Is it safe to vaccinate my 8-year-old dog for distemper now?

1. Distemper and deworming can be given at the same time. 2. Yes, I would give the vaccination plus one booster a month later if she has never been vaccinated before. 3. A simple blood test can be done to check for heartworms. The presence of heartworms has nothing to do with the vaccinations. She can still be vaccinated. 4. I have never heard of the vaccination causing brain inflammation. 5. Vaccines overall are not dangerous - they are life saving, however, there are some dogs than can have a reaction to vaccinations just like humans can. There is no way to know if a reaction will occur before giving the vaccination. All I can say is that vaccine reactions are very rare. 6. If you have no plans to breed her you should have her spayed. With that cystic ovary she has a good chance of developing pyometra (severe uterine infection) as well as mammary (breast) cancer.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Charlie. Puppies are typically vaccinated for the distemper virus. However, some are never taken to a veterinarian. So I would certainly recommend having Charlie vaccinated now. He would need an initial vaccine and then a booster in 3-4 weeks. This will ensure that he is adequately protected. I hope this information helps!

No, he isn't too old to be vaccinated. A rabies vaccine can be given and boosted in 1 year, then every 3 years. The distemper/parvovirus combination (DHPP) can be given, then boosted in 4 weeks. After that, it can be yearly or every 3 years depending on the vaccine. Other vaccines, given based on risk of exposure, include Bordatella, Leptospirosis, Lyme and Canine Influenza. Discuss these as well as monthly heartworm, parasite, flea and tick preventatives. Consider having Fatty neutered as well.

Yes, there are some distemper/parvo vaccines that can safely be given every 3 years. Puppies though need a series of vaccines to help build their immune system. Adults that have previously had vaccines can receive this vaccine every 3 years IF that is the type of vaccine that was given. I would contact the vet where he received the last vaccine and ask them whether they give the 1 or 3 year distemper/parvo vaccine to just make sure. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Studies have shown that the Distemper/parvo vaccine may have protective immunity for 3-7 years after vaccination. If you are worried I would consider having a distemper and parvo titre done on Zandalee's blood. Be sure that Zandalee is updated on her Rabies as well. Raccoons also carry rabies. I hope this helps and good luck!

She is a pretty girl!!! The most important vaccination (and one required by law) is the Rabies vaccine. This is essential. The second most important vaccine is the Distemper vaccine, which is often a combo vaccine sometimes called a DHPP (protects against distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza). These vaccines are considered the "core vaccines" for dogs. Every dog should have them. The rest will depend on her lifestyle. I also recommend the Leptosporosis vaccine for dogs if they spend time outdoors in areas with creeks/puddles/ponds because this disease is a bacteria transmitted to dogs by contaminated water (rodents who have the disease urinate and it contaminates the water and the dogs can acquire it this way). The Lepto vaccine requries a series of 2 booster 3 to 4 weeks apart if she has never had it before. Other vaccines you may consider would include Lyme if your dog is outdoors and exposed to ticks and you are in a lyme endemic area, Bordetella also known as Kennel Cough if you ever take her to the park/groomer/kennel/dog classes/out for walks in areas with other dogs. Canine Influenza is another vaccine I recommend for dogs that come into contact with many other dogs/areas with many other dogs such as kennels or dog shows/events. That vaccine will also require a series of 2 vaccines several weeks apart if she has never had it before.

Unfortunately, it takes up to 2 weeks for a vaccination to be effective, so vaccinating the exposed puppies after exposure, will not help protect them from their previous exposure, but may help protect them against future exposure. I am including more information about distemper below. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952099 Since distemper is very contagious, I would not recommend having the exposed puppies around any other dogs if they are potentially contagious. You can call your local VetCo clinic to determine if they are able to accommodate the puppies in a safe manner, so that other dogs are not exposed. You can find your local location here. https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/ Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.