What to do...What to Do....?

[Sam&Bella]

I am reading articles about not getting your dog's vaccines, then ones who say yearly, then, people who get them every three years. I want to do what is healthiest for Bella (and future puppy) and also protects her from diseases. I also read that vaccines can cause totally separate diseases or conditions. Has anyone ever had a dog who got a condition\disease from yearly vaccines? Or, anyone who has had any from non yearly vaccines? Right now, she gets them yearly.

Thank You!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's my understanding as well, Ricki. And it appears to be true for the DAP vaccine too. 

http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2013/june/canine-vaccination...

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Interesting. Makes a strong case for 3 year vaccinating if not titer testing. 

[Sam&Bella]

Thank You everyone for all your replies!! My only question would be: What would be the schedule to get them done if she gets them yearly?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm not sure I understand your question. If they're done yearly, they're typically done at the annual visit, and there isn't really a schedule. 

[Sam&Bella]

I have just figured out my question:) Sorry for being confusing:)

[33bn7f8evnuyd]

one year from the date of the last shots?  I go every year in April. 

[Amy and Annabelle]

When I brought Annabelle home she was due for her next set of combo vaxes late October. Then I took her back in a month later for the rabies and bordatella. Then in the spring she gets her heartworm test which is mandatory in Michigan and Lyme vax. Which I do because we live in the country with a lot of woods and deer. Now that she is 2 she can have the combo and rabies done every 3. I can't space out the years now, unless I titer one year, but maybe I can at least give a couple of months between them. One thing about having them all done separately is you know what one made your dog sick if that happens. Annabelle got really sick from either the rabies or bordatella the first time. She was sick for almost 3 days. She was fine the second year, no problems.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Many vets feel that yearly vaccinations are unnecessary and potentially harmful to long term health. There's a lot of info on line about this issue as well as the concern that many vets still recommend annual vaccinations because it is a way to increase profits. :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

In fairness to the vets, though, there are people whose dogs would never see the vet if they didn't have to go in for shots once a year, and that's part of the motivation for vets recommending annual vaccines.

I will say that Jack's dermatology specialist was the first to tell me that Jack should have the 3 year rabies vaccine and be titered for everything else. I think it's significant that she specializes in treating Atopy, which is an immune-mediated disease, and she has a much better understanding of the immune system than GP vets. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Yes, it's true that many people will not take their babies in for a wellness check but will take them if told they HAVE to have vaccinations. Sad but true. 

The subject of vaccination timing seems to be in transition right now.  Just as I said in another post, my state has changed the requirement for rabies recently. There was a time when they were required annually, then it was changed to 3 years now 3 years or an adequate titer test is acceptable.  So I think one can get a variety of opinions about timing depending on the training and motivation of the vet. I wonder what they are currently being taught about them in vet schools. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's what is heartening about the UC Davis link I posted earlier in this discussion. They seem to be pretty much following Jean Dodds' recommendations.