Giving Puppy Shots At Home- A Comprehensive Guide For Beginners

Giving puppy shots at home can seem overwhelming at first but once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier.

Having a dog is loads of fun! It’s even more fun introducing them to the new place where you live. Being a puppy owner means being responsible for the things that aren’t so fun like cleaning up after your dog and taking him/her to the vet.

Vet visits are particularly important during the first year of a dog’s life. You’ll want to start vaccinating as soon as possible, but what kind of puppy shots do you need? We’ve put together a guide to give you a peek at what your first year of puppy shots looks like and how you can sail through that smoothly.

Before the age of 12 weeks, all puppies must receive a series of vaccinations. They are shielded from a range of illnesses, including rabies, thanks to these vaccinations. It is not always necessary, however, to consult a veterinarian for vaccinations.

You may administer your puppy shots at home. Begin by speaking with your veterinarian to evaluate whether or not home immunizations are appropriate for your puppy. Then, from a reliable dealer, purchase a shot packet. Hold your puppy steady while inserting the needle into the skin and pushing the plunger downwards.

Does this sound too easy? Read on and get to know more about puppy shots and master the art of giving puppy shots at home.

Advantages Of Giving Puppy Shots At Home

1. Administering your puppy’s shots at home has several advantages. The first and most obvious one is the fact that you save a lot of money over time. It is estimated that administering shots at home can save you from $1000 to $1300 throughout the lifespan of your dog. Although you still have to pay for the shots, you do not have to pay for the veterinarian’s time.
2. In addition, giving your puppy shots at home also grants you the convenience of doing it at the time that best suits you. If you are to go to the veterinarian, you will likely have to book an appointment day if not weeks in advance. And, in some cases that will involve you having to move things around on your schedule to create time. When you do it at home, you just need to put aside a few minutes on a specific day. This is definitely more convenient.
3. Giving your puppy shots at home does not only benefit you but benefits the puppy as well. Your puppy will get to receive the shots in an environment which they are used to. This reduces the stress and anxiety they would likely experience by going to the vet.

Core Dog Vaccines

Due to the universal danger of exposure, the severity of sickness, and the possibility of transmission from and to other dogs, as well as other animal species, including humans, core puppy, dog immunizations are deemed essential for all canines. There are several vaccines that your puppy needs to get in the first year.

The Canine Task Force of the American Animal Hospital Association believes the essential canine immunizations are Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, and Rabies. The non-core vaccines include Bordetella, Canine Influenza (dog flu), Leptospirosis, and Lyme vaccine.

Even though these vaccines are not considered core, they are critical for most dogs who may be exposed to infectious diseases.

In most places, including Pennsylvania, rabies vaccines are mandatory by law. Owners must vaccinate their dogs and puppies against rabies regularly, although the particular time frames for puppy and dog immunizations vary by state. In Pennsylvania, puppy rabies vaccination is usually given at 12 weeks of age, and the vaccine is effective for one year. Rabies vaccines should be given again 12-14 months after the initial one, and then every three years after that.

The Exact Technique Of Giving Puppy Shots At Home

You need to understand the exact technique of giving puppy shots at home. You will give an injection into the subcutaneous tissue, which is considerably looser in the dog than in the human. Pinch some loose skin from the back of the neck or “scruff” region between your thumb and forefinger.

Hold the syringe firmly in your dominant hand, in whichever way feels most comfortable for you. Don’t place your hand or finger over the plunger of the needle in case your dog suddenly moves and pushes your hand, which could result in the contents being wasted or injected accidentally.

If you insert the needle quickly, then with a slight downward angle, and you can depress the plunger, it will work just as well.

When you administer an injection to your dog, make sure to draw up the correct amount. It’s not advisable to use a syringe with a very large volume. If your dog is having trouble sitting still, have someone help you.

Final Thoughts

It is not for everyone to vaccinate their dog at home. Most owners are either afraid of needles or don’t trust themselves to do so, and that’s fine. When it comes to something as vital as dog immunizations, it’s sometimes best to leave it to the professionals.

It may not be a good idea to administer your puppy’s first-year immunizations unless you have prior experience. Observe, explore, and keep looking at numerous resources to see if your dog’s booster vaccinations are a possibility.

Ask questions and pay attention to how your veterinarian administers vaccinations to your dog. You can also talk to them about what vaccinations your dog needs. Familiarizing yourself with the canine vaccination guidelines is also a great start.

It’s excellent to read about how to give dog vaccines, but I’d suggest viewing some decent films of the procedure beforehand.

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