Question for C3Ds?

[maggyd]

Hope you dont mind me asking C3Ds but I am about to get my 14month old Chihuahua vacinated against Rabies so we can take him over to France Germany. and Holland next year he has to have 7 months between the Vac and bringing him back into the U.K. Is they any complications I should worry about with him being so small he weighs 2.5 Kgs.

I would be grateful for your imput. I am going away to-morrow for a few days so I might not see your reply till Friday.

Thanks a lot Margaret. xx

[chickadeedeedee]

Hi Maggyd.

Thanks for thinking that I might actually be able to help.

In the USA our vaccines for pets are dosed at 1.0cc per animal. For those wee patients at 2.0kg or less we usually give one half of that, namely 0.5cc of the vaccine.

The immune system will respond to the vaccine and that is how the patient becomes protected against the disease if it be the full does or a portion. Sometimes the smaller patients become VERY sore and feverish with the full 1.0cc vaccine dose. If only half is given, they get the same immune response and protection but their risk of being painful at the injection site and feverish is decreased.

As with anyone ... human, cat, dog, horse, elephant ... reaction to any vaccine or medication will vary with that individual. I have given you generalities. If you were to bring your little one to me I'd give the half dose of the vaccine.

Your laws and regulations may vary. Please do discuss any options with your veterinarian. If you must get the full dose, a cold compress at the injection site will probably decrease the chance of getting painful there.

A severe allergic reaction to a vaccine is very rare. I have been a veterinarian for almost 20 years and have seen two vaccine reactions in all that time. Thankfully not due to a jab I had given. If there is a severe reaction the patient will collapse within seconds of the vaccine and usually vomit. This is an emergency and things will need to be done to stop the reaction but they do recover as quickly as they collapse.

Hope I didn't frighten you with that last bit.

Hope you and yours have a fantastic trip!

Kindest regards,

C3D

[maggyd]

Thanks C3Ds for your reply ;D I will certainly ask my Vet for the half doze and see what he says I would be happier with that if I can get away with that!!

At round about the same time e.g. next few weeks he also needs his annual booster against Canine distemper-parvo-Leptospirosis-hepatitus-parainfluenza-Bordetellosis-and Tracheobronchitis!!

He is going to love me after all this isnt he? Ill have to get cracking now Im back home and see if we can space them.

Thanks again Margaret.