I screwed up

heavyjay

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#1
When Baloo came to live with us on July 1, the previous owners gave me an envelope with an AKC app and an index card with a bunch of dates and a sticker on it. They told me he was due for his shots by the end of the month (July). No problem. He has an appointment for this Friday (late, I know, but I've been trying to help him over his fear of the car). I pulled out the index card, and on closer examination I noticed that most of the dates were for worm treatments that were done by the breeder. There's only one record (the sticker) of a vaccination for Distemper and Parvo from April 29. Handwritten on the back of the card, what I thought said "@9 wks, vet gave next booster shot," actually says "@9 wks, vet give (as in "to give") next booster shot." They apparently never took him for his second set of shots. I can't get a hold of them to verify as they have moved and their phone # has changed. This is totally my fault, but the wife sounded so knowledgeable, I took her at her word. I can't imagine why she wouldn't have taken him for his next vaccination. If she had just told me, I would have taken him the next day. I feel like such an idiot. Should I just start from scratch and get him dosed once a month for the next three months? I know I have to sneak a rabies in there somewhere also.
 

jess2416

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#2
You can probably get your vet to do a titer test ....:) I'm not exactly sure how it works but hopefully someone else can explain it...
 

Buddy'sParents

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#3
Hmm.

A rabies shot will be mandatory, regardless of whether you know it was given ,if you do not have proof, as most states require it.

I would also suggest a titer test. All of our dogs get their first full set of shots and then from there they get or will get an annual titer test.

Red explains it well in this thread.

Good luck!
 

heavyjay

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#4
That's reassuring, thanks. I was feeling like a neglectful parent. I think I'll have the vet do the titres. I'm almost 100% sure he hasn't had the rabies because he was only 15 wks when we got him.
 

juliefurry

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#5
I haven't gotten lots of my dogs when they didn't finish the puppy shots and were way beyond the age of getting their puppy shots. My vet usually would do 1 booster and then the rabies.
 

showpug

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That's reassuring, thanks. I was feeling like a neglectful parent. I think I'll have the vet do the titres. I'm almost 100% sure he hasn't had the rabies because he was only 15 wks when we got him.
Chances are with a 15 week old puppy, your vet won't do a titer. Even if your puppy only had two vaccinations, that isn't considered enough by the vaccine manufacturers to to supply proper immunity against the diseases. I'll bet your vet will recommend a vaccine now and a booster in 2-4 weeks to ensure the series is done properly. After that, it's usually fine to check titers instead of just vaccinating yearly when your dog may not need it. Of course the rabies vaccine is required and can be done after 12 weeks of age which your vet may go ahead with as well.
 

heavyjay

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#7
Thanks for the replies guys. I'll leave it up to the vet. I'm just glad to know that it's an issue that is easily rectified.
 

squirtsmom

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#8
My vet has been immunizing our Baby every 2 weeks x3, including startilng the vacc. for Lyme Disease that just came out . Even though she is on the frontline plus, and heartguard.
 

bubbatd

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#9
Yup ! The best way is to let your vet decide what to do . Good luck !!
 

heavyjay

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#14
Yes. Someone mentioned rabies vaccine and I said I was pretty sure he hadn't had one because he was only 15 wks old when we got him.
 

jess2416

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I'm not sure where you live, but I would be getting that rabies shot ASAP...cause I know in my state (county) it is REQUIRED by law that any dog or cat 4 months or older HAS to have one
 

Buddy'sParents

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I'm not sure where you live, but I would be getting that rabies shot ASAP...cause I know in my state (county) it is REQUIRED by law that any dog or cat 4 months or older HAS to have one
Same here. Don't get caught! Hopefully the vet will have some answers for you. Good luck.
 

fillyone

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#20
At 5 months I'd have titers for Distemper and Parvo and if legally possible wait until 6+ months for Rabies.
If you have to have all, get them seperated by at least 2 weeks.
 

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