Is it safe to give my puppy vaccines myself instead of a vet?

I do not recommend this. It's your choice, but their health is too important to take risks. Puppies usually are just fine at a clinic, people get their vaccines done all the time with no issues. I have found owners who try to give them at home often do it wrong, rendering the vaccine ineffective. In addition, places that sell vaccines to owners sometimes store the vaccines improperly. leaving them ineffective. I cannot tell you how many dogs I've seen get parvo and distemper who have been vaccinated at home by their owners. It is your choice, but I strongly urge you against it.

You may be able to buy some of the vaccines online, but the rabies vaccine will likely not be available for you to buy. Purchasing vaccines online exposes you and your pet to the risk of ineffective vaccines due to improper handling and storage.

It's a good idea to have the vet give the core vaccines if the vaccine history is unknown. There are plenty of things that can go wrong with the handling and administration of vaccines, so it's best to have it done by a professional; and it won't be harmful to have it done again. I hope that helps and all is well with Aspen.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If at all possible you would want to take Chevy to a veterinarian so they can discuss the best vaccines and vaccination schedule for your area. She also needs a rabies shot and that has to be given by a licensed veterinarian or licensed technician. Vaccines given by your vet are tracked, handled and stored properly, and the manufacturer will stand behind the product if there is an adverse reaction or event. The problem with just buying the vaccine from a feed store or catalog raises the questions of shipping, storage conditions, quality of the product, and lack of back up from the manufacturer if something did happen. Vaccinations are vitally important to Chevy's health so they should be done by a professional so you can have piece of mind. I wish you the best.

I never recommend giving vaccines at home. First off, vets and places like boarding facilities typically do not recognize vaccines given at home, so Jasper would be considered unvaccinated. Places that sell vaccines such at Tractor Supply often store the vaccines wrong, rendering them ineffective. In addition, owners can and do give them wrong. I can't tell you how many cases I've seen of dogs coming down with Parvo and distemper who have been vaccinated at home. Take him into the vet to get it done correctly. Plus, by law he needs rabies, and that can only be given by a vet. I hope this helps.

Thank you for contracting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Sadie. No, I would not worry. To be honest, vets don't count vaccines when given at home by owners or breeders. This is because the vaccines are often given wrong, or stored improperly rendering the vaccine ineffective. Groomers and kennels won't accept vaccine records not done by a vet. Your vet is the only person who should give her vaccines. In addition, I see she is two months old. Puppies are not old enough for their first vaccines until they are 6-8 weeks of age. The vaccine is ineffective before that point due to the maternal antibodies present in their body. This is another reason why only vets should vaccines pets, as many lay people do not know this. I hope this helps!

Yes, using a house call veterinarian is a good idea now especially since neither you or your puppies will be exposed to many people or other dogs. House calls are convenient and you get one on one time with the veterinarian. They are appropriate for routine vaccinations and care. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Nelson and Oscar.