I have 2 older dogs. Normally their vaccine schedules usually hit right around the time we board them for the holidays so time isn't a big deal, but I get tired of $300 vet bills. I vaccinate cattle frequently and know how to calculate proper dosage so that won't be an issue for me. What do I need to know? What do I need to watch out for? Where can I get the medicine? Is it worth it?

I once gave a chihuahua puppy its first round of vaccinations. That was interesting.

Pretty sure you can purchase preloaded syringes at Tractor Supply. Nothing to calculate, just mix with eluent and inject.

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I have 2 older dogs. Normally their vaccine schedules usually hit right around the time we board them for the holidays so time isn't a big deal, but I get tired of $300 vet bills. I vaccinate cattle frequently and know how to calculate proper dosage so that won't be an issue for me. What do I need to know? What do I need to watch out for? Where can I get the medicine? Is it worth it?

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The only vaccine my dogs receive from the vet is rabies.

Heartworm meds....ivermectin

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and Taenia tapeworms....Safeguard (as needed)

Canine distemper, adenovirus cough, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis...7-in1 vaccine from Co-op

And my vet still loves us for the other issues that will come up as animal owners (and if the cat will ever die, those visits will diminish...)

And with a mule and cattle, never a dull moment in the animal care world.

Do you have a dosage amount you can share for ivomectin? We have three dogs, 2 rescues and heartworm meds are getting expensive. Thanks in advance

AN OVERDOSE CAN KILL YOUR DOG

YMMV, but people recommend 1/10cc of 1% pig or bovine solution per 10lbs of dog.

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I have 2 older dogs. Normally their vaccine schedules usually hit right around the time we board them for the holidays so time isn't a big deal, but I get tired of $300 vet bills. I vaccinate cattle frequently and know how to calculate proper dosage so that won't be an issue for me. What do I need to know? What do I need to watch out for? Where can I get the medicine? Is it worth it?

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The only vaccine my dogs receive from the vet is rabies.

Heartworm meds....ivermectin

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and Taenia tapeworms....Safeguard (as needed)

Canine distemper, adenovirus cough, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis...7-in1 vaccine from Co-op

And my vet still loves us for the other issues that will come up as animal owners (and if the cat will ever die, those visits will diminish...)

And with a mule and cattle, never a dull moment in the animal care world.

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Exactly.....pretty much the only "shot" you cannot obtain & adminster yourself is rabies. Tractor Supply, Valleyvet.com etc are resources for purchase of other shots. Keep in mind when administering Ivomectin that some breeds can die from it:http://www.1800petmeds.com/education/working-herding-breeds-20.htm

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AN OVERDOSE CAN KILL YOUR DOG

YMMV, but people recommend 1/10cc of 1% pig or bovine solution per 10lbs of dog.

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A vet at the big school told me they dilute the Ivomec with propylene glycol (10:1), to make measurement and administration easier and more accurate.

We use the 1.87% equine paste..I'll not share the calculated/correct quantity, but I used my reloading scale to measure it. It has worked for me for over 20yrs....YMMV. All of our dogs are 50+ lbs in weight, making dosing easier.

As for the precision of the dose: the Heartgard application range is 2x (weight range), plus the directions state "if you're not sure the dog consumed all of the dose, give them another". And regarding safety---

This from PetMD:

• 6 ug/kg for heartworm prevention
• 300 ug/kg for treatment of sarcoptic mange
• 400-600 ug/kg for treatment of demodectic mange

Non-sensitive breeds generally need to be exposed to more than 2,000 ug/kg before significant symptoms develop, but the potentially toxic dose in MDR1 positive individuals can be as low as 100 ug/kg. Take note that the incredibly low dose used for heartworm prevention is well below the toxic dose even for even the most sensitive dogs. Before using higher doses of ivermectin, however, at risk dogs can be tested for the MDR1 gene mutation. This is especially important for breeds like Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties), Australian Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, English Shepherds, German Shepherds, Long-haired Whippets, Silken Windhounds, and mutts that might be derived from these breeds.

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A vet at the big school told me they dilute the Ivomec with propylene glycol (10:1), to make measurement and administration easier and more accurate.

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We also made ours diluted to make it easier to administer. Our neighbor is a retired TAMU large animal vet and he helped us after he heard the cost of the heartworm pills.