Self administrating vaccines at home?

[Yankee Mom]

I just purchased my second mini for my daughter for 4-H! :aktion033: We are sooo exited! But with the expense of getting two minis, 5 dogs vaccinateed, the cost is so high and really almost doubled! All the animals are used in 4-H, so they DO need their shots. Two years ago 4-H offered a clinic at least for the dogs, but last year no vet would do it, and word is the same for this year! So I was thinking of administrating my own vaccines, but I don't know were to begin to learn! How do I know how much of what, where do I get it, where can I learn How??? I would love to hear from you on your feelings and experiences. Thank You!!! This forum is GREAT!!!

:

 

[minimama]

First of all let me put in my disclaimer here. I am by no means a vet nor do I pretend to be one. here is my advice as a person who does this themselves and that is all. Just a friend to a friend.

Shots come in doses the same dose applies no matter the size of the animal. So, horse shots are the same amount for mini or full sized or draft. Dogs are the same. You can buy the shots at a local feed store, or over the Internet which is what I do because the price is better for me. You can learn to give your own shots by talking to a vet tech in your local vets office, they will show you how to do it yourself. And you can get the list of necessary shots through most dog books, vet type books or even sometimes by talking to that same vet tech.

I don't recommend you jump into this and just try it. Learn from someone experienced even if you have to pay them to teach you. It is worth it in the long run.

 

[nootka]

I am lucky in that my vet provides me with the vaccines I need at a reduced price from what the local feed stores have, and that he shows me how to administer shots and what to do if there is a reaction.

(he thinks he wants to teach me to do IV shots, but I am firmly resisting that one although it would be good info to have in an emergency, it's scary to me).

Talk to your local vets and see if you can get a similar assistance, but certainly watch how it's done when they are there giving them.

Liz M.

 

[Marty]

I vaccinate my own but always keep a bottle of epinephrine on hand just in case.

Have your vet teach you.

 

[Songcatcher]

I am vaccinating my own for the first time this year. I ordered my vaccines from Valley Vet for about half (and in some cases far less) what it costs for the vet to do it. I got instructions AND hands on experience from an experienced mentor before trying to do it myself

 

[Jean_B]

Never, ever learn how to do something with the potential for serious complications by simply reading a book (or the Forum).

There's a lot more to it than knowing the proper dose and simply jabbing that needle in...you have to make sure there is no air bubble. You have to know how to draw back to make sure you aren't in a vein. You have to know which body parts are safe to inject. etc etc etc

My recommendation...have your vet give all shots this year. WATCH carefully. ASK a million questions. Ask them to let you give at least one vaccination while they are still present and have them tell you what you are doing right/wrong.

 

[Margo_C-T]

I agree with Jean. I have been giving my own shots for over 30 years, but I would NOT recommend doing so without following the imperatives she outlined-most importantly, having your knowledgable vet teach you, and discuss ALL of the numerous things you should know(as outlined by Jean!)first!!

As Marty said, I ALWAYS keep epinephrine on hand,too.

 

[backwoodsnanny]

We have had our horses for 5 years and I still would not attempt to give shots myself we have 11 and it is expensive but I figure if I can afford to have the horses I can afford to have good vet care until I am comfortable giving my own meds. That said eventually I may try to do my own shots vet has asked me a couple of times but then we had a gelding two years ago who all of a sudden came up allergic to ( we think) the rabies vaccine and it was very scary. Vet had to turn around in route and come back. If I were new to minis I wouldnt even be considering it too much can happen. JMO

 

[auledasacres]

I started giving my own dogs and cats there shots years ago but then slowly started doing the horses. Dogs, cats are different from horses. The dogs get it under the skin but not into the muscle. The horses get it into the muscle but you must be careful not to put it into the blood stream. You must pull back on the syringe to check. Sounds easy enought but some horses just stand there and some horses get very upset and fight you. They ones I think will be bad are usually perfect and the older ones you think will be good are terrible.

The last three years my one jennet was the only one whom had a reaction to the vaccine. She got a lump and I had the vet come and check her just to be safe. She was fine and it went away on its own. I truly think I was that I had the syringe to far up in the neck.

Good Luck to you.

Traci