Vaccinations and combined vaccinations

[Oskar_Buddy_Goofie_Newfie]

My vet is recommending a Distemper together with Leptospirosis on an annual basis. I am not one to vaccinate annually for anything, as I was told by a knowledgeable vet that vaccinations remain effective for several years and do not need to be repeated annually. Trying to sort out the "profit center mentality" from reasonable logic here. I am frequently reading about prayer requests for newfs that had terrible reactions from vaccinations such as Lepto. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[wrknnwf]

A recommendation is not a requirement, so simply refuse if you don't agree. And then find a new vet if your current one is insistent. You need a vet who is willing to have a discussion, not a tug 'o war.

That being said, make sure you are familiar with the occurrences of diseases that are prevalent in your part of the country and consider what things you want to do with your dog. How much exposure will he get to other dogs that might be sick? Or do you board him or send him to daycare? That sort of thing.

I am not a fan of annual vaccinations myself after the dog has had his puppy vacs, but each owner has to decide what's right for his or her own dog. It will vary depending on a number of factors. It's a roll of the dice either way.

 

[Jeannie]

I agree that vets tend to over vaccinate our pets. After my dogs have completed their puppy vaccines and 1 set of adult I have titers run instead of vaccines. I have never had a dog not titer. One of my customers older dog did not titer this year. Most people just get the vaccines because they are much less expensive than titers.

I like my vet because she gives a 3 year parvo/distemper and rabies. So the only vaccine to get yearly is bordetella.

That being said I own a boarding kennel and grooming salon. I require all dogs be up to date on parvo/distemper, rabies and bordetella. I also require no vaccines be given within 2 weeks of arrival. I do accept titers. I question the effectiveness of bordetella. Just like the flu vaccine it does not cover all strands of bordetella. I am told that if a dog gets bordetella it will be less severe and have it a short period of time if they have the vaccine.

One vet in my area vaccinates for the dog flu even though it has never been reported in our area. My vet says she has it but only offers it to customers who travel to areas where it is prevalent or the customer asks for it. I do not require it for any dog coming to my facility. If I have a customer who comes in from an area where it is prevalent I do require they have the vaccine.

 

[R Taft]

I am also a titre person.... Have not vaccinated one of my dogs for seven years. But have one that I had to do after two years...So far all the otherres have only had puppy vaccinations, since they have been with us, except for Harry, he is the one that had to be revaccinated this year