what to do about dog's vaccinations

zaksmum

Sooz00 wrote: »

How is your dog doing now he's had his booster Zaksmum? Hope he's been okay this time. My dog had exactly the same reaction as yours, but for slightly longer. It was horrible but my vet was very good and diligent which helped.

Hi Sooz. He was very quiet again, just curled up on the sofa in a little tight unhappy ball, trembling. At least this time he wasn't vomiting so that's something. He was like this for the rest of the day, and refusing food too, but totally back to normal next morning thank God.

Sooz00

manda1205 wrote: »

Did you have this done then? What were his levels, did he still need the booster jab? Just interested to see if his levels of protection were still high.
We choose not to have our dog(or cat) vacinated every year. She had her first puppy ones, then her first yearly one, since then she has had nothing and will not. We will probably pay to get her bloods tested in a few years time to see if she still has imunisation, if not I may reconsider and have her vacinated again, although I would be surprised if that is the case. The exact same goes for our cat too. I just wish we could have more research done into it in this country as the US have.

Hi Manda - sorry, I don't check the forum everyday so just catching up now. Yes, he did have the titre tests and they were sent off to Glasgow. The results were bizarre. The yearly part of the vaccine showed his antibodies were good, but for the part that the manufacturer's license is to be given every three years had low antibodies (he'd had that one the year before so it should have been high-acceptable for another two years). Apparently, my vet ended up discussing the results in detail with Michael Day for half an hour at the London vet show last month.

Edit - forgot to say that Glasgow University Companion Animal Diagnostic department charged the vaccine company £36 for the titre tests. I'm guessing that's what they would also charge the vet if you had them done privately but then the vet would probably add a bit on top of that.

Sooz00

zaksmum wrote: »

Hi Sooz. He was very quiet again, just curled up on the sofa in a little tight unhappy ball, trembling. At least this time he wasn't vomiting so that's something. He was like this for the rest of the day, and refusing food too, but totally back to normal next morning thank God.

That's good that it was less than 24 hours this time, poor boy. It's horrible when they are not right, worse when it's caused by something we give to help them. Give him a cuddle for me. It's still worth logging it as a reaction on the VMD SAR website so the manufacturer is aware. It can only helps make the products safer.

Granny_Sue

I'm probably going to be very unpopular but I do not get my dogs vaccinated, ever. They are fed on a raw diet and build their own immunities. I am not prepared to put a chemical into my dogs' bodies. They are never wormed with chemicals or de-flead - no need to. Result.....healthy dogs, beautiful soft coats and sparkling white teeth.

zaksmum

Granny_Sue wrote: »

I'm probably going to be very unpopular but I do not get my dogs vaccinated, ever. They are fed on a raw diet and build their own immunities. I am not prepared to put a chemical into my dogs' bodies. They are never wormed with chemicals or de-flead - no need to. Result.....healthy dogs, beautiful soft coats and sparkling white teeth.

I can well understand your point of view Sue. But as I've had them insured since they were puppies, to fail to have them vaccinated would have invalidated their insurance so I might as well have given their policies up.

The female dog is nearly 9 now, so NOT a good time to stop her insurance!

Paradigm

zaksmum wrote: »

But as I've had them insured since they were puppies, to fail to have them vaccinated would have invalidated their insurance so I might as well have given their policies up.

Do you have the policy wording to hand or is it available online?

This is something I've had a keen interest in for some time due to the variations in wording & it's possible implications regarding any claims.

Thanks.

This is AXAs response to a query on the subject....

Further to our conversation on the phone earlier today, you requested what we discussed in writing.
After speaking to my manager I confirmed that we would assess one claim if the vaccinations were not up to date and that the condition wasn't likely to have been prevented by having the vaccinations. We would strongly advise that the vaccinations where then carried out to prevent any complications if you need to submit any future claims.
I can also confirm that it would be OK to have vaccinations which last three years instead of one so long as the vets can confirm this in writing.
Kind Regards,

krlyr

Granny_Sue wrote: »

I'm probably going to be very unpopular but I do not get my dogs vaccinated, ever. They are fed on a raw diet and build their own immunities. I am not prepared to put a chemical into my dogs' bodies. They are never wormed with chemicals or de-flead - no need to. Result.....healthy dogs, beautiful soft coats and sparkling white teeth.

But a dog's life is far from natural, in the wild an animal with worms would either find a way to get rid of them or die. If they were more prone to picking up diseases, they'd fail to reproduce. "Survival of the fittest" doesn't apply in our domesticated version of the wolf, just look a the breeds that struggle to give birth - or even breed! - without human intervention.
I don't like to go OTT with the chemicals but I would definately consider at least having one set of vaccinations - whether they need repeating every year is a different matter. I also use flea treatments due to lungworm having cropped up in my area - on some occasions, being fatal to the dogs infected. I don't know of any natural remedies that can kill off a lungworm infestation, and I'm not sure I would take the chance, as the symptoms don't tend to show until lots of damage has been caused.

Paradigm

krlyr wrote: »

I don't like to go OTT with the chemicals but I would definately consider at least having one set of vaccinations - whether they need repeating every year is a different matter. I also use flea treatments due to lungworm having cropped up in my area - on some occasions, being fatal to the dogs infected. I don't know of any natural remedies that can kill off a lungworm infestation, and I'm not sure I would take the chance, as the symptoms don't tend to show until lots of damage has been caused.

I would agree with giving the puppy/1st course of vaccinations to any dog in the same way you would immunise a child. I'm very anti boosters but to give no vaccs at all is a step too far for me.

Lungworm: It's not an issue as yet where I am but it's a nasty infection if your dog/cat gets it. Be careful when treating as not all wormers/flea treatments are effective.

AFAIK Advocate & Panacur work... Drontal doesn't. If you live in an area with a lungworm problem consult your vet.

Gothicfairy

All mine have had their puppy jabs and first year boosters and then nothing more..been like that for 30 odd years and before that my father never had any of his done at all.
We had working animals and pets and so far none have become ill due to lack of shots..Cancer and the like yes but never anything they caught.

My vet is very happy with the dogs and has no issue with the lack of booster so until something changes I will carry on as before.

krlyr

I'm of a similar mindsight Gothicfairy. We too (my parentsf/family) didn't do annual boosters, but lived in a semi-rural location so never really came across other dogs. I feel mine are a bit more exposed now though, since we live in a more built-up area and often go on group dog walks meeting various dogs - plus their insurance has a requirement for them to be vaccinated, and I may need to make use of kennels in an emergency, so I choose to booster when needed.

(to Paradigm - yup, I use Advocate, I don't really use it for fleas/ticks/worms as I've never had an issue with them in my dogs, but the lungworm thing does worry me as my mum's pup had it as well as some other local dogs having suffered from it)