My dog hasn't gone for vaccinations this year at the vet, is that ok?

Question

Please only answer seriously and only if you know about dogs or have a dog:

My brother does not have the time this summer to take my dog to the vet. He is so busy with his work and everytime he finds out he gets a day off, the vet is all booked. We were supposed to visit the vet about 3 months ago for vacines, check-ups, and heart-worm tests, but its getting late in the summer and I don't think my brother will ever take my dog. I just wanna know if its ok that she didn't take her vaccinations and stuff (only this year). Has anybody raised a dog without taking their dog to the vet and without giving it shots? She doesn't interact with other dogs that often and even if she does its only for a few minutes . I can't take her myself because I can't drive. But my dog seems very active and healthy. She is 5.

Answer 1

I was a vet tech for many, many years....I have 13 dogs and over 20 cats most are rescues. I also owned and operated my own Animal Shelter for many, many years...I continue to work with conventional and holistic vets....
Your dog is fine as far as the vaccines go. Vaccines build up an immunity over time. As does your dog build up a natural immunity over time. Over vaccinating is actually harmful to your pet and cut off years of her life. You can google these researches. There is much controversary over this because vets make the bulk of their money on their yearly vaccination programs...and many pets do need to be vaccinated especially dogs under 5 years old and puppies of course. I am not saying don't get your dog vaccinated. I am saying at 5 your dog should be okay and already have a natural immunity going for what she needs. I would like to see your dog get vaccinated if she has alot of exposure to other dogs, parks, obedience classes, etc. Maybe even another round of vaccines next year would be advisable. I usually stop vaccinating my dogs at 6 or 7 years old, unless I have alot of traffic.
Now the hw test, hw prev and Rabies shot...different story. By state law you need to be current with your Rabies shot. The hw test is important too. Are you giving her hw preventive all year...if so your fine. You can actually get your dog tested every couple of years for hw...as long as you are giving the hw year round and you are not skipping months.. If you are skipping months...get her HW tested.
Treating a dog for hearworm disease is very expensive and very hard on your dog.
I do recommend giving your dog seasonal hw prev if your climate allows. This decision would have to made between you and your vet. Hw prev is a harsh chemical and is very hard on your dogs liver. A break over winter is recommended but so is getting her tested before resuming prev again.
Just because I don't vaccinate my dogs past a certain year does not mean that they stop going to the vet every year or whenever necessary. Acutally it was my conventional vet that taught me not to vaccinate my older dogs and explained to me why. My horse vet agrees with this theory. Ask you vet for his/her opinion.
I am reading all of the time of mobile vets, they come to you! Call around or Google it maybe you will find one..any questions email me anytime.

Answer 2

Well, since your dog is no longer a puppy her immune system should be stronger-assuming she received all her puppy vaccines. Bordetella or Kennel Cough vaccine can be skipped if a dog isn't exposed to other dogs, but if you have your dog groomed or boarded it's a must. The Rabies vaccine is good for 3 years after it has been given and boostered initially, so you may be ok on that one. However, legally the county requires you to have an up to date rabies tag every year-you may want to re-new that if you haven't. One big concern is heart worms. Many dogs contract heart worms because they aren't on preventatives like heartguard, please don't let her be at risk. Honestly, I would not skip her yearly vaccines just get her in as soon as it's possible. Since your Dog isn't current it's important to keep her away from other dogs until she can be vaccinated. If there is anyone else that could take the dog to the vet for your brother that would be best.

Answer 3

It is best if you get her vaccinations on time. Without the vaccines and heart worm medications, she is unprotected and susceptible to illnesses. However, if she doesn't come into contact with other dogs and you protect her from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, she should be okay for a little while. She isn't going to die without the vaccines, but she can get those diseases against which they protect (many of which, like distemper rabies and parvo, are deadly). I suggest making an appointment with the vet and just asking a friend or neighbor to drop you off. That, or find a vet that will take walk ins.

Answer 4

Pick up the phone and call your dog's vet. He or she can tell you over the phone what is due, what is absolutely necessary and what can wait.

There is a grace period for most things but she should be on heart worm pills so that is a bit worrisome. Older dogs have some additional immunity and some vets are starting to do titers in order to determine if dogs need their 'annual' shots. Some shots are multiyear so it depends on when your dog had things like rabies.

Rabies should be required by law so that is something you can't do anything about. You can't put off seeing the vet forever but you should get the specific information for your dog. You can then put it on the calendar for your brother and tell him what he absolutely must do and by when.

Answer 5

I don't know where you live?I live in New Zealand and my dogs are ten,five and three. You are supposed to have three injections to protect against Parvo etc.They have had those. Unless there is a specific threat to your dog, there isn't any reason to have them treated. My vet says if your showing your dog or it is put in a Kennel at any time, then yes it is a good idea. But dogs do get a certain immunity.As far as heart worms go,I use worm pills withmy dogs or treat them with Frontline which protects against Fleas and worms, ticks etc.

Answer 6

I don't know if your dog has the annual or 3 year rabies vaccination, but she really needs to get a checkup once a year and whatever vaccinations are due.

Please ask someone to take your dog to your vet asap. She's probably fine, but why take a chance and rabies vaccinations are required in all states.

Answer 7

We don't have the money for vet bills so we have to wait for the clinics that charge minimal to get the Rabies shot.The Rabies shot is actually a three year shot but vets want to give it once a year,so it can go a little longer than a year and it won't hurt anything Heart worm is caused by mosquito bites so keep it away from them.It will be o.k.

Answer 8

It's fine that she didn't have any vaccinations...dogs do NOT need yearly vaccinations nor should they have them yearly.

The current protocol is distemper/parvo/canine hepatits/adenovirus-2 every 3 years and rabies every 3 years (or as required by law).
Lepto and kennel cough aren't recommended or needed unless your dog is at high risk of exposure.

This is the protocol of the AAHA/AVMA and all 27 vet schools.

The only important thing she is missing out on is the heartworm test and exam.

Answer 9

It's ok [for now] but you really do want to keep up with shots and general check ups so try to go asap. Can't you get your parents or a friend to take your dog to the vets?

♥Please make sure you keep up with heart worm meds too♥

When we get a pet..it's our responsibility to take care of them.

Answer 10

Vaccinations do not keep your dog (or you) healthy. A good immune system does. In fact, more and more people are coming to the realization that the adjuvants and preservatives in a vaccine can cause more damage than the disease the vaccination is *supposed* to protect against.