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.

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.

:) 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.

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. :-(

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.

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.

this is correct

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

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

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 :(

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.

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.

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

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

Oops, I always say state instead of county because the whole state of MI is three years as far as I know.

Some vets are just forced to do things and they learn to go along with it or lose their job. It's sad, but it's the way it is. I'd hate to see them called bad vets for wanting to hold a job.

Maybe I will call them tomorrow and ask them a few questions about changing the schedules and see what they say.

This is where I have been taking them.
Rock Road Animal Hospital

The web site shows: "You’ve chosen an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital, one of only 3,000 in the U.S. and Canada. Our accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association means that we’ve undergone a rigorous evaluation process to ensure that we comply with strict standards in patient care, pain management, surgery and many other areas. Think of it as a guarantee that your pet is receiving the highest quality care available."

But it also shows: "Worried about K9 Influenza?
Our clinic is recommending the Canine Influenza Vaccine, H3N8, to all of our at-risk clients. Like the human flu vaccine, the new canine influenza vaccine doesn’t completely prevent infection, but it drastically reduces the severity of the disease. For more information, please contact us and/or click here."

I had previsouly called to ask them about the Canine Flu shot and they said they recommend it. I asked them how many cases they have seen and they said there were TWO cases in MISSOURI, one in southern MO and one in KC. Since I am in STL I opted not to get the shot. It just didn't seem necessary to me. Did anyone else get the canine flu shot?

The law is 3 year. They have always recommended one year. I don't really know why.

here is what she posted below so is the vet giving wrong info to her?

In looking for the law in Missouri, I found on Ehow that it is regulated by the local authorities. I cannot find the actual law.

Jean, if I were you, I would call your local Health Department and ask them.

Rabies is so potent. I imagine part of a vaccine would be plenty, but that is for any size dog. But I do not agree with giving part of it (toy breed or not). It takes a certain amount to get an immune response and that does not vary by weight. So, I would not be giving just part of it. Not a chance I would take. I'll either give it or not give.

yeah i understand but sometimes it comes down to ethics and morals and if we don't have that we have nothing :(

They could always start their own practice or work somewhere else. Just like we have the right to make a choice so do they

That is not good news at all. And on the canine flu shot, I don't tell people what they should and shouldn't give, but I will say we absolutely don't give it here. The thing has only been around for how long? Months? EEEEEK

I know they offer the one year and the three year rabies because in the past I got my Lhasa and Schnauzer the 3 year shots all the time at the same vet. Nothing has changed except they are recommending one year now (I think to get more money???). Daisy and Teddy are both approx 15 lbs so although they aren't BIG they are certainly not 3 or 4 pounders. I still worry that they are now pumped full of rabies vac from all the shots.

uh no and i would never give that shot

ask them if they recommend the dental vaccine if they do RUN

the 1 year and 3 year are the same vaccine

I understand where you are coming from, but it's not that easy. And there are a lot of places who have set protocols and the vets employed there have to follow them. If they can't get a job at a place that doesn't do this (and almost all seem to), then they can start their own practice. But that is next to impossible in this economy.

It's always nice to give them the benefit of the doubt and ask them if they wiill change protocol. Just maybe they can't say they will unless you bring it up. The same goes for surgical protocol. Some offices don't offer preop bloodwork:thumbdown and recommending it may stir things up, so vets could stay quiet. If client asks, they may be able to do it and actually agree with client.

yeah i agree it is sad though as some have to compromise ethics and morals for money
:(

all the more reason to educate yourself folks because you have to be the advocate for your pets as they cannot talk only bark

I can only say what I see on the Texas Department of Health website says. Does not matter to me what another person says if the law is clearly posted.

Now unless that law has changed and the website is not valid, then I say it is the state that governs it.

what is the dental vaccine? Sorry for the dumb question. :D