you`ll need to pull the needle out and insert it again. Goingthrough the same `test` until you are sure that you`re not in a vein.


• Now you can administer the vaccine by gently pushing down on the plunger until all the liquid has been injected


• Removethe syringe and gently rub the site injection area with your fingers.Don`t panic if you feel a large swelling at first, the fluid may collectdirectly under the skin and take a short while to disperse, rubbing itgently for a few seconds can help. You can tell your pup `well done`(even if he DID squeal and fuss!) and give him a small treat.

When you`re all finished don`t forget to dispose of the vaccine vials and the needles safely.

Also, always use a fresh syringe/needle for each pup or each vaccination.

After Vaccination

Although it may seem a bit scary at first, learning how to give puppyshots at home is pretty straightforward... and it does get easier withpractice. If you have a whole litter to do, you`ll be feeling like a proby the time you`re done!

However something that you need to beaware of is that there is a possibilityof the pup having an adverse reaction of some kind.

Many puppieshave a mild reaction to their puppy shots, and a lump or swelling at thesite of the injection itself is very common.

This may only last a fewhours or days, or it can stick around for weeks. As long as it`s notred, inflamed or showing signs of infection this isn`t anything to worryabout.

Other very common side effects of puppy vaccines include aday or two of drowsiness, loss of appetite, maybe loose stools andsometimes some localized pain.

More severe reactions can includehives, or localized or generalized swelling of the head, body evenoccasionally disorientation or seizures.

If you see any swellingstart after you`ve given your pup his shots, you need to have a vet takea look at him immediately as he may need corticosteroids orantihistamines to deal with it.

A really severe allergic reactioncan cause difficulty breathing, seizures and even, in rare cases, death.So never take any chances!

If this does happen, future vaccinations should be given at the veterinarian`s office so that he can be monitored.

Also,some breeds are more prone to allergic reactions than others, and maybe hyper-sensitive to the components in some vaccines.

These breedsinclude:

Akita

American Cocker Spaniel

Video: 6 week puppy shots.

Australian Shepherd

Dachshund

Video: How to Give a Dog or Cat a Shot: It's Easier Than You Think

German Shepherd

Golden Retriever

Great Dane

Irish Setter

Kerry Blue Terrier

Old English Sheepdog

Poodle

Portuguese Water Dog

Video: How to give ur puppie a parvo shot n D wormer

Scottish Terrier

Shetland Sheepdog

Shit Tzu

Vizla

Weimeraner

West Highland White Terrier

Thevaccines for Rabies, Parvovirus and Leptosirosis seem to be the ones most likelyto cause problems, but it`s possible for a reaction to occur to anyvaccine.

If you have one of these more susceptible breeds I wouldstrongly recommend discussing your desire to learn more about how togive puppy shots at home with your vet before going ahead.

Ifyou are committed to vaccinating a puppy yourself who is of asusceptible breed, you should have some epinephrine handy (and know howto use it), just to be safe. Discuss this with your vet also.

Ifyou have any questions about how to give puppy shots at home, or aboutpuppy vaccinations in general (or any other pet related veterinaryquestion for that matter!), you can get a quick, professional answer byusing the question box below...

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