Dog Owners: Vaccine Protocol?

Question

I know, I know I have dipped my toes into the controversal topic of dog vaccines!

1) What vaccines do you vaccinate your dog(s) for? WHY?
2) What vaccines would you never vaccinate your dog(s) for? WHY?
3) Do you vaccinate annually?

People, this is a question asking for everyones opinion. Please, no thumbs downs or even thumbs ups! Let us all share our thoughts in an unbiased way.

Thank you ahead of time for your maturity!

Answer 1

Yes, you have opened a can of worms!!!

Here are my thoughts/opinions:
1) I only vaccinate my dogs for Rabies (because it is required by law) and Distemper.

2) I would never vaccinate my dogs for kennel cough, Corona, Lyme, Lepto, or Giardia. I rather treat my dogs for Lyme, kennel cough, and Giardia than use the vaccine. 8 out of the 10 dogs who come into our office and we diagnose them as Lyme positive are UTD with the Lyme vax. And I do not vaccinate against Lepto... that vax has been linked to WAY too many reactions.

3) I do NOT vaccinate annually. I vax my dogs for Rabies every 3 years because it is required by law. I also do a Distemper Titer test (blood work) every 3 years so see if a booster is even necessary. Some dogs can go as long as 7 years without needing a distemper booster! Crazy!! I truly believe we over-vaccinate our dogs.

I will star this question for you, OK?

NOTE: Bonsylar... the "H" stands for Hepatitis in DHPP:
Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus

Answer 2

Well this is intreresting to say the least. When I was breeding I vacinnated for everything I didnt know any better. Now with my own dogs it has and will be different. No more Lepto or Corona or Lyme either. I have read to much to make me feel they are useless vaccinations. I will continue with the rabies and the distemper.
Why because it took almost loosing my pup from a very sever reaciton to the Lepto vaccination to open my eyes and learn. Also all the reading I've done and talking with other very knowledgeble people about this. So no more for me.
I feel that the vets or some of them need to wake up to the fact that there is enough proof to the fact that we are over vaccination our pets. And if we as their caretakers can learn than so should they.

My vet doesnt vaccinate for Gardia.

Answer 3

I will vaccinate my dogs for rabies every 3 years, DHLP every year- no lepto...a few of my dogs have had reactions in the past and my vet says he doesn't use a booster with it anymore....and Bordetella.

Some of these answers I find interesting...especially Vet Techs. I think we are all conditioned to feel as though we need to vaccinate every year.....never thought I was over-vaccinating. But, if boarding or registering dogs for classes, it's required to show proof of vaccinations. I also have never heard of the titer....I may ask my vet about that next time I'm in.

Good question...and helpful answers....I am always learning here on YA!

Answer 4

DHPP.. Why.. Cause I do not want my dogs getting any of these.. Parvo and Distemper scare me to death.

I wouldn't vaccinate for Lepto, Corona, Kennel Cough, Giardia or Lyme. I don't think they are necessary and I am against over vaccinating.

I don't vaccinate Annually. I do puppy shots, vaccinate at 1, then 3, 5 and 7 (maybe, depending on the dog) and then quit with the regular shots. Rabies shot as a puppy, and then at 1, and then every 3 years.

Answer 5

1) Puppy Vaccines like so:
8 weeks=DHPPC
12weeks=DHPPC
16weeks=DHPPC, 1 rabies shot
1 year=DHPPC, rabies shot.
(D=Distemper, H=can't remember this one, P=Parvo, P=Parainfluenze, C=Corona virus)
They get more than one before the age of 16 weeks because it's impossible to tell when the immune system "kicks in" and "takes" the vaccine. Before the immune system is running properly, the vaccines don't work, it's like shooting them with water.

2) Unless you live in the country or are raising a hunting dog, skip the vaccine for Leptospira (DHPPC shots sometimes come as DHLPPC shots, the "L" is leptospira)
Dogs can only get it from the urine of cows and wild deer. If they don't come into contact with these animals, don't vaccinate for this one. It has a higher rate of allergic reaction.

3) No.
After the 1 year booster, they're good for 3-5 YEARS.
DO NOT vaccinate annually. It's unnecessary.

Answer 6

Sounds as if you're doing a stats project? Well, we think you're opening a can or worms here. Going to mark this interesting!
We have all had our puppy/kitten vacs + annual boosters, however, this year we're missing out; even the lepto!
Done alot of research on vaccines and was alarmed at the damaging effects they can have. Spoken with our vet and we told him that due to our medical history,diet and lifestyle, vaccinating was no longer necessary; we're probably covered for life anyway! Infact, we were only vaccinated because of insurance which is now cancelled (rather put the money in a savings account 'Vet Bills').
Don't think we have answered your question?

Answer 7

Rabies according to state law, and DHPP for the puppy series, then a booster the next year, and titers yearly after that.

I do not vaccinate for Corona, Lepto, Lyme and any "new" vaccine that Fort Dodge decides to invent. I don't do kennel cough either.

It is nice that many kennels and classes are accepting a titer as proof of vaccination. Years ago, they did not. Then it was good to be "in the vet business" so you could "get proof".

Answer 8

My 3 get "core" vaccines only, plus rabies, every 3 years if needed. I believe in running titers first to see if they even need boosters. All of this with my vet's approval - she keeps up with the latest research and protocols and doesn't believe in over-vaccinating dogs any more than I do.