Canine 6way Single Dose Syringe Puppy Vaccine

The Canine 6Way Single Dose Syringe Puppy Vaccine

Vaccinating your dog is the surest way to protect him from some of the most prevalent canine diseases. A pup receives initial immunities from his mother, but after that he's on his own, and that's where vaccinations come in.

Vaccines are available in a variety of combinations, but a 6way puppy vaccine covers nearly all the bases. Let's take a closer look.

A 6way vaccine provides protection against:

• Canine distemper
• Adenovirus type-2
• Hepatitis
• Parainfluenza
• Parvovirus
• Coronavirus

Recommended 6Way Vaccination Schedule

It's generally recommended that puppies begin receiving vaccinations between six and eight weeks of age, just about the time that they are being weaned away from mom's milk and the immunities it provides.

After the initial vaccination, follow up vaccinations should be given at two to four week intervals until the pup reaches eighteen weeks old. These follow up boosters provoke a quicker immune response with each injection, so if your pup is ever exposed to the full blown illness, he'll be able to fight it off without suffering any ill affects.

Ways to Give Vaccinations

Every 6way vaccine comes with directions on how to administer it, but there are basically two methods of delivery.

• Subcutaneously: This method of injection involves delivering the vaccine into the fatty tissue just below the skin's surface.
• Intramuscularly: This type of injection is delivered into the muscle tissue, typically in the fleshy part of a dog's thigh.

In most cases, a 6way puppy vaccine can be injected subcutaneously into the fleshy excess skin on the back of a pup's neck. This is the least painful method, and if done correctly most pups won't even flinch.

Convenience of Single Doses

If you're a breeder vaccinating several litters a year, then purchasing your vaccines in a bulk pack of 25 makes sense. However, if you're the average pet owner, you only need enough for your pup's initial series of shots and an annual booster.

Since shots have expiration dates, buying in bulk just doesn't make good financial sense in this case. That's when the ability to purchase a canine 6way single dose syringe puppy vaccine comes in handy.

Giving Your Own Shots

Although it is safest to rely on your veterinarian to deliver your puppy's injections, the high cost of dog health care has prompted many of us to look for ways to save money. Learning to give your own shots is one way to do this while still providing your puppy with the essentials to maintain good health.

• First, make yourself aware of your local laws. Check to make sure there's no legal reason you can't vaccinate your own dog, but be aware that vaccinating someone else's dog can get you in hot water for practicing veterinary medicine without a license.
• Second, be aware that most states require your dog's annual or tri-annual rabies booster be administered by your vet, and that paperwork to this effect is provided along with a rabies tag for your dog's collar.
• Third, purchase your vaccines from a reputable company that provides step by step directions on how to give them.

Cautions

You should always read the manufacturer's guidelines for any vaccine that you buy in order to ensure you're not doing more harm than good. Most 6way vaccines come with the following recommendations.

• Do not vaccinate pregnant bitches.
• Do not vaccinate puppies that are less than six weeks old.
• Store vaccines in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Do not store vaccines in the freezer.
• Always use a fresh needle and syringe for each puppy.
• Only vaccinate healthy dogs.
• Do not mix a prepared vaccine with additional vaccines.
• Always properly dispose used needles and syringes.

About Vaccination Reactions

Although 6way vaccines are largely safe to use, some puppies do have an immediate reaction after the shot has been given. An anaphylactic reaction can cause a puppy to collapse and go into distress. This can adversely affect the heart and lungs, so immediate measures must be taken to stop the reaction in its tracks. This is most easily accomplished by giving an injection of epinephrine. The dosage needed varies by your dog's weight, so it's very important to follow the directions on the label.

Dog supply catalogs and websites that sell vaccines also carry epinephrine, syringes and needles, so if you're going to give your own vaccinations it a good idea to keep these supplies on hand as well.

Buy Vaccines

You'll find a variety of canine vaccines and complimentary supplies at the following vendors.

• California Veterinary Supply
• RevivalAnimalHealth.com
• Drs. Foster and Smith