You may not agree with the following, but that's okay, everyone has to make their own decission of what is best for their dog. But I wanted you to know it is an option. I only give 1/2 dose shots, here's why: the shots are made for an average sixzed dog (golden retiever , ect) and even huge like my mastiff (wich I give full shots to) So basically I feel (as well as some other breeders and vets) that you are over dosing a 4 or 5 lb. dog. they still get the same vaccines but less. As well chihuahuas have alot of reactions to shots that can;t really be explained why they react more than lg. breeds. I do not give rabies unless I have to (to bring them across the border with me) in areas that are prone to bats, racoons ect, or if you take them hiking or to alot of foresty parks, they should have it to protect them from rabies. I have only had one chi that did not get at least a mild reaction to full shots or rabies. Envy's whole face swelled up to the size of a pug when she got her full puppy shots (within 10 minutes) also a cause of (the bump) that is left can be from how the shot is administered, sounds awful but the needle needs to be put in further and pulled out as the plunger is pushed. I do my own shots, but Rabies must be done by a licenced vet. anywho.... take what you want from this, but know, that it is an option for you, and many vets will do this if asked, and given the reason why.
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You think dogs will not be in heaven~ I think they will be there long before any of us... stevenson
Actually, when I took Merrie for her vet check, i told my vet that she had only a half dose, and explained why my breeder (Beth) said that she made this chioce, and that i agree with it, he said that it is a controversial subject, but that MOST vets will administer half doses if you ask them to, but will explain the pros and cons with you first. Bsaically, he said that the companies that make the vaccines, do testing on a medium sized dog...i believe it was a Beagle....and that the same argument goes for the owners of a Great Dane for example, that are way bigger than a Beagle....are they getting the full amount that they need???? and are Chis getting way to much????? He also said that the first set of vaccines are basically a dummy shot, because the pup still will have so many of it's mothers antibodies from the milk, and that they pretty much fight off the vaccine, so technically, the second shot acts like the first....and the third is the booster. He also said that the first shot isn't as ikely to cause a reaction in a chi, because of the antibodies, but the if the second set causes a bit of a reaction, chances are the third will be worse, because of the build up of the meds.
Dogs are unconditional LOVE!
