Vaccination Advice

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by BayleighL

I wish that children were titer tested to prevent over vaccination! Next time I'm at the vet I am going to ask about this.

Titers

The important points to remember when considering titers are:

** Titers are a blood test that measure humoral immunity (antibodies in the blood); they cannot measure cellular immunity.

** There can be a positive titer result, but no cellular immunity present (meaning, they could get the disease in question)

** There can be a negative titer result, yet cellular immunity can be present (meaning, they would be able to attempt to fight the disease)

In a nutshell, whether a positive or negative result - titers can only tell you a small part of the picture; they are not definitive or conclusive in terms of guidance in whether to vaccinate, or not.

This was from Ann on the vaccine threat at the top of the health section.

[BayleighL]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

This was from Ann on the vaccine threat at the top of the health section.

Thanks for the clarifying information!!!

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by BayleighL

Thanks for the clarifying information!!!

I just don't want people wasting their money or getting false hope from it.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Even rabies?

To be honest..yes...even rabies. Our Wylie is almost 13 now, and I won't get him another rabies, despite the law. He is blind, can't go for walks, has soooo many health issues - and I just don't see any good reason to get him a rabies shot at this point in his life.

Originally Posted by Silver Lace

Wylie's Mom,
So, what age do you think it is safe not to give any vaccines at all? Would that be for any breed of doggie? If I may ask why do you believe it is ok not to give shots any more at a certain age? Just curious as I never heard about this before. I had a dog who lived to be 16 and always got shots as I never knew you could stop giving them at a certain age. Thanks for your answer.

With the current vaccine studies showing DOIs (Duration of Immunity) of 7 years to lifetime, I don't plan on getting Parvo or Distemper vaccines when my kiddos reach age 7-8 since at that age, they are likely covered until end of life. Of course, there is nothing wrong with continuing to give them every 3 years if that makes people comfortable...it's just not scientifically necessary, in a nutshell.

Rabies is required by law per your state - many states require every 3 years; some states still require annually. My plan is to do rabies through about age 12.

Originally Posted by Layla04

Titer Testing - Dogs Naturally Magazine This is a good article explaining titer testing. Worth a read

Titer cannot tell you what you need to know regarding vaccination decisions for ongoing care.

This thread may help you (especially the last post about titers): http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-overview.html

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

To be honest..yes...even rabies. Our Wylie is almost 13 now, and I won't get him another rabies, despite the law. He is blind, can't go for walks, has soooo many health issues - and I just don't see any good reason to get him a rabies shot at this point in his life.



With the current vaccine studies showing DOIs (Duration of Immunity) of 7 years to lifetime, I don't plan on getting Parvo or Distemper vaccines when my kiddos reach age 7-8 since at that age, they are likely covered until end of life. Of course, there is nothing wrong with continuing to give them every 3 years if that makes people comfortable...it's just not scientifically necessary, in a nutshell.

Rabies is required by law per your state - many states require every 3 years; some states still require annually. My plan is to do rabies through about age 12.



Titer cannot tell you what you need to know regarding vaccination decisions for ongoing care.

This thread may help you (especially the last post about titers): http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-overview.html

In that case it's not a big deal but what if it's a nothing wrong with it 13 year old dog? I'm guessing it's a case by case thing?

[canana]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

To be honest..yes...even rabies. Our Wylie is almost 13 now, and I won't get him another rabies, despite the law. He is blind, can't go for walks, has soooo many health issues - and I just don't see any good reason to get him a rabies shot at this point in his life.

Aww.. Wylie.. *hugs & kisses*

Same for my previous dog - in fact it was our vet who recommended that she didn't need any more shots after 10 years old, purely because she never stepped foot outside in her senior years. She hated going outside her entire life, but we lived in a very large home during that time...

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

In that case it's not a big deal but what if it's a nothing wrong with it 13 year old dog? I'm guessing it's a case by case thing?

GREAT question! Yeah, if this was, for example, our Pfeiffer - who has the least issues of all - and she was a super healthy 13 yr old - and still taking walks outside etc - then yes, then I really would consider getting the rabies shot.

What do you think..any thoughts where you'd land on that ?

Originally Posted by canana

Aww.. Wylie.. *hugs & kisses*

Same for my previous dog - in fact it was our vet who recommended that she didn't need any more shots after 10 years old, purely because she never stepped foot outside in her senior years. She hated going outside her entire life, but we lived in a very large home during that time...

He sends huge huggles and kisses ! Even at his tender age, with all his issues - his big heart and love of life still outweighs his health problems .

Yeah, when they really start to get "senior", I'm just more and more picky as to what kinds of stresses I want to put on their little bodies...

Save

[canana]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

He sends huge huggles and kisses ! Even at his tender age, with all his issues - his big heart and love of life still outweighs his health problems .

Yeah, when they really start to get "senior", I'm just more and more picky as to what kinds of stresses I want to put on their little bodies...

Save

I'm sure lil Wylie still has a lot of time to share his love with you!! Especially with your amazing care and knowledge for these babies!

I hear you - I have become the pickiest yorkie mom ever after discovering how delicate these little guys are.

[pstinard]

I can understand not wanting to give an elderly, unhealthy dog a rabies shot, but I'm curious about the legal ramifications of not giving a dog a rabies vaccination. Does a veterinarian have to sign off on it? If you don't give a dog a rabies vaccination and your vet knows about it, are they obligated to report you to animal control?

Here are a few articles I found on the subject. Evidently, it's possible to get a vaccination waiver from your vet (which needs to be approved by animal health authorities), but it doesn't absolve the pet owner of legal responsibilities if the dog contracts or transmits rabies:

Is Opting Out of Rabies Vaccination an Option for Pet Owners | petMD

https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pag...on-Waiver.aspx

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

GREAT question! Yeah, if this was, for example, our Pfeiffer - who has the least issues of all - and she was a super healthy 13 yr old - and still taking walks outside etc - then yes, then I really would consider getting the rabies shot.

What do you think..any thoughts where you'd land on that ?



He sends huge huggles and kisses ! Even at his tender age, with all his issues - his big heart and love of life still outweighs his health problems .

Yeah, when they really start to get "senior", I'm just more and more picky as to what kinds of stresses I want to put on their little bodies...

Save

I think that sounds ok especially if they are not going out at all. Rabies can be a hard vaccine. Joey gets a lump both times he has had it and he just gets really painful with any vaccine. If there is no chance of them going out and biting someone there is no need to do it. I think if its an older dog that is still active and going out and to groomers and stuff like that it should be done.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by pstinard

I can understand not wanting to give an elderly, unhealthy dog a rabies shot, but I'm curious about the legal ramifications of not giving a dog a rabies vaccination. Does a veterinarian have to sign off on it? If you don't give a dog a rabies vaccination and your vet knows about it, are they obligated to report you to animal control?

Here are a few articles I found on the subject. Evidently, it's possible to get a vaccination waiver from your vet (which needs to be approved by animal health authorities), but it doesn't absolve the pet owner of legal responsibilities if the dog contracts or transmits rabies:

Is Opting Out of Rabies Vaccination an Option for Pet Owners | petMD

https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pag...on-Waiver.aspx

I think most of the time no one knows. My mom stopped doing all vaccines on the dogs I grew up with and there were never any issues but we didn't really take them places and stuff like I do with my yorkies. 2 of them still ended up dying of cancer.