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Originally Posted by Nasdaq_Diva  Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've been reading on here about how certain laws in certain states want pets vaccinated (lets say rabies) every 3 years, whereas other places have it a req. of yearly. I dont want to over vaccinate my Tommy. |
As others have already said, Rabies is the only state mandated vaccine. (I think someone already said that Ohio requires it every 3 yrs?? This is ONLY if you get the 3 yr vaccine. They make a 1 yr Rabies vaccine as well, but this would not be legal for 3 yrs....even though most vaccine companies put the exact same serum in the 3 yr and the 1 yr vials.
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Besides that almost everyone also vaccinates with the core vaccines: distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis (adenovirus). (Most vets have a DHPP vaccine which includes those 3 plus parainfluenza, and most people opt for this because to only give the 3 core vaccine usually means 3 sticks instead of one...which means a greater risk for injection site reactions.)
The other vaccines, non-core vaccines, are at the discretion of the vet and owner. It all depends on the risks in your area and the activity level of Tommy (if he's mainly an inside dog, then you may want to avoid all of the non-core, but if he runs around outside a lot, especially in wooded areas, and drinks out of ponds/lakes/creeks/puddles..., then you may want to get some of the non-core vaccines).
I don't know how old Tommy is, but he should have the "puppy shot" series at 3-4 wk intervals from 9 wks to 16 wks. Then, the should have a booster shot 1 yr after the last puppy shot. After that, it is now recommended to do booster vaccines every 3 yrs instead of every year. That is, of course, ultimately up to you and your vet, though!
Here are a couple of links about canine vaccines for you:
Dr-Dodds-ChangingVaccProtocol What Everyone Needs to Know About Canine Vaccines
Hope this helps you!!!