Vaccinations Question...
 

I don't get my dogs vaccinated every year, because I got a book that talked about "over vaccinating" and what it can cause. Also, it explained that just like in people, vaccinations are good for years.

I look at it this way, no one in my family gets shots every year, so why should my dogs be any different?

I do get the rabies shot (mine are every 3 years) as stated.

I was wondering if anyone else had an opinion on yearly vaccinations, or if any of you have read the book?
Amazon.com: What Vets Don't Tell You About...
I actually know a breeder who will not sell a puppy to someone who is going to vaccinate yearly, because of the info he has read.

I TOTALLY agree with you! And I know many people on this board who also agree with you. Overvaccination is one of the main causes (in addition to diet) that we're seeing so many health issues (esp. allergies, for one) in dogs these days. I do only core vaccines for my dogs. So are you going to titer then?

It's sad bc most vets and almost all boarding facilities are completely behind the times. Even though this is BETTER for the dogs' health, you cannot board your dog if you vaccinate this way - ridiculous huh?

It is ridiculous! Yes, I'm going to titer. I want what is safer for my dogs.
I'm lucky, because I don't have to board my dogs! They can usually go with me wherever I go, and if they can't, I have a friend with whom I trade pet sitting duties!

I think vets still vaccinate so much because 1. they are behind or 2. they get kick backs from the vaccinations. I'm not sure, but I can't imagine why else they would do so!

Honestly, I think it is due to revenue only. Because ALL of the published and peer-reviewed literature supports the AAHA's findings in how to vaccinate our pets. It's a blatant refusal to give up revenue, in my opinion. Luckily, I don't have to board my guys either - but it really infuriates me for those who do - they're basically forcing vaccinations in those cases. Vaccinations themselves cost pennies - and look at how much vets charge - uh huh. :rolleyes:

Absolutely!!! The vets will lose a lot of revenue if they reduce the vaccination schedule. Each dose cost them a few dollars yet they charge about 30 to the patient.

I agree that we are overvaccinating and will get Ozzy's 1 year boosters then will switch to every 3 years for all his core vaccines.

(I was forced to vaccinate my horse by the barn I had her at. (rabies every year for 13 years!!!!!) I decided to move her because of it and now she is at a more forward thinking facility.)

Just talked to my vet this morning about this very thing. Actually talked to the tech. I asked them if they had to have the yearly rabies because Mandy and Tina are now seniors and little Kayla is one but I don't want any of mine over vaccinated. They said they just did the yearly but before it was over they said they would order the every 3 vaccine for me. She ask me if I wanted her to go ahead and order it and I told her no, I was going to wait a couple of years for Mandy and Tina. I will get Kayla's rabies one more time and then every three years. Of course they still have to have the kennel cough, distemper and parvo.

In the case of at least one brand of rabies vaccine, the 1 year and 3 year are the same thing in different packaging to meet different states' requirements.

Distemper is every 3 years (and theoretically can be longer) and Parvo is 7.5 years (and could be lifetime) - you can titer for both. :)

I have an Excel Spreadsheet I use for my guys vaccines - I wish I could attach it for others to use....

I have done some research on the titer tests and I found that even though your pup might not show antibodies(after a period of time) doesn't mean that he/she is not still protected from the disease. Titers are useful if you do them to make sure the immune system kicked in after the first vaccine.. If they are present then the immune system is working against the disease and after they go away ( i believe they called them sleeper cells) they are cells that when they are exposed again to the disease these cells kick in and start the antibodies all over again. I'm still confused myself but I don't think I'm going to vaccinate for parvo/ distemper and definitely no lepto. I haven't decided about rabbies( which is very bad for our little ones) but state requires it.

Titers and Canine Vaccination Decisions OOPPPS they are called memory cells.. Maybe this site will be helpful..

I don't know where my last post went?? The cells are memory cells and here is a site that my be helpful...Titers and Canine Vaccination Decisions

So I have a question, are the boosters shots required by law? I know the rabies is.

My last Vet office said every year for the boosters, so I did just that, but my Vet has switched to a new location and they say boosters every other year.

Roxy and TJ had their shots in June 07 - so according to the new office, they aren't due until Jun 09 - BUT - from all I am reading, I do not want them to get the shots next year, but do I have a leg to stand on? Is it law? (oh I am in NYS) :p

I do not believe they are, ONLY rabbies.. I remember when I was growing up My mom never took our pets to the vet only if they were sick... She never vaccinated regularly and we had dogs that lived long healthy lives so maybe thats the trick??? Since they made the Rabbies shot every 3 years there have been reports that more dogs have had bad reactions from it over time???? Has anyone else heard this as well?

My vet said there are two types of titer does anyone know what the two are and which is best to get?

I am so happy to see this thread!!! I believe in highly limited vaccines and honestly, I drive 45 minutes to my vet because he also only believes in limited vaccines. We do a three year rabies (because I am a law abiding citizen) and titer for the rest. I have a relationship with a local vet in case of emergency, but I HATED when my previous vet would make me feel like a terrible mother for not doing the rest of the vaccines each year.

If you are interested, google the Rabies Challenge Fund which is attempting to pursuade legislators to consider five and even 10 year rabies vaccines as it is believed rabies vaccines work for the life of a dog.

Hi TLC I also live in Farmingville. Their are no laws for yearly vacc. only rabies. Unless you go abroad, then they want health certificates.

Thanks. I am going to discuss this with my Vet next time. :thumbup:

Thank you for this thread- I live in NYC and have been wondering about vaccines and would love to be better informed on the topic. I feel like my vet is a money maker so would like to have the proper info to go in there and not over vaccinate my baby- it can't be good for them- if anyone has more info please pass it on to me- Thanks!!!!

There are tons of amazing vets in NYC. Check out AHVMA - Home
for referrals to holistic vets that promote limited vaccines and whole food diets. Best of luck!

We spoke with our vet about this very recently. We will vaccinate only for rabies from now on. According to my vet, with toy breeds - once they get their first year booster of distemper, they most likely will have lifetime immunity. Lepto is no longer recommended by most hoslitic vets as the risks associated with toy breeds and this vaccination far outweight any benefits derived from the vaccine. We have never had the parvo vaccine or anything else other than boratella and we will only do that if we have no choice but to board (which we don't plan to do).

I do the same thing. Both my dogs were vaccinated for EVERYTHING before I got them - Louis came from a breeder who gave every vaccine under the sun and since Ella Bean is a rescue, the shelter did the same.

My vet and I had to detox them both homeopathically as they had vaccinosis and we only do rabies now.

I am definitely going to look for a holistic vet because Keoki is only 11 months this week so even though he had a ton of vaccines when I first got him/ before I got him I can still put him on the right path and be educated. Thank you sooo much!!!! I have felt clueless about all of this up until now but never felt right about it because he is so small...

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Our next club meeting will be devoted to a video from Purina..among the topics will be annual vaccines and the need to no longer give yearly boosters. The AVA has a new vaccine protocal, no yearly vaccinations also. I have not given yearly vaccinatons to any Yorkie for 20 yrs. They get a series of puppy shots 9, 12, 16 and 6 months..a booster at 3 yrs..none after that time. A yearly parvo and 3 yr rabies.

I used to start at 6 weeks, but many vets tell me mothers immunity is more then adequate until 9 weeks..in fact giving too early has the opposite effect on the immune system.

So the next thing he needs is parvo then rabies at 3 years?? That is very good information because I just looked at the schedule that they want me to do and it is as follows; in August 08' Bordetella, November08' DA2PPV Booster ( whatever that is) and then on 7/09 rabies 3 year he will only be 2 years old then??? That does not seem right- if someone has any advice it would be appreciated :)

Something I just found out is that multi-dose vials of vaccine have preservatives in them. Thymersol was used until 1992 but now the preservative is aluminum. Single dose vaccines don't need a preservative since they are thrown away after the first use. The multi-dose vials would be found at the vet's office. I plan on making sure my vet only uses the single dose vial when any of mine need their rabies. Thymersol is the same preservative suspected to have caused autism in children and aluminum is also known to be dangerous. I give my own vaccines except for the rabies so this is the one I worry about. :aimeeyork :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :)

I have posted a few times regarding my story with Suzi and her vaccines. She recieved the first two rounds from the breeders before I got her. The problem ran into was that the vet would not agree to the shots she already recieved. AND told me there is no such things as overvaccinating.. That is to me BS. I talked to him on the vet , and he seemed surprised that I knew so much about the topic. He stated that he had a puppy who was vaccinated and still got parvo . After a discussion with the vet, he agreed to modify her schedule.
The second time I took Suzi in I got a different vet. SURE enough the whole topic started over. This time the "new" vet stated that they do not get a guarentee if the vaccine schedule is not followed .I do not know what he was talking about? It seemed like they did get some kind of something for repeated vaccinated any animal. Before I could say anything the vet takes a spray thing out and is using on Suzi, up her nose. He did not even tell me what it was for. I found out it was for kennel cough.
Suzi is scheduled to go back on the 2nd of July .I probably will cancel the appointment, and reschedule for the same vet she had her first visit . Suzi is four months old now, and only needs her rabies. She has technicallay had 4 rounds of vaccinations. PLENTY ! the first round was when she was only 5 weeks, so did not probably be effective. The other three , most certainly are enough.
What bothers me is that these damn vets DO NOT LISTEN TO the Owners wishes. Arrrrg. :eek:

Hi,
I had to comment on the autism.... AS of right now there is NO proven link at all whatsoever that this is true. NO scientific evidence at all. This all came from the connection of toddlers who had a Dx of Early Infantile Autism. The babies would go in and recieve their rountine shots and supposedly therafter would regress. Language stopping completly. THe parents are the ones who started to think that there was a connection to a certain type of autism/vaccines. Scientists are and continue to study the autism link. MY son has autism, and it was in the 90's when this so called connection started. No offense woogieman, I have also been watching that very carefully too. :aimeeyork

vaccine
 

You need to read and decide what is best for your dog. The 3 yr. Rabies is good for 3 yrs..some vets give a one yr, some a 3 yr vaccine.

No offense taken. I ran across this info while researching dog vaccines. What I found was that thymersol was used in both dog and human vaccines until 1992 when aluminum was substituted in dog vaccines. There was a bill to remove thymersol from human vaccines but it was vetoed. I also read where a family had won an award (based on the preservative theory) from a fund set up by the vaccine manufacturers, though they admitted no liability. The suspicion alone of preservatives in vaccines causing harm is enough for me to insist on single dose vaccines (which are available) only being used for my dogs. I can only imagine the challenges faced by your son and your entire family. Bless you all. :aimeeyork :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :)

You're exactly right. Everyone needs to decide what is best for their dog but you can't just take a vet's word on it. I switched vets because I had one that insisted on giving the rabies vaccine annually even though, by law, the rabies vaccine used in my state must be the 3 year variety. IMO, the only reason for this is greed, not the welfare of our dogs.