We have always done yearly vaccinations for our dogs and cats. Our vet had told us what to give them, so we thought thats what they needed. I recently had someone telling me not to do yearly vaccinations for my cats but to get 3 year vaccinations instead. So I've started looking into this now and I'm very confused. Some people say dont vaccinate after the initial puppy/kitten shots at all and others say just certain vaccines but not all the recomended ones or to do just rabies every three years(I think). Because we have 3 dogs and 3 cats and with the economy how it is, this year we haven't vaccinated our cats at all. Our vet charges us for the visit per animal, so it adds up. The dogs went in for I think their yearly checkup and booster and that was it. 2 of them were boarded and had to get the bordetella as well. I have always had to get Boomer more vaccines than the other two because of what was required for agility/4H classes but now he doesnt go to those. What do you guys do for vaccinations? Which ones, how often etc?
Vaccination Questions
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This is what I do... I am not saying it is what everyone should do.
I vaccinate my kittens until 2 years of age and then they get nothing, not even rabies.... they NEVER step foot outside and NEVER get boarded anywhere.
I vaccinate the dogs with their initial puppy shots including rabies at 6 months. Then they get the rabies booster at 1 year 6 months.... in 3 years they will be titered and given rabies as needed... thats all they get.
They never get boarded... when they are groomed they do not come in contact with other dogs. They do sometimes go to the Dog Park but I had a dog get kennel cough with the vaccine... it doesnt protect against all strains so I would rather treat it if it happens.
I vaccinate my kittens until 2 years of age and then they get nothing, not even rabies.... they NEVER step foot outside and NEVER get boarded anywhere.
I vaccinate the dogs with their initial puppy shots including rabies at 6 months. Then they get the rabies booster at 1 year 6 months.... in 3 years they will be titered and given rabies as needed... thats all they get.
They never get boarded... when they are groomed they do not come in contact with other dogs. They do sometimes go to the Dog Park but I had a dog get kennel cough with the vaccine... it doesnt protect against all strains so I would rather treat it if it happens.
thanks, I think for their next check-up next year I will be talking to our vet about doing something like this instead of every year. My dogs do come into contact with other dogs in the neighborhood, but at the moment arent doing agility or anything. They were boarded but that didnt go to well for Boomer, so we wont be doing that again any time soon either.
As for the cats, I'm thinking about taking my youngest one in for whatever she's do for because she is just going on 2 years old. All my cats go outside, so I will have to see about how often they need rabies
As for the cats, I'm thinking about taking my youngest one in for whatever she's do for because she is just going on 2 years old. All my cats go outside, so I will have to see about how often they need rabies
Dante is 5, he had the puppy series, the 1 year boosters and since then he's only gotten Rabies (3 years as by law) and Kennel Cough (which I only have done because the kennel requires it for boarding, otherwise he'd never get that one again).
He's been titered each year for Parvo and Distemper and the titers have all come back good. If the state would accept Rabies titers for licensing I'd do that as well. The kennel where I board accepts the titer results for Parvo and Distemper in place of actual vaccinations.
He's been titered each year for Parvo and Distemper and the titers have all come back good. If the state would accept Rabies titers for licensing I'd do that as well. The kennel where I board accepts the titer results for Parvo and Distemper in place of actual vaccinations.
Ok, I think cats aren't due for another month or two. We were going to see about taking them to Petco or something this year to save money. I will most likely just pay for my Sophie to go in so she can get a check-up still so my parents dont have to pay for all three. I dont know what all they are due for. So is it bad for dogs and cats to get the yearly vaccinations or not? This is really what has me confused. Some ppl say they shouldnt have them every year especially cats. I was told cats get cancer at the injection spot?
The AAHA has 3 year vaccine protocols for DHPP and rabies. Likely the vaccs last a lot longer than that as people titer and prove that commonly. But that's all they are willing to endorse so far.
I wouldn't be putting extra unnecessary chemicals into my animals when not needed. Same way I don't get a tetnus shot for myself yearly.
I wouldn't be putting extra unnecessary chemicals into my animals when not needed. Same way I don't get a tetnus shot for myself yearly.
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My cat had an injection site sarcoma... however, this is linked to the Feline Leukemia vaccine not rabies as far as I know.
I think most vets do 1 year vaccines on cats... not sure if a 3 year is available... you would have to ask your vet.
I really dont like vaccinating cats every year which is why I chose to stop giving them anything beyond 2 years old... but if you let your cat outside you really dont have much of a choice... sending an unvaccinated cat outside is really not much of an option. The only reason I felt comfortable making the choice not to vaccinate is because mine are strictly indoors and only ever leave the house to go to the vet and come right home.
I think most vets do 1 year vaccines on cats... not sure if a 3 year is available... you would have to ask your vet.
I really dont like vaccinating cats every year which is why I chose to stop giving them anything beyond 2 years old... but if you let your cat outside you really dont have much of a choice... sending an unvaccinated cat outside is really not much of an option. The only reason I felt comfortable making the choice not to vaccinate is because mine are strictly indoors and only ever leave the house to go to the vet and come right home.
BOAH: Indiana Rabies Laws and Regulations
Has dogs cats and ferrets under the same rabies protocol that ends up at 36 rabies vacc intervals.
Has dogs cats and ferrets under the same rabies protocol that ends up at 36 rabies vacc intervals.