Vaccination schedule

[Nadia]

My Bentley is 8 months old and the vet said he should come in for a regular checkup and that he would get another leptovirus 4 shot and a heartworm test ( I live in Long Island,ny) . Does he really need another vaccine? He is up to date with all his other shots.
Sometimes I think the vet is trying to get me in so I can spend money. Everything I read says there is no need. Since Bentley is my first and only dog I am not sure what to do. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

[F, Calla & Luca]

Mostly I refuse heartworm tests since I give heartworm meds year round. Calla had one this year since she had apparently never had one. I do give the leptospirosis vaccine since the disease is so bad. My dogs get it once a year. We have lots of small rodents around in the yard.

[Nadia]

Thanks a bunch....I thought he had gotten the lepto before but it was a different vaccine he had gotten. I also give Bentley heart worm medication year round so I may forgo that test. Thanks again

[F, Calla & Luca]

You may have to be insistent. And sadly you can,t get the meds without a vet.

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

My vet refuses to write a script without doing the test. This year it was the snap test and she did it right there in the exam room. Irks me that they test for it and I give Bruno year round heartworm preventative but I cannot get the script with out the test.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Plus, some vets simply will not allow you to buy Heartguard without your dog first having the yearly heartworm test.

[Nadia]

ugh....great knowing my vet he wont give me the script without it.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Try arguing that yearly is not necessary. I have won that argument.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

I just brought Shayna home from our vet - the heartworm test is labeled "Heartworm/Lyme Snap Test 4DX" -

my understanding is that the test is for a variety of insect borne diseases. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am not convinced you need these additional tests in an a symptomatic dog. Nor do I know the sensitivity and specificity of this test. No doubt the test costs more.
http://www.idexx.com//view/xhtml/en_us/smallanimal/inhouse/snap/4dx...

[Pam & Trixie]

I have gone to the same vet for about 25 years...This year was the first time they did not require the heartworm test...Though they recommended it. I had to sign a paper saying (I dont recall waht) Probably that I am aware of the risks & that my vet recommended the test.
Maybe more vets will start doing this

[Jennifer Tramell]

Okay, first let me say that I have not really researched this and am by NO means and expert, so take this with the grain of salt.

My vet has told us that the 3rd shot in the series of puppy shots is most likely to have a negative reaction.  I have since heard that the lepto is the part of the shot that can have the side effect.  When Tessa (doodle #3) got her 3rd shot last week, the shot did not contain vaccination for lepto.  Perhaps your vet did the series of puppy shots which had parvo/distemper/adenovirus (???just from memory might be wrong) and is saving the lepto until your pup is older. Perhaps Lepto isn't necessary in the 3 shot series, only one shot is necessary.  Maybe it's the possibility of side effects, I'm sure it is easier on an older pup than a little pup. 

Also, there appears to be a discrepancy in vaccination schedules.  Most of them don't need to be yearly - they are designed to be every other year. Lepto and kennel cough, however, seem to provide immunity for a full year (something about viral vs bacterial).   Many vaccinations are 7 way or 5 way and include all vaccinations in one shot (again, just from memory and haven't done intensive recent research).  This causes some over vaccinations and some under vaccinations.  If your dog is at-risk for Lepto, perhaps the vet has him on a 8 month Lepto vaccination schedule?

Just a couple thoughts.  I have been blessed with a vet who is very conscientious about cost and has been wonderful about taking care of my dogs without over-charging.  She has also told me about the over-vaccination of many vaccines and is a proponent of only giving the shots necessary for that dog's lifestyle.  Hopefully your vet is the same way and is doing the best for your dog, not his wallet :-)

[Nadia]

So I realized and looked back at my regards that Bentley has not received the Lepto shot.  My vet gives the Lepto shot around the 8month make because apparently he thinks that his immune system can handle it better.

I have heard that a lot of people say that there are some adverse reactions to the shot.  I will look it up so I know what I am looking for after he receives the vaccine.

Thanks for the info everyone