Yearly Vaccines

[LuvMyPups]

Puppy Vaccinations

JackRussGirl
You need to start the Puppy Shots now....they are typically started at 6 wks old...this is when the mothers natural immunities in the puppy start to lessen. If your pup has had no shots then he/she is at extreme risk for Parvo and other diseases now. I recently received (someone dumped on my porch) a puppy with Parvo. It is a nasty and expensive disease...Riley is fine now but the Vets do not think he was current on his shots.
Now if your pup can make it until 3-4 months of age with out getting sick then they only need one set of shots and the rabies....however that is a chance you are taking and believe me Parvo is highly contagious...even if your pup does not go out you can bring it to him via shoes, clothes, and even car tires.
I also do not believe does need shots every year and most Vets will do the titer test to see where they stand....JMO

 

[avenlee]

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.

I agree and thank you Mordy. I will definately check into it for next year. I know they get the rabie shot and distemperment (don't know if that's a requirement for licensing) but I will find out. Nora received a parvo shot of some kind also. She just turned a year and maybe it was a booster shot or something. Oh, and Sadie got a medicated bath rinse also for her skin. I mentioned that I heard that plain yogurt was good and she chuckled shaking her head 'no' while she did yet another shot of some sort. It stinks because this vet is literally just up the road from me and very convenient, but I've never really been confortable with her for any of my pets. Guess I just figure, god help me if there's an emergency, but for routine visits, She will suffice.

Thanks guys!

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

The girls get only what is required here (like rabies), but our vet tests first, and if they've got enough of it "left in them" she doesn't give it .

 

[bubbatd]

Chip had his yearly physical this morning ...Annual Comprehensive test,Rabies Vaccine for 3 years, Heartworm Ag Test, Fecal Analysis & nail clip = $92.50 . His DHPP-3 yr. is not due until 2007. She also spent a lot of time listening to his arrthymia and said she thought it not as severe...(Whew !!). Master Card-$92.50 ----peace of mind, priceless!!

 

[candy722]

I heard that dogs usually need 1 shot of each. The reason we have them get another shot again is just to be on the safe side. That's what I heard from a vet. But Im still gonna take TOki in for bordatella and rabies. The rest of the booster shot I don't think it's necessary.

 

[jackrussgirl]

JackRussGirl
You need to start the Puppy Shots now....they are typically started at 6 wks old...this is when the mothers natural immunities in the puppy start to lessen. If your pup has had no shots then he/she is at extreme risk for Parvo and other diseases now. I recently received (someone dumped on my porch) a puppy with Parvo. It is a nasty and expensive disease...Riley is fine now but the Vets do not think he was current on his shots.
Now if your pup can make it until 3-4 months of age with out getting sick then they only need one set of shots and the rabies....however that is a chance you are taking and believe me Parvo is highly contagious...even if your pup does not go out you can bring it to him via shoes, clothes, and even car tires.
I also do not believe does need shots every year and most Vets will do the titer test to see where they stand....JMO

Don't worry, I'm not that stupid. I'm just asking what shots are needed and how often. I've already gotten what she needs. Don't assume that I'm going to let her get mortally ill just because I don't run out and get every shot on the market.

 

[candy722]

I didn't know in the beginning and I practically got TOki every shot there was except Lyme. Then it got way to expensive so I went out and but the shots myself and my Bf gave the shot to Toki. My bf knows how to gives the shot and this I know because TOki doesn't cry when he gets his shots from my BF.

 

[bubbatd]

Candy, they combine the shots today. Rabies is alone,(every 3 yrs) DHPP is a combined shot every 3 years...Chip was vaccinated for Bordatella last year because I had to board him, won't until I have to again.

 

[candy722]

TOki only got 1 shot of rabies and that was at 6 months old. So no TOki just turned 1 year and 2 months. Am I suppose to get him another rabie shot in 3 years from today? I know DHPP or DHLP-P is combine but Bordatella is separate. My vet said that I needed to give him Bordatella every year until he turns 3 years old. But the booster shot DHLP-P I don't don't have to give it to me. So does this sound right?

 

[LuvMyPups]

Well... when should I start vaccinations for my puppy? She turned seven weeks old yesterday.

To which someone replied:

I have heard that it is recommended to start vaccinations at three months with a rabies at four months.

That is why...I responded telling you to start the vaccinations now. At that point you were not only asking what vaccinations to get but when to start them. I was not assuming that you were going to let you dog get mortally ill since you were questioning what vaccines to get them. Since you asked when to start them I simply told you when and why that it was important to start them.

 

[jackrussgirl]

Someone already answered that question before you anyway. Next time, try to read the whole thread before responding.

 

[LuvMyPups]

Actually, the person who answered you told you to start them at 3 months. I read the whole thread and was trying to be helpful. I was not assuming you were going to put your pup in harms way. If you were going to do that...you wouldn't have asked for advice. And all I did was give my advice and do not feel like being berated for it.

 

[bubbatd]

I used to get the Lymes shot for my dogs when we lived in a wooded area with lots of deer around.. there were too many cases to ignore it. I found a lyme tick on me once and took it to the University Lab which was doing research for the State. After that I allowed their students to comb the area to gather for reasearch.

 

[showpug]

After working in a vet clinic for over 4 1/2 years I can honestly tell you that vaccines are NOT a main source of income for vets. Vaccines bring in VERY LITTLE income when you look at the practice as a whole, so don't bank on that being the reason for annual re-vaccination protocol. As an employee, I learned about the risks involved with both vaccinating and not vaccinating dogs. I do agree that dogs that have had a complete set (as in a 3-4 vaccines series as puppies) of vaccines in puppyhood probably do hold immunity for over a year, I do however, know that some immune compromised pets may not etc. The reason for yearly vaccine protocol is due mainly to the lack of research on how long our pets hold immunity. The bordetella vaccine usually only holds immunity for 6 months or less, so dogs that are around other dogs on a regular basis should be updated more frequently. Older "senior" pets are more at risk for fatal diseases and really do need to continue their vaccines on a regular basis. If an owner is concerned about the cost of vaccines, they may want to consider vaccinating at home, as this cuts cost down substantially. I will say, that vets are not always out for the money. The average vet makes about 50 thousand dollars a year. That's not a lot of money for 7 years of school and a (at times) very high stress job. When you look at the cost associated with vaccines at your local clinic, please take the following into consideration: vets have to pay for shipping, employees, technichian time to give the vaccine, bio-hazard disposal fees, lease fees on their building, and syringes etc. It is not just the price of vaccine itself that should be looked at, there is much more that goes into determining a "fair" cost for a vaccine.

 

[jackrussgirl]

I was referring to the links that were provided, bubbatd. But nevermind.

Anyways.

You're quite right about cost, showpug. And vaccinating at home is starting to sound really good. Unfortunately, unless my vet will show me how to do it, it's probably not a good idea. I think I'll just stay on the safe side and just follow my vet's recommendations. After all, it is 7 years of schooling right?

Thanks for answering my question all!

 

[bubbatd]

Thanks for the post. I agree, there's a small price for required vaccinations compared to the cost of treatment without them. Luckily I have a clinic ( I trust ALL the vets) who will talk over the needs and agree with me not to give anything that doesn't apply to our lifestyle. I've only used 2 clinics in 50 years (due to moving) and feel their education has put them where they are. I've never felt I've needed second opinions even though they have offered them to me. I would say my annual cost is about $200 for a healthy dog. It's worth it to me

 

[IlUvMyAnImAlZ05]

You should find a vet to go to near you. Then make an appoutment take your puppy and they will tell you what needs to be done. I know it will neet to be alltered at 6 mos. and needs his puppy parvo and rabies.
Mandy

 

[Mordy]

After working in a vet clinic for over 4 1/2 years I can honestly tell you that vaccines are NOT a main source of income for vets. Vaccines bring in VERY LITTLE income when you look at the practice as a whole, so don't bank on that being the reason for annual re-vaccination protocol.

it's not only the vaccines themselves as a product (though they do factor in), but yearly vaccinations are what gets the clients into the office. you have the charge for the office visit (or "wellness exam" as the case may be), for the vaccines, plus whatever else the client may need, or gets talked into.

i have read comments from (less conscionable) vets about the changed vaccine protocols that were published on "vets only" forums and forwarded to me by someone, and all i can say it was an "interesting" read. the stupid 6-month heartworm shot was something many were hoping would bring people in once or twice a year who might not come in for vaccines anymore every single year. when it was recalled, you'd think vets would be happy that a danger to people's pets has been removed from the market, but a certain group was again moaning about the loss of a steady source of income.

As an employee, I learned about the risks involved with both vaccinating and not vaccinating dogs. I do agree that dogs that have had a complete set (as in a 3-4 vaccines series as puppies) of vaccines in puppyhood probably do hold immunity for over a year, I do however, know that some immune compromised pets may not etc. The reason for yearly vaccine protocol is due mainly to the lack of research on how long our pets hold immunity.

why do you think there's a lack of research? the answer is quite simple - who has an interest to fund such studies? certainly not the pharma companies who want to sell a product, and independent studies are difficult to fund and coming along slowly - but they do exist!

i strongly urge people to check out bob rogers' website on the topic (http://www.critteradvocacy.org, http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com), he's one of the few people who is actually putting an effort into getting the word out how certain vaccinations are fraud and deception. in addition to that, consider that additional stress from vaccinations is hardly what immune compromised pets need! vaccines should only ever be given to healthy animals - check the package insert. immune compromised animals are not healthy.

The bordetella vaccine usually only holds immunity for 6 months or less, so dogs that are around other dogs on a regular basis should be updated more frequently.

actually that is quite incorrect, since the more a dog is exposed to the environment and other dogs, the better the immune system will be able to "update" itself from the exposure. besides that, kennel cough has many causes and the vaccination only covers few of them. sadly many boarding facilities still require this, but it's definitely not a core vaccination.

Older "senior" pets are more at risk for fatal diseases and really do need to continue their vaccines on a regular basis.

this claim also has been refuted. one thing people need to be aware of is that repeat vaccination does not increase immunity. if immunity is already present, a vaccination does not "strenghten" it. in addition to that, older pets are less likely to be in a state of health where vaccinations are without risk. again, please check out dr. rogers' site.

i'm not saying people shouldn't vaccinate their pets, or not take them to the vet for a wellness exam once a year - but the money you do spend at the vet's is better invested in blood tests, titers etc. rather than in willy-nilly vaccinating the animal every single year for every disease under the sun, regardless of state of immunity and risk of infection.

 

[chell78]

I just want to ad something here about how everyone thinks we vets want you to come in every year to have the shot is only to bring in money , Well I can tell you thats not true when the dogs come in we dont just give them a shot and throw them out the door we give the a once over health check and talk to the owners about any problems they are having etc, so please dont think we are all in it for the money cause we arent! We care about all our patients and only want whats best for them a yearlly check up it great to pick up little things a lot of owners cant eg heart problems,

 

[bubbatd]

I'm glad I can trust my vets. There are 4 at my clinic and I like all 4. If one picks something up during a visit I'll follow though with that one. Otherwise, for general check ups , I'll take whomever's free. One vet picked up arrhythmia in Chip. She had me come in for a check in 3 months, then another 3 months. Didn't charge me. When we went for our anual last month, she was pleased there wasn't any change and told me she was scared to death before she checked. We hugged. I went with ElinHunter after Eli was diagnosed with lymphnoma to go over things with his vet (same clinic) .He knew she was leaving Eli with me when she went on her business trip. Said for me to call anytime. I had to call him after hours and the service contacted him. He called me within 5 minutes. God bless caring ,loving vets !!!