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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on March 16, 2011 at 11:15pm

Vaccination clinics are usually fine for annual shots if your pet is healthy. Check with your local vets, as they often have vaccination clinics where exams are not required. Petsmart's vet Banfield does offer vaccination clinics, and I highly doubt they re-use needles. Its against the law and would likely result in a loss of license if they were caught, Needles are really cheap when bought in bulk so I don't think they'd risk it. I'd be more wary of locations that do not have a vet on staff. Contact your local humane society as well, they often offer low cost vaccination clinics too. Be aware that state law says your vet has to examine your pet annually in order to get prescription medications (such as heartworm meds) so if you want to bypass the annual exam, make sure the vaccination clinic you attend will provide you with heartworm medication or a written prescription, otherwise you will just end up at the vet for an exam for heartworm meds anyway. Also, many vaccination clinics include Corona as a core vaccine, DO NOT GET THIS VACCINE!!! Corona virus is in puppies only, its a waste of your money and there is absolutely no reason to have a dog vaccinated against Corona. Make sure you know what your dog is due for and ONLY get those vaccines (your vet will have a record of what your dog is due for).

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Permalink Reply by Jessie & Alwyn on March 16, 2011 at 11:29pm

Good info, thank you! It's our first yearly vaccinations so I'm curious what everyone does, my fiance is generally concerned because he heard of a place reusing needles years ago, typical corgi parent syndrome, etc etc. =)

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Permalink Reply by Don on March 17, 2011 at 1:53am

Jazmin is on a Banfield/Petsmart contract at this moment. I know there are a lot of bad reviews but the experiences I've had thus far has been good.

I do know that one vet that I took Jazmin to did not wish to vaccanate her for anything at first, even after I had mentioned concerns of her getting the shots thru the breeder and lack of them administered by a vet. Beyond that wouldn't even do a snap test for heartworm ( its a quick return test, used by the Humane Society frequently so I know what they look like).

Eventually got her to Banfield and they did do a snap test, they also performed necessary vaccines including Lyme which is a serious concern for where I live in Virginia.

 

Anyways, just a note, hope this helps out.

 

Sincerely,

Don and Crew

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Permalink Reply by Julia on March 17, 2011 at 2:35am

Oww! Reuse needles? No heartworm test? What?

OK. My experience is with Humane Society vaccine schedules, which usually differ from private vet schedules because of our concerns over time and contagion. That said: Who would ever reuse a needle for anything??? I wouldn't even think to ask, but if you feel you need to, then ask.

That is a rule for always: IF YOU THINK YOU SHOULD ASK, THEN ASK!!!  Repeat 3 times with me:

                                        IF YOU THINK YOU SHOULD ASK, THEN ASK!!!!!  Again,

                                        IF YOU THINK YOU SHOULD ASK, THEN ASK!!!!!!

 

You may find a vaccination clinic at a humane society or large pet store chain, but as has been mentioned, you still need an annual heartworm test. Some humane societies may do this, some stores may, I don't know. Either way, you are saving no money by getting shots without seeing a vet if you still have to go back for a heartworm test. So make sure it's all included. I take my dogs to a vet, for much $$$$$, but if the choice is getting a dog shots only, or nothing at all, I vote for whatever the owner can provide rather than nothing at all.

I'm guessing you're new to this, so I hope my capitalized advise is helpful. Don't ever be intimidated by the professionals you will have to deal with in the years to come. Make sure you understand what they say to you, even if you feel silly.

You would probably be surprised by the questions  some new adopters ask me. "How do you wash the cat, and how often?"  So don't think you will sound stupid :)

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Permalink Reply by Don on March 17, 2011 at 6:05am

Rock on, I vounteer for the Humane Society of Fairfax County.
Anyways, as mentioned please do contact your local humane society, they were amazingly helpful when I had questions. They aslo have information as well on spaying/nutering your pets, common necessary vaccines that may be required. They will also have more interesting information like where the local off leash parks are, what rules govern local leash laws, possible known deases issues..ect.

Just a wealth of information exists there and is worth a visit none the less.

 

Sincerely,

Don and Crew

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Marie O'Bryan on March 17, 2011 at 4:21am

i work at petco and i can assure you they do NOT reuse needles. they are so finicky when it comes to health that they disinfect after ever dog comes up to the counter to purchase a vaccine package and require that if u have an under 10 week puppy that it has to ride in a cart. they do the shots in a "mobile vet van" but have to doors open and u can see what they do. i have seen them throw out needles after using it just once. the people who do them there are licensed to do this so dont worry if you choose to do this

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Permalink Reply by Beth on March 17, 2011 at 8:16am

Which shots are you getting annually?  Most are NOT needed that often.  Shots typically given:

 

1) Rabies, as required by law.  Varies by state, mine is every 3 years.

2) Core virus shots: distemper, parvo, etc:  Many vets have shifted to once every 3 years, and this is the protocol suggested by many veterinary hospitals.

3) Lepto/Lyme:  given as needed, based on areas visited/lived in and lifestyle.  Needed once a year at minimum for high-risk dogs, not at all for other dogs.  Consult with vet. (given more often because the diseases that cause them are bacteria, not viruses, and immunity is therefore short-lived).

4) Kennel cough: given as needed, once or twice a year for dogs who are boarded, show, take classes, etc.  House pets who are not boarded may not need it.

 

I have no problem with clinics and you can save some money.  You can also check with your vet; sometimes if a shot is needed outside the time for the annual exam, you can just see a tech for a lower per-visit fee, and the tech can administer the shot.  That's what we do for kennel cough and one or two others.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on March 17, 2011 at 8:40am

I should add that after the core series of puppy shots, a booster is required at around 1 year before going to the once-every-3-year schedule.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on March 17, 2011 at 9:10am

My vet offers a Spring Vet Days every spring with reduced prices so I take mine to this. I really have a hard time believing that anyplace would reuse needles as they also would be responsible and I would think that they would have to have a veternarian who is responsible and at risk of loosing their liscense. I have a discussion on here about vaccines but this as to how often not where. Many places do push unneeded vaccines...mine get the basics as I am a firm believer in wanting my dogs protected but I don't buy into all the new extra vaccines.

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Permalink Reply by The Geek's Wife & her Corgi Ein on March 17, 2011 at 12:25pm

With the economy still struggling I choose to go to my Vet. Lots of people like you are looking for a cost effective ways to keep their fur babies healthy, but some aren't even getting their anual vaccinations at all. I have a friend who is a vet (not our vet) and she says that it's a field that's struggling to stay afloat. I absolutely LOVE my vet, and for that reason I want to show my support and loyalty by going to him for everything, not just illnesses or injuries. Just another perspective on the subject.

 

Heather

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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on March 17, 2011 at 6:41pm

I would only be concerned about over-vaccination. Typically Vets give puppy shots and re-vaccinate after 1 yr.  After that, shots are only needed every 3 years, but many Vets, including mine, who I love, still vaccinate every year.  I just ignore the reminder!  For rabies check your State Law.  There is no choice there.  The vaccines are hard on the immune system, so don't do more than needed. Do a little homework in your area.

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Permalink Reply by Jessie & Alwyn on March 20, 2011 at 1:15pm

Thank you all so very much for your excellent input (sorry for my delay in response)! We are definitely not new to having animals in our lives but both of us haven't had a dog of our own since we were kids so I thought I'd ask all of our experts here. =) It was great to read about everyone's experiences with different pet store chains who offer vaccination clinics (thank you Rebecca for seeing first hand by being an employee!). Melissa, I really appreciate your advice on NOT getting the Corona vaccine if it were ever offered. I know Alwyn will be due for his Rabies (looking to get the 3 year one if available), Lyme, parvo and distemper in addition to the check up. Julia, I would most DEFINITELY ask the person in question if the needle was unused or not without a question, thank you for your concern. Jane, we too are fans of not having extra unnecessary vaccines. The basics work just fine. Anne, thank you for this too. 

 

It's ironic that I posted this message because a friend of ours knew we were looking for a new vet (the last one unnecessarily man handled him during his first few visits because he was well, just being a corgi puppy, wasn't A+ trained at 10 weeks old, and gave them an attitude when the Vet touched his boy parts) in addition to him getting the stigma of being "Ohhh I remember him, he's headstrong" and at one time he was brought into the back room by a vet tech (without us present) for his last round of shots. Yeah...we were done. Never once did he misbehave there so I believe we have good reason to look elsewhere. Anyways, as I was saying a friend of ours knows of a Vet who after many years of working in other clinics, is opening up her own. In the meantime, she's building a broader client base by doing house calls and she comes very highly recommended and is spoken fondly of. She also charges extremely reasonably both in her visitation and vaccination fees. Therefore I think we have decided to go that route. 

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