Conversations with my Vet
Brought 4 of my kitties in today for their annual boosters and 3 year rabies shots for all. Fortunately, I have a wonderful vet and bringing in all four at once they give me a 40% discount. Quite a substantial savings! In my conversation with her she mentioned recent studies have shown, but not proved as yet, as there are no current studies currently being done - that vaccines may not be needed annually. In fact some may be good for 3 or 5 years. Of course she said, most vaccine companies are not going to tell the general public that as they want folks to vaccinate their pets annually. I don't want to give people the wrong info but for those whom are cash strapped and have already had their pets innoculated several times in the past this may help a little. The point was not to stop innoculations but perhaps they were only needed every 2-3 years. Just wanted to leave this open to discussion as to what members on here thought about this. I should mention Mama Kat is 9 (adopted by me at the age of 7), Daisy is 5, Paris is 4, and Lil Girl is 3. Since kittenhood or entering my home all have had yearly shots and been neutered or spayed. I think the point the vet was trying to make was innoculations are extremely important the first couple years and especially those given in kitten and puppyhood and then done yearly afterwards but...after a couple years annual innoculations may not have to be done 'annually" but every 2-4 years. She mentioned some studies have shown that they may be good for even up to five years. As many of you may have heard me mention in past post I've had some very elderly pets live in my home. Oscar, Fe'line and Ralph (felines) all lived to the ages of 21 and 19, previous to that it was Squeeky, Shalomie, and a host of other cats that also lived to the ages of 19 and all were cats that had outdoor access. Each was innoculated yearly but I would stop at aprox the ages of 15 as the innoculations were getting more dangerous for them at that age and I always felt their bodies had enough of the medicines from yearly shots previous to that. It was the same with the dogs each lived long life spans and with Shaggy whom developed an immune system problem , her shots were not given after the age of 9 but given yearly before that. In my area recently there was a story of two cats whom were put to sleep as a result of one bringing in a rabid bat. Sadly the cats were not up to date on their innoculations and even tho they didn't show symptoms they were put down as a precaution. I realized my cats had been overdue for theirs by a couple weeks and that article pushed me to call my vet for their appointment. I guess we should go on the side of caution especially those of us that have cats that go outside or often take our dogs in the woods for walks. Another thing I discussed with the vet that may interest some of you is they keep the pets medical records even after their passing. This may vary from vet office but I was suprised to find out Shaggy's vet records were still intact even tho she passed in 2003. I had hoped to pass them on to Aspen's mom and dad in hopes it could help them but sadly found out Aspen sadly passed away this Thursday. I encouraged them to post on the Rainbow Bridge when they are ready. This records especially concerning that Shaggy's immune deficiency thrombocytopenia is still a rarity in the dog world are important and I have no problems in passing them along to other dog owners or vets to go over and see what worked in her case as she was one of the few to survive the dreaded disease which attacks the immune system, much like Aids or Leukemia. After 2 years I can look at them where I don't think I would have been able to earlier and wouldn't have thought to ask for them after her passing. Anyhow just thought I'd pass along the info I learned today to you guys. Marianne |
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| It is my understanding too that the immunizations last longer then a year.
You can have a blood test done to confirm the levels but, it is much more expensive than getting another shot! |
| My vet no longer gives annual shots.... can't remember the schedule (haven't had enough coffee yet this morning) but it's is a different schedule than it was before. Once years ago I did have to have a cat put down after an encounter with a rabid racoon because her rabies was overdue. It was heart breaking and I've never let a shot be forgotten since. My daughter and I also had to have the rabies series as a result (we broke up the fight) and the was not fun either!!! |
| I had posted a topic similar in the medical and nutrition section on Saturday January 21. Yesterday I took Fred in to get his vaccinations. While I was there I asked the vet about over vaccinating and do our pets really need annual shots. What she had explained to me was that in the event that an animal would come down with a particular disease that he or she was innoculated for, as long as protocol was followed administering the vaccination, the manufacturer of the vaccination would aid in the vet bills of the sick animal. I have been told in the past that no vaccination is 100% effective in keeping an animal from getting that particular disease he or she is being innoculated for. She told me that studies were being done but not enough data has been collected yet to make any changes regarding booster shots. She said that right now the only shot she would advise to administer annually, until the studies are completed, are the parvo/distemper vaccinations because these diseases are life threating and a horrible way to die, and of course the 3 yr. rabies which is required by law. Any other vaccination would be up to the owner and would depend on where the dog travels to, i.e. dog parks, boarding kennels, dog shows etc. As I mentioned in my post I am torn on what to do regarding vaccinations. I really feel like I am damned if I do and damned if I don't. |
| Go up ot the top of the page at the Google bar, switch over to web and type in vaccination protocol. Pretty much what has been said here. After reading it though, I will not vaccinate my 11 year old Pyr. She has 2 more years on her rabies, wonder if she'll make it? Even then I doubt I'd subject her to the serum.
Several other dogs are in the 7 year old range so I"ll have to think this over. Jack will continue to get his boosters for another year or so as we don't know his age or previoius history. Since he came knowing commands, I suspect he too could go on a reduced regime. |
| Sheepie Boss, Thank you for the information regarding the vaccination protocol webpage. I think I will be following the Doctor's advice. |
| Hi Jack,
Apologies for have missed your post in the medical forum. Wow amazing how we both were thinking of the same thing! Thanks to Sheepie boss for the info as well. Yup kinda damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. I had my three boys in a kennel in the summer and had to have all innoculations up to date before they accepted them. Not many worries regarding Merlin who is 2, Panda is 5, but Blue is nearing 17 (although he acts 2 most days) I worried about his innoculations. I had a private sitter in place who was going to watch them for the week in my home but due to circumstances I had to place them in a kennel instead. Marianne and the boys |
| Marianne, I have a pet sitter that comes to my home and stays overnight when I am away. She is a retired vet tech and the animals love her.....so do I. She only charges me $30 a day for all of my crew, and I have alot. I used her in September when I went on a cruise to Alaska. When I got home and walked in the house the dogs looked at me as if to say "O it's only you".... so I knew she did well with them. I am going to go on the three year basis with my vaccinations. My gut feeling tells me that they have no need for annual ones. When I went to the vet yesterday I had to get Fred all of them again because I have to take him in to have his teeth cleaned, and I know they will require the vaccinations to be updated. I can understand where the vets are coming from though. I opened a dog day care center a few years ago and I required all of my guest to be updated on their vaccinations also. I could not afford to have one dog affect another dog which could have led to some serious health conditions and possible legal problems for me. Thank God nothing like that ever happened. |
| Hi,
That's the ideal situation in their own home environment, I agree. I had the best person lined up. She was a good friend I met at the dog park and often would meet up with to take our dogs on long hike to the woods. My dogs loved her. She was also a dog groomer too and really tried to develope trust in Panda regarding that issue. Sounds perfect doesn't it? Two days before she was supposed to dogsit she mentioned her new parolee boyfriend whom was in a halfway house and how much she was in love with him. Warning bells went off and I said "I feel badly for taking you away from him for the week" and she said "no he's coming with me". I felt terrible for her and still am racked with quilt but had to tell her "no thanks I'm just not comfortable with that". I just couldn't have some stranger staying at my house with her so with only 1 day to find someone I had to scramble to get their shots done and they stayed at a kennel recommended by my vet. Marianne and the boys |
| I was told many years ago that the rabies shot was good for 3 years. The thing about getting them each year is legalities, in case the animal would bite someone. Since they require (at least in Indiana) an annual shot, you could run into law suits without the shots....blah blah blah..... That was reason enough for me to continue, but I think if the shots are good for three years the laws should reflect that. |
My brother is a vet and he told me that the annual shots actually last longer than a year. He also said that most vets really don't tell you that cause they want you to come in yearly ($$$$$????)  |
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