Shots for your Shelties

Terry said:
I thought I asked a pretty good question since there is always a debate with different opinions. I still didnt get alot of answers about the shots for Shelties.And then it jumped to children getting their shots. Seems like that should have been a whole different subject, just saying.:lol: And with my main question I sure didnt mean to stir the pot. I had kind of made up my own mind about it anyway but just wanted to get other opinions.


Terry & Blysse
Click to expand...

Yes, vaccinations are a hot topic.

I follow Dr. Jean Dodds protocol for vaccinations.

Here is her website with the information:
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM

Since we were all open and shared our opinions on the vaccination protocols that we use, with you.....can you share with us what you decided to do and why? It is great to hear many different opinions! Thanks.
 
Terry said:
I thought I asked a pretty good question since there is always a debate with different opinions. I still didnt get alot of answers about the shots for Shelties.And then it jumped to children getting their shots. Seems like that should have been a whole different subject, just saying.:lol: And with my main question I sure didnt mean to stir the pot. I had kind of made up my own mind about it anyway but just wanted to get other opinions.


Terry & Blysse
Click to expand...

Vaccines and food are like politics and religion :smile2:

I always look at the risk matrix for any vaccine. I look at age, exposure, location, and then decide what to do.

My dogs are at a lot of shows, so I dont give bordatella. They get plenty of natural exposure by being around that many other dogs for a short time. Like a new elementary school teacher will eventually develop immunity, but they may catch a few before that happens. When we had kennel cough a few years ago, the older show dogs didn't catch it. But the puppies, older dogs, and stay at home dogs did.

All of my dogs at this point are beyond the three years for distemper/parvovirus. If I could find the distemper shot by itself, I'd give it. But my dogs don't need the others in the combo shots. Last time I saw my vet, he had a recommendation, but I haven't been able to get all the dogs down there, and he won't sell me the shots by themselves so I can give them at home.

My neighborhood doesn't have a lot of deer, and I rarely see ticks on my dogs. Two have already had and beaten Lyme (as much as one can), so I don't give the Lyme vaccine. My parents are in the woods, and have been struggling with Lyme I one of their dogs, so the rest do get the Lyme vaccine. Thier risk is much higher than mine. Were I to travel back to Massachusetts, where my dogs got it to begin with, I would reconsider.

So it's all about managing risk and exposure as to what vaccines to give.
 
My 16 week old Toby goes in tomorrow for his core and rabies vacc :(. A person may disagree with that, but if I respect your educated decision to not vaccinate, respect my educated decision to vaccinate!

I believe those of us who are here on the forum obviously love our pets to a level few understand, (except for us crazies :razz:). And we will do what we personally feel is best for our pets..

With all that in mind, keep puppy Toby in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow :wink2:
 
ClantyreSheltie said:
Just another rambling thought. Check the contract from your breeder, you may invalidate the warranty by giving multiple vaccines at the same time.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the heads up but the only precaution I was given was to not give the Lepto. However, I will talk to the Vet about spacing out the vaccines. :yes:
 
I for one don't believe that dogs or kids needs to vaccinated repeatedly. Even some vaccinations for ppl are questionable (i.e. the flu shots :rolleyes2:) Our breeder has told us the puppy only needs 4 sets of shots 1st at 8 wks, 2nd at 12 weeks, next at 16 weeks, and last when puppy reaches 1 yr old. Rabies is a must at 6 months and she had recommended Lyme for us cuz we live in deer neighbourhood. This is the schedule I'll follow. For me, rabies shot is mandatory because I travel across the border every now and then there's no way I can cross the border with Mozart if he doesn't get the rabies shot. As for Lyme I could choose not to do it...but I'd rather be safe then sorry. As for yearly boosters after the ones in the first year? I think my vet will need to proof to me there's really a need before I'd submit Mozart to another set of shots.
 
Really, when you think about it, these 'vaccine controversy' threads really aren't very controversial.
We all agree you need to follow the law on rabies vacc. You need the puppy series, then presumably the one year booster for distemper/parvo. You probably should get Lyme in an endemic area- not the best vaccination but benefits probably outweigh risks, its a nasty disease. And you need Bordatella if someone (kennel, groomer, class) is going to ask for it.
So it really all boils down to disagreeing on whether you need the relatively benign (compared to lyme,lepto, and rabies, which are somewhat more prone to reactions) distemper/parvo every 3 years or not. That just doesn't seem to be a big enough deal to generate all the controversy.
True, there are two unanswered questions - 1) what if your veterinarian requires annual vaccinations, and 2) what about lepto, yes or no and how often.

As for the OP's query, after hearing from a dozen people and two veterinarians what protocols they use and the rationale behind them, her reply was to wonder why her question had not been addressed. So I guess her actual question was more about any particular idiosyncracies in the Sheltie breed that might affect vaccine protocols. Some have mentioned a possible special breed sensitivity to lepto vaccine,(I'll leave it at that), and its true that Shelties are particularly susceptible to auto-immune conditions, which would be an additional argument against over vaccination. Hope that helps. - Dr. Mac
 
Thank you Dr. Mac for your invaluable input! As I stated yesterday, today Toby boy goes in this afternoon for his 16 week check up/shots. I only have the basic core done, but am wondering if there is some benefit to spacing vaccines? I am sure I would have to pay for an extra office visit, but the "better safe than sorry" keeps ringing in my ear! :cool:

Toby would be the first pet of mine that I spaced vaccines for..We'll see what my Vet has to say today. :smile2:
 
I don't like to do the rabies and distemper/parvo combo on the same day.

I space it out a few weeks. I just feel that too many vaccines at the same time can be hard on the body and the immune system. No harm in spacing it out. My vet doesn't even charge me an office visit when I come back in a month for the next vaccine.

Some people even do individual vaccines for distemper, parvo, parainfluenza, etc. Not all vets carry individual vaccines, so you do have to ask. The benefit of doing them individually on different days is to reduce the possibility of a negative reaction. And if your dog does have a reaction to a vaccine, you know exactly which one caused it.
 
take4roll10 said:
I don't like to do the rabies and distemper/parvo combo on the same day.

I space it out a few weeks. I just feel that too many vaccines at the same time can be hard on the body and the immune system. No harm in spacing it out. My vet doesn't even charge me an office visit when I come back in a month for the next vaccine.

Some people even do individual vaccines for distemper, parvo, parainfluenza, etc. Not all vets carry individual vaccines, so you do have to ask. The benefit of doing them individually on different days is to reduce the possibility of a negative reaction. And if your dog does have a reaction to a vaccine, you know exactly which one caused it.
Click to expand...


I am becoming more and more convinced that perhaps just to be safe I should space them apart. With that in mind, is it better to do rabies today or the other vaccs today? Which is best for optimal timing and effectiveness?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top