OK to groom after vaccines?

[beesnees]

Do you think it is OK to groom after receiving a set of vaccines? I've had a couple of vets who refer clients to me tell people its Ok to bring them in after vaccines (if they have never had any type of reaction before) today one told a client to wait about 1 week after vaccines before bringing dog in for grooming. What do you guys think?

[sheilabgroomer]

The only vaccine I have ever been told that people need to wait a few days before it is effective is the Bordetella. Other than that, if the animal is showing no signs of a bad reaction I don't see why it would be a problem. I have groomed many dogs that have come to me directly after getting their annual vaccines. A fun filled day for the dog I am sure....lol

[lvdobes]

We do it all the time but then I work at a vet clinic. Our procedure with a dog that has had a reaction in the past is that the dog will go to the treatment area to be pre-medicated, vaccines given then observed for an hour or so. When the groom is over the pet is then returned to treatment until it is picked up by the owner. Dogs that have had severe reactions in the past probably have it in their charts not to vacinate again. Dogs with an unknown history, the techs let us know that the pet has been vacinated so that we can keep a closer eye on it.
I'm thinking that any severe reaction is probably going to happen within a few hours but I could be wrong.


Lisa

[diamienono]

I would say it is fine. Dogs go home and play after, so why not get groomed!

[furrybestjob]

Where I started grooming we were not allowed to groom dogs for 48 hours after vaccinations. Guess they didn't want to be considered responsible if something did go wrong because of the vaccines.

[PAWS]

I guess there is a chance that we could get blamed if the dog had a vaccine reaction while in our care. I am guessing that the client was told this because it is...

A) a puppy and they need another week before it's immune system is strong enough after that last booster set

B) a bordatella vaccine, as mentioned above (the intra-nasal version is more effective, but doesn't last as long as an injection and may be given up to every 6 mos.)

or C) their vet was just being over-cautious to avoid undue stress on the pet, as it will already be taking a toll with the effects of the recent vaccine

Just my two cents

[toomuchfunbnme]

That's a really good point furrybestjob. I had not considered that before. Thanks for mentioning it!

[hairdevil]

I groomed at a vets office and always groomed right after vac's. Never a problem with them in 8 years...just be gentle with their necks..but probably won't be sore for awhile anyway...grooming for 28 years and never a problem!

[Helly]

As a general rule, if a dog is going to react to a vaccine it will happen 10-15 minutes after the vaccine is given. That's why my vet vaccinates first, then we sit and discuss any issues I may want to discuss while we wait and see if there's going to be a problem.

Other than that, the only reason I could see to wait is to allow a vaccine to take effect, ie the bordetella vaccine. Some dogs will be a little out of sorts and grumpy a couple of days later, so I'd prefer to either do the groom the same day or wait a week.

[MindysMuddyPaws]

IMO, i would suggest "next day" to most customers soley to give the dog a break.. We all know, most dog's dont enjoy a Vet or groomers so hitting them with both within a few hours can be stressful to some of the lil monsters..
If you have any concerns, about this, I would say, call the Vet and ask!

[rapuzzled]

We will take them if they just had vaccinations that day. In fact a lot of people come in for appointments and I will notice that the date on the paper says that day. I've had some people tell me to be careful with "Fido" because he may be a little sore, he just got his shots.

I know too that the Bordetella you're supposed to wait for, but we don't always. A lot of the times the vets don't automatically do the bordatella and we have a lot of people show up for their dogs to board minus bord. They have plane tickets, ready to go on vacation, etc. They are all upset because they told vet the needed all shots, (When I take a boarding arrangement I am careful to tell them to doublecheck about the Bord. because I know it's not automatically done) but the vet didn't include bord. Anyway, long story short, they need it done now because they have plans, so they go around the corner to get it done, and then we will still take them, even though they just got it done.

[k9stylist1968]

IntraNasal Bordetella

What I've been told by veterinarians is that the IntraNasal Bordetella vaccine actually gives partial immunity almost immediately, as it's absorbed into the mucous membranes and forms local antibodies right away.

The injected vaccines don't take effect as quickly, as they, too form instant antibodies at the injection site (which is why when the body produces too much histamine, an animal with an OVER-active immune system may have an anaphylactic reaction). But since most (other than rabies) of the diseases are airborne and the dog gets them through inhaling them, the injection-site antibodies need to spread through the body.

It's perfectly HARMLESS and safe to groom a pet that has just been vaccinated, but if the pet was over-due for vaccines or had not had them previously, it's best to give their immune system a week to 10 days to achieve full immunity. This is especially important for puppies and senior dogs, as healthy adult dogs should have sufficient residual immunity from the previous year's vaccines. Many vet groomers' clients prefer to coincide the vaccine appointment with a groom appointment to save a trip--and as long as this isn't a young puppy or kitten (or a geriatric), this isn't a problem.