Vaccinations

[sl1966]

How often are some of you taking your dogs in for booster shots? The reason I ask is because I got into the habit of taking my current dog in on a yearly basis. I started doing some research and also spoke to a vet friend (whom all seem to be in agreement) that booster shots for adult dogs really only need be done once every 3 years.I know there are a few shots that are exceptions to that rule (bordatella as an example if you kennel your dog frequently).&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>The reason I'm asking is because my little girl turns 7 this year. I know there's diminishing returns when you do something good for you too often, and want to avoid taxing her life in that way.&nbsp;</div>

 

[cyndi]

<FONT size=3>Some vets will do an <A href="http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM" target=_blank>antibody titer test</A></FONT><FONT size=3>, which is what I do...When sTumpy shows a lower anti body level she gets her vaccinatins.&nbsp; She's 5 now, besides her puppy shot's she's been vaccinated (DHLP?) once, last year.&nbsp; The titer test is done annually, and it's more expensive than the shots.&nbsp; </FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>Vet's have varying opinions with regard to&nbsp;the titer test, just as they do with regard to the effectiveness of vaccines.</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>Rabies, is a whole 'nuther store as it's required by law, in all states.</FONT>&nbsp; <BR>

 

[She]

<div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247); "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Never heard of that before. I think most Vets over vaccinate. Why put your dog through all of that when they don't need it. Even if its more&nbsp;expensive I would still have that test done.&nbsp;</font></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247); "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks for putting that on.&nbsp;</font></span></b></div>

 

[sl1966]

Yeah, this is outside of rabies. That vaccination is required by law and always get them when required.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>My friend mentioned the titer test and it's cost. He was saying how the studies show most vaccinations last approx 3-4 years on average. The 2 year re-vac was a best practices kind of suggestion on his part.</div><div><br></div>

 

[Dust of the Sun]

I have to check in on this one after having 4 dogs, experience with about 6 vets, 40 years experience, huge life-saving bills at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, and my love of my life now, Abbey, a German Shepherd/Sheltie mix has been battling cancer and two strokes...she's almost 15....I say all that just to state Cyndi has it EXACTLY right. For me over the years, I vaccinated when I would have preferred not to ONLY because I traveled alot with my dogs and Boarding Kennels mostly REQUIRE the vaccination paperwork and DON'T want to hear about Titer testing.<br><br>Nowdays, more vets are compassionate enough to forgo the MONEY and admit that older dogs can SKIP to EVERY OTHER YEAR on most shots but get the 3 year rabies shot which is a must. And IF you ever board your dog or IF your dog will be around strange dogs then you MUST get the kennel cough or risk losing your friend. Titer testing is great in theory but real world hassles make it a hard way to go.<br><br>Please forgive, as I have little to no useful mechanical RV knowledge to be of help on this forum but THIS is a topic I know very well. thx. Dust<br><br>

 

[sl1966]

My lil girl turns 7 this year. She hasn't missed her boosters yet but I was wondering if doing it yearly is really needed as opposed to every two years.&nbsp;We've always followed our vets recommended treatments, but the yearly vaccination thing is concern.<div><br></div>

 

[Guest]

Heh I love when questions fall into my field of knowledge! Vaccination protocols have been changing over the last few years. Here is the current vaccine schedule for both dogs and cats.<br><br>1st year of life your DOG needs: 3 DHPP (distemper vaccines) given 3 weeks apart starting 6 - 8 weeks of age.<br><br>Rabies vaccine given usually at the same time as the last DHPP vaccine (if you dog is a small breed your vet may suggest doing the vaccines separately) This first rabies vaccine is good for 1 year - that's standard.<br><br>Other vaccines you should consider if your DOG spends time in the wilderness with you Lyme, Lepto (these are both given in a two shot series three weeks apart the first time). Also a heartworm test and monthly preventative and the kennel cough (bordetella) vaccine if your dog spends time around other dogs<br><br>When your DOG reaches the one year anniversary of the last given shots it's time to booster ALL vaccines you have done Bordetella, Lyme, Lepto, DHPP and Rabies. This is where it gets tricky<br><br>This second booster at one year of age for the rabies and DHPP are good for THREE years.<br><br>All other vaccines need to be boostered yearly although most hospitals I have worked for require the kennel cough vaccine every 6 months if it's an intranasal and yearly if it was injectible.<br><br>Cats:<br><br>Kittens like puppies require their FVRCP (distemper) vaccine in three shots given three weeks apart starting at 6 - 8 wks.<br><br>They should also be tested for FeLV/ FIP and given the FELV vaccine (find a vet that uses transdermal over an injection for this vaccine as it is known to cause cancer at the injection site in some animals) The first time a cat has this vaccine it is given in a series of two administrations 3 weeks apart - after that it's a yearly booster<br><br>The rabies is given just like dogs the first vaccine is done with the last FVRCP and is good for one year. At the one year anniversary most vets give another FVRCP that is only good for one year but there are three year FVRCP vaccines out there you just need to ask your vet if they have them available.<br><br>Now here's the tricky part with cats. Researchers are finding that the rabies vaccine is also known to cause sarcomas in cats so there is a new Rabies on the market called PureVax - ASK YOUR VET FOR THIS! It's only good for one year no matter when it's given but i ts much much safer for your cat. Some vets are still using the 3 year protocol in cats but they are not using PureVax.<br><br>I might have missed something since I just woke up from a nap. If you have any questions feel free to ask <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>