How many vaccines are normal???

W

Wagonracer

Forums Regular
I would like to hear from other Sheltie owners on the issue of vaccines. Aside from the standard 3 vaccines, my vet offers several others ranging from lyme disease to rattle snake. I have had people tell me most vaccines like the rattlesnake vaccine is so minimally beneficial that it really isn't worth getting. Should I be getting every vaccine offered or is it really necessary??? Thanks
 
Rattlesnake vaccine? Never heard of a vaccine for snake bite. Any vaccine for a poison rather than a disease is questionable. If there was an effective snake vaccine I would get one for my dogs (brown and tiger snakes though) as we do a lot of bushwalking and its my greatest fear.
 
I generally go the less is best route..my vet knows that and doesnt try to push anything on me than needed by law. I only do their parvo,distemper,rabies and lyme (because lyme disease is soo rampant here) otherwise they wouldnt get that either. I feel the same way for dogs as I do people, over vaccinating leads to their auto-immune system being weakened by being attacked.
 
I do: 7 way, bordatella, and rabies. That's it. No lyme. No rattlesnake. Nothing particularly obscure. Lyme you would perhaps only need if it was extremely prevalent in your area.
 
I agree with the others, less is best. if in doubt, call a few vets in your area to see what is routinely given.
 
The fewer vaccines you can give, the better. Lyme is ineffective (all my dogs who had it years ago still got Lyme) and most others are unnecessary except for the standard three. It was overvaccination that gave my Pixie canine epilepsy when she was a small puppy. If you have any doubt whether your dog is in need of a particular vaccine once it is older, ask your vet to do a titer which will tell you whether there are enough antibodies in their system that they don't need it. Many times this is the case. I always do titers on my dogs before vaccinating once they are 7 years and older. In the meantime, stick with the basic vaccines. Some vets will try to push additional ones on you...say no!
 
My dogs both get 7 way, bordatella, and rabies as well. I do think dogs should get bordatella (even if not necessary) because it is a nasty headache to deal with (had a foster dog with it once). I think if your dog goes into any place with a lot of other dogs, it should be considered.
 
Spencer gets the rabies shot (three year) and we do Bordatella since he spends a lot of time with me at the animal shelter. Also do Lyme since we have deer roaming the neighborhood frequently; I know Ann's pups (and Ann, herself) did get Lyme Disease so the vaccine doesn't necessarily work! Even though Spencer is only three years old, this year when vaccines were due, I did have titers done and his antibodies were such that he didn't need the vaccinations.
 
Well, here in California, I think the rattlesnake vaccine can be important, if your dog is going to be in areas where rattlesnakes are prevalent. The last dog I had, was given the rattlesnake vaccine at 2 years old. I took him hiking with me in out in the woods, near creeks, during hot weather. Spike was nosey and had his nose under every bush he could find. The vaccine gives you 1 to 2 hours to get your dog to the Vet and get treated. Without the vaccine your dog will die immediately after a rattlesnake strikes him. I will probably wait until next year to get the rattlesnake vaccine for Buddy. He isn't a year old yet, plus I will not be taking him out to other areas until he is better trained. The shots have to be done annually, but if you are in a high traffic area for rattlesnakes, it could definitely save your dogs life.
 
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