Pearl and Vaccinations????
Is this true??? I consulted with my vet yesterday, and he stated the Bordetella,DHPP are not needed, but, to be safe, she should still have the rabies. I will do whatever needed, of course, but she is pretty much homebound and just enjoying her time with all of us. She has not gone on a therapy visit for a couple of months, and, if I decide NOT to revaccinate, I will inform Support Dogs that she is fully retired. However, if the opinions here are in favor of it, I may do a few easy visits, just to see her smile again..... need help.... |
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| That can be a tough one. I tend to give one last vaccine for rabies into old age, then stop. Simon had one last year (at 11) and it will be his last. I did retire him from therapy dog volunteering as of Dec 31, 2010 as well. Harley had his last at 11.5, he's 13.5 now and won't get more. Travis's min pin Dino (  ) got one this spring at 12, it will be his last as well.All these guys got them as pups, booster at a year, and then every 3 years since then. That's enough. The Rabies Challenge is doing a 5 yr and 7 yr immunity study - I can't wait to see the results! |
| I went through this debate in my mind as well with my Lucy and I went with my vet's suggestion which is the same as you mention which is to eliminate unnecessary vaccinations for senior dogs. Since she was with me all of the time, and I didn't board her or bring her to strange places, I just got her rabies shot which is required by law. Lucy wasn't a working dog though and didn't go on therapy visits so she was home-bound or at family/friends houses. I did away with the other vaccinations starting at about 13 until she passed at 15. |
| Your vet can give you the best advice for this, but as for the rabies vaccination, you need to consider your state laws. Years ago, as a vet tech, we had several instances of caring for "unvaccinated" dogs and cats. In a nutshell, if the rabies vaccination was even 1 day overdue, they were legally considered unvaccinated. This means that if the animal either bit, or was bitten by an unknown animal, the owners were faced with either euthanasia or quarantine of up to 6 months (very expensive, and stressful for the animals). Also, to maintain their operating license, vet practices were (at least where I was) required to report any bites to or by an "unvaccinated" animal, even if they thought there was no danger of rabies. Bear in mind this is based on the legal definition, rather than the medical definition. I wouldn't worry so much about Pearl biting, but you never know when a skunk, raccoon, opossum, or other critter may decide to tangle with her. Remember, too, that many boarding facilities and vets require proof of vaccination(s) before accepting your dog. I had a wonderful boarding facility that took my furbabies in on just a few hours notice due to a sudden hospitalization in the family. I had no time to get their shots before we left, so it's a good thing they were up-to-date. As I said, your vet should be best informed on current practices and/or requirements, so that is your first, best resource. Local animal control may be able to give you answers from a legal standpoint as well. It's a tough decision. Good luck! |
| True - and I should add in that I'm in Minnesota, and we do not have a rabies law like that. MN is actually one of only 10 states that do not. Not necessarily a good thing not to have, but I am not breaking any laws either.  |
| yes..The MO law is Rabies and a rabies tag on the dog at all times. So, what to do????? I appreciate all your input and I guess I have to make a decision soon as her shots are up at the end of the month. Dino thinks we should just leave her be,,,,,,I think so too, and yet?????? She is so underweight, and frail at this point, I am afraid at how she is going to react ... Gosh!!!! All this worry, anxiety for a DOG?????? I must be crazy!!!! At least that is what the girls at the office are saying about me......  |
| I would not do it personally....but how about having her titer drawn as a compromise?? Then you will know if she has immunity and she wouldn't have to get a vaccine she likely doesn't need?? |
| Are rabies vaccinations THAT jolting to the system? I'd hate for Pearl to not have the shot and then something happen like Jonsey describes and have her taken away. Are there weaker versions of the vaccination for sick and older animals? Something to satisfy the law but not hurt the animal? |
| I would just have a titer done and not re vaccinate. So many studies have proven not only is it unnecessary but also can be very harmful, it's only the lawmakers who haven't caught up with the times. |
| I too was told that if you have a Titer done, you can see if she still has enough vaccine in her system to skip it. I had stopped vaccinating my cats when they hit 16- I too was afraid of how it would affect their systems. But they were indoors all the time, and not exposed to so many diseases. However, without a certificate form the vet either of a Titer test or of vaccination, she can't be boarded, enrolled in classes, and it may affect her ability to do her therapy dog activities. You might want to check with the organization you guys work with to see if they need updated vaccination certificates yearly. |
got sheep wrote: I would not do it personally....but how about having her titer drawn as a compromise?? Then you will know if she has immunity and she wouldn't have to get a vaccine she likely doesn't need?? Excellent advice, Dawn! Val - many states allow exemptions for health reasons and will accept a titer instead. Why not call your local licensing board and simply ask? She'd easily qualify for an exemption, I should think, (if one is available where you live) by virtue of her Cushing's. Kristine |
I am doing that now...GREAT suggestion.....will let you know the outcome!!! Thanks All!!!! |
| how do you pronounce it... t-long I-ter.. or t-short I-ter sorry to be so dumb.... I called and 'they' are calling me back to check to see if the City of St. Louis accepts this in lieu of the actual vaccine.  If they do...then I will contact Support Dogs to see if they accept it too~~~ |
Long "I" - like miter - as in "miter saw" ...can you tell I watch too many home improvement shows???  Good luck! |
| pronounce; tie-ter emphasis first syllable And fingers crossed KB  |
  I DID pronounce it correctly, although I ALMOST said...Titter (t..short i..) Am still waiting..but in the meantime, I TRIED to look online at the St. Louis Animal Control site for the specific laws regarding Rabies and ...  ..there is NO INFORMATION!!!!!!  |
| My vet quits yearly vaccinations at age 7. He started this when the the studies were published several years ago by the major vet schools. He said finally, he had something to back him up so he could do what he knew was best for the dog not best for the law & the drug companies. My dogs generally get their last rabies at the age of 10 simply because the law here says every 3 years & most of them pass away before the age of 13 when it would be due again. Isaac is due but he never leaves my sight other than when he is in the kennel here in the house. I go outside with him at all times & he is in a completely enclosed dog run when outside. Here you have to list your rabies tag # when you get your dog license every year. We have to get them before Januray 31st. My chances of him still being alive then are pretty much nil so I opted to not get the rabies for him, this time around. I just didn't want to risk a chance of an autoimmune epiosode at his age, espcially since years ago I had 2 OES die form AIHA. The other 2, Bortadella they still get although it is a new kind with the flue vaccine in it. That's because I take them to shows etc. I guess you just have to do what you feel comfortable with. |
| Oscar just turned 7 in May. He gets the three-year rabies vaccine, and my vet told me, when he was 4, that we would have a discussion about whether or not to vaccinate for rabies when he turned 7. Oscar gets titer tested for everything else, and hasn't needed any additional booster vaccines in the last four years. He's due for his routine exam in September, and if we decide not to vaccinate, here in Illinois we can get a health exception waiver. When Oscar had his last rabies shot three years ago, my vet said that titer testing for rabies wasn't an option as there wasn't a recommended level where an animal was most likely protected. Hopefully, that has changed by now. If Pearl were my girl, I would not vaccinate either. Just seems like alot to put on her immune system. Laurie and Oscar |
Oscar's Mom wrote: If Pearl were my girl, I would not vaccinate either. Just seems like alot to put on her immune system. Laurie and Oscar Ditto at that age, even though we dont vaccinate for rabies here go if OK in your state a titer test to see and if that is OK with your county. My lot I dont vaccinate after a certain age for anything, my belief is we dont do it to human kids every year. That goes for all the vaccines for dogs especially when they are into there golden years. eg. My peppa had cancer at 7 years old, all stopped as far as vaccinations were concerned, she lived till 14, next girl stopped vacs at 6 after a few scares and again 14 years when we had to say goodbye. Brie I stoppped at 5 1/2 she is 9 now and has not caught any heebie geebies. Her kids, full set of puppy vacs followed a year later by the annual C5 vaccination and after now not annually, so much data on over vaccinatons makes one wonder what we are putting each year into our fur babies systems. If I have any worries about the youngsters then I will titer test to see if anything or if at all is needed. According to Dr. Jean dobbs they should like human kids be viable for life. Just saying this also, Mim had tiggy done last year with a C5 here vacs and Tiggy broke out in "hives". The annual booster with my youngsters both had lumps at the injection site which took months to go away.  We here are behind the as they say "eight Ball" as far as a reputable vaccination protocal is concerned. Here just changed recently from after full set of puppy vacs followed by that by 12 months later an annual booster then every 3 years after that, which my opinion is still way too much, I would rather titer test to see if or if any, is needed, especially if dogs are around lots of others.Talking about the C5 here, babette brought home from a dog show Kennel cough, her and Syd were UTD with coverage of the 2 types we vacs for, I found out one only last 6 months the other 12 months, (mum) has not been vaccinated for that for years and guess what ?  She was least affected then her son and daughter. So many are we doing the right thing or not when it comes to all types of vaccinations for our fur babies. With Peart if you can and OK as far as rabies is concerned and thye accept a titer test for your region rather then the vacs at her age is IMO the way to go. She is so elderly now, hard to compromise her immune system with loading her up un-nessarily.  Find out about if they accept a titer test and with pearl there is still all she needs in her system to guard and be legal as far as that area is concerned with regards to rabies. Hopefully you dont have to re-vacs her for that at her golden age |
| dr. jean dodd's vaccination protocol Age of Puppy Vaccine Type 9-10 weeks Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy DPV) 14 weeks Same as Above 16 -18 weeks (optional) same as above - optional 20 weeks or older, if allowable by law Rabies 1 year Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV 1 year Rabies, killed 3-year product (give 3-4 weeks apart from distemper/parvovirus booster) Perform vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus every three years thereafter, or more often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request. See http://www.Rabies Challenge Fund.org Where I got the information. http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-C ... TOCOLS.HTM http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/ Lots of good information in this link. |
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