puppytoes Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 As i have become further entreched in dog culture, i have heard more and more rumbling about the fact that for the most part, our dogs are over vaccinated. As a person that chooses not to vaccinate myself unless absolutely neccesary (i am a teacher but no flu vaccine for me), i started to wonder about this a few years ago. My vet is very holistic and i believe quite progressive. She suggested that since Laska was healthy (she was 8 at the time) and had never had any health issues (knock on wood) we would withhold the vaccine. That was a few years ago and this year we ran a blood test to check her immunity. Her tither test came back great - no need to vaccinate. So the last time she was vaccinated (for parvo, distemper, rabies - the basic stuff) was 2005. My question is then what to do about Orbit who is 16 months old. He had all of his puppy shots done after i adopted him and he got all of his vaccines boosted this year. My inclination is to not vaccinate him next year and just give him the tither to see where he is at. I know that there are many on this board that are/work with vets so i am interested in your opinions about this issue. Are there real dangers to not updating vaccines religiously as long as the blood tests come back good? Anyone with experiences good or bad either way (non-medical people) ? Just as a side note, we live in a very urban environment and dog ownership/health is taken very seriously around these parts (sometimes too seriously - dogs do not ned their own brand of stroller) and so i would say that there are very few dogs around here that are not well vaccinated (if that makes any difference in the debate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
border_collie_crazy Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 in my experince the only problem I have had when it comes to vaccinating..has been when GIVING them. my 8, 9 and 10 year old dogs have not been vaccinated since they were puppys..they have been titred periodicly, and not once has their immunity levels been low, I have NEVER had to update any of my dogs vaccines. on the other hand, after giving vaccines I have had to rush dogs to the vet due to horrable reactions that involved all kinds of blood tests and IVs to fix, not to mention I personally know a dog that DIED from his routine vaccines. I get ridculed and yelled at periodicly when people find out how little I vaccinate(1 KILLED Parvo at 16 weeks..maybe a Distemper if its going around..thats it) but I have my reasons, who wouldnt be adverse when every unvaccinated dog they have ever owned has been extremly healthy their entire lives, while seeing vaccinated dogs around them having reactions so bad that some have even died? but I think people opinions on the subject are shaped by what they have experinced, people who have never had any problems with frequent vaccination are not going to think its as big a deal as I do lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 I get Fergie titred each year. It's been years since she heeded any vaccine. Except for robies. That is required by law - and titre's don't count - yet. I have gotten Maggie da Cat's vaccines for 3 years now. Next year, I plan to go for the titre instead. And just see. I can afford to have the bloodwork, then, if necessary, get shots. Years ago, I'd have been more worried about expense. I don't want to take the chance that either pet is under-protected any more than I want to over vaccinate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Billadeau Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Could someone post links to the studies (not hearsay, the original scientific publications) that measured titer levels (titer test method included), challenged the dogs with antigen, and the dogs were clinically shown to be immune? The dogs tested should have varying times since inoculation (1-15 years). I'm not suggesting these studies are not out there, I just would like to read them. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane allen Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 In this "fast reply...." check this out: http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM Skip a lot of the top info, and scroll down to the article entitled "Changing Vaccine Protocols" - there are a number of studies and other info included. diane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.