Do you give your on Vaccinations?

[Southern Bassets]

Ok Fine then. . .
I don't give the actual shots?

My wife has the needle end of the Hound while I have the Basset end.
(of course, with my eyes closed)
But HEY I do all the bottle shaking. . . And that's pretty darn hard work!

Serious it cost me less the $4.00 per hound and it's easier then getting a pill down them!

Who else does their own shots?

[Bassetpup]

No way could i do that! I am already a HUGE worry wart after what happened to Smokey. If I had given him the shot at home, he would have passed away for sure, so now we ALWAYS sit in the waiting room for a good 15 to 20 minutes after every single shot. AND instead of giving multiple shots at once, we have a waiting period between each. Takes a long time at the vet, but worth it for my peace of mind.

However, I am pretty sure that the chances of it affecting a dog or cat that way are pretty slim. We are just fortunate enough to have pets that seem to be extra "sensitive".

[Southern Bassets]

I forgot to clarify myself. . .
Our Vet gave them their first few sets of shots.
All their puppy shots until they we're a big boy and girl.
Now we give them to the hounds.
That way the chances of a reaction are very slim?

Good good point to bring up!

[JoAnn]

Our vet does it all. I do hear is is getting a new Corvette tho ;D ;D ;D

[Bassetpup]

They CAN still have a reaction even though they were fine with the others. It is just something that can happen at any time even if no reaction was shown before. But chances are overwhelmingly in favor of nothing happening. If it wouldn't have happened to me, then I wouldn't think twice about it either. It also happened to Gabby, Julie's girl, when she gave her shots at home and she pulled through but had some problems later. You may want to do some research to find out what you should have on hand to give to them if they do have a reaction to help them until you can get to a vet. Being preparred at all times is a good way to go.

PLEASE don't think that I am saying that you shouldn't do it!!! The chances are that everything will continue to go smoothly and if you can do them at home, then go for it! I was just giving my reason for not wanting to do it myself. I am a BIG WUSS!

[Southern Bassets]

Well you got me thinking that at the very least I should never do this when my Vets office is closed or will be closing soon? That's something worth remembering!

[bassackwardsinMI]

Yeah, I am TRYING to work up the courage to do it myself, if nothing else buddy can withstand a little pain and humiliation from me instead of having to go get it somewhere else... I don't want him to associate going for a ride with going for pain only (we take him along a lot). And about that corvette, yeah, I know the feeling... I think our vet just bought a new yacht, christened it S.S. L'il Buddy, LOLOOL... "...for a thhreeee hour cruise...." Sorry, LOL, I can't resist a good tangent! ;D

[Bassetpup]

Is your vet's name Mr. Howel?? Then we can call your partner (husband or BF, etc.) Skipper! LOL. Are you the Maryann or the Ginger type? Give Gilligan a kiss for me!!!

[slurpy]

I had worked along side of my vets for over 12 years and had never once given a second thought to vaccinating myself when I picked the shots up at the vets. I knew the vaccines came from the vets and I knew that my vet had seen everyone and okeyed the vaccination.
NEVER AGAIN WILL I EVER VACCINATE MYSELF!!!
Please read Gabby's Story..........
Allergic Reaction !!


I have got to share an experience with you that I never want to have to live through again and I want to make others aware it can happen at anytime!
I have read about Dogs having allergic reactions to their vaccinations, but my vet nor myself ever had any reason to believe that any of my dogs would ever suffer what should have been a “FATAL LIFE THREATENING REACTION” I'm here to tell you it does not matter the age nor does the health of the dog matter ! Gabby my two year old has received her vaccinations every since she was a pup. She was born here so I know her back ground. They always receive their series of puppy shots and then Booster's as recommend. Dr. John always does an annual check up and then the same time every year provides me with the vaccinations and I administer. Tonight ( October 15th 2002) I got home from work had dinner then followed through with the shots. Within seconds of Gabby's vaccination she collapsed on the floor. I knew right away it was extremely serious (she was having an Acute Anaphylactic shock with Systemic Hypersensitivity) I got on the emergency phone right away with my vet (seemed like hours) Dr. John called back & I was helpless. Gabby needed urgent medical attention and I did not have time to get her there. She was dying and you could see it happening she lost her bowels and all but breathing was gone. The hole time Dr. John was on the phone trying to see me through this the best he could and feeling as helpless as myself !! Gabby needed I.V. Epi and steroids right away to counter react what was happening to her but I was 20 minutes from the vet and he said she would never make it. I ask” is she going to die” and as kindly as he could he said " yes, Julie she is. “ You only have a matter of seconds to react and counter react and the driving time did not allow. No matter how old a dog is reactions occur even though the dog has safely had a series of shots before. When these shocks occur they collapse with in seconds and Gabby did.
Just like people with a bee sting reaction. No one can explain why the fist few times there was no reaction and then a life threatening Crises! I know he was being kind and just staying on the phone with me while Gabby passed away, Trying to let me know it was no ones fault and it was on of those Rare situations in which Gabby had a Severe Life Treating Reaction!! As her breathing shallowed and she lost control of her bowels once again, I saw this glitter way back in her fixed and dilated pupils , deep back in this lost blank stare. As he talked me through what was going to happen to her as her system shut down( no matter how many times you see death it is the most terrible thing to go through) Gabby sat up. She still was not there and her pupils dilated and unresponsive ,she sat up I said Dr. John she sat up. Totally sounding like he saw a ghost he said “really” and I could hear a glimmer of hope in his voice He ask did I have any benadryl ,I did, he said try to get two down her . She laid back down and her breathing continued to become more shallow and she continued to decline . At this time he said if she survived the next 3 minutes she was through the crisis and she would more than likely come out of it with a total recovery and a miracle one at that. Once again he told me there was never any reason to suspect she would react to the vaccination and in these deadly shock situations they need to be helped and brought through with Emergency medical intervention right away. I knew that and he knew that but we both stood by helplessly ! That is where our trouble was no one could get to her to intervene fast enough , no one had the immediate IV drugs she needed available to her in the quick time she needed them. Soon we checked her pupils and they were not fixed and dilated anymore. I checked her gums as he ask and they had gone from a blue to pink. He said Julie she's coming out of it she's going to be all right. At this time the vet that is seconds from where I live ” my emergency back up “ called and with the two vets talking we loaded Gabby and took her right up the road to be safe rather than sorry. Gabby's
crisis was over and she had pulled out against all odds on her own. When we walked in up at the vet clinic he said that this was an emergency call that totally left him in disbelief. She was checked over and given an injection just as a precaution. The vet said for all of this happening within the last 45 minutes this dog looked and sounded amazing and perfectly normal. No signs of shock at all. I believe Gabby has a big big will to live, I believe in my heart that not moving her at all ( I did not want to add additional stress) and only God's hands got us through this With the Most wonderful outcome. Please don't ever think oh they have had the shot before they will be all right. That is not true. Know your dog ,know the signs that something is not right. There are circumstance that could have unfolded differently Gabby wanted outside but then refused to go (she would have collapsed outside and I would have not known until I went looking for her and I found her it was dark) I refused to allow my husband to move her,( In the back of my mind I did not want her moved) I did have some benedryl in the house (which only gave some relief in the end) neither vet was available to call back right away( we would have loaded her up and moved her and she could have died in the car! ) Gabby should have DIED But GOD Answered my prayers !!!!! I believe God stayed with Gabby all the way never leaving her once and even though we did not leave her side either God Gave her Back To Us!!!! I know this sounds like a big story but it's a true one and one I think needs to be shared.
Neither Dr. John nor myself will ever put ourselves in the Position of feeling so helpless again. I work hand and hand with him and he trust and knows I will call and we can handle medical situations as they arrive until I can get the animals to him, neither of us were prepared for this earth shattering chain of events !!! I have worked side by side with this wonderful man for over 11 years and I thank him and God Bless him for Being there everytime I have needed him , but most of all for staying with me last night in the most helpless situation ever !! For not leaving me in the moments as Gabby was passing away, for giving me no more than comfort on the other end of the phone , and for being on the other end as this tragic event turned it's self into a MIRACLE !!! God Bless You Dr. John
When these reactions occur you usually only have a matter of seconds to do anything about it. I had no epi on hand no corti-steriods and by the grace of God Gabby pulled through.
However not without all of this leaving lasting effects on her sadly because she was deprived of oxygen for a short bit it left her with some very serious personality issues. Trying to deal with them since the allergic reaction things esculated out of control and sadly Gabby had to be put to sleep on 4/3/04. We tried everything but she had suffered some brain damage. Gabby had just turned 4 years old on 3/8/04.
Never ever again is the price of saving a small bit of money ever going to allow me to make the decision to do this myself. I never felt so helpless in my life and I never felt so heart broken when we had to send her to the bridge.
It's all up to you on what you decide but I had to share my experience. None of my dogs lives are worth saving a buck!
Hugs Julie

[Bassetpup]

Julie,

I had a very similar experience with Smokey. Lukily we were at the vet's office and they were able to have an IV in and meds begun within moments. We also did not expect any sort of reaction from him as he had that shot before (distemper) with no ill effects. Thank you for sharing your story.

[slurpy]

Betty, Are you ready for Wiggins? He has his sun tan lotion, swim suite and all his goodies backed! You'll have to help him work on his tan!

[bassackwardsinMI]

Julie I am so sorry to hear about Gabby, I remember reading recently that you had to let her go. Again know how sorry I am!!!
On a lighter note, I actually think I am ginger trapped into mrs. howells body, LMAO... Ok, maybe a few (like 50) years younger, LOL, but I am NO maryann either! Gingham belly shirts would be an UNPLEASANT surprise on me, lol... but hey, I may pull off that sassy braid/piggy tail look, you never do know.....;D