Quote:
Originally Posted by fifeandshaffer  i looked it up seems that bordatella is good for 12 months, but seems it has tons of possible side effects next time Im at the vet ill ask what she thinks, but i think i would rather treat the kennel cough if they get it rather than a vaccine,,, in 6 years so far neither of my dogs ever got it. |
Sorry, reading my post, I just realize that this is one very long story/rant... 
I totally agree with the above!
I don't have any medical background, which I better point out at this stage. My little Pepper had his 2nd vaccination (the routine C5 vaccines) after we got him from the breeder. I was a little nervous, being aware that adverse reactions can and do happen. Pepper was fine. Phew! After 3 days, however, he showed some for him unusual behaviour: he started whining at night and just would not stop. At the time, we thought that he was becoming spoilt, and after checking that all his needs had been met, we ignored his pining and all went back to sleep. Then, in the early morning, I woke up to find Pepper next to my bed in his pen, having a severe seizure! He was rushed to emergency, where he underwent intensive examinations and treatment (induced coma, CT, ... the works). Despite all this the cause of his illness was never determined. I tend to believe that it was an adverse reaction to his vaccine, I have absolute faith in the breeder who confirmed that there never had been any history of seizures in her Yorkies.
The vets I spoke with in Sydney doubt a link to the vaccination exists, even though they can not exclude it either. Vets in Germany have been less sceptical and seem more prepared to acknowledge the possibility.
Pepper has since fully recovered.
At the moment, we are going through some more stress: Parvo cases have shown up near where I live. Pepper's last titre test (he has had 2) showed decreased level of Parvo antibodies! Damned if you do, and damned if you don't. Got my vet to obtain a single dose of Parvo vaccine only and Pepper received his shot on Saturday morning = 3 days ago. I am very nervous, naturally. But I have been told, that the Bordatella virus is the one, that seems to cause most of the reactions...
I will continue to avoid any unnecessary vaccinations. Regular titre test, and if Pepper should get Bordatella or eve Distemper (rare in this area), we will deal with the illness at the time.
Had I been a little more informed one year ago, I would not have agreed to a C5 shot for Pepper. Instead, he would have received single dose vaccines only. With long breaks in between.