Vaccinations discussion?

Question

I think we will all agree that the 'core' vaccinations are required, at least initially.

The question comes up with vaccinations as the dog ages. Do you think core vaccinations should be administered every 1 year? Or every 3 years?

"Combo shots" (5-in-1 or 7-in-1), or individual shots? Spaced out, or all at once?

Also, do you believe in giving vaccinations if your dog will likely never come in contact with the disease? (example: lyme vaccination if you live in an area that doesn't have lyme, and don't ever travel to any areas that do.)

Do you believe in titer tests being any good? I've seen arguments both ways. Some links about different opinions on titers:
http://dogchannel.com/dog-vet-library/article_ask_titer.aspx?cm_sp=InternalClicks-_-RelatedArticles-_-dog-vet-library/article_ask_titer
http://chetday.com/dogvaccine.htm
http://www.caberfeidh.com/CanineTiters.htm
.

So what is your opinion/stance on vaccination pets? Do you think we to over-vaccinate? Has your pet ever had an adverse reaction to vaccinations (other than being slightly sluggish)?

Answer 1

We definately over vaccinate our pets. When was the last time you had a vaccine? Okay, get the annual flu shot. Tetanus every 10 years unless you step on a nail after 5 years. Oh wait, you're going to Zambia and need to be vaccinated for some strange diseases known to be epidemic in Africa. Other than those circumstances, when was the last time you got a shot?

But they want us to vaccinate our pups annually? Sounds like a money making scheme for vets (lets see 3 shots - DHLPP, Rabies, Bordatella at 20 each and 30 for the office visit). No wonder when I worked at a vet clinic in a low income neighborhood people turned down heartworm testing and prevention.

I feel thats more important than vaccinating! Then again, I've had to treat my own personal pets in my younger days for heartworm. Don't get me wrong, puppy series are important, but after first year titer. Perhaps even get a titer a few weeks after the vaccine and monitor the rate of depreciation over time.

We are now becoming concerned about over vaccinating our children (autism being one that is hotly debated on a regular basis). Could there be a dormant something ready to raise it's head in the veterinary world?

Leanna

Answer 2

I have always followed my vets advice and had my dogs annual shots (DHLP & Bordetella) and rabies every 3 years. I have turned down having my dogs given the vacination for Lyme since I don't think they would come in contact with that. But after seeing others opinions regarding vacinations on YA, I am second guessing that. I think the next time I take my dogs to the vet, I will ask him about the titer tests (first I heard of them was on here a few weeks ago) as well as bordetella. Now that I only have 2 dogs, I feel a little out of the loop with the new findings dog people discuss. I used to be in the dog show crowd, but now I'm just a pet owner....so the most I talk about dogs these days is on YA!

Answer 3

My bearded collie got auto immune disease from his annual vaccinations. If not for an extremely dedicated, caring and diligent vet (who was not our own), we would definitely have lost him. As it was, he was "sicker than a dog", on a lot of meds, and actually never recovered to the point that he was back to normal.

All my dogs now get only core vaccines, never at the same time as rabies, and as two of them are now older (9 and 10), I'll be running titers for distemper and parvo to make sure they need booster shots before they get any shots after the age of 10. There is no problem with lyme disease in my area, so my dogs have never gotten that one, nor do I give bordatella.

Answer 4

People defiantely over vaccinate their pets.
Puppies:
8 weeks, 12 weeks & 16 weeks distemper/parvo/adenovirus-2/hepatitis these are the necassary "core" vaccinations. At 20 weeks or older rabies vaccination.
A year later repeat the above and then only every 3 years (rabies must be done as required by law) titering is a very good idea in lieu of distemper/parvo vaccinations, however it should be noted that titers are not 100% .
Parainfluenza, lepto, lymes and bordatella (kennel Cough) doesn't need to be given to every dog/puppy, only those at high risk of exposure.
Coronavirus, adenovirus-1 and giardia should NOT ever be given to ANY dog/puppy.It is NOT recommended and they are needless vaccinations.
distemper/parvo vaccinations should never be given at the same time as rabies.They should be spaced at least 2 weeks apart.

Answer 5

I vaccinate for everything common in my area I dont titer because its too expensive and I would rather vaccinate my dogs then have them contract something that could kill them. I dont vaccinate for lyme because we live in the city and it's not particularly common in our area, i did vaccinate last year for leptospirosis because there was an outbreak last summer, but I'm not vaccinating again because there werent any reported cases in our area this year and the vaccine has a reputation for bad reactions. It's def one i would only use if there is a threat of infection. We also do the injectable bordatella but my dogs come into contact with lots of strange dogs on a daily/weekly basis and they are too high at risk, they caught it at 7 months after the vaccine wore off (6 month coverage) and my girl almost got pneumonia.
Our vet and the rescue I volunteer at use an 8 way vaccination.
Vaccinations is one of my pet peeves it really bugs me that people put their dogs at risk for life threatening infections and viruses when they can cut the risk completely with vaccinations. If you can afford to titre then by all means do it, I've also had someone tell me they titred both of their dogs, both were low so they vaccinated one and then titred again, both had elevated antibodies.... do what works for you but please do whats necessary to keep your dogs safe.

Answer 6

I think how many vaccinations you do at once depends on the size of the dog. I've spoken to my vet about this and bigger dogs seem to be able to handle more.

I'm not sure if we over vaccinate our pets or not.

I think waving vaccinations depending the risk of contracting a disease should be discussed with your vet.

I'm don't really have an opinion about the titer test. I guess it's owners preference but I know that I wouldn't keep my child from getting the Polio vaccination just because we live in a country that practically obliterated it, there's always that risk.

Answer 7

That's a great article by Christie Keith ... she's the owner of an online yahoo list BeyondVacs. I haven't done annual vacs for my dogs for years, they both had all the puppy shots, I keep them legal with rabies shots and do titers. I too have read that annual titers aren't necessary, but do the blood work anyway for my own comfort level.

Answer 8

Yes, I think we over vaccinate our animals. Many studies show that the typical "annual" shots could actually be done every 5-7 years, that includes rabies. This year, for my 13 and 9 yr old dogs, we only got the required rabies, a heartworm test and prevention, and did not get the regular 5-in-1. Tho my young, 1 yr old dog is still getting all her shots.

Answer 9

Yes, annually is over vaccination.
Yes, I would do the initial series even if my dog was a totally house dog. Parvo can be carried inside the house on shoes and stays there for a long time unless cleaned with bleach solution.
Yes, one of my pups had a reaction to 2nd 5 way shot. Face, eyes swelled. Relieved with Benadry.
I give 5 way with Corona to pups. Do the series. After a year old, I have stopped giving annual vaccinations. I probably would do boosters if required for boarding, etc.

Answer 10

I give my puppies the full puppy series, then they get done every three years.

I don't believe in vaccinating for things they're not likely to come across, or for things that are minor (i.e. bortadella).

I do think that overvaccination is an issue.

I had one dog react to vaccinations, I almost lost her. She will never be vaccinated again.

Another dog I used to have had bad allergies. His vet said no more vaccinations for him, as they make allergies worse.

Sick dogs, pregnants dogs, and dogs going under anesthetic should not be vaccinated.

I'm not convinced that the titres are that useful, so I don't bother with them.