Question about how often to vaccinate?

Question

I have a 14 yr. old Lhasa mix and a 5 yr. old Boston.Both have had vaccinations, but I have hears that vaccinations last longer than a year.They had their last vaccination May 2005~about a yr. and a half ago. I don't want to over vaccinate~especially the older dog who already has heart&kidney disease.Now the problem, a neighbor got a new puppy,4 weeks old, lets it poop everywhere my dogs walk, I can't literally walk our dogs anywhere! Told the apt. manager & owner~hopefully something will be done. My question~are the vaccinations enough to keep my dogs healthy?I'm freaking out here because a vet will say vaccinate and I don't feel its right~especially for the older dog. The puppy seems healthy~has real soft poops, but just came from its mother and is just starting solid food. Should I worry? THANKS!

Answer 1

Distemper/parvo vaccinations are good for at least 3 years. Rabies too. I wouldn't worry much about the neighbors puppy. The only thing you need ot worry about really is worms.
(just a side note but does your neighbor know it is illegal to have a puppy 4 weeks old? It is illegal to BUY, SELL, Giveaway Or ADOPT a puppy that has NOT completed at least it's 7th week and in some states it MUST be 8 weeks old).

Answer 2

I get my dogs vaccinated every three years for rabies. Each year I have titers done for the distemper and parvo. You can ask you vet about these. Bordetella (kennel cough) is only recommended if the pet is boarding, comes in for grooming, or is in a situation where there are a lot of other dogs, i.e. dog parks, shows, etc. There are many different strains of kennel cough, so the vaccine may not be effective against all of them. Some boarding facilities are requiring it every six months. Our vet still requires it yearly for our boarding.

Personally, I think less is best. As someone mentioned, there is a lot of controversy about over vaccinating pets. Physical exams, heartworm and fecal tests are still very important to be done each year, whether your pet is due for a vaccine or not.

Try to talk to your neighbors about their puppy. It's too young, first of all, to even be in a new home and away from its mom. Secondly, it has very very little immunity against canine diseases. Try to do it in a helpful way. You'll not only be helping their puppy but your own dogs in the long run.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

There are plenty of resources online regarding pet overvaccinating. It is a personal decision, but Rabies is a vaccination that is by law in both the US and Canda.
You are risking picking up parvo, but you risk that no matter where you take your animals if they aren't vaccinated. Worms are something that you risk picking up when people don't clean up after their own animals.
A 4 week old puppy shouldn't even be without it's mother yet, your neighbour is likely uneducated and needs help. Tell her to get her dog vaccinated, checked for worms and educate her on picking up after her animals. If you can't talk to her, leave pamphlets that you can get from your Vet's office on her doorstep.

Answer 4

You need to talk with your vet regarding his/her vaccination protocal. IF you are concerned about the puppy defecating everywhere then your dogs could get intestinal parasites. So contact your vet about deworming and about vaccinations

Answer 5

Some vaccinations only every two years. rabies is the one you have to get every two years. I'm not sure of the prov one because my dog does not go around other dogs at all.

Answer 6

you should have your dogs vaccinated yearly just to keep them up to date and covered. as for the 4 week old puppy its to young to have come away from its mother and no way should it be let outside when it has no vaccinations it could pick allsorts up and spread disease.

Answer 7

RABIES SHOTS EVERY THREE YEARS
ALL OTHERS - EVERY 2 YEARS
ALSO GIVE HEART WORM MEDS- EVERY MONTH
THAT WHAT MY VET RECOMMENDS