Imagine if we annually vaccinate ourselves what types of diseases we would have to contend with. I'm more holistic so I approach my dogs' health cautiously. I vaccinate minimally and not until after 12 weeks after the maternal antibodies disappear. Vaccinating repeatedly prior to that is worrisome to me. I changed my entire perspective after my beloved dog of 7 years came down with cancer. After two attempts to remove the tumors his vet found my dog's surgical site would not heal. I had the vet euthanize him and vowed I would not get another dog until I got to the bottom of his health problems. I thought it had to be either the water or the commercial dog food because I don't remember having to battle this when I was younger and had dogs. However, I do remember having to vaccinate my dog (of 7 years) every time we changed military stations. He had to get the rabies vaccination three times before I settled in Seattle. Fast forward five years when family friends gave my kids a gladiator dobie/rott mix. Prior to Xena's arrival I had done quite a bit of research from raw meaty bones to vaccinations. I have to say today she looks wonderful as do Sophie (maltipoo) and Emily (yorkster). Sophie, incidentally, dislocated her left knee when she was less than a year, while romping roughly through the backyard. The vet insisted she needed an expensive surgery. I had him pop her knee back in and have to say she's mobile like it never happened. Her future remains to be seen I do realize that but for now she recovered beautifully. Also, Xena's brother, who was fed commercial dog food, broke his knee and had to be euthanized. I am a firm believer in feeding my canines raw meaty bones because their bones grow at a slower rate and they don't make trips to the vet which is a huge savings; and I vaccinate sparingly opting for titer blood tests instead.
