Ellie May:
I know that the Corona vaccine is about useless on dogs past puppyhood, that healthy dogs over (what is it? 16 weeks?) don't need the shots, especially if they had then when they were younger.
And I *think* I know that Yorkies shouldn't be given leptospirosis ... but I'm not sure why.
Hard one. Not necessary in a lot of places and very dangerous to Yorkie pups. I'd personally never consider it until the dog is at least 16 weeks. It has killed Yorkie puppies and seems to be hard on smaller dogs especially. There are pros and cons to it but it needs to be given every 9-12 months and only protects against a few strains. Lepto is a zoonotic disease, so that is what some vets use to talk owners into it but you can also get it from contaminated water...so just because your dog is vaccinated doesn't 100% protect you. This vaccine appears to be way over-used and some breeders put right in their instructions or contract that it should not be given. On the other hand, it is a serious disease.
What about Bordetella? My pups only go to the groomers, and I know they didn't want them to come until they'd had the Bordetella.
If they go to the groomers or are hospitalized, it will likely be required and there is no way around it. It is not a core vaccine and I do not give it. Without it, they can get kennel cough and then pneumonia. With it, the intranasal vaccine can give them kennel cough (said to be mild...not always true) and then pneumonia.
I guess I'm asking (because they will need boosters soon) is:
What shots DO they need?
Depends on their age and what they've had before. Usually the core vaccines are always recommended (but not every year). That is rabies, distemper, parvo and hepatitis. Some don't think hepatitis should be considered core and I think others don't give parvo. I would give them all. Other than that, it goes by your area and what they're exposed to.
What shots are OK, but unnecessary?
I honestly don't believe any medication or vaccine is without ris, so I'd say none are okay unless you need to give them (my opinion only).
What shots should be avoided?
I "personally" (this may not necessary be right for every dog) would avoid lymes and giardia at this time. I would have to have a very, very good reason to give lepto and the dental vaccine. I am on the fence with corona but wouldn't give it to an adult.
Rabies is a bugaboo around here: it has a high incidence, so annual shots are required by law, titers or no. And the 3 year has not been approved.
Michigan is every three years, so I guess we have it pretty good.
Those laws are so weird because it obviously lasts way more than one year.
Now, flea and heartworm: I've been using Comfortis for fleas, which is drop-dead fantastic! But they should have heartworm. My thing is, I want something that's dosed for < 10 lb. dogs, not something that's dosed for < 20 lb. dogs. That's too much.
I don't know much about Comfortis except that giving it with high doses of ivermection can be dangerous. I also am thinking it is quite new? I prefer not to give such new products because their safety is still in question.
Ellie is on Interceptor for heartworms. It is for 2-10 poiunds but they use five times more milbemycin oxime in it then they need to so it takes care of some intestinal parasites too.
So you would be giving 5 times more than what they need. Heartgard is for 25 pounds and under, so the overdose would be similar...just a different drug. Revolution has okay dosing but I would not recommend it.
You seem to know quite a bit about it all, and are trusted
. What are your recommendations?