What and When do dogs NEED there shots

[serryjw]

I'm a cat person and I gave Einstein his shot when he was a baby and then stopped for 10 years until I couldn't get him on an airplane to move to Denver..I know nothing about shot for dogs.....do they NEED them...and which ones?

[radfringe]

1. shots - q/a link

http://www.darwinvets.plus.com/topical/vaccination.htm

http://vetmedicine.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canismajor.com%2Fdog%2Fvaccine.html

there are various views on when/what kind/how often a dog needs shots...

Rabies, distemper and Parvo are the most common shots needed, and most places require at least RABIES

because we occassionally have to board our dogs at a kennel - we make sure they are up to date on all their shots - the kennel we use requires a copy of recent shot records before they will accept boarding the dogs. Some grooming places require it also as a matter of policy or state/local laws

we do get the shot for kennel cough for our dogs because we do board them and they do go to a groomer a few times a year. Boarding/grooming exposes them to other dogs and they can pick up the kennel cough (and other diseases) from the other dogs.

yes - there are the occasional dog that has an adverse reaction to shots - just like some people have a reaction to shots/meds. We had friends who's dog was allergic to heartworm pills - developed a rashy/itchy skin problem every spring/summer. They discovered the source of the rash/itch source when a new neighbor moved in and mentioned to them that an old dog of his had the same problem and the rash/itch cleared up when he forgot to give him the heartworm pills.
My friends mentioned this to the vet - the vet ran an allergy check and yep - the dog was allergic to heartworm med.

best bet is to talk to your vet about what/when shots he/she recommends - then do some research on your own and decide

[RebelOne]

2. Most states require that a dog have up-to-date rabies shots.

My dog got a three-year rabies shot, which is now available. It used to be that you would have to get a rabies shot once a year.

[China_cat]

7. ALL states require rabies shots

but you need to check on the 3 year vaccine. Our state (SC) requires vaccinations every year so we need to make sure that what the dogs get is 1 year vaccine and not 3 year, which would overvaccinate them and make them more prone to bad reactions.

In SC without the shots, if your dog (or cat) bites or tooth scratches somebody you don't get a choice. They get tested for rabies which requires them to die. If they've had their shots they get a 10 day quarantine.

So make sure you check before you end up with the wrong thing.

[auburngrad82]

3. If you ever plan to kennel your dog you'll need bordatello vaccine

Bordatello is also known as kennel cough.

There are two types, a nasal spray and an injectible vaccine. The nasal spray works for most of our dogs but with our male cattle dog it takes three people to hold him in a corner long enough to spray the vaccine all over the people holding him so we're grateful that the injectible vaccine is available for him.

:D

[RebelOne]

4. I kenneled my Rottie for a week and had to get the bordatello shot

for her. Despite the shot, she still got kennel cough.

[livetohike]

5. Sounds like my ACD

I am dreading taking Murphy for his shots. Last year they had to muzzle him and it took the vet and two attendants to hold him so they could give him his vaccinations.

Is this an ACD trait? Murphy is the first ACD we have ever had. He is a shelter puppy and probably mixed with something else.

[CornField]

6. Also, if you take your dog out hiking in wooded areas

you'll probably want to get the Lyme Disease vaccination.

[retread]

8. Suggest a titer. See this link

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/titer_test.htm

[BrklynLiberal]

9. The only shot legally required is rabies. The shots are good for 3 years.

Once they are considered Senior or are infirm for any reason, you should not have to give them the rabies shot any more.
Over vaccination is the cause of more problems that you could possibly imagine. Do a google search on it and you will be very surprised at how much illness results from pet over vaccination.
You can do titers and/or other tests to see if your pet needs rabies and or other vaccinations as often as your vet suggests. Most of the requirements are just an excuse to get pet owners into the vets office for a nice payment every 6 months or year.
Investigate holistic and herbal alternatives ways to avoid the other vaccinations if you possibly can. Heart worm and flea medications can also be a problem, so be very careful. Always err on the side of caution, and assume that your pet WILL have a bad reaction if one is possible from a particular medication.

A daily dose of Brewers Yeast and garlic tablets are an excellent way to make your dog unattractive to mosquitoes. There are herbal bug repellents that are good alternatives to heavy chemical flea repellents.
These are both applicable to cats as well.

[China_cat]

11. Not in all states

and you need to check before you think you can use the 3 year vaccine. Here in SC we are considered a rabies epidemic state and you cannot NOT vaccinate your pets every year, unless you want to take the chance on losing them. Even old animals and if they are too infirm to stand a rabies vaccination then you will be advised to have them put down.

Check with your state regulations first.

[BrklynLiberal]

10. Articles about over vaccination

Vet sues due to over vaccination of dogs and cats
http://www.petresource.com/articlesofinterest/texasvet.html

VACCINATION:Which ones do they really need and how often?
http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/m/m72/feature1.htm

Annual Dog Vaccines May Not be Necessary
Since the 1970s, the professor and chair of pathobiological sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine has been studying canine vaccines and has found that dogs are being over-vaccinated.

As a result, a group of canine vaccine experts has developed new veterinary guidelines that may eliminate the need to give annual shots to dogs.

Dogs receive up to 16 different vaccines each year, often combined into one shot. While four of the vaccines protect against serious diseases like rabies, canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), the others protect against much milder diseases that a dog may or may not be exposed to, such as Lyme disease.

However, over-vaccination can result in side effects such as skin problems, allergic reactions and autoimmune disease. Moreover, tumors have been found at the site of vaccine injections in cats, though not dogs.
<snip>

more...
http://www.mercola.com/2003/apr/2/dog_vaccines.htm

The whispers have grown to a roar. Just punch "vaccinosis" (over-vaccination) into a search engine and be prepared for an avalanche of articles on this highly volatile topic. Vaccinosis has gone from an issue often dismissed by veterinarians, to one that has caused many pet owners to rethink their pet's care.

An explosion of real-life stories regarding the likelihood of vaccine-related immune suppression leading to arthritis, skin diseases, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, spondylosis, epileptic seizures, loss of motor control, cancer, and even death has caused a revolution in pet stewardship.

Don't think you have anything to worry about? Ask yourself this: has your pet ever had a reaction such as fever,weakness, loss of appetite, swelling, itchy skin, rashes, even loss of consciousness after a vaccination? Has your vet asked you to monitor your dog for these reactions? What about behavioral changes following vaccination?

Aggressive behavior and unusual fearfulness have been known to occur following rabies vaccinations. Your dog's reaction is a red flag you should heed.
<snip>

more...
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_vaccination.php


Lots of info about holistic and alternative medicine for your pet at
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm
Go to this site and browse. There is endless info here.

Holistic Animal Health: Vaccinosis
Health Hazard of Routine Vaccination: placing our animals at risk
"Routine" vaccination has adverse side-effects, either short or long term. With vaccines that are repeated year after year, the frequency and severity of these side-effects in our pets has increased dramatically. Most of the problems involve the immune system. After all, the immune system is what vaccines are designed to stimulate. But they do so in a very unnatural way that can overwhelm and confuse the immune system." donna starita mehan DVM

Dr. Ronald D. Schultz, Ph.D..- "Annual revaccination provides no benefit and may increase the risk for adverse reactions. The percentage of vaccinated animals (those vaccinated only as puppies) protected from clinical disease after challenge with canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus and canine adenovirus in the study was greater than 95%." Current and Future Canine and Feline Vaccination Programs. Dr. Ronald Schultz is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine, UW-Madison. Schultz, R.D. - Current & Future Canine & Feline Vaccination Programs. Vet Med 3: No. 3, 233-254, 1998 more. A chart provided in the report shows immunity levels for all vaccines currently given to dogs lasting a minimum of 5 years with most lasting 7-15 years!