How many pet owners here still vaccinate their dogs/ cats yearly?

Question

I've done LOTS of research on this and have decided to no longer vaccinate my dogs every year once they've received all of their puppy vaccines and their one year booster. I was just wondering how many others have done the same?

http://www.critteradvocacy.org/Are%20We%20Over%20Vaccinating%20Our%20Pets.htm

http://www.naturalanimal.ca/new/archives/archive13.htm

It's not only me, but many vets in our area are beginning to see the problems associated with over vaccinating and have been changing their protocol, some now recommend vaccinating every 3 to 4 years instead of every year.

Do you vaccinate your children when they're a little older after they've already received all of their childhood vaccinations? No you don't, and you don't get shots yourself anymore either because you got them all when you were little right? and you've now got antibodies in your body to fight off these diseases. So why would your pets and their immune systems be any different? Truth is they aren't.

Answer 1

We're in the process of finding a new vet.

My current vet shudders at raw, and won't do titer testing to see if the dogs actually NEED to be re-vaccinated. They can't it through their heads that its not a money issue, its a health issue. They keep telling me that having titers done is more expensive than just vaccinating, I tell them that's not the point and we go round and round.


Last time we were in with one of my labs, and I practically had to BEG them to do blood work, and then they didn't even do the one specifially asked for, was the last straw.

Kind of got off topic there, but as soon as we find a new vet no the dogs won't get shots every year. Rather they'll have a titer to test to determine immunity leves, and if they are on the low side, then we'll vaccinate.

Rabies, have to do that every 3 years by law.


What alot of people on yahoo don't realize is that vaccines last for much, much longer than a year. In both people and dogs. After that first series when your a kid, you only need boosters every several years. Tetanus is a good example, that one is good for 10 years.

Dog vaccines are no different, so why give them every year if they don't need them. Especially since studies are showing that the every year vaccine protocol is leading to many health problems.

Instead have a titer test done, it involves a blood draw, they check immunity levels to disease, and you decide to vaccinate from there. Much more healthy for the dog that way.

Answer 2

I do get my dogs vaccinated every year. If I did vaccinate I think I would feel extremely guilty/irresponsible if they ended up with on of the diseases they could have been vaccinated against.

However, sometimes I do wonder how dogs once lived without all these vet visits and vaccines. People have owned dogs for generations upon generations, and the yearly vaccinations are fairly new. I know my mother and grandmother talk about never taking their pets to the vet(or feeding dog food for that matter), and their dogs lived the same amount of time dogs do now(into mid teens).

Answer 3

All the vets in my area still beleive in vaccinating yearly. I think the shots last for much longer than that. I did a search to try to find a holistic vet that is near me.. almost an hour away!

They will get their rabies every 3 years, as required by law.

I know many reputable breeders that do not do yearly vaccs. Females that may be used for breeding are given a booster proir to them coming into heat to assure they have the immunity to pass on to puppies. Dogs may be vaccinated if required for travel (some are shipped overseas for show/studding). Some breeders do not vaccinate at all other than that.. and my dog's breeder only vaccinates every 3 years.

Answer 4

First off...the other posters are comparing kids to animals and that is like comparing apples to oranges!

On to my answer...I do NOT vaccinate my animals after their initial puppy/kitten stage. Here are my reasons: 1) My animals are all INDOOR animals (for my dogs I do give a flea and tick application and a heart worm prev.), the cats also get a flea application (from a vet). 2) I don't live in an area that have had high breakouts of rabies, etc. 3) One of my cats tested positive for feline leukemia and per the vets recommendation we do NOT vaccinate her as it lowers her immune system.

I agree with you on no longer vaccinating past one year. I don't think it makes you a irresponsible pet owner *you have done your research, etc* a irresponsible pet owner doesn't vaccinate because they can't afford it, or they just don't care---BIG difference!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck to you and your animals--you are making the best decision for your animals!

Answer 5

Our dog sees the vet yearly for check-ups. He gets whichever vaccinations are necessary at that time, usually on an annual, biennial or triennial basis.

He does get Lyme vaccinations yearly, we are in a high Lyme and deer tick area. We know a person who lives with the fatigue and nerve, muscle and joint pain from disease. If a yearly vaccination for our dog cuts down on the chance that we get Lyme disease, it's worth it.

Answer 6

It depends on the vet you go to. There are one year rabies vaccines and three year rabies vaccines. If you go to a vet that says they gave you a two year rabies vaccine they are scamming you.

The other vaccine they get is for airbourne viruses so you are going to want to keep up with that one as well.

Unless your board your animal or it comes into contact with other dogs, you wont need the bordetella vaccine. thats for preventing kennel cough.

No matter what you decide to do, be sure to keep your dogs on a heartworm preventative like HeartGuard And get them tested Every year for heartworms. Its the responsible thing to do and heartworms is easier to prevent than it is to cure. and its expensive to cure also.

Answer 7

Well dogs owned by CERTIFIED breeders already have there vaccines. If you adopt a dog from a rescue, vaccinations come in a pacage with adoption along with spaying and nuetering.

Answer 8

It is essential to vaccinate your animals. Not only for their safety but for the safety of your family. If you cannot afford to take them to a vet, you can do it yourself. Get all you need at a feed store. You do need to take them to the vet to get their rabbies shot. THAT THEY DO NEED. You have your kids vaccinated. Your pet is no different.

Answer 9

If you're a responsible pet owner this is your responsibility.Would you neglect to vaccinate your child if it was suppose to be revaccinated yearly?This is a must do priority.

Answer 10

Only the responsible pet owner's do. The other's should not be allowed to own animals...or children either.