Annual Vaccinactions - why are some still doing them?

[Doodlebug]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

Also, wanted to add that you can get a gut feeling about a place from their willingness to answer the questions... if they are annoyed and want to get you off the phone really quick, how they are going to be when you call with questions? The one I ended up using, the receptionist stayed on the phone and answered all my questions and the few she didnt know the answer to, she wrote down and said she would ask a vet and call me back and she called me back that same day with the answers.

And this has been the care I receive now, the vets are very thorough when you are there, they answer all your questions and spend a lot of time with you. They always call me back if I have questions and always call as soon as tests results come in. I had a problem with my previous vet where they never called you, you always had to call a million times before you could ever get someone to tell you the results of any test.

I know what you mean. I got a feeling from the conversations that they could care less about my concerns with vaccinations and they were as anxious to get off the phone as I was.

[Doodlebug]

Originally Posted by dwerten

The most i paid for a titer was to cornell university it was $152.

They do send them out usually to vet schools

The titers i have had done also were sent to colorado state and i believe antech but now jean dodds does them and i think she does them for $50 appx

Did the titer test include all of the vaccines that have been discussed here or just rabies? Are there separate tests for each vaccine? Sorry for the dumb questions but I do want to be informed so I can ask good questions.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Did the titer test include all of the vaccines that have been discussed here or just rabies? Are there separate tests for each vaccine? Sorry for the dumb questions but I do want to be informed so I can ask good questions.

no question is ever dumb always ask away

the titer is for parvo distemper. There are rabies titers but they are not accepted unless you are getting a health waiver from your county then they may use the rabies titer.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to find a good vet? Also what questions should I ask them?

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...erinarian.html

EllieMay and me put this together...it's up in the Library, if you ever need it.

[Doodlebug]

Thanks so much Ann!!! I am going to get busy reading this info. I really appreciate it. Teddy Bear is due for his shots next month and I am going to be sure to get him the 3 year rabies instead of the one yr that my vet has been recommending. I can't believe what a lousy vet I have been going to. Hopefully I can find a great vet before then and get the titer done for my little Bear. I am really curious to see what this will reveal. He has been getting all these shots for 6 years. :-(

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Now I KNOW I need to find a new vet. I called a couple today and asked if they recommend shots annually and if they recommend titers. They said yes to the first question and no to the second. They said titers isn't usually done and they sounded like it was ridiculous. One told me it cost over $400 to do it and it has to be 'sent out', like I shouldn't even consider it. I feel like I am getting nowhere in my search.

My current vet has been scaring me into getting annual shots. Now I feel so guilty for doing it.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to find a good vet? Also what questions should I ask them?

Thanks.

We have paid around $80 for distemper and parvo titers combined.
There are no words for the $400 things besides crazy.

By the way, in the case of most companies, most notably Pfizer, the one year and three year rabies are the exact same vaccine with different labels to satisfy different state (and vet) requirements.

[Doodlebug]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

We have paid around $80 for distemper and parvo titers combined.
There are no words for the $400 things besides crazy.

By the way, in the case of most companies, most notably Pfizer, the one year and three year rabies are the exact same vaccine with different labels to satisfy different state (and vet) requirements.

OMG I can't believe the difference in the prices. I think our vets here are trying to discourage the testing with the outrageous prices.

My poor babies are probably so full of rabies vac that they should never need another shot. I feel so bad and so guilty for this. Not to mention how MAD I am at my vet.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

OMG I can't believe the difference in the prices. I think our vets here are trying to discourage the testing with the outrageous prices.

My poor babies are probably so full of rabies vac that they should never need another shot. I feel so bad and so guilty for this. Not to mention how MAD I am at my vet.

No need to feel guilty. You just didn't know. It's okay.
Just don't do anything else until you research.

Vets (even good ones) push the annual protocol. I think a vet can recommend them annually and still be a good vet. However, when you bring up that you want a different schedule, a good vet will listen to you. Some are almost forced to do them yearly, esp. if they aren't the boss at the facility that you go to.

I'm guessing rabies is required every three years in MO. In that case, it's the law and nothing you will be able to do about it.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

We have paid around $80 for distemper and parvo titers combined.
There are no words for the $400 things besides crazy.

By the way, in the case of most companies, most notably Pfizer, the one year and three year rabies are the exact same vaccine with different labels to satisfy different state (and vet) requirements.

this is correct

please watch the videos i posted on this thread they are very informative

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

OMG I can't believe the difference in the prices. I think our vets here are trying to discourage the testing with the outrageous prices.

My poor babies are probably so full of rabies vac that they should never need another shot. I feel so bad and so guilty for this. Not to mention how MAD I am at my vet.

what are the rabies laws in your county though? Is it 1 year or 3 as rabies laws depend on the county you live in so you need to call and find out

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

No need to feel guilty. You just didn't know. It's okay.
Just don't do anything else until you research.

Vets (even good ones) push the annual protocol. I think a vet can recommend them annually and still be a good vet. However, when you bring up that you want a different schedule, a good vet will listen to you. Some are almost forced to do them yearly, esp. if they aren't the boss at the facility that you go to.

I'm guessing rabies is required every three years in MO. In that case, it's the law and nothing you will be able to do about it.

it depends on county not state as some counties in same state like texas are 3 year and some 1 year

and you nailed it - it is up to the owner to request sometimes vaccine protocol they want as jodi on here went to her vet and she told them what she wanted and the vet said thank goodness you said something as i cannot tell you what i recommend unless you ask first per the owner of practice as she had to do what was standard for that practice unless the OWNER mentioned it - how sad is that

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Thanks so much Ann!!! I am going to get busy reading this info. I really appreciate it. Teddy Bear is due for his shots next month and I am going to be sure to get him the 3 year rabies instead of the one yr that my vet has been recommending. I can't believe what a lousy vet I have been going to. Hopefully I can find a great vet before then and get the titer done for my little Bear. I am really curious to see what this will reveal. He has been getting all these shots for 6 years. :-(

Normally vets only recommend rabies vaccines that are set by state law. You need to find out what the law is in your state. Then, I would speak with the vet.

[ladyjane]

Here is the law governing rabies vaccines in the state of Texas....counties do not make these laws in Texas or in any other state that I am aware of. I could be wrong, but I believe every state governs rabies.

Texas Department of State Health Services, Infectious Disease Control Unit > Vaccine

There are other animal laws that are set by cities and/or counties, but not rabies.

[dwerten]

here is something controversial as well to think about it

some vets/holistic vets will not give the full whamy rabies shot to a toy breed as they do not feel a 90lb dog should get the same dose as a 4lb dog. Some feel you need the full 90lb dose to get immunity some do not.

The rabies vaccine says on it i believe up to a 90lb dog

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Here is the law governing rabies vaccines in the state of Texas....counties do not make these laws in Texas or in any other state that I am aware of. I could be wrong, but I believe every state governs rabies.

Texas Department of State Health Services, Infectious Disease Control Unit > Vaccine

There are other animal laws that are set by cities and/or counties, but not rabies.

interesting as judy from waco posted below in her county it is every year for rabies

hopefully she will come back and post to explain further on this