Vaccines and Razzle and Vets
 

I had to see Dr Jack's partner today, as he is off again on course I believe until the end of the month.

So after much discussion, including me bringing in research and the AVMA vaccination guidelines; the vet agreed to titer for Distemper and Parvo, and I reluctantly agreed to the Lepto. Which is a newer vaccine and protects against 4 out of the 5 serovars. Pfizer makes it. She also indicated well if your dog did not have an adverse reaction before, then it shouldn't now. Well I said - this large scale study actually said that is not necessarily so. IN fact the risk of vaccinosis goes up with each repetitive vaccination. And Lepto has been notorious for adverse reactions in small breed dogs. I felt we had to do it, cause of hiking, and our favourite past time of swimming. Plus I am immuno compromised myself, and this is a zoonotic disease.

I just wanted to share, that it can be very difficult for new pet owners to stand their ground, especially if the vet is Poohooing, the research.

I suppose we are going to have another quiet "battle" when I bring in Magic- who is now entering in his senior years, as I don't want to give him another "booster" or rabies shot unless absolutely necessary.

Here in Ontario the only shot mandatory is the Rabies, and we can "get" away with every 3 years.

And then of course we talked about Zoey, my girl who is dying of cancer. At least there was no argument there, no more shots, no more heartworm preventative.

I feel rung out:(

Mine get the lepto too we get raccoons and possums in our yard and the vet said it is prevalent in our area. Im glad to hear Zoey wont have to go through the vaccines and the like anymore. I know you just want her to be happy and comfortable and thats all thats important

Gail,

I love how you are so in tune with your animals and you research every aspect of there medical care. I know how exhausted you must be, but I think you make educated decisions on what is best for your animals and your lifestyle. I personally learn so much from you, I am happy that you "battle" because you definately help me in deciding what is best for us.

Im like you I worry more about reactions now that mine are getting older. I worry about it every yr

Thank you Chachi. We too even though we are in the city have raccoons who I've seen run along our back fence, and we had to get some protection for our roof, as they may have gotten into our attic:thumbdown

And I'm so glad I didn't have to argue on Zoey's behalf - I might have just broken down and cried or got angry and screamed!

Roses(lol) I love that name but you are Rosemarie thank you. I do try to make the most educated decisions; but it is a battle at times. You know I was in the medical field. Human not doggy medicine. And at the end of the totem pole in the medical field. How-ever I do have an inquiring mind, a passion for research. Like most folks who are not doctors, I find it stressful to put forth a point of view (no matter how well supported), to an unreceptive audience of medical folks.

I'm glad that my sharing has helped inform your own decisions.

Gail, I love your posts and the way you care for your pets well-being. I'm so sorry to hear of Zoey - I had no idea. :(

We don't get lepto because Jackson had a TERRIBLE reaction to it at his 12 week old appt. and I won't risk seeing him like that again.

But he will be "due" for his shots this year (as he turns 4 in October, so it's been 3 years) and I really love my vet and I think she will be okay with my decision to want to titer instead (of course, we will do rabies as per the law). There is a holisitic vet that we've never seen that works at our vets office, so maybe I should request her when we go in., as I'm sure she'd be more open-minded to it maybe? But I don't know. It's a battle I'll worry about later this year.