How Often Should You Vaccinate Your Dog?

[Therese Leimback]

I agree Fran, I don't vaccinate Abu my 18yr old cat anymore. I did rabbies until a few years ago but then have a waiver from my vet.

I also have found over the years if I advise people who have my dogs to provide all the vaccine data they can in writing to vets, puppy classes, grooming shops and boarding facilities they do stop asking for as much, and if a place is insistant I also encourage owners to search the internet for recent law suits regarding over vaccination and that usually stops them asking me for anything. Just to show them there is always someone who will hold them responsible for illness from either side so why not side with "not" over vaccinating.
Therese

[Buddys Pal]

I have had the good fortune of having a Vet agree with me about annuals. WE both agreed that for the area that I live, Rabies (of course), Leptosporosis and Bordatella is recommended outside of the full 'coctail' or mixture of vaccines for my older 8 and 10 year olds. (usually any dog over the age of 2 years should have immunity to the spectrum of DHPP-the ****tail without Lepto) I have yet to renew my new Basenji of 18mos and have an appointment next week, I want to discuss the possibility of only getting his 3yr Rabies, Lepto and Bord from now on. I do know from reading many articles that Rabies should be given separately as well for health reasons (not mixing is actually better so as to be aware of any reactions). The clinic and Vet are happy if you give your fur child at least an annual checkup since you may opt out of annual vaccines- So just discuss it with your Vet. Most everyone on this forum seems to be mostly informed. There is a lot of information out there right now about the vaccines, immunity and titers. PS: the forum did not like the word coctail with a k)….

[tanza]

I have not given Bordatella for many, many years. I am curious why that is recommended by your Vet? (unless you board your fur kids or do doggy day care, which usually require it). I have been told that it really only lasts for a few months and there are so many different strains of Bordetella, it is hit and miss if the fur kid is really even covered.
And I have seen and heard of many with reactions to Lepto, I will not and always advise my puppy owners to opt out from Lepto. Is it a problem in your area?

[Quercus]

Pat, one of my vets was telling me last year that they are seeing more and more cases of Lepto, and the vaccines for it are better than they were years ago. He knows I never give Lepto, and he understands and agrees with me..but he says the new Lepto vaccines have better coverage, and are much less likely to cause a reaction than before. But I still haven't given it….

[sharronhurlbut]

I don't give Lepto and we live in the woods with many critters.

[Buddys Pal]

@tanza:

I have not given Bordatella for many, many years. I am curious why that is recommended by your Vet? (unless you board your fur kids or do doggy day care, which usually require it). I have been told that it really only lasts for a few months and there are so many different strains of Bordetella, it is hit and miss if the fur kid is really even covered.
And I have seen and heard of many with reactions to Lepto, I will not and always advise my puppy owners to opt out from Lepto. Is it a problem in your area?

Yes Tanza, my Vet recommended that the critters that cross over the 10 acres I live on can very well pass it on. So, yes the area in Central Fl just west of Ocala is a problem for Lepto. Also, Bordatella is administered every 6mos. I do some boarding, but did you know that Bordatella can be transmitted by bird droppings? The USF website is very detailed about the disease, sorry I could not download it here….

[DebraDownSouth]

We are hearing more and more lepto here, it is spreading.

I give bordatella only because of rescues. But I do have to say about 13 yrs ago I had ONLY vaccinated Dax recently (due to shows). The rest were a good year or close to it. I brought home the chow/coyotee with kennel cough. OMG, it ran through my house like wildfire. All had it severely, except Dax who did get it but was over it fast. So strands or not, I do really believe it helps. And since it is a pretty mild vaccine, I don't mind.

Longevity for the shot is about a year, the inhaled about 6 mos I think?

[Therese Leimback]

I don't currently vaccinate for Lepto, although I had heard like Andrea its on the rise in our area see link from Seattle PI below.
http://www.seattledogspot.com/2011/01/20/leptospirosis-in-pets-on-the-rise-in-western-washington/

I have been concerned about using the vaccine because it is a killed vaccine which I concerns with due to studies done over many years. Also AAHA really isn't able to recommend it based on research available. It is also very important to not vaccinate puppies under 12 weeks with Lepto which some people do when they use combo shots with their puppies, one more reason I am not a fan of combo shots. See link of AAHA Lepto recommendations below.
http://secure.aahanet.org/eweb/dynamicpage.aspx?site=resources&webcode=CanineVaccineGuidelines
Personally I have a spirochete due to having Lyme's (or as Kevin calls it Leimback-teria) as well as Babesia. I can tell you first hand although treatment seems simple killing a spirochete bacteria is not an easy treatment, it triggers a Herxheimer reaction that can be for some extremely painful. But I am under the impression no new Live mediated vaccine with better coverage is yet available. See article below to explain.
http://spirochetesunwound.blogspot.com/2011/05/new-attenuated-leptospirosis-vaccine.html

Andrea, if you or your vet are aware of a better vaccine on the market I would love to have some info to take to my vet. Thanks in advance if you have any more current info on this vaccine, I know my vet would love to have it as well.
Therese

[Quercus]

@Therese:

I don't currently vaccinate for Lepto, although I had heard like Andrea its on the rise in our area see link from Seattle PI below.
http://www.seattledogspot.com/2011/01/20/leptospirosis-in-pets-on-the-rise-in-western-washington/

I have been concerned about using the vaccine because it is a killed vaccine which I concerns with due to studies done over many years. Also AAHA really isn't able to recommend it based on research available. It is also very important to not vaccinate puppies under 12 weeks with Lepto which some people do when they use combo shots with their puppies, one more reason I am not a fan of combo shots. See link of AAHA Lepto recommendations below.
http://secure.aahanet.org/eweb/dynamicpage.aspx?site=resources&webcode=CanineVaccineGuidelines
Personally I have a spirochete due to having Lyme's (or as Kevin calls it Leimback-teria) as well as Babesia. I can tell you first hand although treatment seems simple killing a spirochete bacteria is not an easy treatment, it triggers a Herxheimer reaction that can be for some extremely painful. But I am under the impression no new Live mediated vaccine with better coverage is yet available. See article below to explain.
http://spirochetesunwound.blogspot.com/2011/05/new-attenuated-leptospirosis-vaccine.html

Andrea, if you or your vet are aware of a better vaccine on the market I would love to have some info to take to my vet. Thanks in advance if you have any more current info on this vaccine, I know my vet would love to have it as well.
Therese

I will ask him about it at our annual visit. The details are kind of foggy, I guess because in my mind, I was already thinking 'no, not gonna vaccinate for lepto' But I will see if I can get some more info. He is quite progressive about new ideas, and I am happy to say that all of the vets that I use (three different clinics for different things) have gone to 3y dhpp, and three year rabies. But I will seriously consider going to titers at this point.

[dcmclcm4]

I still vaccinate all my dogs but no Lepto or Lyme. I do separate the vaccines though. I have the rabies separated from the DHPP by about a month or so. I have rescues coming in though less than I used to. My last two were from shelters. After I rescued the elderly B who had not had seen a vet in years, she received vaccines at that time but did not receive any after that. I also wait between vaccinations, deworming, and spay/neutering.

Jennifer

[Chealsie508]

I am getting Oakleys 1 year wellness exam and they say he is due for Lyme and rabies… Can anyone tell me what I should be giving? I wo t do more than one vaccine in a week. I know some places are 3 years for rabies... How about MA? I looked on the forum for answers but didn't find what I was looking for. I don't wan to over vaccinate and since people seem so passionate on he subject I'm hoping some breeders will chime in and help me...

[tanza]

Rabies needs to be given at 1yr then every 3yrs. So, they are given one as a puppy, one at 1yr, then every three years.

I prefer to wait at least 2 to 3wks between shots

[Chealsie508]

Thanks pat… I was confused as to whether it was appropriate to give him another rabies since he had one last year... Is Lyme a yearly vaccine..
And do they normally do bloodwork? If not should I ask for it? Lastly, and unrelated to this thread so I apologize... Oakley is blowing his yearly coat and last week I noticed a red rash where his red collar lays on his neck so Ive kept it off him and the next day it was gone but today I noticed a red rash in the center of his chest with red rash dots intermittently on one leg and his chest around the big rash.... Do they get irritated during this time or should I consider food allergies? Ive fed him Fromms for 3 months but the last order I added the duck to the salmon and chicken versions.. That I added a month ago... I love Fromms so I'd hate for it to Be the cause, also it's hard to tell because I've been bad and giving im snacks of all sorts so idk if I can pinpoint a food cause. I'm starting today with just his food in order to narrow it. Your advice would be appreciated.

[tanza]

I have never given Lyme, but I think it is yearly. No, they do not usually do bloodwork at 1yr, however I had both C-Me and Franie done so that I have a base line on file, but that was just because I am a big one on blood work and I wanted it.

As far as the rash, doesn't really sound food related, but the only way to know is to go back to only what you were feeding before adding the two new kinds.

I use Fromm's also, Surf and Turf… and just started with a bag of the Pork and Applesause.

[LindaH]

@Chealsie508:

I am getting Oakleys 1 year wellness exam and they say he is due for Lyme and rabies…

The Lyme vaccine is on the list of non-core vaccines and should only be given if the disease is a true threat in your area.

As for rabies, we had both of our dogs' first, 1-year, rabies vaccination done at about 6 months of age. One year later, at about 1-1/2 years of age, we had the 2nd, 3-year, vaccination done (or, in Blaze's case will have it done since he's now not quite 14 months old).

[Chealsie508]

Thanks to you both. I have an appointment Friday but I called and spoke to my vet today about the rash just to make sure it didn't need more immediate attention. He doesn't think it sounds food related but he felt comfortable leaving that til his wellness exam Friday. Lyme is a very big threat here so look like I'll schedule that in a few weeks, the la. At our vets is having a special with bloodwork that will not charge for the heartworm panel (40$) they have done at yearly physicals but rather include it free with the bloodwork so I imagine I'll just do it… But I did have them do bloodwork before his neuter on september 1st so I wonder if that wouldn't be the same thing??
Thanks to you both, I always prefer to take my advice from breeders on the forum rather than my vet(how sad is that? I prefer to ask health inquires here first then take that info with me to the vets!)

[tanza]

If you did blood work before the neuter, that would be enough of a baseline. IMO And since all Vets now are required (silly, in my opinion if they are on HW Meds year round) to do the HW blood test, I would just do the HW test…. that is important (Heartworm meds)

And keep in mind that Vets are used to people that don't have a clue, nor do they want to.... and those are 90% more visits then breeders or knowledged owners..... being with your Vet for a while, they learn that you are NOT part of the 90%

[Chealsie508]

Thanks Pat, I really appreciate it- at this point it's safe to call you our "go to"

[renaultf1]

Why not ask your breeder who is in MA - they would know the protocol for Rabies for that state.

FWIW, I was advised (by my dog's breeder) from day one to not do a ****tail of vaccines on one day - that rabies should be done alone. When I used to do lyme, I would usually do rabies alone and then wait 3-4 weeks to do lyme - never both the same day. I followed my breeder's advice since I figure they know what they are talking about. My vet also thought it was a good idea. Oh, and I think the rabies vaccine is the same - whether for 1 year or 3 year (Maine is 3yr, but for pups you give the 1 year and then the next year they get the 3 year). Additionally, I get baseline bloodwork done at their annual exams.

Regarding Lyme…it is a big issue here in Maine. But once my vet told me that they have dogs in their practice that use Frontline and have had the Lyme vaccine still get Lyme, I opted not to do the Lyme vaccine last year. I don't use any topical either. My vet just advised to do visual checks - harder with my boy Oz since he is b&w - but doable. So I do visual checks after walks and then throughout the day in case I miss a tick the first time. Everything I've read says you have 36 - 48 hours to get a tick off before you have to worry about them contracting Lyme.

[Chealsie508]

I'm really not sure why you care so much as to remind me where my breeder lives or who she is ( as both of us clearly know) . It's a rather insulting innuendo. As mentioned on the forum previously I experienced the hard way about not vaccinating more than one shot… Id rather a breeder teach me not to repeat Mistakes and tell me how to move forward ( which Pat did) Rather then hearing "ive killed my dog" and be chastised, which was what I wa first met with when trying to get guidance! And believe I mentioned in this thread I don't have intentions of giving more than one. As for why I prefer to ask Pat questions ( which really isn't your business) I don't have a great breeder relationship with Oakleys breeder, while I love her dogs...her an I don't get along personality wise. Hope thats enough of a satisfying answer for your obvious itch to know, of which I assume my breeders already told you!