vaccination,yes or no??

Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:58 am

On our last visit to the vet i asked him if Fivos should have his shots every year,our vet uses alternative med.homeopatics,naturopathics etc etc,so i thougth i could ask him and get a sincere answer.For a start he didn't do the rabbies shot this year and told me that from next year we will start doing it every 2 years and not yearly,i mean,all shots.
I've been reading and it seems that the vaccination has a longer duration that we are made belive,some can last 7 years,others 3 or 4.Anyway,i didn't want to decide on my own,i'm really affraid of fivos cathching something deadly,but in the other hand,too much vaccination also messes up their immunologic sistem and it's not healthy at all.
What are your experiences on this Question

Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:40 am

Overall I say yes to vaccination as the illnesses are dreadful. In the UK after the dog's first rabies shot and then booster one year later the revaccination is every three years. This seems reasonable to me. The other vaccinations for distemper etc are done annually and my dogs have their annual boosters. But I too wonder if they are over vaccinated. Most of these diseases are now quite rare. Humans don't get annual shots so why dogs? Question

Newbie Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

We do the homeopathic NOSODES. After investigating this subject years ago, we switched to this. There was a program on television by Canine Health Concern which highlighted the danger of yearly vaccinations. I really wish people would check their website. After all, as Pauline said; what vaccination do we, humans, have yearly? There is also a new test available (at least in the US) to see if your dog does need vaccinating.

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:42 pm

Finn had his annual boosters yesterday and I talked to my vet about the question. It isn't a straight forward answer as you would expect. Confused

Firstly, young puppies are vaccinated for parvo-virus which isn't repeated as the puppy matures. Secondly after 3 months of age the vaccination is for some illnesses that are severe (eg leptospirosis) and do need an annual boost. In the same way we may have annual 'flu shots. For rabies as I've mentioned it's once every 3 years. For the others such as distemper it is possible that a longer period between vaccinations may be OK but so far this hasn't been trialled and would cost a great deal of money for the revisions. The trial dogs would have to be under close supervision for a number of years. Also from time to time there are hot spots around the country where diseases are more common. Similarly when travelling abroad there can be places where some diseases are common which have been virtually eradicated in the UK. So it's, as ever, a calculated risk. I chose to have the vaccinations. It complies with the requirements for the dogs' health insurance and peace of mind when we're all abroad. Your own vet knows the issues for the area in which you live and potential risks when going elsewhere. Wink

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:38 pm

Personnelly I only vaccinate every other year once they have had the puppy vaccinaton and then a booster at 18 months. If their is an outbreak of anything in the area I will get the extra booster done. I also instructed the vet that they are only to have a booster and not the total vaccination again. One they reach the age of 7 I do not get them done again as it is considered the 1 vaccination last for 10 years.

The KC are currently investigating if puppies are born with some natural amunity because of the history of vaccination.

It is coming to light that the Automun Disease is on the increase in dogs and one of the possible cause of this is over vaccination. Their is no cure for this and it is a awful disease.

When I was young and lived on a farm non of the dogs were ever vaccinated and were all fine. But we now have a lot more dogs so this should not be a consideration.

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 7:05 am

I do agree with Nicola but would like to point out if your dog contacts any of the diseases that are covered by the booster and have not been vaccinated you would not be insured if you take out Pet Insurance. Also If your dogs go into kennels when you are away they would have to be vaccinated. Any respectable Kennel would not allow unvaccinated dogs.

Older dogs really need to get their booster they are at greater risk than the younger ones. Also it gives the Vet chance to go over your dog for the annual health check and maybe might find something that you had not noticed. I know it is a great money spinner for the Vet but it does give us peace of mind.

If you exhibit dogs you do really have to be covered by the yearly booster as your own dogs are coming into contact with so many other dogs. There are many exhibitors who will come to a show with an infected dog.............................................. Rolling Eyes

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:46 pm

There are kennels which except unvaccinated dogs as may people now choose to homeopathic treatment instead of boosters. I have done this for 40 odd years and it has worked for me and I exhibit as well. But as I said before they must have all the puppy vaccinations and first booster.