Took dog and cat to the vet Thursday. He gave the cat its vaccinations in each butt cheek. Dog got one in the butt cheek, other in front shoulder.
Both animals were sore as heck and terribly lethargic. Both are better today, but I have never had a pet act that way after vaccinations.
Never had that issue when they received the shot in the scruff of the neck.
Dog got rabies and DHLPP.
Cat got rabies and FVRCP.
I have been reading that these are actually every 3 year boosters, not 1 year. Thinking maybe their systems are getting overloaded with this medicine/booster.
Dog is 6, cat is 10. Thats a long time and a lot of medicine if its not needed.
Thoughts and opinions?

On dogs, we need to get the rabies, we don't bother with the others as they don't go anywhere...our vet is ok with that....don't know about cats...
I've only seen, and given shots under the skin around the scruff....

If your dogs get boarded, or run around other dogs at dog parks, for instance, then the other shots might be recommended,

I'm sure smash will correct me...lol

I had an animal pharmaceutical salesman tell me that if a dog receives rabies vaccination and one booster it likely will be protected for its whole life. It’s more expensive to test vaccine levels than it is to just give another booster. Would be nice if they had a cheap easy way of testing vac levels rather than pumping that crap in them every year or so. I’m sure it’s by design, big pharma doesn’t just exist in the human world.

Got 2 house cats all their shots are in the back side of the neck

As I under stand it, for dogs, a "Sub Q" rabies shot is only good for 1 yr, "IM" is good for 3 after the first one.

Have no idea about vaccinations for dogs. It seems very weird to me. I get it, I’m in the minority here. I do not worship at the altar of pets. It’s like a religion now a days

I rarely take dogs to the vet. However, having had pups die to parvo, I give parvo vaccines to pups. Nothing about worship... if I spend $500 for a dog, why would I not spend $25 in vaccines as a pup to prevent losing that $500 if the pup dies? It's just common economical sense. As for rabies vaccines, if I did not live in a rabies prone area I would likely not bother. However, if I DID live in a rabies area of course I would... would sure hate for my coon dog to be slobbering on me and get infected saliva in the cut on my hand unbeknownst to me. Once symptoms of rabies appear, I do not believe there is a cure.

But, a pre-exposure series of Rabies shots is recommended.

I have always given intramuscular rabies shots, like your veterinarian did, to my dogs. I've never had one react like yours did.

I had a beagle die immediately after a 7 in 1, subcutaneous shot once.

I always get "Dr. Feelgood" by Motley Crue, running through my head when I vaccinate dogs or puppies. I change the lyrics to "I'm the one they call puppy feel good. I'm the one who makes puppies stay alright."

Keith

Keith...... you are strange. LOL.

I have no grounds to argue that on. LOL.

Diane originally came up with the word change while assisting me.

Keith

Our dogs are dogs. They are also part of my family. I prefer tham over most people. Im not bashful spending money on keeping them healthy. I spent half of my cash put back for vacation on a high risk surgery with low sucess chance to attempt to save my wifes 9 year old dog. Our western 2 week vacation was reduced to a few days trip to hawking hills in Ohio due to that . She lived, it was a great trip and well worth it on both counts. I also shot my 10 year old German shepherd myself when it was time. My daughter's Koolie was bought from a lady in Washington state. I think she has over 5 k not counting the vet check so far. She spent 4 k on her German shepherd mri to find out why he had a limp.

Some think thats odd. To me its loyalty. We return the loyalty they give to us. The same person that would think spending as much as we do on our dogs is dumb probably spends 10 x on intrest and vehicle payments or other things I would say are dumb to me.

Some(a lot) of people take it to far and equate animals to people. There's is a huge difference and many levels between that and people that spend money on their animals.

Only time I've ever took dogs to the vet for vaccinations was when I was shipping one to someone and required the paperwork. The vet gave them subcateanously, same as I do. Rabies is not much of a thing here, and I usually don't give it. I have given them rabies shots at times, when I have been able to get them (occasionally you will find a supplier that will ship to the state, even though they aren't supposed to) and would give them regularly along with the other vaccines, if I could get them regularly to give myself. Or if I was in a rabies prone area I would break down and take them to a vet. My dad had a dog several years ago have an allergic reaction to their vaccine. With a quick dose of Benadryl she was fine by the time she made it to the vet. She is over ten now and hasn't had a vaccine since. Other than kennel cough quite a few years ago, I've never had a dog get anything they are vaccinated for (the standard 5 or 7 way vaccines only protect against one of three types of kennel cough, there is a nose spray vaccine that supposedly protects against all three, but I've only given it once) but I have sold people puppies who failed to give them their booster vaccines (I give the first one when pups are weaned) and had them succumb to parvo.

All of our "doggie daycare" places here require a vax record once a year.

That's mainly because of parvo and kennel cough.

Please look up: Dr. Jean Dodds' Recommended Vaccination Schedule.

Personally, I only give necessary puppy shots for the first year.
Distemper, Adenovirus Type 1 & 2, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus in a 5way vaccine from tractor supply. (cheap and effective)

Rabies is mandated by law. (New Jersey does not allow owners to order Rabies vaccines, or to physically give their animals a Rabies Vaccine, rabies vaccines must be given by a licensed Veterinarian only).

The First initial Rabies shot is good for only one year. After 1st Rabies shot, they are good for 3 years.
(And it is a Fact, it is the exact vaccine serum used for both first and additional Rabies vaccines).

Boretella (Intranasal spray).
Only recommended 3 days prior to boarding when required.

I am licensed and have operated numerous vaccine clinics for humans for over 33 years.
I have always given our animals their vaccines myself. I don't believe in over vaccinating my critters.

Oh, and for Heartworm…
You can use Ivermectin sheep drench solution

High dosages of ivermectin are considered safe for all dogs except those with the MDR1 gene mutation that makes them sensitive to ivermectin and other drugs. Commonly affected breeds include the Collie, Australian Shepherd (all sizes), Shetland Sheepdog, English Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, McNab, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Long-haired Whippet, and Silken Windhound. Mixed-breed dogs can also be affected.
Directions for using 0.08% sheep drench

Ivermectin sheep drench solution contains a lower concentration than other ivermectin products, so it can be used without diluting it first. Ivemectin is given orally (never use pour-on solutions for heartworm prevention).

Dosage using Ivermectin 0.08% solution for heartworm prevention (you may want to double these doses for better protection): Note that the dosages listed below are the same as is used in Heartgard.
up to 14 pounds: 0.05 cc (one-half of 0.1 cc, or 1 drop from an eye dropper, assuming 20 drops per ml)
15 to 29 pounds: 0.1 cc
30 to 58 pounds: 0.2 cc
59 to 88 pounds: 0.3 cc
89 to 117 pounds: 0.4 cc
118 to 147 pounds: 0.5 cc
Ivermectin solution is given orally. It's best to squirt it into the mouth, rather than adding to food, to be sure your dog gets it all.

1 cc of ivermectin 0.08% sheep drench solution contains 800 mcg; 0.1 cc = 80 mcg.
The exact dosage is 0.034 cc per 10 pounds of body weight, or approximately 0.1 cc per 30 pounds of body weight.

Please Read about using Ivermectin 0.08% Sheep Drench orally for dogs!
Certain Collie type dogs will experience toxicity. i.e., Commonly affected breeds include the Collie, Australian Shepherd (all sizes), Shetland Sheepdog, English Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, McNab, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Long-haired Whippet, and Silken Windhound. Mixed-breed dogs can also be affected.