What are your thoughts on natural rearing...

[WannaBe]

Originally Posted by BobbiB

My husband and I were just talking about the kennel cough vaccine last night and came to the same conclusion...lol. I do believe this is what I'm going to do. Parvo, distemper, and rabies. I will also keep him on heart worm preventative because we live in Florida, there are definitely one or two mosquitos.

That sounds like a perfect plan to me. You'll be pleased when he doesn't get any reactions and long term illnesses from overvaccination. I have Gunner on heartworm preventative also, we have lots of mosquitos here too. Just make sure you get him tested before you start the preventative.

[BobbiB]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I think we've decided to go with individual vaccines, parvo, distemper, and rabies. He's been on heart worm prevention for a while, so we are good there. I appreciate your opinions.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by WannaBe

Steroids should never be given with vaccinations. Steroids stop the immune system from reacting. When you give vaccinations they make the immune system think it is getting something and reacts and creates antibodies, thus making the dog somewhat sick. I know that the vets give this, but it doesn't help. You are better off giving one type of vaccination at a time to avoid the reactions of 5 to 7 vaccinations at a time. Imagine... giving the same 5 in one that a large great dane gets to a 2 or 3lbs pup?
They do make individual vaccinations for parvo and distemper, just find a vet that will give just those and don't give in to the vet that says it won't hurt them and here I'll give them steroids first....

Originally Posted by BlueBelle

If your vet knows your dog didn't do real well after last shots they could give a steroid injection (I think it was) that seems to keep them from any poor reactions. I had to do that with mine and now no problems with any shots.

Instead of steroids, give Benadryl about 45 mins-1 hr before the vax. In her 30 years as a vet, my vet has never ever seen a single vax reaction in a dog who was given Benadryl prior to the vax. She says it's a great thing to do if your kiddo has even a slight reaction to a vax.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

In bold...those are the Core vaccines - and those are the ones I get, and nothing more. I won't get kennel cough ever for my kiddos bc it makes no sense...it vaccinates for about 7 strains of KC, when there are virtually limitless strains of it...the analogy is it's like vaccinating us humans for the common cold - what's the point? It's the common cold for dogs.

I give heartworm year round. I don't do flea protection.

That's like saying not to get the flu shot because there are numerous strands. Why not protect at least for the strands you can? My cousins 80 pound mix was put in a kennel for a weekend and did not have bordatella and wham he got kennel cough and two days later was having to spend two nights at the vet hospital and they were not sure he was going to make it.

[BobbiB]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

That's like saying not to get the flu shot because there are numerous strands. Why not protect at least for the strands you can? My cousins 80 pound mix was put in a kennel for a weekend and did not have bordatella and wham he got kennel cough and two days later was having to spend two nights at the vet hospital and they were not sure he was going to make it.

Yeah, we don't get flu shots in my home either. I believe that those types of vaccines are best saved for high risk patients. I really don't feel any different regarding my dog.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by BobbiB

Yeah, we don't get flu shots in my home either. I believe that those types of vaccines are best saved for high risk patients. I really don't feel any different regarding my dog.

Wait until you get the flu then you will want the flu shot every year. Groomers also require it.

[BobbiB]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Wait until you get the flu then you will want the flu shot every year. Groomers also require it.

I'm in my thirties. I've had the flu before...lol. And I groom Sheldon myself

[MaWilliams3]

Originally Posted by BobbiB

I'm in my thirties. I've had the flu before...lol. And I groom Sheldon myself

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by BobbiB

I'm in my thirties. I've had the flu before...lol. And I groom Sheldon myself

A lot of people think they have the flu when they don't, it's a pretty terrible thing, there is no playing on computers enjoying time off and stuff, it is heck. I had it last year and will get my shot every year from now on.

[BobbiB]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

A lot of people think they have the flu when they don't, it's a pretty terrible thing, there is no playing on computers enjoying time off and stuff, it is heck. I had it last year and will get my shot every year from now on.

I've had the flu. I know what it is like. It sucks, but it rarely puts a healthy person at serious risk. I'd rather build up natural immunity because natural immunity is more effective anyhow. Now, if we were talking small pox, I would get a vaccine...but we are not. For me, my family, and my dog, I don't feel like the toxin trade off is worth it.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by BobbiB

I've had the flu. I know what it is like. It sucks, but it rarely puts a healthy person at serious risk. I'd rather build up natural immunity because natural immunity is more effective anyhow. Now, if we were talking small pox, I would get a vaccine...but we are not. For me, my family, and my dog, I don't feel like the toxin trade off is worth it.

Even healthy people can end up with other infections from the flu. The coughing it self can last a month sometimes more in a healthy person. There is also all the people you end up spreading the flu too. After all me and my family went through but my grandfather who didn't because he got the flu shot and it made my mind up for me. Whether it's not a big deal to some or not why not protect against what you can to try and keep your dog from suffering from? A lot of times one round of antibiotics does not knock out kennel cough and to many antibiotics at least in people can cause weak bones, bad teeth, and becoming immune to them. Just something to think about.

[BobbiB]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Even healthy people can end up with other infections from the flu. The coughing it self can last a month sometimes more in a healthy person. There is also all the people you end up spreading the flu too. After all me and my family went through but my grandfather who didn't because he got the flu shot and it made my mind up for me. Whether it's not a big deal to some or not why not protect against what you can to try and keep your dog from suffering from? A lot of times one round of antibiotics does not knock out kennel cough and to many antibiotics at least in people can cause weak bones, bad teeth, and becoming immune to them. Just something to think about.

I understand you are trying to be helpful, but it seems to be almost nagging at this point. I have worked in healthcare, I know what the flu is, I know how it works, and I still don't believe the vaccine is necessary or worth it to healthy, low-risk individuals. I feel the same way about certain canine vaccines. We over vax our pets and our children, IMO. That's not going to change. My dog is extremely low-risk when it comes to Bordatella, and I don't feel it is necessary for him to have it. Contrary to some people's beliefs, some think that vaccines in excess are more damaging than the protection they give, and it is okay for us to have that belief.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by BobbiB

I understand you are trying to be helpful, but it seems to be almost nagging at this point. I have worked in healthcare, I know what the flu is, I know how it works, and I still don't believe the vaccine is necessary or worth it to healthy, low-risk individuals. I feel the same way about certain canine vaccines. We over vax our pets and our children, IMO. That's not going to change. My dog is extremely low-risk when it comes to Bordatella, and I don't feel it is necessary for him to have it. Contrary to some people's beliefs, some think that vaccines in excess are more damaging than the protection they give, and it is okay for us to have that belief.

Well sorry you feel that way. I was just giving my opinion to make sure you looked at it all ways.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

That's like saying not to get the flu shot because there are numerous strands. Why not protect at least for the strands you can? My cousins 80 pound mix was put in a kennel for a weekend and did not have bordatella and wham he got kennel cough and two days later was having to spend two nights at the vet hospital and they were not sure he was going to make it.

Meh. Jackson has received 3 bordatella vaccines in his life. He's gotten kennel cough twice anyway. Not boarded or groomed at a professional place either. It's an annoyance, as the coughing kept me all night, but as long as you treat it quickly, it's not a big deal. Having to spend two nights in a hospital for kennel cough is pretty rare if treated properly or caught quickly enough.

But anyway, I feel puppy vaccines are NOT something to skimp out on. I will always do the 8 week, 12 week, 16 week schedule. Rabies by 4-6 months depending on area. Again booster at one year old. Then honestly, likely just rabies every 3 years per the law. Hopefully it changes to 5 sometime soon.


Jackson is 6 and hasn't been vaccinated (besides the bordatella - likely never again, and rabies every 3 years) since. I'm not terribly worried. Maybe one more time I'll do a Distemper/parvo but I don't really think it's going to make a huge difference honestly. I believe him to be protected due to research.

[WannaBe]

I have to add this. My brother in law runs the nursing dept. in a large hospital, his opinion is the same as these nurses who won't take the mandatory flu shots.
The flu vaccine is only 59 percent effective and carries with it serious health risks, which are not disclosed to those receiving it. As of November 2013, the Federal Adverse Events Reporting System has received 93,000 reports of reactions, hospitalizations, injuries and deaths following flu vaccinations. These include 1,080 deaths, 8,888 hospitalizations and 1,811 related disabilities. Nurses are more aware than the general public of this data, and many do not feel that the low effective rate of the vaccine warrants the health risk. This is so much more than the “pet peeve” described by the Massachusetts Hospital Association. (Source.) - See more at: Boston Nurses Speak Out Against Mandatory Flu Shots | Health Impact News