Are We Over vaccinating??

[JeanieK]

Have any of you read articles expressing the theory that we are over vaccinationg our pets and that this might be the cause of so many pets developing allergies and skin conditions?

One such article suggested that boosters be given only every 3 years after the first year, and that some of the thngs that we vaccinate for are completely unneccessary for house pets.

Dog and Cat Vaccination Protocols

[marcerella02]

Good article. Personally I think 3 years is too much. How many people do you know that have cats that just stop giving them vaccines because they are always indoors? and those cats are fine.... well I gotta say... Layla doesn't spend TONS of time outdoors either... and when she does.. i'm right there with her... and she only goes around dogs i know... never in a dog park... i think there is a lot of value in thinking and discussing ending vaccines after the 1 year booster (Except of course for rabies which ahve to be given... grrr)

[JeanieK]

I agree, and a lot of municipalities are now going to rabies overy 3 years.

[AVERYxo]

i most definitely agree.. we are overvaccinating (in my opinon)! i don't think i could personally stop all together.. but i most definitely will lengthen the time between vaccines and also limit the amount of vaccines given!

there is a hollistic vet in my area, who has a great opinion on the overvaccination of our babies and is also passionate about RAW, Homecooking, etc. for them!! i am going to make an appt to see her.. i am excited to hear what she has to say! (jodie actually posted her site on here and i found out her office is about 10 min or so, from my house!! i was so excited! here is a link to her site.. Founders Veterinary Clinic - Holistic Approach to Veterinary Care

the breeder i got Gemma from.. DOES vaccinate her babies, of course.. but doesn't agree with some of the vaccines given and believes we too are overvaccinating (especially since some of the vaccines importance depends on where you live and your lifestyle, etc. etc. etc.)

[emilyann]

Interesting

[Wylie's Mom]

Yes - this has been known for years ! The AAHA released its new vaccine protocols in 2003 and then again in 2006 - and yet STILL most vets refuse to follow them due to the revenue they receive from vaccines. There is literature out there that links most of the dental decay in dogs nowadays to overvaccination as well.

http://www.critteradvocacy.org/Canin...0Guidlines.htm

[TLC]

I was listening to the Martha Stewart station (112) on Siruis Radio this morning and they had her Vet on Dr. Martin - He sounded really, really good. He is soooooooooooooo against all the vacines. He recommends the titers and he is really really upset about having to give Rabies more than the first time - he said it's so sad, but doesn't even like the new 3 yr Rabies, he basicly said after the first one, they are good for life

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by AVERYxo

i most definitely agree.. we are overvaccinating (in my opinon)! i don't think i could personally stop all together.. but i most definitely will lengthen the time between vaccines and also limit the amount of vaccines given!

there is a hollistic vet in my area, who has a great opinion on the overvaccination of our babies and is also passionate about RAW, Homecooking, etc. for them!! i am going to make an appt to see her.. i am excited to hear what she has to say! (jodie actually posted her site on here and i found out her office is about 10 min or so, from my house!! i was so excited! here is a link to her site.. Founders Veterinary Clinic - Holistic Approach to Veterinary Care

the breeder i got Gemma from.. DOES vaccinate her babies, of course.. but doesn't agree with some of the vaccines given and believes we too are overvaccinating (especially since some of the vaccines importance depends on where you live and your lifestyle, etc. etc. etc.)

Most of the vaccinations routinely given are potentially very dangerous and completely unnecessary.

As far as titer tests go, the vet in this link discusses them at length in her 30 minute consultation on vaccines. The general theory is that titers are expensive and very unreliable - especially if the same lab is not interpreting the results every single time. And that even if the titer does not show immunity, it does not mean your pup doesn't still have immunity.

My personal belief is to know the risks in your area, how much time your babies are outdoors and then go with your gut. Less is more in this case, especially when paired with exceptional nutrition!!!! I'm planning on my girls living a very long, healthy life and they will only be vaccinated for rabies moving forward.

[mscat]

Yes, I firmly agree that Over vaccinating is a serious issue. It can cause many healt related problems and eve shorten A animals life.

[Lisa and Pic]

Yes! I think pets are being over vaccinated. My poor girl will always have an auto-immune disease from being over vaccinated. Boy, have I learned a lot about this in the past year, and wish I would have been more educated. She is doing titer tests now....

[omega]

I agree... vets are WAY overvaccinating. Some vets are realizing that and say that every three years is good.... I think even THAT is too much.

It really makes you wonder how many illnessed our pets have acquired because OF the vaccines.

Vaccinations are one of the biggest, easiest money makers for vets....

[JeanieK]

I had no idea until i read that. I never have gotten my vaccinated after their first year, because my dogs have very little contact with other dogs. Now I know I will not get all the vaccines.

It's going to take the people just saying NO.

[MyTrixie143]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I had no idea until i read that. I never have gotten my vaccinated after their first year, because my dogs have very little contact with other dogs. Now I know I will not get all the vaccines.

It's going to take the people just saying NO.

I always find this an interesting topic, it has been discussed here many times.

I myself have had the dogs vaccinated every year, except rabies which is every 3 years after the first year.

So now I want to vaccinate them every 3 years but none of the vets around here will except it. You would think they would since the rabies is every 3 years.

So this is where another question comes in mind for those of us who breed. By not vaccinating your adults every year, will this hurt your relationship with your vet and potential owners?

When talking to the vets around here and I mention not vaccinating them every year but every 3 years they get upset and make me feel like a horrible person for even suggesting it.

Does this mean that they would think my dogs are unhealthy if I don't vaccinate every year? Would this warn off potential owners but saying that I don't vaccinate every year when I should be?

I mean I understand they will lose money but shouldn't the health of the animal always come first and be more important? And besides they still get plenty of money from me for checkups, dentals, testings, etc.

So far I still give them their vaccinations but next year I am thinking of stopping it and doing it every 3 years instead. I am just so not looking forward to telling my vet this.

[ladyj]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

Have any of you read articles expressing the theory that we are over vaccinationg our pets and that this might be the cause of so many pets developing allergies and skin conditions?

One such article suggested that boosters be given only every 3 years after the first year, and that some of the thngs that we vaccinate for are completely unneccessary for house pets.

Dog and Cat Vaccination Protocols

This is a subject that gets a lot of discussion. I don't vaccinate my 11-year-old Bichon girl, Lacy, any more, except for rabies, which is required. My vet agrees with this approach. Lacy does go to the groomer, but other than that, doesn't leave home. My boy Bichon, Cosmo, is a therapy dog and he has to have all of his vaccinations every year. If he weren't a therapy dog, he would only get rabies, too. He's almost 10 years old. I don't give the lepto vaccination to any of my dogs. My little rescue Chi will get all of her vaccinations, except lepto, until she's three or four years old, and then I'll start backing off on them. I think we do over vaccinate our pets, but also think they need to be protected. From what I have read, after three to five years, most animals are protected. I am constantly reading up on what the experts are saying and talking to my vet. I think some vets are changing to vaccinations and then titers instead of routine vaccinations. Some states have gone to requiring the three-year rabies vaccination, but we are still required to get rabies every year in Tennessee.

[cobird2]

Thank you for the information and links to this serious problem. The concern is there for humans as well.
I wonder if the itchy/scratchy problem my dog has is related to his innoculations as they started when he was about 6 months old, after most of his innoculations. Recently, we've changed to a holistic vet who will test before certain innoculations.
Looking forward to more information.