Yearly Vaccines

[jackrussgirl]

This is something I've wondered at for a while. How come dogs have to have yearly vaccines? I know I quit getting vaccines when I was a teenager. I was maybe thinking that it's an exposure factor? If you step on a nail, for example, it's a good idea to get a tetanus shot.

Can someone tell me why dogs get yearly vaccines no matter what?

 

[bubbatd]

I think some of the vets are wondering this too .... I know they've cut back on the Rabies shots.

 

[Mordy]

it's mainly a money thing - yearly vaccines are a pretty secure, steady income for vets. it becomes even more clear when you find out that vaccines only cost pennies per dose wholesale but people are charged prices that are quite high. even retail you can get a single dose 5 in one vaccine for about $2 or 3.

personally i don't do yearly vaccines anymore, thank god california has a 3-year rabies schedule. my dog only got his puppy shots, boosters at one year old and will get one more MLV booster for parvo and distemper next year when his next rabies shot is also due. from there on out, it will just be rabies every 3 years, since it's required by law.

here are a few interesting links on vaccines for you:
http://www.drpitcairn.com/talks/New_Look_Vaccines.html
http://www.critteradvocacy.org
http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/ChangingVaccineProtocols.html
http://www.vaccinationnews.com/dailynews/May2002/Vaccinosis.htm

my 13 year old (who lives with my parents now) will not get any vaccines anymore at all, not even rabies.

 

[bubbatd]

With breeding I do think the boridillo (sp.. it's been years!) is important and here kennel cough. I am tossed on the tick vaccine, but I hate to take chances. Luckily I have a vet that will tell me what I really need ! Using Chip as a therapy dog, they demand certain shots.

 

[pitbulliest]

My Chi hasn't been vaccinated for about 4 years now..and I don't think he needs it...as for my pit..I'll do her in another three or four years...I agree that its just a secure income for vets...

I don't wanna sound like Grandma country here..but in my country dogs don't get vaccines and they live anywhere from 15 - 20 years..some even more...so uhm...yeah..lol

 

[jackrussgirl]

Thanks for the information. It's sad that vets have to trick people for income. Maybe once insurance gets more popular, they'll reconsider.

 

[jackrussgirl]

Well... when should I start vaccinations for my puppy? She turned seven weeks old yesterday. Do any of you know sites that could give reliable information on the pros and cons of each vaccine?

 

[Gustav]

I vaccinate every year, but it's required for Gus's Pet passport scheme. We have the passport because we have lots of Friends we like to go and visit in the UK. And as the Uk is an island without Rabies they are very strict about what comes in!! And I wouldn't leave my dog in a Kennel!!

 

[bubbatd]

Your pup really needs to have puppy shots....especially parvo !

 

[Adrienne]

I have heard that it is recommended to start vaccinations at three months with a rabies at four months.
As for Kennel Cough there are so many different strains (much like the common cold in humans) that a vaccination may not make a difference.
I find it is best to do your research, talk it over with your vet and make a decision based on how often your dog is exposed to other dogs and how healthy your dog is.
I for one, just finished Gunnars puppy shots and will do a booster at one year and then rabies every three years as required by state law.
Neva my APBT is now six years old and will only be receiving her rabies now that I have learned so much more about how unneccesary these vaccinations on a yearly basis are. Up until now she has always had her yearly boosters which worries me now that I know what I know. One of her daughters recently developed lymphoma which is an autoimmune disorder possibly caused by repeated un-needed vaccinations.

 

[jackrussgirl]

Well, I know she needs her vaccinations. I just want some more information about which are the right ones to get and how long should she get them.

 

[jackrussgirl]

Thanks Adrienne.

 

[Adrienne]

Thanks Adrienne.

Your welcome, Happy to help! This is pretty new news to me as well but it has some really strong arguments to back up the fact that we seem to be overvaccinating. I hope you have a vet that is open to the new research that has been done, my vet doesn't agree but he is resonably priced so I continue to go to him and listen to his arguments for yearly vaccinations and then just say, thanks for your opinion but I am happy with my vaccination plan!

 

[jackrussgirl]

Yeah, hopefully, the kennel we work with will be as reasonable. =/

Don't worry, it's a good kennel, not a bad one. but they do check your vac records. *sigh* It would be a shame if I had to change.

 

[Mordy]

jackrussgirl, i recommend you check out dr. dodd's vaccine protocol. she is one of the leading authorities in the field of vaccine research and highly respected. many vets still recommend too many vaccinations. you can find her recommendations listed here.

that page also lists her email address at the top, so if you have any specific questions, do feel free to contact her, she is really good about answering questions.

 

[avenlee]

We have to license our dogs with the City every year. In order to do that, they need their yearly vaccinations.

 

[Barb04]

Avenlee, do they require all vaccinations or just proof of rabies. I'm in Connecticut and the town actually only requires proof of rabies; maybe you can call your town hall and find out.

 

[Mordy]

avenlee, the only vaccine required by law is rabies.

i have to license my dog every year as well, but our city only requires rabies vaccination on a 3-year schedule.

 

[avenlee]

Avenlee, do they require all vaccinations or just proof of rabies. I'm in Connecticut and the town actually only requires proof of rabies; maybe you can call your town hall and find out.

I will check into it. Thanks. What I do hate about my vet is she will just go and do shots left and right on my dogs in a matter of seconds without even telling me and then wallop me with the bill. Sadie has or had a ear infection (which she always gets anyway) I didn't even know what I was getting until I got to the receptionist desk and they gave me a big bottle of ear flushing (????) and a small bottle of medication to drop into her ears This was that horrible stressful rainy morning and I just wanted to get out of there. With both dogs' 'yearly' exam, I paid a total of 150.00 that day.

Needless to say, those shoes I've had my eye on to buy will just have to wait another couple of weeks ... hooo hummmm

 

[Barb04]

Maybe if you're not pleased with your vet, you could check around with family & friends for a new vet. If you stay with this one, tell the vet that you don't want any shots/procedures done until you are told what they are and you agree to them.