Vaccination Boosters Yes or No?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I have been researching this subject lately and it seems the jury is out as to whether Dogs need a yearly 'booster' vaccine.  It doesn't quite make sense to me because having had the shots surely a vaccine is for life?  Is this something that Vets do to make you come back on a yearly basis and if so is it harmful.  I was just wondering as I want to make sure my new Dog is fully covered.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I do yearly titering and not annual boosters. Just rabies every 3 years as required by law.

 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thanks,both Ireland and the UK  are rabies free here so no need for Rabies vaccine unless I need a Pet passport if I am taking the dog into Europe.  I thought as much re annual boosters.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

What exactly is yearly titering? Hunter is just now 2 and I was wondering about boosters and wasn't to keen unless it was absolutely necessary. I was really concerned about vaccines in my kids and I wouldn'tnlet them do the combination vaccines and had them spaced apart. Hhhmmmm now makes me wonder about Hunter.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

http://sayingnotovaccines.blogspot.com/2008/01/vaccine-titers-order... Here's one article, real quick. But google it and plenty will come up. Hi Denise!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Thanks Lynne! I got lots of reading to do now!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Anytime! You know where to find me.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

I too have read that certain vaccines may not be needed as often.  Our vet said there is some controversy over this.  But the problem is do to the set standard if I chose not to have my dog receive certain vaccines.  It would be difficult to have them go to the groomer, boarding or anything that would need proof of being up to date on their shots.  He also felt that certain vaccines were not needed as often and would be willing to extend the frequency of them.  Our vet clinic would still be willing to board the dogs, but other places may not.  Hopefully changes will be made to the set standards.  I choose to extend the frequency with my small dogs, but not with Clover and Apollo.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My vet does three-year vaccinations now. I had also been titering for distemper /parvo, but this year I'm going to do the vaccination. It's been three years since the last one. So it will be distemper/parvo this year, rabies next year, nothing but a check-up in 2013. Your dog should have an annual check-up, even if he isn't getting any shots.

We also do the bordatella/influenza vaccine intranasally every year. We haven't done the lepto vaccine, although both JD's regular vet and his specialist recommend it. That is done every year, too.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The three year shots qualify as keeping them current. Blood titer immunity would also qualify, if you had documentation from your vet.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is something that I read about each time it comes up.  I hate to over-vaccinate my dogs, but I don't want them getting ill either.  Bottom line I fall back on personal experience.  My oldest son was overly sensitive to the Pertussis vaccine so he was only partially immunized. When the younger son came along the dr. and I discussed the likelihood of his sensitivity to the vaccine also.  At that time whooping cough was in a major decline, so ultimately I did not immunized him.  He caught Whooping Cough and he was pretty ill.  Because it was not common at that time it took the doctors about 6 weeks before making a correct diagnosis.  In the mean time, the other son who was not fully immunized was totally exposed - he never caught it.  I always wonder if he is naturally immune to the disease - maybe he should have titers? 

This makes me even more ambivalent and more confused.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Our vet does mostly the 3 yr vaccines.  We trust what they tell us but I am happy they only get most of these (other than the kennel cough one) once every 3 yrs!