Shar Pei Needs Yearly Shot

Dog Question: I really hope you can help.
I have a 3 year old female shar pei and im wondering if she needs a yearly shot and if so is it the 7 in 1 shot? Also are they're any other yearly shots dogs should get.

Also, I was giving my shar pei heart worm pills but stopped, and i have a 4 month old jack russell. Do they need the heart worm pills all year around? I live in az i dont know if that matters. I dont want to give my dogs things they dont need.
Thank You

Hi Naomi,

Most of the dog vaccine recommendations now say dogs only need booster shots once every three years not every years for adults. (puppies are different)

You could give your dog that vaccine every year though it you want but in general it is not necessary. 

You might need to give your rabies vaccination at a different schedule, but this goes by local laws, which I don't know about in AZ.

But for the heartworm pills, you must give these to both your dogs now.  I know heartworm problems are on the rise in AZ.  Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, and I think AZ is warm enough to have mosquitoes around during the whole year.

This is why your vet would probably want you to have both your dogs on those pills.

Talk to your vet before restarting your Shar Pei on those pills because she should be tested first.