Shots

[tiffany2008]

I have a 6 month old yorkshire terrier.  He has already had his rabie shot 2 months ago and worming.  I also been giving him his heartworm meds once a month.  When does he need more shots?

[ibizan]

google Dr.Jean Dodds Veterinary Protocols and the changed standards for vaccines and hazards of overvaccinating.Vaccines should be dependent on your dogs lifestyle and what he/she is xposed 2.My dog received a 3 yr. rabies shot at age 8 and within 24 hrs. he was a total mess.Diagnosed with intestinal lymphantegica an autoimmune disorder.I spent thousands of dollars over 2 years trying to get him better,worked for a year and a half....i was lucky he survived that long but he relapsed and this disease took him..i helped him out of his misery.I agree with Dr.Dodds standards and never again will any of my dogs have a rabies shot.I will weigh risks against benefits!Thank god rabies shots in my county is not law....if it was i would fight for a medical exclusion.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

The first Rabies vaccine is good for one year.  Depending where you live booster Rabies vaccine is given yearly, every two years, or every three years.

Other yearly vaccines include distemper combination, Lyme vaccine, lepto vaccine and others depending on your location.  These are boosted yearly after the first year.  Distemper vaccine requires 2 to 3 vaccines prior to the first year, Lyme and Lepto require two.

Some vets preform vaccine titers after year 2 instead of just giving the vaccine.  If the titers are adequate the booster vaccine does not have to be given for that year.