5 replies to this topic

[Kiko]

So, today is our first vet visit with Kiko. He already had his shots prior to us having him. but i got the records in the mail and decided to get him in for a check-up and figure out where we are with his health. So, our vet gave him DA2P-Pv 4wk vaccine (if you know what that means please do tell because i keep thinking thats for Parvo) and also Bordetella (which I asked for). then our vet introduced us to a heart worm prevention and went on explaining all the other vaccine available. Im old school, rabies shot was all i gave my dogs back home, so all these things are new to me. I had already looked up what information i can get on the sites archives and just have this few questions i need clarified.

Questions for the GURU's

1. Out of all the vaccine and preventative meds our dogs need. what are available over the counter that we can administer
ourselves.
2. Heart worm meds and Rabies shots I feel Kiko shouldn't miss. But what about Distemper, Parvo, Bordetella and all the others? is it necessary to keep the dog on it?
3. what ever happen to the dogs immune system. I always thought too much of something foreign into your body only weakens what you already have going. So, is it really good to load your pet with all these vaccines? yes, I understand we need vaccines for the serious diseases.

Thank you for your help, and be nice.

btw, I know the vet told me what DA2P- was, I must had been spacing out cause it didn't register.

[KShep]

DA2PP, also known as DHPP, is a multivalent vaccine for dogs that protects against canine distemper, adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza, canine parvovirus, and canine coronavirus.

I looked that up on Wikipedia for you. So, you are doing good so far!

On Ripley's first visit to the vet she got that one too. On the second visit they added Bordatella. On the third she had her Rabies shot along with the previous two vaccinations. On the fourth visit she had her fourth DHLPParvo/Corona. Then she was done! I got my records out to look all that up!

So that was a set of four vaccinations which I would have done again in a heartbeat. As to what can be administered at home, check out drsfosterandsmith.com. I'm not comfortable giving them at home, but if you are, that's great. They also have low cost vaccinations at Petco every now and then. I'm not terribly versed in some of these diseases, but I know that Parvo can kill a puppy (25% mortality rate with aggressive therapy and 91% without). I trust my vet with that one. I know some people on this site prefer a more holistic approach. So, it will be interesting to hear others' opinions. Especially when it comes to heartworm/flea and tick prevention. Frontline Plus and Interceptor for us! If we didn't live in flea and tick infested Southeast Texas, I might rethink the Frontline.

Ripley has two appointments in March for vaccinations. It will definitely be hard on my wallet, but well worth it!

Edited by KShep, 10 January 2012 - 09:08 PM.

[Kiko]

see, i must have been out of it today. I didn't even thought about looking it up first. Thank you...

[tlwtheq]

Kiko, on 10 January 2012 - 07:40 PM, said:

1. Out of all the vaccine and preventative meds our dogs need. what are available over the counter that we can administer
ourselves.
2. Heart worm meds and Rabies shots I feel Kiko shouldn't miss. But what about Distemper, Parvo, Bordetella and all the others? is it necessary to keep the dog on it?
3. what ever happen to the dogs immune system. I always thought too much of something foreign into your body only weakens what you already have going. So, is it really good to load your pet with all these vaccines? yes, I understand we need vaccines for the serious diseases.

I understand what you mean about how lots of us were raised when it comes to our canine companions.
As I grew older I realized how most of what I was taught by my family was wrong. They didn't know
better; I do. I know people who still think it's dumb to have a dog's teeth brushed. These pups have the
same risk we do in not getting dental care. Cavities are a major point of ingress for life-threatening
bacteria. There is a famous case here in Maryland where a 13-year old boy died from a bacteria-infected
heart after not being able to afford having his cavities fixed. The same can happen to your pup.
(Hope the preceding was gentle enough...just meant to help.)

I'm not sure what other vets have told my colleagues here online, but to a person my vets have recommended not using over the
counter remedies. They don't even like PetMeds.com because you don't know where the ingredients came from,
i.e., China or India? We've all seen the heartbreaking stories about pet death from buying treats
manufactured in China containing melamine. The only way to avoid this kind of danger is to buy directly from the vet.

Distemper, Parvo are essential unless your pup is going to live in a bubble, and you were right to go for the
Bordatella if you plan for Kiko to interact with other dogs.

I haven't heard too many rumblings about compromised immune systems with respect to vaccinations.
I do know that the vets I've used don't hit them all at once with all the injections.
They give the pups their injections in several, spread-out tech visits.

That's what I know. Kiko looks like a cutie. Is he named after the main character in "The Gods Must Be Crazy"?

Take care and please keep us posted.

Tara, Mom of the Infamous Cairn Gang

[remltr]

Kiko, on 10 January 2012 - 07:40 PM, said:

Kiko looks like a cutie. Is he named after the main character in "The Gods Must Be Crazy"?

I thought the main character in that movie was the coke bottle

[Kiko]

remltr, on 11 January 2012 - 02:41 PM, said:

Kiko, on 10 January 2012 - 07:40 PM, said:

Kiko looks like a cutie. Is he named after the main character in "The Gods Must Be Crazy"?

I thought the main character in that movie was the coke bottle

Actually, we originally wanted a female and already had the name cookie ready. but instead, kiko stole our hearts so KIKO (KIECOO) is cookie reversed.