Vaccinations for Dogs & Cats

[PlateletGal]

I love my new vet ! Not only did his clinic find out immediately why one of my dogs had diarrhea, even after two other vets missed it.... but my vet shares the same views that I have on vaccinations. I had taken one of my dogs to have her rabies shot and we did the vaccination. Afterwards, he noticed in my dog's previous medical records that I like to have titers ran first, before I vaccinate my dogs for other diseases. He told me that I was wise and explained to me that, because of the research and his own personal testing on this, he has started to recommend to patients to check their pet's titer first to make sure that they don't need an unnecessary vaccination. I can only tell you that every time I've done this, my pet's titers were always within normal range. It saved my dogs from being over vaccinated and that is very important to me. In late 2004, I lost one of my dogs only two weeks after she had a Parvo vaccination. A year later, I read that Parvo vaccinations (and especially over vaccinating your pets)... was linked to ITP. ITP is classified as an autoimmune disease and it causes a very low platelet count. It took my dog's life and I have no doubt that the Parvo vaccination was responsible for my dog's condition. Had I checked her Parvo titer first... this wouldn't have happened or her untimely death would have been delayed.

[twinbee]

I've never heard of checking the dogs titers before. I just took my dog yesterday for his yearly check up. With all the vaccinations and blood work it cost me $441.00!!! I was shocked at the high cost. I am concerned now because every year my dog gets the Parvo vaccine.

[catdvm]

Vaccine protocol for dogs and cats has changed based on new research showing protection from a vaccine for adult (emphasis on adult) dogs lasts longer than the vaccine manufacturers and other researchers could previously prove.  Note this new protocol (how long between vaccines) only applies to adult dogs and cats.  Puppies must still have boosters every 3-4 weeks to get full protection.

All vaccines in all types of species have the potential for problems - ranging from allergic reactions on up.  (Medications also have this same issue of potential for causing issues).  Obviously some vaccines and medications are considered safer than others.  The evaluation of any vaccine relies in identifying the risk of disease you are vaccinating against versus the risk of the vaccine.  I have seen parvovirus and distemper cases and it is not something I wish on any animal or owner.

How much of any disease is seen in a specific location can vary so a veterinarian has to evaluate that when deciding how long between vaccines they recommend.  I can only speak for the area where I live.  
In our area (Houston) we have moved to vaccinating adult animals against rabies every 3 years and adult dogs against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza every 3 years.  For cats the rhinotracheitis  and panleukopenia (FVRCP) has moved to every 3 years.  

So kittens and puppies still receive their boosters every 3-4 weeks.  A year after their first rabies they receive another one and then every 3 years thereafter.  

Your veterinarian should be able to answer why he or she uses a vaccine and why he or she has decided how often to give it.  This may vary from location to location and based on how often your pet may be getting exposed to these viruses.  My cat never goes outside so much different than if he went outside.  

[PlateletGal]

I hate to tell you this, but the titers are also costly. In fact, I think that I pay more for checking my dog's titers, than I would pay for a vaccination. But I think this is the way to go (for me anyway) because I do not want to over vaccinate my dogs.