To vaccinate or not vaccinate?

[coppab]

I read a bunch of exerts from the site that gmacleod posted in another thread http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm

Now I am interested in where people stand on this issue?
I personally would love to not have to go to the vet once a year for Tully's shot. I haven't had my cat vaccinated since he was a kitten and there's nothing wrong with him, also back in the old days there were no vaccinations and dogs survived, yes they may have lived shorter lives but who knew about nutrition back then?

I feel that if humans only need vaccinating when young and immunity lasts a lifetime why isn't it the same for our pets?

Tully has just had his last puppy shot 3 days ago and since then he has thrown up his breakfast every day, not all, just a little, so I give him some more and he'll keep that down. I rang the vet to ask if this was a reaction to the shot but was told no it wasn't. However NOTHING in his diet or lifestyle has changed and he's just started doing it.

Does anyone out there with older dogs not vaccinate there dogs or cats? I understand about rabies, but luckily we don't have that here. Is there anyone with younger pups that don't plan on vaccinating every year?
Sorry for the long winded post but this is important to me as I really like the idea of not injecting them with mad made crap as much as possible, it's bad enough that I have to put the Advocate on the back of his neck every month.
Thanks
Bianca and Tully

[LNsBeatles]

Thanks for posting on this. I'm also curious to find out how people who limit their dog's vaccination schedules, or do not schedule yearly vaccinations after the first rounds of puppy shots, get around having to show proof of vaccination for things like doggy day care, grooming and other pet events. Do they just choose not to participate in these things?

Looking forward to hearing from the experts! :)

[bulldoggin30]

In my experience with our American Bulldogs, I feel puppy shots are a MUST. We vaccinate then at 1 year, and that's it. Our first AB lived a long, healthy life (died at 10yrs old of natural causes) and our other older females (6 & 7) have also been healthy. They are all outdoor dogs and have been to many shows & weight pulls around other dogs. I plan to vaccinate Dutchie at 1 year and maybe 3 years later. You can always have the vet titer your dogs blood to test for antigens to see if they are already present, thus avoiding unnecessary vaccinations. Hope this helps! ;)

[franp]

There are 2 Dr's that are responsible for the change in vaccine protocol. Dr Ron Schultz and Dr Jean Dodds.. In fact Dr Dodds is the primary reason that North American Vet Schools have totally overhauled the schedule of vaccination..You can google both to read thier articles and research..I am an adherent of both..

Dari had her puppy shots.. BUT, her shots were NOT combination shots..They were broken down into seperate components (as advocated by Dr Dodds).It was more inconveineint for me.. But better for Dari.. she had no ill effects; as I think are happening to Tully..

When she was one year old she had her final Rabies shot..In the ensuing 5 years, she has had no more shots...Parvo and distemper are puppy diseases..no need...I will not give her Rabies...She is not boarded ; and for the short time she went to daycare, they did not ask...

[franp]

By the way; are those EARS that I see on Tully????

[gmacleod]

Ummm. Why do you take your dog for annual vaccinations? Both the AVMA and AAHA have stated that yearly vaccinations are unneccessary... Most veterinary schools now teach students that a three yearly vaccination schedule is appropriate. Even the vaccine manufacturers warrant a four year duration of immunity (and researchers/immunologists say they're good for between 7 years and the dog's lifetime).

Well, here are a few threads from Boxerworld that contain some useful information on the topic, they're worth a read:
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92090
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39618
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49056
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=651374

[imogene]

There are risk with any vaccination in humans not just in pets. My Aunt mild case of polio from a vaccination in the 1950 and because of that my parents declined all my vaccinations as a child. The fact that I never got sick as a child has my parents convinced they made the right decision.

After having Chicken Pox as an adult I decided to get some of my shots, but not all. As far as adults never having to get shots - well somethings like tetanus have to be updated to be effective.

For my pets I discuss recomened medications with my husband and Vet and make the decision based on the medication and the treatment taking in to account all the risk factors. On of our cats came to us with Kennel Cough, and was sick for 5 weeks. His medication was more expensive than the nasal drops to prevent it. I have read medical studies that say that yearly vaccinations are not necessary in older pets - something supported by our vet who has put our senior cats on a bi-anual vaccination schedule. We plan to do the same thing with Belzie once she get older.

Right now Belzie has puppy shots that cover the Canine 5 (which includes parvo), Bordetella (as required for her Puppy Class) and Rabies (as we want to be able to travle to the US)

I have also decided against preventative flea and worming treatment. Where we live we just don't have fleas right now. I was told that no fleas mean no worms. We had a stool sample checked for parasites and she is clean. I am planning on having it check ever 4 to 6 months -I don't want to dose my pets with pesticde unless necessary.

[LNsBeatles]

I decided a while ago to pass on flea preventative, as I live in the city and feel this risk is lower. However, in Missouri - incidents of heartworm infection are high - and my other dog Albert (bull terrier/basset hound mix) has been treated for heartworm twice: once before I adopted him and then about a year later (my vet believes that the original course of treatment may not have eliminated the eggs). I don't think I could ever put a dog through that again, it was terrible.

I think my vet would be open and receptive to an alternate vaccination schedule, I just feel like I'm constantly being asked to provide proof of current vaccinations: at obedience classes, at the groomer -- even this weekend at our Mardi Gras pet parade I believe you can be asked to show vaccination history! Louis will probably not be boarded and it's unlikely that he will be professionally groomed -- but doggy day care is in his future and a stay at a kennel is not out of the realm of possibility in case of emergency ... :(

If I do annual vaccine titers, any thoughts on whether documentation of vaccine levels will be proof enough?

I'm sorry if I'm sounding neurotic about the whole thing -- of course what really matters is keeping our dogs healthy, I just thought I'd try to iron out a few "logistics." ;)

Ellen

[coppab]

Thanks everyone, I probably won't do the yearly thing, gmacleod that's just the vaccination plan over here.
Yes Fran that is ears you see:D However I didn't announce it because I cheated:o So let's say that the result is good and I finally have my bat dog....congratulations Tully.....you are now a french bulldogappicon

[bulldoggin30]

Ellen, I would discuss the vaccination issue with the owner of the daycare you want to use. I'm sure they wouldn't have a problem accepting a letter from the vet after the titer.

[Frencie4me]

I too have read the studies on vaccination and will only give the puppy series on mine with the rabies. None after that.

I think some states however require rabies every so many years, I have been told. I am not sure what that is for Missouri. My 8-11 year old poodles haven't vaccinated 2001. And my 11 year old sure doesn't act 11.

For what little problem we have with fleas I treat my yard and keep them off until it is dry. The article I read called heartworm prevention poison. Where is everyone on heart worm provention? I have hairless dogs aswell and they do not have the hair for any protection. So I do give them Intercepter.

[chrestomancie]

I have my pomeranians and ferrets on a three year vaccine program. They have done perfectly fine. Now with Pearl, her last set of puppy shots will be given this coming Mon - the 20th. Then I will have her get her one year shots. After that, I will do it every three years or if I have to have proof to attend a doggie event.

[EllieMae]

Ellie Mae had her puppy shots, but after that she will only ever get rabies as we do live on a farm with wild and tame animals that have the possibility of carying rabies, including tons of bats. With her chasing and eating everything, I would rather her be safe than foaming at the mouth...although I am finding her to be a bit evil, foam might not be surprising!:lol:

[LNsBeatles]

Ellen, I would discuss the vaccination issue with the owner of the daycare you want to use. I'm sure they wouldn't have a problem accepting a letter from the vet after the titer.
Thanks!!! Sometimes I have a tendency to overlook the most obvious solution to my problem :rolleyes:

[bulldoggin30]

That's ok! ;) Also, if you have more than 1 option for daycare, etc, that could help you decide which one; the one who understands your wishes.