Sydney....after being told we could loose Sydney we hope she may be coming around!

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Our Vet made us aware several weeks ago that we could loose Sydney after we left her at the Vet several times early in April.  We were led to believe after our first visit to the Vet that Syndey's illness was due to bully sticks we gave her two days before she became very ill.  However, after weeks of serious side effects and lots of research and emails with others on DK, we think Sydney's illness may have been triggered by over vaccination several days before she became so ill.  Sydney was given the DHPP and Rabies (too soon) vaccination at the same time.  The Vet would not disagree that they over vaccinated Sydney but the Vet would not admit to the problem was caused by the vaccinations.  Sydney is still on several medications and is being taken off of one med at a time.  Sydney seems to be feeling a little better and just started barking a bit and playing with her toys a bit this past weekend.  It has been over a month since she was hospitalized.  We still are not sure what caused Sydney to become so ill but we are still hoping that Sydney will be back to our old Sydney!  Thank you for all of your notes and concerns about Sydney!  We love her LOTS and it has broken our hearts to see her suffer so much!

[Jennifer and Jack]

You know I am so happy to hear Sydney is doing better. How scary, I am so sorry I have not checked in with you sooner, I have meant to.

 

Jack got pretty sick about two weeks after his one year shots, last year. He has some kidney issues that we could not identify. This year, actually tomorrow we are getting titers drawn to see if he has enough vaccine in him, and if he does, he will not get his shots, otherwise, we will be spacing them out a few weeks apart.

 

Thank you for sharing with us..

 

Love

The "Former Jersey Girl" and Jack

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Really good news - hurray!

[Rose]

I'm happy to hear Sydney is feeling better!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am so glad she is feeling better!!! 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Good to hear Sydney is doing better!

 

Luna sends kisses and wags her way!

[Diana Erhart]

Is it just the DHPP Vaccination and the Rabies that you should spread apart?  I just looked at Charlie's records and it looks like he is due to have his Rabies and a Bordatella shot at the same time.  Is there any instance of this being a potential problem?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Bordatella can be given intranasally, and not as a shot. I do the intranasal form, and I give everything on different days.

There is a three year rabies vaccine that has been around for awhile, and there is now a three year DHP vaccine. (The second "P", parainfluenza, can be given intranasally with the bordatella vaccine.)

Here's Jack's recent history of vaccination:

2008- (Before I knew about the three year options, titers, etc.) DHPP, rabies, bordatella given intranasally- all done at the same visit.

2009- (After I had been enlightened)

Blood titers to test immunity for Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvo (so no DHP shot)

Three year rabies shot (so won't need again until 2012)

We went back a few weeks later for the intranasal bordatella- given by a tech, no appt necessary and no charge for anything other than the vaccine.

2010- NO vaccines other than the intranasal bordatella. Least expensive annual check-up ever!

2011- Three year DHP shot (so he won't need one again until 2014) and annual physical exam

We went back a week later for the intranasal bordatella & parainfluenza vaccines. Again, given by a tech, no charge other than the vaccines themselves.

It may not be a problem for most dogs to get numerous vaccines or preventatives all at the same time, but I'm not taking any chances. The immune system is complicated, and I'd rather err on the side of caution. Jack also gets immunotherapy shots for his allergies every two weeks, and I make sure he doesn't get anything else on those days.

I give his HW preventative each month on a day when he isn't getting anything else, and his flea preventative two weeks later.

We do not do Lyme or Lepto vaccines. The Lyme vaccine is not recommended in my area, in other areas, it is essential. The Lepto vaccine has been recommended to us if JD is going to swim in natural bodies of water or drink from puddles, etc. So far, I'm put off giving him the vaccine.

Hope this helps. I think that which vaccines your dog should get when is a choice each person has to make for his own dog(s), hopefully guided by a good veterinarian who puts the dog's well-being first and who knows your dog and his medical history. This is why I think it's crucial to establish a relationship with your vet.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

What is really sad is the fact that we really relied on our Vet for years.  He is the owner of the Nutlley Dog. Cat and Bird Clinic and had such compassion for Sydney each time we brought her there as a puppy.  It was actually very difficult to get an appointment with the owner.  So, many times we settled for another Vet.  There were some Vets at the clinic that actually did not like the fact that we had Labradoodles (they criticized us for having designer dogs!!!!) and we were very insulted so we never had those Vets treat our Doodles.  But the owner seemed to love our Doodles.  We are so disappointed in the fact that he was so anxious to just give the vaccines and not check the records for Sydney.  But maybe, shame on us for not researching how vaccines should be administered.  We are not blaming anyone........we just want Sydney better and hope that all Doodles on DK will look into the vaccination of their Doodles and be more cautious than we were!  We are hoping that Sydney does not have permanent medical issues because of what she went through with the vaccinations.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Don't beat yourself up. I love my vet and have been with him for many, many years, through several dogs. But he never told me about the three year rabies option, or the blood titers. I had to read about that on-line and then ask JD's specialist. She did not want to say anything against my vet, (who after all had referred me to her), but she did say she was surprised that I had not been presented with the options, and would have mentioned it to me herself if she'd known.

Once I told my regular vet that "the specialist wants blood titers (or whatever)", everything changed. He now informs me of every option regarding immunization-related issues, and when most other clients were being urged to give the Lepto vaccine, I was presented with the risk/benefit factors and told to ask the specialist for a recommendation.

So you see, there are added benefits in having your dogs in the care of specialists, LOL!

[Kristin & Hudson]

So glad Sydney is starting to feel better.  I'm glad I saw this post because Hudson is due for his last round of puppy shots this saturday and is supposed to get his first rabies shot.  I will have to see if I can spread them out.  I've only been to our vet a few times since we just got Hudson but I can definitely recommend them, they are in Rutherford.  Not sure if I can post it here so I will email you the info in case you are thinking of switching??  Just thought I would pass it along because they have been nothing but great with Hudson.  and he loves going there because he gets so much attention from everybody!

[Anna and Achilles]

I'm glad to hear things are looking up, I will be thinking of you all.

[Pat and Traveler]

Hope Sydney continues to feel better and better.  It must be such a relief to see her starting to bark and play again.  Paws up from me and Traveler!