Janice:
Just pulled my bill and it just says DPLP x2 $40.00. I've got 2 dogs, so that's the x2. I don't have time now to look up DPLP, but I'm guessing it's a standard canine vaccine.
As for the dogs -- I will get rabies for the house dog, but once they pass puppyhood, they're so limited in where they go and what they are allowed to do and have no contact with other dogs to speak of, that I don't worry about the other vaccines. If I have to put them in a kennel, I'll get the kennel cough because I pretty much have to. When it comes to the pyrs though - and I admit that I haven't done my homework in terms of what diseases they could get -- whatever is recommended I'm okay with. First, they live in the elements. There's no warm house or bed to lie in. They have access to the barn 24/7 and the ONLY time they wouldn't be allowed in would be if I'm doing something and don't want their help...and when I'm done, they again have access to almost all areas. Except in summer, they have straw as bedding and if there's a bale of straw then, they'll dig at it if they want it (much to my chagrin). I've seen a 1/4 eaten rabbit in the pasture and there have been a couple of dead rats. One of the dogs seems to feel she needs to protect dead birds. I've seen them get mice in one swallow and seen a dead mole in the barn. I've never seen anything else that they've gotten -- any animal with any sense is not going to come into the pasture!..and I tend to think that most animals have more sense than a lot of humans and know that these dogs could be a quick death. In any case, I don't know where the rats, moles, birds, or rabbits have been or what they might carry that could be dangerous to the dogs. I guess I'd rather be safe than have a sick dog. I love those two and they're worth their weight in gold for the peace of mind I have because of them. So, whatever the vet says they need, I'll do.
AS I said, I don't have time to check now, but I bet there's a vaccine that's a multi -type called DPLP.
Good luck!
Susan
PS -- The rabies is a must -- I don't give my house cats rabies shots......they do not get out and have no contact with other animals..... ..the barn cats? $65.00 for 2 rabies shots, but worth it. God only knows where they roam and what they come into contact with....as for the other vaccines for the barn cats? Guiltily, I haven't had them vaccinated for anything but rabies....and I really like them, but.....somehow farm cats seem to disappear as I remember from my childhood... ......... but I should check it out for the safety of the dogs and alpacas...and yet I'm sure I know of plenty of cats that don't even get rabies vaccine..... ....
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 8:00 PM
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Pyr vaccinations
<<<I just have to second how much I appreciate my vet for keeping track
of the pyrs vaccines and what they need. Last year she asked me to get
the dogs.....and I reminded her that they just had a 3 yr rabies vaccine
the previous year -- she just smiled and said she knew, but there were a
couple others she felt they should have, especially given their living
arrangements.
.....don't remember which they were off hand, but given that they could
potentially be exposed to about anything, I figure we need to do
it......and was grateful for her remembering! >>>
Susan, I would be most interested to find out what particular vaccines
those were. My pyrs are coming up on 1 yr old. They had their puppy
shots.....given by me. Generally I don't vaccinate my dogs after they
are adults; but my dogs have always been GSD; always with me, in the
house, unless we are all outside and they don't go anywhere off the
property. The pyrs won't be going anywhere either (knock on wood ha),
so I wasn't thinking about anything but rabies for them. So when you
say "especially given their living arrangements" I assume you mean
outside with the alpacas and would like to know what your vet felt was
important. I unfortunately no longer have a vehicle large enough to
transport these dogs to a vet (and can't afford a vet anyway); and my
horse vet is not as willing to treat and deal with the dogs or alpacas,
tho she has been willing to get me meds for them as long as I tell her
what I want/need. So I am on my own with the alpacas and pyrs. It
will soon be time to get her out here for the horses vaccinations and if
there is something else that I will need to get from her that would be
the time to do it. If you could find out what they were I would be
most appreciative.
Janice in NW GA
