Is there anyone out there that can give thier opinion right now? Annual Shots.

[voidecho]

Okay. Our trainer will board him no matter what, because he works with him weekly and will until I don't know when!

Yeah, every place out here requires males to be neutered after six months. We plan to use a house/dog sitter for any trips.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Study on Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines Dr. Dobias Healing Solutions

That study was done in the 70's! In the average dog those puppy shots last 7yrs to lifetime! I do recommend regular titering, every 3 years at least, just in case you have a "non-average" dog.

There are studies ongoing right now to determine if the rabies vaccine has a 5 or even 7 year immunity span.

and an additonal article on studies looking at the affects of vaccines on animals: The Purdue Vaccination Studies and Auto-antibodies Dogs Naturally Magazine I'm still working on tracking down copies of the studies referenced, many of them don't appear to be online any longer.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Damn Ruth bookmarked! Much appreciated.

 

[Iymala]

That is amazing that was done in the 70's yet vaccination protocol with the majority of vets still hasn't been altered. I understand that they need to make money to stay open....hell if they carried a decent food (not what I consider goat feed) or treat supply I would help contribute, but vaccinating my dog every year is something I wont do.

 

[Gypsy Moon's mama]

I have the opposite opinion. Over vaccination is more of a problem than under vaccination. If you have the money, titter! Why would you want to inject live virus in Rugers body if they are not needed and 9 times out of 10, they are not! At least don't get it done today. Come home read the links provided and if you think he needs them, run him back in.

Hi Angel bears...the main problem is that Distemper and Parvo are UGLY. By the time you know that a dog has Parvo or Distemper the damage is already done...Most dogs that have survived Distemper also are prone toOld dog Encephalitis and Hard Pad's Disease...kind of like when we humans get chickenpox then shingles when we are old...Parvo is not something to play with either...Titers are ok...I suppose that it shows that an animal has built an immunity to a disease...BUT...I err on the side of caution and vaccinate per my vet's recommendations. Everyone is certainly allowed their own opinion...that's what makes our country great.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Damn Ruth bookmarked! Much appreciated.

Welcome!

That is amazing that was done in the 70's yet vaccination protocol with the majority of vets still hasn't been altered. I understand that they need to make money to stay open....hell if they carried a decent food (not what I consider goat feed) or treat supply I would help contribute, but vaccinating my dog every year is something I wont do.

Its frustrating isn't it? I don't mind the ones who recommend 3yr intervals, thats way better, but there's still vets who insist on yearly!

 

[ruthcatrin]

And I'm willing to concede that there are individual cases where additional vaccination might not be a bad thing. A vet's dog for example is potentialy exposed to everything the vet is, and I'd understand said vet wanting additional vaccination in those cases. Personally I'd just titer more often, but I can understand it. But in general the immunity lasts for a very long time, and the shots are only rarely modified to cover new strains (and its fairly big news when they are) so there's little point if your dog has a good titer.

 

[Gypsy Moon's mama]

Mom...why do I have to get shots!! All I want is a dog biscuit!!

Ha,ha!

 

[Gypsy Moon's mama]

Forgive me, but I feel like Bambi walking through the forrest in the middle of deer season...It's all good. To each their own. Happy Trails.

 

[angelbears]

Hi Angel bears...the main problem is that Distemper and Parvo are UGLY. By the time you know that a dog has Parvo or Distemper the damage is already done...Most dogs that have survived Distemper also are prone toOld dog Encephalitis and Hard Pad's Disease...kind of like when we humans get chickenpox then shingles when we are old...Parvo is not something to play with either...Titers are ok...I suppose that it shows that an animal has built an immunity to a disease...BUT...I err on the side of caution and vaccinate per my vet's recommendations. Everyone is certainly allowed their own opinion...that's what makes our country great.

Respectfully, the damage from over vaccinations is just as ugly. I'm dealing with it with one of mine. I'm also dealing with spay incontinence with a dog that was spayed too early. I would implore anyone to do their homework before just going along with standard protocol be it the vet or your regular MD. Things change, especially with scientific advancement. Never forget that the doctors are your employee, don't be afraid to ask the hard questions.

Gypsy Moon, I'm not trying to pick a fight just draw a contrast as we both have differing opinions. I do have one question. Do you feel that titers does not show that a dog has existing immunity?

 

[fila4me]

I just have to say I love this forum!!!So many well educated owners, who are more than happy to help others. Luckily, my vet believes in tittering,he also agrees that the rabies vaccine last 5-7 yrs.Due to our state laws,we have to do every 3 years rabies.He also has Royal Canin RX foods at his office.

 

[Iymala]

I would implore anyone to do their homework before just going along with standard protocol be it the vet or your regular MD. Things change, especially with scientific advancement. Never forget that the doctors are your employee, don't be afraid to ask the hard questions.

That is amazing advice. Ask your vet questions. Do not be afraid or let yourself be pressured if you are uncertain. There is no harm in doing your own research and presenting that for discussion with your vet.

I personally feel that finding a good vet is as hard as finding a good primary family doctor. It takea some time to find one that you trust and more importantly you can communicate with. They should respect you as much as you do them...and that is hard to find. Hell, I am still looking for a vet I trust here in central Mass.

 

[Gypsy Moon's mama]

Respectfully, the damage from over vaccinations is just as ugly. I'm dealing with it with one of mine. I'm also dealing with spay incontinence with a dog that was spayed too early. I would implore anyone to do their homework before just going along with standard protocol be it the vet or your regular MD. Things change, especially with scientific advancement. Never forget that the doctors are your employee, don't be afraid to ask the hard questions.

Gypsy Moon, I'm not trying to pick a fight just draw a contrast as we both have differing opinions. I do have one question. Do you feel that titers does not show that a dog has existing immunity?

Thank you. I am so sorry for what you are having to deal with...you are absolutely correct in saying that every one of us should do our homework. It's hard because of all the different opinions and misinformation that is out there mixed in with the facts. We all love our dogs and just want to do the right thing.

 

[raechiemay]

Also remember bordatella only covers a small % of virus straines out there just like human vaccines. Dogs can still get kennel cough.

I think this is why my vet alternates injectable bordatella with intra-nasal. Unfortunately with Daisy, she has to be vaccinated for bordatella every 6 months in order to get groomed. Her distemper/rabies vaccines are done every 3 years. I've honestly never thought to titer my dogs BUT when I worked as a CSR at my last job, I remember a very & I mean very small amount of people who chose to titer & they paid a small fortune. I'm all for not giving my dogs what they don't need but I have a serious question. In the circumstances I face with Daisy being groomed every 6-8 weeks, which is better. Paying for the vaccines every 3 years (maybe $100 for exam + vax) or completing the titer (which I believe was somewhere around $200+, exam + bloodwork *note my vet is EXPENSIVE)? Money is not necessarily an issue, but what if it were?

 

[angelbears]

Thank you. I am so sorry for what you are having to deal with...you are absolutely correct in saying that every one of us should do our homework. It's hard because of all the different opinions and misinformation that is out there mixed in with the facts. We all love our dogs and just want to do the right thing.

We have already found two things that we can agree on.

I hope you don't feel that we are trying to pile on. BTW, everybody that I know loves Bambi.

 

[Gypsy Moon's mama]

Respectfully, the damage from over vaccinations is just as ugly. I'm dealing with it with one of mine. I'm also dealing with spay incontinence with a dog that was spayed too early. I would implore anyone to do their homework before just going along with standard protocol be it the vet or your regular MD. Things change, especially with scientific advancement. Never forget that the doctors are your employee, don't be afraid to ask the hard questions.

Gypsy Moon, I'm not trying to pick a fight just draw a contrast as we both have differing opinions. I do have one question. Do you feel that titers does not show that a dog has existing immunity?

I think that it is expensive to do Titer levels. I do know that it is hard to do titer levels if you are not privilaged to past vaccination records. If you are wanting to know if an animal has been exposed to a disease. Like rescues....I belive that we have amazing medicine available to us and it is a shame to not recognise that. If someone wishes not to vaccinate....maybe actually observing the horrible diseases would be educational. Everyone is absolutely entitled to not vaccinate...but if their animal contracts one of the diseases...that would be the real shame. I just cringe when an animal is sick because an owner didn't feel that it was necissary to prevent it. Again... this is just my opinion.

 

[northernmastiff]

Thanks for all the information everyone who has posted articles and advice. Bookmarked them. I have to laugh because when I open up the forum, I just get the first part of the topic: "Is there anyone out there..." Now I have Pink Floyd playing in my head. LOL

 

[ruthcatrin]

I think this is why my vet alternates injectable bordatella with intra-nasal. Unfortunately with Daisy, she has to be vaccinated for bordatella every 6 months in order to get groomed. Her distemper/rabies vaccines are done every 3 years. I've honestly never thought to titer my dogs BUT when I worked as a CSR at my last job, I remember a very & I mean very small amount of people who chose to titer & they paid a small fortune. I'm all for not giving my dogs what they don't need but I have a serious question. In the circumstances I face with Daisy being groomed every 6-8 weeks, which is better. Paying for the vaccines every 3 years (maybe $100 for exam + vax) or completing the titer (which I believe was somewhere around $200+, exam + bloodwork *note my vet is EXPENSIVE)? Money is not necessarily an issue, but what if it were?

I'm trying to figure out why the titer costs you so much! The last time I did a scan of labs to look at who did what (I by NO MEANS looked at all of them) most charge between $30-$60 for the distemper/parvo titer, my vet charges $90 to cover the cost of the titer, tech fee (includes bloodwork fee), and shipping to the lab. If its part of a vet visit then the tech fee is considered to be part of the exam fee.

3yrs is WAY better than yearly. If money's an issue, then 3yrs isn't the end of the world, but I really really recommend titering if at all possible.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I just cringe when an animal is sick because an owner didn't feel that it was necissary to prevent it. Again... this is just my opinion.

I think you'll find that most of the folks who end up in those situations either didn't titer (as well as didn't vaccinate), or the variation on the sickness wasn't one covered by the vaccine anyway....

I DO know the folks you're talking about, they don't even do the puppy shots and insist the dog will gain immunity from being exposed to other dogs in general. I hate those, cause it gives those of us who've educated and trying to do a limited vaccine regimen a really bad name.

 

[Gypsy Moon's mama]

ruthcatrin,
I said "expensive for titers levels" because I meant in comparison the vaccination costs 1/3 of the what it would cost for a titer level to be done. Sorry...I should have clarified my statement.