Can't get a dog license without rabies vaccine being current, and good luck to both you and the dog if it isn't vaccinated for rabies and it bites someone.

You have to do the rabies vaccine by law. You can ask your vet to do a titer for vaccines and see if you need to refresh any.

Information

I totally agree with the other posters re: rabies, but IMHO a lot of the other shots are not needed, do your research before you let a vet talk you into un-necessary meds, some times we know more than vets. Good luck with your pupper, we love pictures and I love puppy breath, wish there was a candle scented one lol

Oh wow, good question. We really don’t know how long the benefits from vaccination last unless we do a blood titer- and you have to ask yourself if it is worth it to do that? It may work out that it costs less to pay for the shot. And I realize there are other factors besides costs. The infectious diseases we vaccinate dogs for are still prevalent, and there is a real risk that your dog can contract one. The dog I have now, who was a stray, had one. Dogs usually don’t survive it, and while he did, he has permanent neurological damage from it ( and he lost all his teeth too). So I really do urge people to either vaccinate per the recommended schedule, or do a blood titer to see how well the dog is protected from the diseases.

And, of course, as others have mentioned, rabies vac is required by law. When a friends dog bit a child, the dog was put down immediately because he was not current on his vac. He didn’t have rabies, but he lost his life because of it anyway - and he was a young dog.

I too often wonder about all the vaccinations (rabies aside, because it's the law) since it is a profit-center for my vet, and my dogs are completely isolated from other dogs. I guess the blood titer is the only answer to that; one can only wonder if the blood titer could be made less expensive so that the cost would be less than the vaccines.

Vet costs are becoming unaffordable for a lot of people. That's the real problem!

There are canine diseases that do not require contact with another dog.

My first Champion died a terrible death due to Leptospirosis. This disease is spread via urine from an infected mammal ... deer, squirrel, cow, human, fox, etc, etc. No need for direct contact. Does a bear pee in the woods?

I had vaccinated for Lepto, however the disease has too many variants (serovars) for the Vaccine to be 100% effective.

Leptospirosis is zoonotic.

Other diseases, such as Parvo and Distemper, do not require direct contact with another dog.

My old vet (retired now) felt very strongly about not giving unnecessary vaccines. He offered titers and if a vaccine was necessary one only paid for the titer and the vaccine was at no cost.

He was on board with doing all the necessary first rounds of shots.

Thank you to al! for the good info. Sorry I wasn't clear. I will always do rabies. I had a vaccinated dog come down with Parvo. Almost killed her. Thanks to an excellent vet, she made it!.

madismaom5,

Will you do other vaccines?

Sorry Salti, that your dog had to endure such an ordeal despite your efforts to protect her.

All mine are vaccinated per the law and vet's recommendation. I understand that there's a lot of controversy, but I defer to experts.

Do you always need to be confrontational?? She was saying she was sorry that your dog contracted leptosporisis and died. She was expressing sympathy......not criticizing!!

And who cares when somebody else posts?? We don't all keep to the same clock.......

I was not confrontational. I posted a single post above pointing out that certain diseases do not require contact with another dog - Parvo, Distemper, and Leptospirosis were the three examples I cited. Moreover, I mentioned my case with Leptospirosis as while it does have a vaccine, it is not 100% effective and most or at least many Vets do not routinely prescribe it.

In other words, believing one's dog does not interact with other dogs may not be an adequate rationale in and of itself to not maintain vaccines current.

"All mine are vaccinated per the law and vet's recommendation." was the gist of the late night post. I would never suggest anything else.

BTW, I see you are new to this thread. Do you have an opinion about vaccines that would add actual value to this thread? The OP has not announced her plans.

I deleted the post that you somehow find offensive.

SaltiDawg - we vaccinate against Lepto. Our dog is now 14 and has been vaccinated against Lepto every year since we adopted him. The vaccination is given one week after his regular vaccines. So far, so good. Although I do realize as you pointed out that there are different strains of it.

There was a very bad outbreak of Lepto in Toronto several years ago so I asked about the vaccine.

He weighs 25 lbs.

We also vaccinate against Bortadella. He did catch it once but the recovery was quick - a different strain but being vaccinated against a different one seemed to help.

We follow the Ontario laws, plus get the extra vaccines.

He is also on Tick and Heartworm prevention - he thinks of the two chewables as treats. I am grateful that the 2 meds are now in chewable form since he has a double coat.

We are keeping a close eye on canine influenza. It is now in Ontario - it was only a matter of time. So far our dog's groomer does not require it, nor are his vets suggesting it. But they too are keeping a close watch.

I know that in some parts of the U.S. many boarding facilities and groomers require the vaccine.

Our dog started hypothyroid meds 16 days ago - 2 a day - he thinks they are treats as well. He will be retested at 4.5 weeks to check the dosage. I am watching for signs of hyperactivity (well more than he already is) - but the bad part is that he is even more food obsessed! How that is even possible is beyond me.

eccentric,

Sounds like you and your Vet have a great approach.

I did not mean to focus on Lepto, it is but one first-hand experience where in spite of being vaccinated the animal contracted (and died from) a disease. Same can be said about other diseases.

No one has discussed the fact that if a large percentage of the dog world are not receiving immunizations, in general the diseases start to be seen in more and more dogs and any hopes goes by the wayside. (There is an analogous argument to be made re human vaccines.)

PS And yes, Bortadella, is one of those vaccines known to not be 100% effective. Most that frequent places with their dog that include meeting a lot of other dogs opt for the shot. Breeders/Exhibitors, persons that board their pet, etc. (I get it because my Greyhound and I support two rescue groups that "Meet and Greet" prospective adopters at various Pet Stores every weekend. She has contracted an Upper Respiratory Infection or Kennel Cough twice in spite of the shot. When I was a breeder/exhibitor I also got the Kennel Cough (Bortadella) shot.)