At-home Vaccinations

[shelly]

I have heard of getting meds mailed to your home, but I just got a catalog in the mail this week and just looked through it.... it was called "Doctors Foster and Smith".  While browsing through it - I saw dog vitamins (which coincidentally coincides to my last forum post) and "AT-HOME" vaccinations!  Anything from Parvovirus to Lymes to Bordetella which comes with a video on how to vaccinate at home.  I don't know... I think even with the high costs of vet visits, I'd rather go to the vet for her shots....

[shelly]

Me too Nancy (Maddy's mom) ~ I seem to need a lot of "peace of mind"
:o)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's good to know how to give a shot, you never know when an animal will require some kind of ongoing treatment. We had to give Jack a shot every other day for weeks when he started his immunotherapy program, then gradually they got spaced out. I never thought I would be able to do it, and I still don't like to, but it's a good skill to have.

[shelly]

This is true. We do things we NEVER thought we would do when it comes to the ones we love...

[F, Calla & Luca]

The plot thickens. For some things like kennel cough, you can get single dose vaccine for $3.49. But the site points out that states do not allow them to ship rabies vaccine and you probably need a certificate and they do not provide these. I know my town requires proof of rabies vaccination for licensing. In fact, I just read rabies has to done by a vet but the Lyme and other vaccines seem doable. Also, NY state residents need some kind of certificate of need to get syringes.

[shelly]

Yes we (NY) do. We also need a certificate for rabies vaccination. Our dogs are also issued a tag for rabies to wear in case lost too and to get a license for our town to go to the parks (although some go w/o one during off months) So there it lies... stick to the licensed vet

[F, Calla & Luca]

I just updated my reply above.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

I use to give all of my own vaccines. I had a dog, when he got older, was terrified of the vet and had to be sedated. So this was much easier for both the dog and myself. Of course, Rabies has to be given by the vet.

[Melissa, Samson & Shelby]

Thanks for posting the article about heartworm testing. At Samson's 2 year checkup and Shelby's 1 year checkup, the vet suggested the heartworm test for the 1st time.They are both on year round Interceptor for heartworm and I questioned why the need for the annual testing. (With 2 cats and 2 dogs, the vet bills are always looked at closely.) This vet practice recommends yearly testing even if they haven't missed a dose. The vet suggested that I think about it and bring them back in a couple of months for the testing. The article was very interesting, much more detail than what the vet shared.

Does anyone else have any experience or thoughts on the annual heartworm testing with year round preventative use?

[cheryl & oliver]

Well we live in Florida and heartworm is very prevelant. My vet does an heartworm check at his yearly check up on both my dogs...We use heartguard and have had no problem with it...Now my other dog is an aussie, and some vets prefer interceptor for collies and aussies...But my vet has given me hearthuard for the past 13 1/2 yrs with my Renny, and he is fine...Of course that is Renny and no two dogs are the same...so Oliver and Renny both take heartguard, and give us no problem taking it...We give them a chewable pill monthly...

[shelly]

Hi Cheryl... I think I'm going to switch to the Interceptor for Tori even tho' my vet thinks that she'll be fine... but ironically she did get sick twice after the Heartgard and she IS part aussie.... With her history - the less vomiting the better. Hope Oliver is doing better...

[cheryl & oliver]

I get my Pet Tabs from them, but that has been the only thing I have ever ordered from them. Oops I did get rain boots one time,...they were cheaper for the pet tabs then the stores around here, but I guess I am just a chicken, but I want the vet to handle the shots for me and meds...Just my opionion...Now I have heard that some of the vets will not give u the Rx for the heartworm meds to send to them or other internet or out there companies. Mine told me that he doesn't know if they come from the United States or from somewhere over seas and he does not want to be responsible for bad meds...Just his opinion of course....I know that their prices are much better, but when u add in shipping it is close...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Shipping is free on their meds & preventatives.
There's a vet near me that has the same policy as yours, but they will match the F & S price if you bring in the catalog.
I verified with Merial that they do sell Heartguard to Foster & Smith, because F & S have licensed veterinarians working for them. The vets tell you they don't & it's countefeit, but that isn't true and I got it from the company itself. Just like some eye doctors won't give you a prescription to purchase contacts on-line...it's all about $. If you love your vet, I guess it's not a good enough reason to switch, but...