How to Properly Mix Your Pet’s Vaccines in 7 Easy Steps

Mixing Vaccines

So your pet’s vaccines have arrived safely. Now what? First of all, if you aren’t ready to use them, refrigerate (never freeze) them until you are ready.  When the time to administer your pet’s shot comes, here are the 7 steps you always need to follow. Regardless of the brand of vaccine, the procedure will be the same.

1. Make sure that the needle is firmly attached to the syringe. Some needles slide on and some screw on. Your syringe may already have a needle attached. Be sure that it is seated properly and won’t leak or pop off.
2. Peel back the metal covering the rubber stoppers on both vials.
3. Insert the needle into the bottle containing the liquid diluent and turn the bottle upside down.
4. Pull back on the syringe plunger to fill the syringe with the diluent. As you do this, pull the needle & syringe back slowly to ensure you get all of the liquid diluent.
5. Now insert the needle into the bottle containing the powder cake and slowly inject all of the liquid diluent.
6. Shake the bottle until all the powder is dissolved; try not to let it get too bubbly.  If it does get bubbly, let it settle for a few seconds.
7. Insert the needle back into the bottle containing the mix and draw all of the mixed liquid into the syringe, following the same process as in steps 3 & 4.

Your Pet’s Vaccine is Now Ready to Use!

Most vaccines are given subcutaneously, or SubQ, which just means under the skin. The easiest place to give this type of shot is behind the neck, between the shoulder blades, as there is plenty of skin that can be lifted without discomfort to the dog.

Shop all dog vaccines at JeffersPet.com.

Learn about the different types of dog vaccines (5-ways, 7-ways, 9-ways, etc.).

See when to give which vaccine to your dog.

Renee Jones-Lewis is a certified professional dog trainer, having received instruction from canine behaviorist Dr. Pamela Reid, plus nationally acclaimed trainers: Patricia McConnell, Pia Silvani, and Jean Donaldson, to name a few. She serves as a Pet Marketing and Canine Specialist for JeffersPet and JeffersPet.com.

Questions about this article, training or non-emergent health concerns are welcome. Renee can be reached most days from 9am – 5pm Central Time (Mon-Fri) at 1-800-JEFFERS (533-3377) ext 381 or by email rsjones@jefferspet. com.

Information given here is meant to be helpful and/or educational. It is, in no way, intended to supersede, challenge or supplant the diagnosis, treatment or advice of a licensed veterinarian.