do dogs need booster shots every year?

Question

I plan to get my dog a rabies shot every year no matter what but what about the others?

Answer 1

it depends on the shots she had on the last visit. some vaccines are 1 or 3 years. if your not sure call your vet. if you are worried about over vaccination, you can request a titres test. not all vet have these so check with yours. but what they do is test the blood to see how much of the vaccination is still in the blood. if its high enough to be effective, you wont need it. i have known people that only had to give the dog rabies every 6 years. BUT THAT DEPENDS ON THE DOG. she is simply cautious because she did lose a dog to over vaccination.

Answer 2

Only get the rabies shot at the interval required by your local laws. You are not doing your dog any favors by assaulting its immune system every year. There is good evidence that the initial rabies shot and the booster the dog gets as a puppy provide full protection for the life of the dog. The recommendations for vaccinations are changing all the time and yearly shots are mostly not recommend. Do an Internet search (sorry, I don't seem to have any links handy) and research the latest. Your vet will recommend the years shots as they make big money doing this and also they get to examine your dog once a year which is not a bad thing. You can still do the yearly exam but don't get the yearly shots.

Answer 3

A dog does not need distemper/parvo or rabies vaccinations every year.

Please check out the current protocol that is being put in place by all 27 vet schools and the AAHA.
Also get a copy of the November 2006 issue of The Whole Dog Journal...it has an excellant article on vaccinating.

I also suggest checking out Dr Jean Dodds site and all the studies done on vaccianting.

Answer 4

Okay.. Rabies is a 1 yr shot the first time but then it changes to a 3 yr shot. So you will only have to get a rabies every 3 years after the first 2. Boosters, DHLPP or whatever else you might call them need to be given every year the first few years of life. It is important. You can always do a blood test called a titer which measures the level of vaccination in your dogs blood but it is just as expensive as a vaccination. Once your dog is about 7/8 you can discuss with your vet about spacing out the vaccination. I have a 9 year old that will no longer be given boosters but will always be up to date on rabies (it is the law).

Answer 5

Read the Wisconsin University web link
http://svmweb.vetmed.wisc.edu/articles/68/5/39
Vaccinations are good for many many years. Rabies is controled by state laws, but the shot itself is good for 5-7 years.
There are a lot more links to read and Dr. Bob Rogers, a vet from Texas, has put together a site with a lot of links to read on the subject.
http://www.critteradvocacy.org

Answer 6

Dogs do not need rabies shots every year...that is overkill and not good for them. If they are a puppy they get a one year booster and then the following year they get a 3 year. Distemper w/lepto is yearly..bordatella is optional, lymes vaccine is optional as well. Also...Heart worm testing is yearly as well AND important.

Answer 7

Dhlpp after the 1yr mark is every 3 years. Rabies should be available as a 3 year vaccine also after puppy shots and the 1yr shots are done. Most vets are sticking to 1yr (in my opinion) to not look stupid and to make money, but the protocol has changed.

Answer 8

Rabies is the only one that needs a booster. However, if you live where there are mosquitoes, you need to have him/her checked yearly for heart worms ~ even with the medication.

Answer 9

Rabies -two year vaccines are available. For other vaccines, I think it's based on the amount of time your dog spends outdoors, environments, etc. Some vets propose yearly vaccines while others do not. It is a personal choice and both you and your vet can decide on the best plan of action.

Answer 10

Nope, and most states allow 3 year boosters for rabies.

You should check out the rules for your area.

Good luck...

Here is the "recommended" schedule

http://www.aahanet.org/About_aaha/About_Guidelines_Canine06.html