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Originally Posted by Lovetodream88  I grew up with two dogs who only got there puppy shots and that was it no other shots and no nothing and both got cancer and died........ not getting the shots or using prevention does not make a dog live longer. I am glad your doing better by your yorkie. |
She was just sharing a story. She obviously did very well with her 22 year old Chi, so she's not "doing better" by her Yorkie. She is just accomodating to a different lifestyle and what she feels more comfortable with, which is fine.
We could relay anecdotal stories all day long about people whose dogs lived to be 20 eating Purina (which, I don't see you feeding, even though MANY people have very healthy long lived dogs eating their food). And I could share the stories of the dogs I knew who were hardly vetted and never given shots besides puppy vaccs that lived to be an old age, and the dogs who were vaccinated every year who died of cancer by 8 or 9. And a Lab or a Golden who dies of cancer at 8 or 9 is going to be a lot more likely than a Yorkie dying at the same age, simply because of genetics, no matter what vaccines were given.
I'm not trying to be snarky, but not everything is so black and white. There is no proof that not over-vaccinating or not using prevention causes a shorter lifespan, or more health problems... but there's plenty of evidence and thorough research indicating that over-vaccination causes more harm than good.
I will continue to "not do best" by Jackson then since I hardly use any prevention (as far as flea/tick meds go) and refuse to give my dog any more vaccinations besides what is legally required of me. I truly believe he is better off for it. Do I think not giving him anymore shots is going to allow him to live to be 25 or outlive dogs given yearly shots? No. But I think as pet parents, we're obligated to research and learn, and inform ourselves how to let our pets live the best life they can, as we are their voice.
FWIW, my dads dogs have not been on heartworm prevention their entire life, and they're 5 and 6. Never any problems. I am not advocating this, and it's more or less that my dad and step-mom just aren't as 'hip' on veterinary care as most of us. But they're well loved, well taken care of animals and family pets. I choose to be a lot more proactive with Jackson but it doesn't necessarily make me a 'better' dog owner.