Vaccinate Anually, or not.

I've been reading a lot recently about how vaccinating your dog annually could be bad for it.
I can understand why that would be, because we don't continually have boosters throughout our lives, so why should dogs need them.
Also it does seem that our dogs are not as healthy now as they were years ago, when many dogs weren't vaccinated as frequently.
I wonder, what does everyone else think?

I personally vaccinate everyone here (dog, cats, horses and even rabbits when I had some).

For many, it is compulsory (dog with border hopping, horses for competing) and to be honest, I would much rather vaccinate to protect than see my animals suffer diseases we vaccinate against.
I personally had a very bad reaction to a tetanus vaccination and had all the symptoms for a couple of days - I cannot wish that on anyone.

Nope I had Vins initial ones and a booster 2 years after that and then no more ,,,, there was a test done cant remember name now that found the vaccine still present in dog well after 12 months after ,,,,,, I also dont like pumping stuff into Vin if not needed but everyone has their own opinion

I do vaccinate Misty every year.

Our vet told my friend that dogs need to be vaccinated up to 2yrs then they don't really need it until they are 8 or 9! I think it is really up to their owner.

Gus is due his vaccinations but we have read so much negativity about boosting yearly that we don’t know what to do.

It is very confusing. We all want what's best for our dogs, but it's hard to know what to do. Dodger's always had his yearly, but now I'm not sure...

The Small Animals Veterinary Group now advise the following...

* 1st Puppy Vaccinations - full course of Core vaccines, plus Leptosirosis if necessary
* 1st Yearly booster as above
* Boosters of core vaccines every 3 years, including Lepto if necessary

Many people don't do the 3 yearly vaccines, but choose to have Titer Tests done which measure the amount of antibodies in the blood stream. However, not all vets offer this service & some charge a LOT for them!

Many people have the vaccines as above, but stop when the dog is around 9 or 10 - that's personal preference, of course.

From an Insurance point of view, you agree to vaccinate according to your vet's guidance, but if you don't, then you're not covered for any of the diseases that are vaccinated against.

Also, most kennels require dogs to be fully vaccinated before accepting them, and if you go abroad you'll need to adhere to the latest policies.

For those who think vaccinating is unnecessary, you only have to look at records before routine vaccinations to see how many dogs died horribly from Distemper, and in more recent times Parvovirus. I'm old enough to remember the first cases of Parvovirus & it was shocking - dogs who got it rarely survived and pup's died almost 100%. Is vaccination necessary? Yes, I think so. As to how often, that's still under debate.

I guess it's personal choice but we get Flo done each year. My thoughts are "why take the risk" but I agree it's probably not needed each year though we haven't ever had any negative reactions.

-Ian- wrote:I guess it's personal choice but we get Flo done each year. My thoughts are "why take the risk" but I agree it's probably not needed each year though we haven't ever had any negative reactions.

I accept your views, but honestly, the advice nowadays is to vaccinate every 3 years. Vaccinating every year is not only unnecessary, but contra to your dog's health regarding the immune system.

If your vet is recommending annual boosters then I would honestly look at other vets.

Its very much personal choice, but also the vet you use is key. If they are pushy id be moving. My vets are more countrified folk and will listen to and acknowledge anyone whos read up on it all and not push it, but then again will also vacc every year if asked. They are happy to give me vaccs to give my own horses which no other vets will do, but which is something very common in the USA for example. Its not rocket science, and they agree with me on the part of why pay an extra £30 for someone to call out to stick a needle into them when i can and am quite able to do it myself? Its still recorded in the passport and vet will sign it if needed but lets be honest who ever has had a horse passport looked at lol. Which is why i love my vets.

I have never really been a huge vaccinator. Ive got the puppy set and then only ever a jab if there has been reason to. i think one of the only ones i got after that was parvo as there was a bout of it in the area. I didnt need any others as my dogs have never went to kennels.

Billy was abandoned in boarding kennels (where we rehomed him from) so he was up to date in vaccs when we got him but hes had nothing since, and wont be getting anymore.

With the horses i give them the first sets, and i update now and then but probably only ever 5 years or so. Im probably more on them as they go  out to shows a lot  sometimes i give them every year. depends what the local area is like. One thing i do know i will never ever do again is vacc a pregnant animal despite the many many vet reccommendations for it. They say vacc 4 eeks before birth, and i did cause i was being that "responsible owner" and low and behold the foal died and had to be physically pulled from the poor mare after hours of pain and nearly losing her. Same horse had a foal with no vacc with no problems...and had never had a problem before and only ever vacc in america years before.

Sorry....rambling...

I do think that anyone who doesn't get the puppy & 1st annual booster is irresponsible.

Vaccination has made huge inroads in to the elimination of Distemper and has improved the resistance to Parvovirus & Leptospirosis.