I have put a lot of work into the vaccination issue for my dogs.
I have do doubt that the core vaccines are essential. However, what I requested was the following:
- initial shot plus booster only, then titers
- separating each by month
- of course, no vaccinating a sick dog
I do have my misgivings about the rabies vaccine legislation. At least, here it has to be only every three years. However, I had bit hopes in the Rabies Challenge project. But so far, that came to nothing.
Depending on situation, I gave lepto a couple of times, and was mulling the lyme. But never gave the lyme because we weren't finding any ticks on my dogs as well as both me and our vet determined that it wasn't likely that it would go under the radar with me.
I get all the basics; rabies by law; and lepto every year since it is endemic here. I have my dogs titered every few years; so far no additional vaccines are needed, 7 years from basic ones.
Discussing vaccines with your vet is definitely necessary. So is the topic of titer blood work to determine the level of antibodies and circulating effectiveness of vaccines already in your pet. As you suggest discussing what your pet needs based on lifestyle is absolutely critical to making sure your pet is protected. As it turns out my little kiwi doesn’t need some vaccines due to our lifestyle and her lack of exposure to certain environmental dangers that other dogs might be.
I have put a lot of work into the vaccination issue for my dogs.
I have do doubt that the core vaccines are essential. However, what I requested was the following:
- initial shot plus booster only, then titers
- separating each by month
- of course, no vaccinating a sick dog
I do have my misgivings about the rabies vaccine legislation. At least, here it has to be only every three years. However, I had bit hopes in the Rabies Challenge project. But so far, that came to nothing.
Depending on situation, I gave lepto a couple of times, and was mulling the lyme. But never gave the lyme because we weren't finding any ticks on my dogs as well as both me and our vet determined that it wasn't likely that it would go under the radar with me.
I get all the basics; rabies by law; and lepto every year since it is endemic here. I have my dogs titered every few years; so far no additional vaccines are needed, 7 years from basic ones.
Thanks Jane.
Discussing vaccines with your vet is definitely necessary. So is the topic of titer blood work to determine the level of antibodies and circulating effectiveness of vaccines already in your pet. As you suggest discussing what your pet needs based on lifestyle is absolutely critical to making sure your pet is protected. As it turns out my little kiwi doesn’t need some vaccines due to our lifestyle and her lack of exposure to certain environmental dangers that other dogs might be.