Why Can’t I give vaccines to my pets myself?

Why Can’t I give vaccines to my pets myself?

By: Dr. Jon Rappaport

Our question this week was:

Dr. Jon, I am a Licensed Practical Nurse. I would like to give my animals their vaccines myself. In Virginia, I can buy the vaccines online. Is their any reason you think I shouldn't as long as I know how much to give and what route and where and know the side effects?

Pat Brown


Answer

Hi – thanks for your email Pat. You ask a very good question. There are several reasons that veterinarians don't recommend that owners give their own shots to their pets.

It is interesting that you ask this question because we have a veterinarian columnist that prefers to go by "the Irreverent Veterinarian" that gives real opinions about these types of issues. They recently emailed me asking to write about this exact topic.

I believe that they saw a pet that was home-vaccinated and came down with parvo.

In general, I can say that owners that give their own vaccines at home are not regarded highly.



I think the Irreverent Veterinarian Discusses why...this pretty well in the article The Irreverent Vet Speaks on Owners That Want to Give Their Own Shots.

Read it and see what you think.


Regards,


Dr. Jon




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