Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - Updated: Core canine vaccination frequency [ ]

Last edited by Guest on Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:09 pm; edited 3 times in total

Today?

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:38 am Post subject:

I think the poll function is broken.

My vet recommends an every 3 yr plan (after puppy combo vax and puppy 1 yr rabies) or titers. They told me they stopped vaccinating their own animals over 6 yrs ago.

I use titers for everything except a 3 yr rabies vax as required by law.

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:43 am Post subject:

I vote that you follow your vet's scheduled vaccination plan and preventative care suggestions. If you don't agree, find another vet.

My only 2 peeves with this is that people are "telling" their vets what they will do and when the vet disagrees, they just don't go any more. You still need to find a vet to support "your" chosen path.

My second peeve is that putting more space between vax does not mean skipping other preventative care. Vet visits and other medical preventions (heartworm prevention, flea prevention, etc...) are still important.

There is a LOT of information out there on over-vaccinations, and the adverse reactions that can happen, including death. Each of us needs to be the health advocate for our pets, and not be afraid to learn about the medications and vaccinations. Your pet's life may depend on it!

Here are some websites with information about vaccinations:

"Some vets question annual boosters. Vaccinations can have adverse effects, studies show" http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/annualboosters.html
"Canine Vaccination News - Articles and information" http://designerbostons.homestead.com/misc.html
"Pets don't need shots every year. Experts say annual vaccines waste money, can be risky" http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.hts/front/1377004
"NEW!!! VACCINATION PROTOCOL by Dr. Jean Dodds" http://www.everythingsheltie.com/new_vaccprotocol.htm
CritterAdvocacy.org "Your Help Can Save Lives -- What You Can Do" http://www.critteradvocacy.org/Help%20Us%20Help%20Our%20Pets.htm

Here's a slide show with lots of info -- http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/index.htm

And here are some websites on Rimadyl:

From 4/11"s USA today - "Even painkillers for dogs have serious risks"
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2005-04-11-dog-pain-usat_x.htm

And this one, too: http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:46 am Post subject:

I actually discussed this with my vet yesterday and our schedule (hopefully I got them all):
Barkley (dog)
-rabies in October and then not for 3 years
-parvo every two years (so not this year)
-giardia (sp? a.k.a Beaver Feaver) and kennel cough every year, we do them in May

Buster (cat)
-rabies every 3 years
-distemper every 3 years
-feline leukemia is yearly. this is the one believed to cause sarcomas in some cats.

She gave me the option of injecting the sarcoma causing shots in his hips but advised it's more painful, the shoulder doesn't cause much discomfort. I've decided to continue having their shots in the shoulder since if a tumor develops I would remove that if it would help them but I would not remove a leg (which is the only reason for injecting it in the hips) so I've opted for less discomfort since the cat already hates vets.

We also do shots twice a year instead of all at once because we both feel it's easier on their systems (and then everyone gets weighed and if the cat is having --rear end-- gland issues they tend to happen around appointment time anyway). And if doing multiple shots she will do one per shoulder so if they have a reaction we know which shot caused it.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:41 pm Post subject:

I don't vaccinate my 16 1/2 year old yorkie Ben any longer - just do titers - he's got liver disease so, I am very careful about his veterinary care. I also didn't do his 3 year Rabies this year - I got a waiver for my township from my vet. When I was vaccinating him I never got the shots all at once - I spread them out so that his system wasn't overloaded.

For my newly adopted dog Peter who is about 6 years old, he had to have the DHP and Rabies 1st year and booster since we didn't know his medical history. From here forward I will do titers and see if any further vaccinations are necessary.

I think that yearly bloodwork is as important as vaccinations and as they get older twice yearly bloodwork is necessary. I didn't do bloodwork every year with my first two dogs but, I am learning how important it is - especially for a senior.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:45 pm Post subject:

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:59 pm Post subject:

Oh I know why they suggest the hips, but I'm not willing to remove the cat's leg, knowing him the quality of life wouldn't be there so since I won't put him through that the shots might just as well be less painful.

I did have a dog we lost to cancer and amputation the leg was considered. I also decided there not to remove her leg after considering what was involved for the surgery, recovery and what that would do to her.

Personally I don't think the time we would buy is worth putting the animal through that. But it's a choice everyone has to make for themselves.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:13 pm Post subject:

It is a choice...

Surprisingly, most "tripods" get along amazingly well... I had a pup who had a front leg removed including part of the clavicle... he was up and about 3 hrs after surgery. He lived to the ripe old age of 13(!) and he was a BIG dog!!

If I had it to do over again, I would have a hard time vaccinating in the shoulder. But I don't think I'll ever own another cat after the heartache of losing two to my own stupidity so close together... It's something I regret terribly. These were indoor cats who were at very low risk for exposure, and I essentially killed them with my decision.

My vet is a very good friend, so I follow her lead in vaccinating her own animals. She hasn't vaxed in 6 yrs. but does titers instead.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 2:13 pm Post subject:

For Sheba by the time we caught the cancer our vet wasn't sure removing her leg would help since there was a very good chance the cancer spread. So if it had we would have put her through the surgery for nothing - and there was a good possibility the "shock" of losing her leg would have caused her additional stress. We decided to make her time left happy and as normal as possible and she lived 7 more months.

With Buster (the cat), he's already extremely overweight (no luck getting that weight down) and as a result mobility would be an issue with only 3 legs, at risk for diabetes, hates the vet..... I just don't see it being an option for him. I have nothing against 3 legged pets, I've seen them get around fine, I just don't think he would be one of them. And I'm pretty sure one more surgery would be more stress for him then it would be worth. I've spent a long time thinking about it.

I do understand your feelings of guilt. There's no easy answer for that unfortunately.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 2:23 pm Post subject:

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 3:19 pm Post subject:

My dogs get the core vaccines (including rabies) every three years. Bordatella (nasal) vaccine and heartworm test annually.

My cat gets core vaccines every three years. We don't do the feline leukemia vaccine--my vet doesn't recommend it for indoor only cats.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:40 pm Post subject:

I do feel this is an important subject, I have zero first hand experience with it since we have not had any occurences in the 10-15 years of experience my group members have...or my vets. My vets can remember a handful of "possible" reactions.

I read the links provided as "studies". The problem is they seem to be from the same core source of material, rephrased and represented in various formats with some experiential data thrown in. The words theorize and feel and evidence is building are used frequently in the information and when they offer actual numbers of animals involved, it is very small.

I don't understand why we cannot actually get some REAL studies going. Instead, we are going to pick yet another arbitrary number for the protocol? It makes me nervous...I don't want the VAS drama, but I HAVE lost pets to distemper, parvo, panaleuk, corona, etc... so I KNOW those are dangerous.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:55 pm Post subject:

I wish someone would fund a comprehensive study, but it is not in the vaccine makers best (financial) interest to do so...

I've seen a whole litter lost to bad 5 in 1 from Fort Dodge and won't use any of their stuff anymore. They've switched to Intervet brand and now use the Dodd protocol for pups.

It's so confusing for the average pet owner... and vets don't seem to have the kind of answers we need to make these decisions for our pets either... lose-lose situation in most cases.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:50 pm Post subject:

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