The NFC B-Day Chat Thread

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't do yearly vaccines after my dogs are over a year. I do them every 3 years until age 8 than just rabies. Our vet is very reasonable and he allows me to make a lot of my own decisions, and gives me lots of discounts, helps I went to school with him and he lives around the block.

I used to do our own vaccines until a dog had a severe reaction and blew up like a blowfish, so no more here. It isn't worth the risk for me.

I know we aren't in a high heartworm area but it does happen here. Odds are good that a dog doesn't develop it but I don't want to risk something that can be so deadly yet so preventable, plus my dogs get a yearly worming out of it.

I don't necessarily do the 6 months straight with my heartworm preventative, I make yearly changes based on mosquitoes. This year we barely saw any, so I started late and stopped early. It's definitely worth getting them checked for heartworms yearly. Here that test is $15.

@JaeG you birds are adorable. I had a cockatiel once, was a nice bird but had a loud squawk. I have sensitive hearing so it was too much for me so I haven't gotten another after it passed. I got it Wal-Mart back in the days when they sold birds.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I am a nurse now, but even before that i used to vaccinate all the kittens and puppies we sold in our pet stores. It is not hard. Probably videos on you tube. Sure saves a load of money. I paid $66 for everything at the spay clinic instead of $100 the local vet wanted, and the vet charges more for pain meds etc. I could have had it done even cheaper but i didn't want the tip of her ear cut off.

I might look it up but I think I'd still be nervous

And wow that's great! Any saving is good although even $100 is still really cheap compared to around here.

I don't do yearly vaccines after my dogs are over a year. I do them every 3 years until age 8 than just rabies. Our vet is very reasonable and he allows me to make a lot of my own decisions, and gives me lots of discounts, helps I went to school with him and he lives around the block.

I used to do our own vaccines until a dog had a severe reaction and blew up like a blowfish, so no more here. It isn't worth the risk for me.

I know we aren't in a high heartworm area but it does happen here. Odds are good that a dog doesn't develop it but I don't want to risk something that can be so deadly yet so preventable, plus my dogs get a yearly worming out of it.

I don't necessarily do the 6 months straight with my heartworm preventative, I make yearly changes based on mosquitoes. This year we barely saw any, so I started late and stopped early. It's definitely worth getting them checked for heartworms yearly. Here that test is $15.

@JaeG you birds are adorable. I had a cockatiel once, was a nice bird but had a loud squawk. I have sensitive hearing so it was too much for me so I haven't gotten another after it passed. I got it Wal-Mart back in the days when they sold birds.

That's a good method, I kind of like that. Might try doing that with mine ha especially since after 8 a lot of them don't really go many places and/or they have had the vaccine enough it should still be there.

Oh wow that's scary! Makes me not want to try it ha

I heard they can get it even on preventative but it's rare. I heard a story of a dog. And I also knew someone who's dog had heartworm when they rescued it and it was a very long and miserable recovery. Definitely worth it to use the preventative.

That's a good idea to change when you use it. I think I'll talk about the test. My dad never gets it

 

[JaeG]

Good morning everyone

J, cute to see the little cockatiel snuggle with your cat! You mention some of them leaving you...do you sell them once they reach a certain age? It would be hard to keep all you hatch but it must sometimes be tough to part with some of those you spent so much time on.

DMC, I hear you on the cost of pets. Between the 3 cats here at home and the 3 down at the golf course, that's a lot of vet bills. Before the year is out, all 6 will have been back to the vet for check ups.

Chilly day here today. We had some snow mixed with rain yesterday afternoon and more of that is predicted over the next several days. Sure makes for slow biz at a golf course.

You all have a great day, I'll be back later to see what everyone's up to.

Wrap up warm!

The cockatiels are from a breeder and he's expecting some money for them when I sell them. But it's a way he can find good homes for the not perfectly marked birds. Cockatiels can be quite loud at times - they have a loud contact call. I'm not sure I'd want to keep one, but they are super sweet birds and so cuddly.

Our three cats are strictly indoor cats too and they don't get vaccinated (other than the initial kitten ones). There's a vet here that also offers testing for puppies and dogs to test if they need to do the full round of vaccines/need any boosters or not, or if what they've received gives them enough immunity.

 

[sourland]

Being a busy little ant here freezing corn for winter.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mmmm, corn.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Wrap up warm!

The cockatiels are from a breeder and he's expecting some money for them when I sell them. But it's a way he can find good homes for the not perfectly marked birds. Cockatiels can be quite loud at times - they have a loud contact call. I'm not sure I'd want to keep one, but they are super sweet birds and so cuddly.

Our three cats are strictly indoor cats too and they don't get vaccinated (other than the initial kitten ones). There's a vet here that also offers testing for puppies and dogs to test if they need to do the full round of vaccines/need any boosters or not, or if what they've received gives them enough immunity.

The only thing is that if you don't vaccinate and they need to go to the vet or be boarded they might contract something. I figure $8 once a year is cheap insurance in case they are exposed. Even some one visiting you can bring germs in and touch your cat. That is why i had my cat vaccinated for feline leukemia.

 

[JaeG]

The only thing is that if you don't vaccinate and they need to go to the vet or be boarded they might contract something. I figure $8 once a year is cheap insurance in case they are exposed. Even some one visiting you can bring germs in and touch your cat. That is why i had my cat vaccinated for feline leukemia.

Our cats have never had to board anywhere and we have no intention of them ever needing to. Here vaccination boosters require a full vet appointment and would cost the earth (as there's always other 'test' they are pushing for you to get). Our two ragdoll cats are 12 years old and we've owned them for 11 of those years. They've been indoor cats with us and I can't recall ever needing to take them to the vet in all that time. Our other cat, Mistletoe, is deaf and half blind and now 5 years old. I'd hate to have to take her to the vet - she'd have their arm off and I am not kidding. If you don't smell right (and especially if you smell like an unknown dog or cat) then you will be attacked and her bite is way worse than her 'bark'!!! I picked her up one day when my Mum was here and she must've caught a whiff of Mum's (indoor) cats off her as she was standing next to me. Mistletoe full on attacked my arm, sinking in claws and teeth. She is usually the sweetest cat (to me at least) and I love her to bits but she never had any siblings to teach her about bite inhibition!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Wow that's awesome! They've never gotten sick either? Not sure I could keep a cat like that though lol mine sometimes nibbles or swats if I brush her but never full on attacks. And I thought rabies was required??

 

[JaeG]

Wow that's awesome! They've never gotten sick either? Not sure I could keep a cat like that though lol mine sometimes nibbles or swats if I brush her but never full on attacks. And I thought rabies was required??

We don't have rabies here in New Zealand. Hopefully we never will. There are a lot of diseases that we don't have here and there are certain animals that will never be allowed to enter the country to protect our agricultural industry and very endangered bird life.

We do tell Mistletoe that it's a good thing she's so cute! When we first got her we weren't looking for another cat, but she needed an indoor home and we already had two indoor cats so we agreed to take her. The young girl that raised her almost had her put down as she didn't seem to be getting better (thankfully she turned a corner and did), and she spent $500 saving her but couldn't keep her as she was too rough with their elderly cat. It took me awhile to love her but now I adore her, despite her flaws. I know we won't be able to get another cat or kitten until she's left us but I'm ok with that. She's a unique cat so I'm not sure another cat will be able to compare.

 

[ShrekDawg]

We don't have rabies here in New Zealand. Hopefully we never will. There are a lot of diseases that we don't have here and there are certain animals that will never be allowed to enter the country to protect our agricultural industry and very endangered bird life.

We do tell Mistletoe that it's a good thing she's so cute! When we first got her we weren't looking for another cat, but she needed an indoor home and we already had two indoor cats so we agreed to take her. The young girl that raised her almost had her put down as she didn't seem to be getting better (thankfully she turned a corner and did), and she spent $500 saving her but couldn't keep her as she was too rough with their elderly cat. It took me awhile to love her but now I adore her, despite her flaws. I know we won't be able to get another cat or kitten until she's left us but I'm ok with that. She's a unique cat so I'm not sure another cat will be able to compare.

Ohhh okay, that makes sense. I know here in the States it's required but we have a lot of rabies. That's the only one that's required though but we get them all. Usually just like distemper and lyme and stuff. The other ones are good if you ever board your dog which we have before. Actually, the kennels require kennel cough/bordatella (might not be spelled right) too