It's Much Less Expensive
You can save a lot of money by vaccinating at home.
It's Easy
While you may feel a little nervous the first time, it gets easier every time you do it. Most vaccines are given under the loose skin low over the shoulder or on the rear leg.
It's Guaranteed Fresh
Because we sell so many, we receive fresh vaccines every week. All of our vaccines are shipped with ice packs in an insulated carton and in strict accordance with federal regulations. We also recommend that you request Next Day or Second Day Air service when you order vaccines.
It's Less Stressful On Your Pet
The comfortable surroundings of your home are the most natural and relaxed place to vaccinate your pet. And it's convenient to you.
We're Here To Help You
If you ever have any questions about vaccinating your pet and want us to walk you through the procedure, please feel free to call one of our representatives at 1-800-381-7179. Or if you would like more information about vaccines, please visit our
Pet Care Center.
Some cat vaccines come in a single vial, which requires no mixing and is ready to use. Others vaccines, however, come with two vials - a powder and a liquid. Combining the two activates the vaccine. We will explain how to give both types.
Some vaccine manufacturers include a needle and syringe, while others do not. If the needle and syringe are not included in the vaccine you order, we have them available for purchase. Be sure you have separate needles/syringes for each vaccine for each pet in your home. Even though the typical vaccine dose size is 1 cc, a 3cc syringe is typically used for vaccines. For adult cats, a 22 gauge needle and a 3 cc syringe are standard. For kittens, you can use the smaller 25 gauge needle and a 3cc syringe. Remember; do not use your syringes or needles more than once.
When ready to begin, choose a location in your home that is comfortable for both you and your cat, one that will give you comfortable access to your pet. Assemble all your vaccination supplies before you begin.
Position yourself next to your cat's right shoulder, opposite your helper, with your cat between the two of you. Have your helper hold your cat gently and distract her with a toy or a treat.
Injectable Vaccines
With the cap covering the needle, tighten the needle on your syringe. Remove the cap and insert the needle into the vial containing the liquid portion of the vaccine. Withdraw all the liquid by holding the vial upside down and holding the syringe vertically. Take care to avoid contact with the needle. If you have a vaccine that needs to be mixed first, follow the steps below on "How to Mix a Two-Vial Vaccine".
How to mix a Two-Vial Injectable Vaccine
- With the cap covering the needle, tighten the needle on your syringe remove the cap and insert it into the liquid vial. Withdraw all the liquid by holding the vial upside down and holding the syringe vertically. Take care to avoid contact with the needle.
- Inject the liquid into the second vial containing freeze-dried or powdered vaccine.
- Next, remove the needle and syringe from the vial and cap the needle, shake the second vial for a few seconds to mix the liquid and powder well.
- Then, insert the needle back into the second vial and withdraw the entire mixed contents. Be sure to inject any excess air in the syringe back into the vial.
- Cap the needle until you are ready to give the vaccine.
Most vaccines are subcutaneous - or injected under the skin - not in a muscle. There is a minor risk that your cat may develop an injection-site sarcoma (a type of tumor) as a result of the vaccination. Because of this risk, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) recommends that all feline vaccines be given to cats in a specific location on the animal. With this system it should be easier to identify which vaccine may have caused the sarcoma, and because the vaccination sites are at the mid-point of a limb it should be easier to surgically remove the tumor.
AAFP recommendations:
- For feline combination vaccines, "3-way" or "4-way", which do NOT contain feline leukemia, the injection should be given subcutaneously on the outside portion of the right front leg below the elbow joint.
- For feline leukemia vaccines, the injection should be given subcutaneously on the outside of the left rear leg below the knee.
- For rabies vaccines (administered by your veterinarian) the injection should be given subcutaneously on the outside of the right rear leg below the stifle (knee).
By the way, there are differences in how you vaccinate your dog - so be sure to watch the dog vaccination video before vaccinating your dog.
Lift the skin at the injection site and insert the needle. Pull back on the syringe to be sure you are not in a blood vessel, in which case blood would come into the syringe. Inject the entire amount of vaccine. When you have finished vaccinating your cat, recap the needle. To recap the needle, simply slide the needle back into the cap. Tip up the needle and push the cap into place. Do not dispose of the needle or syringe in your garbage. We suggest you take it to your local pharmacy or public health clinic for disposal.
After your vaccination session, be sure to reward your good cat with a small treat and lots of praise and be sure to monitor your cat for several hours after the vaccination
It's that easy and safe. Your pet will hardly notice the injection.
Intranasal vaccines
Some vaccines are not injectable, but instead are designed to be applied in your cat's nose and eyes. These vaccines will need to be mixed similar to the vaccines described above. To give this type of vaccine, remove the metal seal and rubber stopper from each vial. Using the enclosed dropper, rehydrate the dry portion of the vaccine with the accompanying liquid portion of the vaccine. Replace the rubber stopper and shake until dissolved. Remove the stopper and immediately withdraw the rehydrated vaccine into the dropper. Place one drop of vaccine in the corner of each eye. The remaining vaccine is administered by placing the vaccine equally in each nostril as the animal inhales.
As with injectable vaccines, after your vaccination session, be sure to reward your good cat with a small treat and lots of praise and be sure to monitor your cat for several hours after the vaccination.
