Vaccine against Periodontal disease???

[PrincessLila]

Hi all,

So I feel like an ass. I took my dog for follow-up for her spay and somehow got into a discussion about my dog's teeth. Anyway, the vet offered to give a vaccine to prevent peridontal disease. I declined because I wanted to read up on it but I somehow was suckered into buying a big bag of Hill's T/D which is a treat that brushes their teeth (as well as a bordetella intranasal vacc and a deworming both of which I thought my dog had already done).

Has anyone heard of this vaccine? Do you recommend it? Does anyone know of where I can get a schedule for vaccinations because now I feel like I"m being taken for a ride (I recently made a change from another vet who gives distemper every 6mos!).

-Lila's mom

[Ellie May]

These vets know how to put the pressure on, don't they?

I do not like and will not allow my dog to get the periodontal vaccine. You are vaccinating against a bacteria, as far as I know, which the body should be fighting. I mean, all dogs have in their mouths, right? I do need to look into this more. I think it is very important to brush your dog's teeth everyday but a vaccine isn't necessary. There are already way too many vaccines being given.

The T/D isn't necessary either. It does reduce tartar by up to 39% but I think that would have to be the only thing the dog eats and why feed it if you can brush? I do like OraVet though (first application has to be done under anesthesia) because there are no side effects.

If your dog had bordatella as a pup, then she didn't need it again at six months. I don't like this vaccine at all, but if you are going to give it, it would be 1-2 times a year. If she had one or two rounds at about 3 months old as part of her puppy shots, she wouldn't need it til at least 9 months.

[Ellie May]

I forgot to add that the vaccine is still being studied, so any animal that gets it now is a guinea pig.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/56910.php

And this site says that this bacteria isn't present in healthy gums but that you still have to brush teeth and get cleanings:
http://www.merrimackvet.com/dent2.htm

Why use a drug when you have to brush anyway?

[PrincessLila]

Thanks a ton for your help. The only reason why we even got to talking is because Lila won't allow you to brush or even get near her teeth so I was inquiring the best way to get her to do it. So the vet convinced me (I was really hesitant to be honest) to buy the t/d because she said I can give it in lieu of brushing. I guess I'm just a bit frustrated because it seems that for the past 4 months Lila's been having booster shot after booster shot and I'm having a hard time keeping track of what has been done.

[PrincessLila]

My vet told me I can give it to her as a treat or as a meal! The Hill's site says that it's effectiveness can be reduced if she is fed other meals! I'm going to return this product. I'm so pissed because I'm looking at my bill and there is a charge for a booster (but I'm not even sure which one!).

[YorkichonBella]

The vaccinations are confusing to keep up with. Ask for a printout from the Vet. It should specify history and the names of the vaccines/dates given and what is needed for future. I refer back to mine often because I forget the names of things. Good Luck!

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by PrincessLila

Thanks a ton for your help. The only reason why we even got to talking is because Lila won't allow you to brush or even get near her teeth so I was inquiring the best way to get her to do it. So the vet convinced me (I was really hesitant to be honest) to buy the t/d because she said I can give it in lieu of brushing. I guess I'm just a bit frustrated because it seems that for the past 4 months Lila's been having booster shot after booster shot and I'm having a hard time keeping track of what has been done.

Your pup should get distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parinfluenza (DHPP) 3-4 times (4 is really too many) between 6 and 16 weeks of age (6 weeks is really too young). Then one year later and then work out a schedule you are comfortable with.

The bordatella is given as a shot or intranasal to the pup (they might do two rounds) and then again every 6-12 months.

Giardia and corona shouldn't be given at all.

Lepto is only needed in a few areas but the vaccine can be dangerous for Yorkies, so it should be avoided if possible.

Rabies you have to go with state law.

Does this help?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by PrincessLila

My vet told me I can give it to her as a treat or as a meal! The Hill's site says that it's effectiveness can be reduced if she is fed other meals! I'm going to return this product. I'm so pissed because I'm looking at my bill and there is a charge for a booster (but I'm not even sure which one!).

It could do some good as treats but if you are feeding something else, it won't work as well. If you have tried to brush and can't, how about using a rinse?

[PrincessLila]

Thanks guys!!

[Love4Bella]

I have not had this injection given to my yorkies but my mother had this given to her Yellow Lab a few weeks ago and he has to go in again 3 weeks after the 1st to get a follow up. She had it done because he is a little older and although he doesn't have any teeth or gum problems she just thought it would be good to get it. I won't get it for my babies because I feel like they are too small to handle some new injection. I mean the amount of injections that they get already seems like overload on a tiny 4 or 5 pound body.

[margaritaville]

My vet offered me this and gave me a brochure to read. After reading it I decided against it. The research study didn't include many animals and it hasn't been on the market long enough to really determine it's effectiveness and side effects. So I just pass for now.

[lindabjk]

great question...just reading this has been so helpful!

[yarnlady]

My vet mentioned it too, and she gives it to her dogs. But you still have to do regular cleanings even with the vaccine, so it didn't seem worth it to me. It just protects against the bacteria that can cause peridontal infections, not plaque. I give Emmy the T/D as treats, and they do help. I also brush her teeth.

[katelin]

Teeth are such an issue...I wonder if they could develop sealants for the back teeth just like they do with children.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by katelin

Teeth are such an issue...I wonder if they could develop sealants for the back teeth just like they do with children.

I think children have more of an issue with cavities, while dogs on the other hand, like adult humans, have more problems with periodontal disease. By age of 3, an estimated 85 percent of all dogs have some form of periodontal disease.