1
My six-month-old mixed breed puppy was vaccinated for rabies and also had an injection for tapeworm two weeks ago. Yesterday I noticed a one-inch, firm, but moveable lump near the injection site that had not been there before. It moves freely under the skin and does not seem to bother him. I have read recently about some vaccines causing fibrosarcomas in cats, but dogs were not mentioned. I am very concerned and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
2
What vaccinations are required of my new puppy?
3
Is it normal for a young puppy to have a very loose stool after getting his shots?
4
How do I know when it's time for my puppy/dog to get shots, and how do I know which one's he needs?
1
My six-month-old mixed breed puppy was vaccinated for rabies and also had an injection for tapeworm two weeks ago. Yesterday I noticed a one-inch, firm, but moveable lump near the injection site that had not been there before. It moves freely under the skin and does not seem to bother him. I have read recently about some vaccines causing fibrosarcomas in cats, but dogs were not mentioned. I am very concerned and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
It is not unusual for there to be a reaction at the site of an injection. This can vary from a lump such as you mentioned to more serious situations such as the fibrosarcomas in cats. Often the reaction will subside in a short time. In any case you should call your veterinarian and let her know what is happening since she will likely want to monitor the situation.
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2
What vaccinations are required of my new puppy?
The only vaccination usually required by municipalities is a rabies vaccination. However, to protect your puppy's health, most puppies are vaccinated against infection from rabies, canine distemper, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus. Other vaccines are available and may be desirable depending on the prevalence of disease in your area and possible exposure of your puppy. The frequency of vaccination varies with the age of the puppy. Please contact your local ordinances and veterinarian for more detailed advice.
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3
Is it normal for a young puppy to have a very loose stool after getting his shots?
In some cases, a puppy may have a reaction to his vaccinations, which could include a oose stool. This should subside in a day or so. Even so, you should always inform your veterinarian that loose stools have occurred post vaccination. If they persist for more than a day, treatment may be needed to get the intestinal tract back to normal function.
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4
How do I know when it's time for my puppy/dog to get shots, and how do I know which one's he needs?
A young puppy should start their shots shortly after they enter your home. While a puppy gets some immunity from their mother via the milk, this immunity begins to diminish between 8-16 weeks of age. Therefore, they need to be vaccinated for the common canine diseases. These include, but are not limited to Canine distemper, hepatitis, parvo virus, bordetella virus, parainfluenza and Lyme disease. Naturally he will also need a rabies vaccination. Which ones are necessary depend to some extent on your area. Please consult with your veterinarian to determine which vaccinations are needed for your puppy.
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