Received the Dreaded Postcard

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by emilyann

So I should get the 2 but not the K9 cough? She's never been boarded and probably never will be, not anytime soon anyway and she rarely goes to the groomer. I think I'm just an idiot when it comes to vaccinations.

Personally, I do not get kennel cough. The CORE vaccines are Distemper, Parvo, Rabies - those are the true core vaccines. Anything beyond that is NON-CORE. K9 guidelines

Most often, the minimum vaccine you can find at a vet (UNLESS you ask for individual vaccines for each vaccine) is the 4-way - which is the DA2PP - and that would vaccinate for: Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parainfluenza, and Parvo.

I posted about the more expensive 3-way - and it really doesn't have a lot of clinical value, from what we all could tell.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Personally, I do not get kennel cough. The CORE vaccines are Distemper, Parvo, Rabies - those are the true core vaccines. Anything beyond that is NON-CORE. K9 guidelines

Most often, the minimum vaccine you can find at a vet (UNLESS you ask for individual vaccines for each vaccine) is the 4-way - which is the DA2PP - and that would vaccinate for: Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parainfluenza, and Parvo.

I posted about the more expensive 3-way - and it really doesn't have a lot of clinical value, from what we all could tell.

I agree with this. I am super paranoid when it comes to vaccines and I get individual vaccinations always and each vaccine spaced out at least two weeks. It definitely costs more, but I feel much safe with this. But now that my girls have had their boosters, the only vaccination we'll be giving is our 3-year rabies. I'm hoping the advocacy group will get this changed to a 7 year soon!!!!!

[jp4m2]

You've gotten some very good advice from the members here, I agree 100%...

The guilt that some vets use is amazing, they try and make you feel like your an uncaring pet owner if you don't get every vaccine under the sun....I recently took one of mine to the vet (not for a vaccine), during the exam the issue was brought up if he was up to date on his shots....I replied that as far as I was concerned he was.....
This vet actually tried to convince me that my pet could be outside and could get bit by a rabid mole!..... Ya right!.......I think I'd have a better chance of walking out my house and getting attacked by a bear.......Then she tried to convince me how safe they where so she told me that she and all her colleges give themselves rabies vaccines! ... I wanted too tell her she can have all mine too ......

[magsy17]

Why don't you just have her titered? Mine were only low on Corona which isn't a problem here and of course the rabies which just came out with a 3 year shot. So no shots for them except rabies.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by emilyann

So I should get the 2 but not the K9 cough? She's never been boarded and probably never will be, not anytime soon anyway and she rarely goes to the groomer. I think I'm just an idiot when it comes to vaccinations.

I would get DHPP then rabies a few weeks later for this year.
I would not get DHLPP. If you need to give the lepto in your area (really research and don't let the vet scare you), it is best to give it separately.

[emilyann]

So, I'm confused... as usual... Ann knows how I am

What is the DHLPPV? What is the difference between it and the DHPP, do I just go in the vet and say "I want the DHPP instead of DHLPPV"?

Here I am... .

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by emilyann

So, I'm confused... as usual... Ann knows how I am

What is the DHLPPV? What is the difference between it and the DHPP, do I just go in the vet and say "I want the DHPP instead of DHLPPV"?

Here I am... .

DHLPPV = Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus Type 2), Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus. The "V" stands for virus.

"L" = Leptospirosis is usually thought to be unneccessary in most areas and for most dogs and is known to be risky, especially in toy breeds. Most vets do not vaccinate for this.

Distemper and Parvo are highly contagious and deadly diseases so they should definitely be vaccinated against.

Hepatitis and parainfluenza are treatable diseases and usually only affect puppies and immunocompromised dogs. I personally would not vaccinate an adult dog for these.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

DHLPPV = Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus Type 2), Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus. The "V" stands for virus.

"L" = Leptospirosis is usually thought to be unneccessary in most areas and for most dogs and is known to be risky, especially in toy breeds. Most vets do not vaccinate for this.

Distemper and Parvo are highly contagious and deadly diseases so they should definitely be vaccinated against.

Hepatitis and parainfluenza are treatable diseases and usually only affect puppies and immunocompromised dogs. I personally would not vaccinate an adult dog for these.

I agree, especially with not needing the parainfluenza but most vets are so pro-vaccinate that it would be nothing but an argument.

If you find a vet that wants to make you happy, they can do them in singles.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I agree, especially with not needing the parainfluenza but most vets are so pro-vaccinate that it would be nothing but an argument.

If you find a vet that wants to make you happy, they can do them in singles.

LOL well, that's an argument I'd be willing to take on for my pet's health and well-being.

Most vets probably do not have single vaccines in their office so I would suggest calling a few weeks ahead of the time you want to come in so they can order the singles you want. This way they are prepared when you come in

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

LOL well, that's an argument I'd be willing to take on for my pet's health and well-being.

Most vets probably do not have single vaccines in their office so I would suggest calling a few weeks ahead of the time you want to come in so they can order the singles you want. This way they are prepared when you come in

I agree.
It is worth it but I find that I have to have a lot of knowledge on the subject to be convincing.

Ellie was titered last year and was low on distemper (although I'm sure she was still protected, so titers kind of irritate me). So the vet got her a single of distemper.

Combo shots make very little sense to me and I don't think I will use them with Ellie anymore but that is all most vets have.

[Smarty Bones]

Originally Posted by emilyann

I knew it was coming this month... the postcard from our old vet for Lilly's annual vaccinations & boosters that she "needs".

Gosh, I can't add anything to the conversation, but I had to say that your title re the dreaded postcard made me think you were referring to Jury Duty I'm such a bad citizen sometimes. (I take civic responsibility seriously, but I've always been called during exams and once a boss tell me I was a idiot if I couldn't figure a way out. )

BTW, it sounds to me like you're trying to do the best by Lilly!

[Babz]

Why does it sound as if member here gets loads of vaccinations for their dogs??

I don't know much about vaccinations, but in Indonesia the proper vaccinations are Eurican 4, 6, then 7, then 9 at a year old, then yearly vaccinations, but only one combo shot.

Anyone heard of this vaccine??
uk.merial.com : data sheet : eurican DHPPi

[emilyann]

Originally Posted by Babz

Why does it sound as if member here gets loads of vaccinations for their dogs??

I don't know much about vaccinations, but in Indonesia the proper vaccinations are Eurican 4, 6, then 7, then 9 at a year old, then yearly vaccinations, but only one combo shot.

Anyone heard of this vaccine??
uk.merial.com : data sheet : eurican DHPPi

I'm confused. Are you saying I get loads of vaccinations for my dog?

[Babz]

Originally Posted by emilyann

I'm confused. Are you saying I get loads of vaccinations for my dog?

LOL no no. I'm just saying that from what I see/read here, it seems that members of this forum, which are mostly Americans seems to have a lot of vaccinations for their dogs to get. I don't know if it's mandatory in the US or what, but in my country the dogs get about 3 vaccines til they're about 6 months, then yearly vaccinations. That's it. It is the norm/proper way here, which is why I didn't ask alot of questions about what each vaccinations are for. Now I know better.

I'm not saying less or more is bad or good, just trying to compare between the 2 countries.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I agree.
It is worth it but I find that I have to have a lot of knowledge on the subject to be convincing.

Ellie was titered last year and was low on distemper (although I'm sure she was still protected, so titers kind of irritate me). So the vet got her a single of distemper.

Combo shots make very little sense to me and I don't think I will use them with Ellie anymore but that is all most vets have.

If your vet (and the practice) is pro-vaccination (meaning $$$$$$) you will have to arm yourself with as much information as you can find and stand firm!!! It really helps to print off one of the recommendations from Dr. Dodd's or the writings from Dr. Tarefaj.

And you are correct on the titers. Dr. Tarefaj's writings suggest titer testing if you are unsure, but also says not to rely on them as a rule. If the same exact lab isn't evaluating the titer each time you have it done, they are not reliable and a titer indicating low immunity does not mean your pup isn't protected. Plus, the titers are expensive tests. I'm going with my gut on this one. My girls had their puppy shots and boosters and will not be getting anything else other than their 3-year rabies.