thank you!

Oh, I am almost there!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Ella's actually due for DHP and her rabies this weekend. They are both her 1 year booster but i got to say, i've heard horror stories about giving the rabies vac. and i'm kind of nervous even though she didn't have negative side effects when she got her first one.

I got Uni's dhp and rabies 3 yr on the same day , I know, I know. But she was fine. The only horror story I have was the $100 bill I got for Uni's rabies license for being unaltered! That'll teach me to ever rabies vax my future dogs (seriously).

My girls still go for a yearly check-up and routine bloodwork. I am lucky because our vet is completely with me - although the clinic (where she is just one of about 10) does not agree with this.

If your vet challenges you, I would go in armed with my research and explain that you will do what is best for your baby. You can always refuse any "scheduled" vaccinations as well. There are still many vets out there recommending yearly vaccinations despite the new studies. And still even more vets who do not understand that a toy breed dog is NOT the same animal as other breeds. Many also continue to vaccinate dogs withchronic illnesses, which completely goes against everything!!! You have to be the advocate for your furkid, just like you would be for your skin kids.

And lastly, if rabies were not required by law I would also not get as my girls are rarely outside.

This poll is turning out much different than I thought it would...:confused:

I would have expected it to turn out with a lot more people spacing the vacs, titering, or not giving them at all.

Me too...I wonder why so many unnecessary vaccines are being given? It's revealing of both the vet industry (in overvaccinating) and the confusion (still) over vaccines schedules (in pet owners) :(.

It really saddens me that such a huge onus is placed on pet owners to ensure their pets aren't being overvaccinated. Vets should ensure this and advocate for this, but so many still do *not*.

If this type of overvaccination happened in the human world, say, to children - can you imagine the outrage toward the doctors??? How much it would be in the media? :(

After initial vaccines and first year to 14 month booster - I give no vaccines other than state mandated Rabies (and only because I am forced by law!) Lifetime immunity is probably conferred, but studies are ongoing. Just Google canine vaccine guidelines and tons of research from top Vet colleges and researchers comes up. I love my vet for respecting my opinion and "bucking" the tide. When I told him about the research at Cornell Veterinary School, he said "You are preaching to the choir!" He said he has had many a conversation with his colleagues who say that they need the income from annual vaccinations. His answer to them is - that should never override sound medical logic! LOVE HIM!

Also, FYI -my breeder said no small breed, ie Yorkie should get more than one immunization at a time at a visit, ie Rabies and a combo vac. (one combination vaccine would be ok - just not multiple injections). Can be too much of a stress to the immune system. Oh, and NO LEPTO ever.

This site has a schedule of recommended immunizations and the science explanation behind it:

K9 guidelines

I'm still laughing...omg almost there too.:eek:

I have always gone for yearly vaccinations.....but am lucky as my vet charges no visit fee, just the cost of the vaccination....so if you break up your shots to different days....the only extra cost is time (they take no appointments...everything is walkin and wait).

But I do think at my next visit I will talk with my vet......and get his opinion/thoughts.

Me too!

Is the combo ok as long as it isn't given at the same time as the rabies?

I voted for "when the titer is low", however, that is just what we are doing right now. Layla hasn't had a booster in i can't remember how long- i'd say at least two years. I have no idea when she is scheduled to have another- we were just in for an annual visit in April and the vet didn't mention it so I didn't etiher.

I don't want her ever vaccinated again- she is hardly outside- hardly around other dogs- it just isn't needed for my indoor gal. I'm not sure what I will do in the future- she will never have a Lepto vaccine again- that I know and if it wasn't for the law- she would never have rabies either. Luckily her rabies is only every 3 years- while I'm sure that makes no difference than a yearly dose- it makes me feel better ;)

I think in the future I will have a titer done and talk to our vet- she is VERY open to how I approach Layla's health and I am very grateful for that.

Oh and i am also SHOCKED at how this poll is turning out. i always thought there was a lot of info on here about over vaccinating and I hoped people would read it. Maybe this will give people something to think about :)

Unfortunately I still vaccinate every year.:(

They are required to be vaccinated every year if I want to take them to the groomers, social gathering or just have a routine dental work done.
I think it is completely unnecessary and unfair.

How do you guys get around it? I want to take the furkids out and about, I enjoy it as do they but I hate the requirements to do so. So either I get the shots done or not take them out, it's just not right.
I hate this so I only do the vaccines with a couple, the ones who are out most of the time.
I wish people would wake up and get with the program so I wouldn't have to worry about over vaccinating my dog just so I can take them out.

I\'m guessing most that get around it stiil vaccinate every three years The people who titer or don\'t do them after a certain age...they may not have their dogs groomed, etc.

I can see why groomers and kennels wouldn\'t except the more extreme schedule. I do know of a kennel in our area that will defer to your vet on 1 year of 3 year, so only every 3 years is required which, imo, is very nice othem. I\'m sure I could find a groomer that offers the same here b/c we have so many choices. And the people that stop entirely, they may use a dogsitter instead of a kennel.

I take Ellie where I want and am not restricted by not vaccinating. I\'ve never een asked to show records here in MI for pet store, dog friendly mall, etc. The only restrictions I put on myself b/c she does snap and I don\'t want her to bite anybody and we don\'t do lepto, she I won\'t let her hang out by lifestock, in the woods, in marsh area...

And some vets posts signs or whatever that yearly are required. If you talk to them about it, some will make exceptions. Honestly, I would not see a vet that required it. They are putting themselves above the experts and I wouldn\'t deal with it. I just had to stop listening to every word that vets say a long time ago b/c it was unhealthy for my girl. :(