Hi all!

We are moving to Houston soon and I would love to hear from some of you Texas natives! Our boys will be due for their core vaccines right after we move there in about a week, but I would love to hear what other non-core vaccines and preventatives you all recommend (and dont recommend). I'm assuming heart worm prevention, but what about fleas and ticks? Rattlesnake vaccine? We are coming from an area with low incidence for fleas and ticks (and heartworm), so our vet here told us they weren't necessary.

Well, I'm currently about 600 miles - more or less - west of Houston (but still in Texas) but I did live there for the better part of 30 years.

Three main culprits: HEARTWORMs! Fleas and Ticks ... I'd suggest you keep your pups current on something appropriate for all three. It's been about 10 years since I needed to (don't need any of them in the desert) so I won't recommend anything but strongly recommend all of those.

Rattlesnake vaccine - check with your vet and see if the vaccine works for types of rattlers your pups are apt to run into. The biggest danger I have out here is the Mojave Rattler and the current round of vaccine doesn't work against it. Even though the vaccine doesn't work, I know several vets who recommend giving it since "it may reduce problems." Don't believe it, the type of venom from a Mojave is about as bad as it gets and non-specific vaccine before the fact or anti-venom after the fact is a useless expense.

Take a look at this link for Embrace Insurance's take on rattlesnake vaccine.

Thank you, I appreciate it! Are there any products that you recommend for heartworm, tick and flea? I know revolution does all 3 but I'm not sure if that's best. I also know some people do essential oils...but I'm also not sure if that is effective or not.

No, I won't recommend anything since they've all changed since I used them last.

@amymeme lives in the northeast but, if I remember right, is fairly knowledgeable (I tagged her so if she logs in she'll get notice and, hopefully, come look)

I would add leptospirosis vaccine to his core vaccines, little is a killer and exceedingly expensive to treat.