22 22 questions answered
Health and vaccines: questions Indian pet owners ask
Updated By Petym
Vaccines, deworming, ticks, common illnesses, spaying and neutering, from veterinary sources.
Each answer starts with the short version, then explains it with the sources behind every fact and the date they were checked. Where a guide or tool goes deeper, the answer links to it.
22 questions answered
- Can I bathe my dog after vaccination? No guideline sets a waiting time. Wait until your dog is back to normal, and keep puppies from groomers.
- Can a vaccinated dog get parvo? A puppy mid-way through its vaccines can. A fully vaccinated adult rarely does. Here is why.
- Can humans catch leptospirosis from dogs? Yes, through an infected dog's urine, though the risk is low with simple precautions. When to see a doctor.
- Can I give my dog paracetamol? No. Paracetamol and other human painkillers can poison dogs. What to do instead, and if one was swallowed.
- Should I deworm my puppy before vaccination? Deworming starts at 2 weeks, before the first vaccine at 6 to 8 weeks. No guideline sets a fixed gap.
- Do indie dogs need vaccines? Yes. Indies get the same core vaccines as any dog, and rabies vaccine is core everywhere in India.
- Do indoor cats need vaccines? Why a flat cat that never goes out still needs its core vaccines and rabies, and what an indoor life changes.
- What are the side effects of dog vaccines? Soreness, tiredness or a quiet day are common. Face swelling, hives or collapse need a vet at once.
- Are there home remedies for ticks on dogs that work? What you can safely do at home about ticks, and why kerosene, oils and garlic do more harm than good.
- Is there a home remedy for worms in dogs (kutte ke pet ke keede)? None that vets recommend, and garlic is toxic. What works, the signs of worms, and when it is urgent.
- How often should I deworm my cat? Kittens every 2 weeks from 2 to 3 weeks old; adult cats from monthly to twice a year, by lifestyle.
- How often should I deworm my dog? Puppies every 2 weeks from 2 weeks old; adults by risk, from monthly to at least 4 times a year.
- How often should I deworm a puppy? Every 2 weeks from 2 weeks old, then monthly. The age-by-age schedule, why it starts so early, and adults.
- Which human medicines are poisonous to pets? Painkillers, antidepressants, ADHD and sleep tablets, heart pills, creams and sugar-free syrups. What to do if one is eaten.
- Is pet insurance worth it in India? What Indian pet policies cover, the waiting periods and exclusions, and when cover makes sense.
- Is tick fever curable in dogs? Often treatable, not always cleared. Early ehrlichiosis responds well; babesiosis often leaves a carrier dog.
- I missed my dog's booster, what now? Book the vet now. Which vaccines just need the next dose, which restart, and how to stay safe meanwhile.
- How do I care for my dog after spay surgery? Rest, a cone, a dry wound and daily checks: the first 10 to 14 days after a spay, and when to call the vet.
- How do I get rid of ticks in the house? Treat every dog, clean where they sleep, seal cracks and get pest control for heavy cases. Expect repeats.
- What does pet insurance cover in India? Surgery, hospital stays, listed illnesses, third-party claims and theft, and the gaps, such as tick fever and skin.
- When should I spay or neuter my dog? From about 4 to 6 months for many dogs, later for big breeds: what the research says by size and breed.
- Why is my dog scratching so much? Fleas, mites, allergies or a skin or ear infection. How to tell them apart, and when the vet is needed.
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