Are annual booster vaccinations needed?

albacookie

The last parvo case I saw the dog was 12 and had its puppy jabs but none since.
You can take a blood test to check the antibody level before you vaccinate and see if its necessary if you prefer.

MrsE_2

oystercatcher wrote: »

It's not only the vaccination you get for the £30. My dogs have a complete checkover when they have their booster and a discussion on any small relevant problems like dental care which I wouldn't have booked an appointment for otherwise this can avoid large bills later and also picks up on any other health problems.

Thats why I think its worth it, even if they vaxs aren't strictly needed to boost.

UKTigerlily

FC I think you're right about Lepto, Chaya *must* have Lepto every 12 months as part of her Pets as Therapy 'job' but others can be three yearly IIRC. She also has to have her vaccinations as a condition of her adoption, her insurance & boarding kennels. Why would everyone insist she's vaccinated each year if they weren't needed? She'd have them anyway but four places insist on it, so even more reason.
Sadly someone near me has a Pup of six months old & he's had his first part of the primary vaccination but not the second until next week & he's already out & around other Dogs & she just said she knows a four year old that's never been vaccinated & is ok so he will be grrr

Ruby_Moon

LusciousLuce wrote: »

But that's the key - a puppy has a very very slim chance of surviving parvo. And even if it does survive, having seen first hand on far too many occasions just how much puppies & adults suffer with parvo, there is absolutely no earthly way I would risk this.

As far as I understand things, immunity is not indefinite for most conditions, but length can vary, so some diseases may have very long-term immunity while others are relatively short-term.

I know lots of people will say they have had unvaccinated dogs live to a ripe old age, but I also know (even more) dogs that have lived to a ripe old age and been vaccinated. I also know far too many people consider vaccinating when they need to kennel their dog, but a walk on the park can be far more dangerous in terms of exposure to disease than a few days in kennels. A dog died in our surgery a fortnight ago from parvo, and the only place the owner had taken the dog was the local park. Tragic.

Dogs can die of Parvo even if they have had the jab. It doesn't mean they won't get it, just that they may not get it as bad.
As for the kennel comment, yes, you are right. Far more dangerous in the park but people get the jabs done because the kennels have it as a requirement, not because they think pooch will catch something.
A puppy may also die of Parvo even if they have never been out of the house as the Parvo virus is everywhere and can be brought into homes on the bottom of our shoes. The virus can live up to 2 years on our carpets and floorings.