Dog Vaccinations

[Toni Petersen]

My 2 yr old ALB is up for his yearly vaccinations of Bordetella, Leptospirosis and Hearthworm and I don't know if it's necessary.  Eventhough my dog is healthy, vaccinations can represent a major stress to their immune system.  What is the general consensus?  Does he need them?

[Toni Petersen]

Thank you Nancy, good advice.

[Toni Petersen]

Of course you're not familiar with this term.....I meant to say ALD (Australian Labradoodle). lol

[Adina P]

Bordetella is to protect against kennel cough. It kinda sucks...but if your dog is never in contact with other dogs, you can probably skip it.

Lepto is a bacteria that can be transmitted to humans. If your dog never goes out in nature or drinks from standing water...may not need it. Otherwise I believe it is important. However, this is one vaccine I'm told doesn't last for years like other ones. It's your call, but lepto can be transmitted to humans.

Heartworm prevention is NOT a vaccine it is a medication. If you live in an area that has heartworm...you do NOT want to skip this medication. Heartworm is a HORRIBLE thing for a dog to get and recovery is very tiring and difficult and costly from what I've heard (i am lucky to live in an area with no heartworm). It's also deadly too if not treated.

I tend to be of the mindset that vaccines are very good and very useful and far more beneficial than dangerous. But I know there are those who think otherwise and everyone is welcome to do as they see fit. Do talk with your vet and have him/her explain the reasoning (in detail) behind each vaccine (as well as the risks) so you can make an informed decision.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I just deleted my original reply because I was guilty of not carefully reading the question. The titers I mentioned are for things like corona virus, parvo, and distemper, not bordatella, lepto, or heartworm.
I agree with Adina. Heartworm preventative is essential if your dog lives or visits any areas where there is any chance of his getting bitten by a mosquito, and the preventative must be given every month, not yearly. To do otherwise is to seriously jeopardize your dog's health and life.
Bordatella vaccine can be given intranasally, every year or even every 6 months. There are different strains of bordatella (kennel cough) and the vaccine is not always 100% efefctive against all strains, but it will weaken the severity of the virus if your dog gets it.
Leptospirosis is a really nasty disease, so if your dog ever comes into contact with bodies of water, whether rivers, lakes, or just puddles, it's a good idea to vaccinate. Optional, but the risks to each individual dog have to be weighed against the benefits.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I never thought bordatella was worth it until I got Peri. She goes to daycare; Taquito (chihuahua) does not. I started getting them both vaccinated. Peri caught kennel cough; then Taquito. Both were VERY MINOR cases. They passed it (I didn't know!) to my sister's chihuahua. No vaccine - he was horribly sick. Not deadly, but just very drawn out and you hate to see them in unnecessary pain.
Haven't heard of lepto...need to ask vet!

I do titers also, but always do bordatella. And I always administer heartworm meds (monthly). $30 every 6 months is better than a case of worms. If I am one day late, I freak.

[Toni Petersen]

Adina thank you for your comments. I guess I wasn't very clear when I asked the question. I had received a reminder from my vet stating the three things Morgan was up for this year, the two vaccines and the bloodwork for heartworm. I guess I was in doubt about the need for the vaccines not the Heartworm. He does get heartworm preventative medication monthly and it is essential because we live in a very wooded area.

He does have contact with other dogs, goes in the lake and will at times lick a puddle.
After reading all your comments I'm inclined to have him vaccinated, certainly don't want to take a chance on him contracting a virus or disease

[Joyce & Wilson]

Ok, now I'm curious... how do you know if your area has heartworm or not? TY

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Your vet will know, but there are maps you find on-line that show the areas with the heaviest infestations. There's one here on DK somewhere, I'll try to find it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's a map, but I just noticed it's from 2005, so not really reliable.

[April Cliber]

I was at a breeders conference a few years ago and the speaker (vet specialist) said he wouldn't give lepto unless you are in a high risk area such as deep woods and/or lots standing water. I know your dog is older but he said to never give Lepto to a pup under 16 weeks. The Lepto vaccine can have some serious side effects. This is just one vets opinion but my vet concurs as do others.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was given literature saying that the newer lepto vaccines are much safer and have fewer side-effects than the older ones used to have. I've still hesitated about giving it to Jack, though.

[April Cliber]

Well that's good news. Do you happen to have that literature still? I'd like to read it.