Vaccinations

[Ilona & Gina]

I have just received a reminder of our vet to get Gina's annual vaccination. However, here in Australia, the laws have changed, so that vaccinations are compulsory only every three years. How do other people in Australia deal with this? It was a big debate here, with a discussion that these annual shots are nothing but money making, and a health danger on top.

 

Gina has atopic dermatitis, which is well under control. However, after her last shot she broke out in really bad itches, had several courses of antibiotics and was sick for weeks. It took a detox and Chinese herbs to get her back on track. She can't take that much, as her immune system is not so stable.

 

Now the vet recommended to just vaccinate agains kennel cough. However, in spite of their shots, our two dogs had kennel cough last year. I don't know what to believe...

 

How often do other people have their dogs vaccinated, especially Australian dog owners (as here the laws changed just recently)? And how do you deal with this kennel cough shot  - or - not debate?

[Ossian]

I first noticed some anomalies in car vaccinations a few years ago. Cats and kitten were suffering some very adverse reactios. Challenged the pharma company stated it might have been a "bad batch" but did admit to changing several components in adult vaccines. Given that they also manufacture the dog vaccines I looked long and hard and discovered over the years that MANY dogs and puppies suffer unusual reactions. Skin conditions appearing, allergies which were never there before. In extreme cases paralysis and death occurred.

 

Mine are vaccinared as required at the beginning and if I feel its necessary then I will follow a three year rule.

 

UK has seen an upsurge in parvo - which is an unpleasant disease - but I have a feelng that is more to do with people who cant afford to have a puppy vaccinated in the first place.

 

I am lucky that I have a sitter if  have to leave the dogs and dont need kennels this nonsense about kennel cough vaccine for kenneling is rubbish. If you vaccinate agaist the three common strains and then the dog encounters another its pointless. Like measles and mumps etc I like my dogs to encounter kennel cough as "teenagers" and that way they have developed an immunity of their own.

 

I count myself very lucky with my vet who is completely trustworthy but I come across people all the time who have stories of huge bills and having been very frightened by a vet. The latest one I hear is "I think there mght be a problem wiyh the dogs heart... we will get hm scanned " (the cost for scasnning is in the region of £500) and of course the insurance is forking out mostly

 

Would weigh up the odds and think carefully about annual vaccinations. Kids get them once for all the normal ailmens and even tetanus is a ten year cycle.

[Sue and Cash]

I think there has been quite a movement in the USA in the same direction as Australia but not quick enough for most of us.  My vets want to do every vac, every year.  I refuse to do that.  I never had a couple of them due to our breeders suggestion, that if it is treatable and it only covers a few strains and there are dozens of strains out there, then why get it at all?

Lepto and Corona are two that I refused for that reason.  Cash had the one yr rabies and then he is allowed the 3 yr.  It is the law so I might have no choice on this one but to have it done this summer but I am annoyed since I know he is immune for probably 3 years more at least.  I hear the 1 yr and 3 yr are the same shot!  They just charge more for the 3 yr.  That is insane.  And they were pushing us on the kennel cough every year but might skip that as well this time.  In other words, I will only do what the state mandates I must and if you do decide to have them. spread them all out by weeks so you know what your dog reacted to.  Sue, I would not have Timber vaccinated anymore.  I was told by a specialist or two with our dogs that once they have immune issues it is not a good idea to vaccinate them.  You can have a health waiver if it is something your country insists on.

[Cheryl Gorey]

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about vaccinations and after reading an article in our Dogs Qld Magazine (which I have attached), I am confident that I will follow the regime of 3 yearly vaccinations with the standard C5 (Parvovirus, Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Bordatella bronchiseptica, two causes of "kennel cough").  There are a number of strains of Kennel Cough and the kennel cough vaccination doesn't cover all strains.  I think the vaccination should give some protection and hopefully if the dog catches another strain, they won't become as ill if they have no innoculation at all.  I'm not sure whether I will have the dogs vaccinated with the Canine Cough more frequently and I think the Leptosporosis vaccination still needs to be given annually, but I will discuss these issues when I am next at the vet.

My young girl, Bridget will be getting her 1st annual shots in April and then she will be 3 yearly and Clancy, who is 2 has just had his annual in November, so again 3 yearly for him.  My Emby who is 12 will not be getting any more vaccinations.  She has been on yearly all her life!

 

Some studies have shown that dogs having annual visits to the vets (when they go for their vaccinations) live longer and healthier lives, but it is attributed to the yearly check-up, so I think it is important for yearly check-ups to continue to ensure we catch any other underlying health conditions early, but we won't be putting unnecessary vaccines into their systems each year.

[Ilona & Gina]

Thank you all for your encouraging responses.

 

Although the law in Australia has changed, most vets did not tell their patients, I wonder why??

Our naturopath is the one who helps when the vets over medicated our dogs. Of course, he wants money, too, but I feel I can trust him more than the vet.

I just wonder why vet bill are covered by insurance, and naturopathy bills are not.

 

[Sue and Cash]

Breeder told me to forgo Lepto because it is highly suspect in causing reactions.  So I didn't get it. 

I still can in the future should I find it is something dogs seem to have around here. 

[Sue and Cash]

Tracy I have to be honest I don't know much about it at all.  You just educated me on where it comes from in fact.  No rats around here that I have ever seen, mice yes.  How long do you think the Lepto vac lasts?  Like if you got it as a pup, is it about every three years then?

[Cheryl Gorey]

I have also heard that rats urinate on food, so if anyone has rats in their area then food and water needs to be secure so that there can be no contamination.  Never leave food or water out overnight for dogs.  Also, where rats dwell in dams and then dogs swim in dams, although you would think it would be very diluted in this type of waterhole.  I live in a country area where we do have rats nearby, so I do vaccinate for Lepto.  LIke Tracy said, rather risk a reaction than the disease.  "Touch Wood"  none of my dogs have ever had a reaction to their vaccinations.  I hope they never do.