Vaccinations

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slimjim

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Our new mutt had all of her puppy vaxes but hasn't been done since. I'm dithering about revaxing as I've often wondered if our old girls medical conditions (largely autoimmune) were triggered by annual vaccinations (-she wasn't vaxed after 12 years old due to declining health and our concerns).

I've been reading up again e.g. http://www.beardedcollies.org.uk/forum/v...93759a2845f8b8f and have increasing doubts about whether vaxing is for the benefit of the dog or the vet. She will never go into kennels or be shown so that's not an issue.

Comments/opinions please.
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My mum shows and breeds CKCS, and doesnt vacc any of her oldies (those above 9 years old I think)

I have always annually vaccinated mine, but I am required to by the rescue organisations
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I would anyway mind you
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I stopped vaccinating Stella last year after she had a terrible reaction to her three-year rabies booster. I titer test now, and will do the same with Prince the pug when he's due for shots. (Stella is seven and Prince is five.) Their boarding facility/private dog run is fine with proof of titers.
 
How much are the titer tests? At the moment I am considering the three year booster route, but I am concerned that even one unnecessary booster could be too much if she proves to be sensitive.
 
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How much are the titer tests? At the moment I am considering the three year booster route, but I am concerned that even one unnecessary booster could be too much if she proves to be sensitive.

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I'm in NYC, so I'll probably only misinform/shock you with the insane cost of veterinary care here. Most dogs are fine and show no immediate reaction to vaccines, but after having read around on the subject--and consulting my vet, who is in no way "alternative"--I feel comfortable opting for the titers. For parvo, distemper and bordatella, immunity generally lasts five to seven years after the injection, which means Stella ought to be covered until she's aged 11-13. I still give the bordatella shot up the nose, mostly because reactions to that are uncommon, but I may reasses.
 
We didn't do Yellow Dogs for the first time ever this last time because when he had his booster in 2008 he was very ill for several weeks afterwards and after many blood tests the vet agreed it 'could' have been a reaction. As he was also sick after the boosters in 2007... We will be redoing them though as he's such a friendly dog and loves to play with other dogs, I'm just getting a bit more weight on him first. He dropped 5 kg last time and he can't afford to lose it atm.
 
Funnily enough titres have shot up in price since more people are questioning vaccinations, had some done recently, can't find the bill at the moment but they were around £60. Get a quote is the best bet.

Isn't it funny that suddenly the laboratories are charging more for these tests i wonder who their major contributors are??????????????????

I only vaccinated because of dog training, and I did not do the 2nd one a couple of weeks later. Digger had puppies only and after a year was still fully covered but at 6 needed a booster. But mine are fed raw so will have better immune systems than some.

My sister has done her own research into vaccinations, her site is off line ATM but here is the link
www.brushbow.co.uk/src/vaccination.htm
In the USA they recommend puppies and 1st yearly I think are enough for life on the main diseases.

I had some know all vet last time trying to tell me what to use, had to really put my foot down and she had not heard of the USA research or the fact that Lepto only lasts for a short period, then she told me they could not supply the one I wanted until I pointed to it on the shelf behind her had to REALLY insist!!!!!

Needless to say I WILL NOT have her near a dog of mine again, though the Bs'td one did bend her finger back and make her yelp, warned her about him, pig headed moo wouldn't listen again, we handle dogs like this all the time came the war cry, fill your boots was my answer, he won!

Sadly nowhere will titre horses!

Vaccinosis (reactions) are much more common than we are allowed to believe and much of it will be due to preservatives used in multiple vaccines or the huge kick to the immune system caused by multiple vaccines.

Dogs have died from severe reactions, but that is not shouted about! If someone does decide to proceed with vaccinations after a reaction they should consider titres followed by single vaccines (Which are available in the UK) and avoid those with preservatives.
 
Since I show mine, even though only a few times per year, I have to follow SKK rules, about Parvo and Canine Distemper they should be vaccinated as puppies, once at one years of age and then preferably about once every second or third year, with a max of that it can't be more than 4 years ago or the dog won't be allowed to enter the show.


I've heard about vaccinations of older dogs only being a way to fill the pockets of veterinarians and medical companies but on the other hand, without them I doubt there would be any vaccine and definitely no improvements of old vaccines, which helps keep my bitches from getting Parvo and Canine Distemper, none of my bitches have ever had even the slightest reaction afterwards so altogether I don't have a problem with vaccinating mine.


And with a bitch that only have gotten her puppy vaccination, I would definitely not hesitate. I.e. children in Sweden doesn't only get vaccinated once as children, there is a whole schedule, with doses for this and that at so and so interval and with boosters when the child is several years old. So it is not only our dogs that gets boosters.

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if you choose not to vaccinate, please still take your dog for an annual health check. I get sad at the number of older animals I see who only get brought in once their problem is so big it's impossible to ignore/miss. Often on health checks we do at booster time we pick up on a small abnormality in the abdomen, a mild increase in heart murmur, a skin lump the owner hasn't felt etc etc and investigating these early can make a huge difference.
 
Saffy is only vaccinated for lepto now (she is 12), and after a lot of discussion with vets Buffy isn't done at all. She was so ill after the last booster she had 3 years ago it was decided the risk of vaccination was greater than the risk of the diseases.
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Evie will be done regularly , for the next few years at least.
They do all have regular health checks Star as I think they are even more important in older dogs. Mind you Buffy is such a walking veterinary encyclopaedia she spends more time at the vets than at home anyway.
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Our vet practically had a shared bank account with us for our old girl, now PTS, as we went so often. He even commented that regular annual check ups weren't necessary as he saw us every few weeks at most anyway!
 
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