Whats your vaccination plan for your dogs? - Page 6

My vet (whom I respect and trust as a vet) recommends vax'ing for Lepto, since we live in an area where it can be spread by wild animals or as easily as rat urine on the street or alley.  She has the education and credentials to back up what she says and does tons of research to develop her own protocals, so I would say everyone take into consideration what your vet says.  It's all opinions, even with vets, as many disagree on certain things.  She often expresses disagreement with other vets or protocals.  It is a real concern.  I have known dogs to die of lepto because it was not diagnosed easily or soon enough.  My vet explained to me how it's not always easy to diagnose and dogs do die of it, and even if they don't die, the spirochete (Lepto) attacks the kidneys and liver and can cause perminant damage.  There are also considerations for certain breeds and bloodlines who have had adverse reactions to Lepto vax.

With that said, I do not vaccinate my dogs for Lepto.  I have what you could call a "general distrust" in vaccines in general, but that's me.  I don't think my reasons matter as much because I do not have the educational background and knowledge of a good veterinarian.

But here's a reason to at least keep Rabies vaccines UTD-- Just got a call yesterday from someone whose dog had literally scratched a neighbors small dog (by pawing at), and the neighbor called the police.  Because the dog was not up to date on rabies vax, the dog is now quarantened at the vet for 10 days, at the end of which the dog will recieve the vaccine.  At 40-something bucks a night, it's a hassle to do a rabies quarantene.

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From kacey:

"But, if I want to kennel, groom, partake in workshops, classes etc., ...the first thing I need to produce is proof of vaccinations."

This is where I'm at- as long as I want to take obedience classes with my trainer then Senta will be vaccinated yearly. I assume that the trainer requires proof of vaccinations for liability purposes. We really enjoy taking classes with the trainer so it will be awhile before I'll be able to make my own decision about vaccinations- but when I do so, I'll be reading the vet journal literature so that I can be comfortable with my decision.

From kacey:

"But, if I want to kennel, groom, partake in workshops, classes etc., ...the first thing I need to produce is proof of vaccinations."

This is where I'm at- as long as I want to take obedience classes with my trainer then Senta will be vaccinated yearly. I assume that the trainer requires proof of vaccinations for liability purposes. We really enjoy taking classes with the trainer so it will be awhile before I'll be able to make my own decision about vaccinations- but when I do so, I'll be reading the vet journal literature so that I can be comfortable with my decision.

My dogs are 14, 12, 11, and 5 1/2.  With the 3 oldest, back in the day when protocol was what it was, I gave annual vaccines.  But over the years, I realized annual vaccines were nonsense.  My dogs have not received anything other than Rabies for well over 5 years now.  And the 11 year old is highly allergic to the Rabies vac. so that is not given anymore.  I don't do titers as I feel it's not needed because my dogs are not around other dogs often enough to be concerned.
The 5 yr old has had his first series of vaccines, now only gets his Rabies.