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Post by Kia on Aug 31, 2011 9:32:38 GMT -5
I was laying in bed last night and just realized none of my dogs have had vaccines (except their rabies) in over two years. 
I've been given my own shots since I was 13 years old but after Nala got her final puppy shot and one "adult" shot it just kinda slipped my mind. lol
My dogs don't really go anywhere were they are around strange dogs. When I take them with me to the bank or whatever they are usually in the car and I have a fenced yard so no strange dogs are wondering in my yard.
Should I give them a vaccine or just leave it be??
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Post by gemmasmomma on Aug 31, 2011 15:54:40 GMT -5
NO!! you are great! check the video I just posted in 'health and wellness section and be glad it 'skipped your mind'.....
keep on letting it SKIP your mind!
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Post by Shadowlands on Aug 31, 2011 19:28:22 GMT -5
Do research Kia on the pros and cons of vaccinating/titer testing etc and decide which is the best route for you. Most vaccines were made to last longer than a year...closer to 7 actually. But you should read up on it and decide for yourself.  |
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Post by prettyfeetsmom on Sept 1, 2011 8:23:18 GMT -5
I lost an older dog due to vaccines and you can't convince me otherwise. We went to the vet like the good girl I am for their "yearly" boosters. Well that evening my dog got sick and he was dead in less than two weeks. That was a REAL eye opener to me. So the rest of mine only get a rabies once a year (our area does not accept the 3 yr. vaccine) a heartworm check and a fecal. I will NOT pump all of that into them and I will pay the extra for titers if and when needed.
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Post by daynieto on Sept 1, 2011 9:34:49 GMT -5
I lost an older dog due to vaccines and you can't convince me otherwise. We went to the vet like the good girl I am for their "yearly" boosters. Well that evening my dog got sick and he was dead in less than two weeks. That was a REAL eye opener to me. So the rest of mine only get a rabies once a year (our area does not accept the 3 yr. vaccine) a heartworm check and a fecal. I will NOT pump all of that into them and I will pay the extra for titers if and when needed. What Lisa said ! |
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Post by trinitydobes on Sept 1, 2011 13:03:46 GMT -5
Kia,
I do the puppy series and then 1 year later which is actually usually 16 months from the last of the 3 shot puppy series.
In VA we only have to do rabies every 3 years - so when that 3 years comes up - I do get the rabies vac required by law - but I do titers for distemper and Parvo at that time - so far in the last 10 years titer levels have been sufficient that I have not boostered any vaccinations.
Kia I have been able to feel good, and safe about this protocol, because I had a pretty closed pack of dogs. HOWEVER, I am not training several dogs and showing - this exposes my dogs to high traffic areas that increases the chance of me walking diseases like Distemper, Parvo and Brucellosis into my home.
Its a scary proposition for me with raising pups - if I only had older dogs I would not be as worried. I now have a rubber dish pan that I have bleach 1:20 solution in and I step in that when I return home, remove my shoes and leave upside down outside in the sun - I also dip the dogs feet in the solution as well.
It is hard to choose what to do when you have younger dogs - once they get past 2 you can breath a bit easier
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Post by Kia on Sept 1, 2011 16:34:04 GMT -5
Thanks guys....I think I will just leave well enough alone.
When/if I travel with them in high dog traffic areas I will get them a booster ahead of time. But I don't see that happening lol I'm not going anywhere.
Question what exactly is a "titer"?
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Post by Shadowlands on Sept 1, 2011 17:52:32 GMT -5
I personally will not vaccinate any dog over 7 years of age. The only exception to that would be, as Gail mentioned, if the dog participates in any shows or events as they require up to date vaccines.
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Post by ok2bmef8 on Sept 1, 2011 19:02:58 GMT -5
My min pin is 11 1/2 years old and does not get any vaccines except the rabies (3 year mandated by law). My two dobies get titers every year to be sure they have antibodies - a little more expensive but it minimizes vaccinations and still protects them.
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Post by DeDe on Sept 2, 2011 6:34:24 GMT -5
As it stands now, too many of my dogs must be vaccinated regularly. As an active competitor and breeder, it is required.  You can't travel by air if the dog is not currently UTD on vaccines. Some repro vets won't handle your dogs unless UTD on vaccines. Therapy dog certifications require UTD vaccines. I do what I HAVE to do only on the dogs I HAVE to do them with. Otherwise, like Gail, after the first annual booster, I don't see the need... |
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Post by breesmom on Sept 2, 2011 7:33:44 GMT -5
Thanks guys....
Question what exactly is a "titer"? Kia a titer is a simple blood test to deternine if your dog has immunity from previous vaccinations eliminating unnecessary revaccination. |
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Post by breesmom on Sept 2, 2011 7:38:32 GMT -5
As it stands now, too many of my dogs must be vaccinated regularly. As an active competitor and breeder, it is required. You can't travel by air if the dog is not currently UTD on vaccines. Some repro vets won't handle your dogs unless UTD on vaccines. Therapy dog certifications require UTD vaccines. I do what I HAVE to do only on the dogs I HAVE to do them with. Otherwise, like Gail, after the first annual booster, I don't see the need... What I don't understand is why proof of vaccinations OR results of Titer testing aren't both recognized!! Maybe as more and more people choose to use the titer testing things will change. |
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Post by Shadowlands on Sept 2, 2011 8:55:35 GMT -5
As it stands now, too many of my dogs must be vaccinated regularly. As an active competitor and breeder, it is required. You can't travel by air if the dog is not currently UTD on vaccines. Some repro vets won't handle your dogs unless UTD on vaccines. Therapy dog certifications require UTD vaccines. I do what I HAVE to do only on the dogs I HAVE to do them with. Otherwise, like Gail, after the first annual booster, I don't see the need... What I don't understand is why proof of vaccinations OR results of Titer testing aren't both recognized!! Maybe as more and more people choose to use the titer testing things will change. From my understanding, it is simply because there hasn't been a meeting of the minds to determine what level is too low across the boad which shows when they should be re-vaccinated. Titer tests are done and it is the individual vet that determines whether the test results state aye or nay. |
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Post by gemmasmomma on Sept 2, 2011 11:59:45 GMT -5
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Post by DeDe on Sept 2, 2011 12:47:11 GMT -5
Diva, I understand where you're coming from on the desire to stop the vaccines. But, if I did that, I would have to stop showing, titling, training (in public groups) and breeding as I refuse to limit my breeding to local stock only.
Some of us have no choice in the matter until the LAW is changed.
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You can't travel by air if the dog is not currently UTD on vaccines. Some repro vets won't handle your dogs unless UTD on vaccines. Therapy dog certifications require UTD vaccines. I do what I HAVE to do only on the dogs I HAVE to do them with. Otherwise, like Gail, after the first annual booster, I don't see the need...
