Vaccines for your pets

**jasc** · 05-20-2013, 05:39 PM

What do you guys think about annual vaccines? Do you vaccinate your pets every year?

I have a 3.5 year old boxer mix and it's time for her annual shots. She's due for Bordatella, Rabies, and Parvo/Distemper. Up to this point I have given her and every other dog we've owned these shots every year, per the vets recommendation.However, lately I've been doing a bit of reasearch on these and while her Rabies shot is mandatory, the other two appear to be ineffective and even possibly dangerous.

**Rusty11** · 05-20-2013, 05:48 PM

Yea, I've read that, as well. We go out of town a lot and leave my basset at a pet hotel. They require the shots, so I don't have a choice. Curious...where do you purchase the shots? My vet charges too much.

**Times Roman** · 05-20-2013, 05:49 PM

I always give all my pets all their annual immunizations.

However, if you are shrewd with a buck, you can call your vet, or keep an eye out in the paper, and find out the next low cost clinic they will hold. Typically, these are held in some grocery store parking lot, and you may have to wait for a bit, but they will vaccinate at cost, typically $5 to $10. Very economical....

Now, statistically, these shots you are worried about are NOT putting your pet at high risk. There has been a lot of hype about people not wanting to vaccinate their kids, even pets, and this can actually be quite dangerous. Always vaccinate!

**frank13** · 05-20-2013, 05:55 PM

i just keep my dog in the yard

**GirlyGymRat** · 05-20-2013, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by frank13

i just keep my dog in the yard

Didn't your momma immunize you????

**Rwy** · 05-20-2013, 07:05 PM

You get your puppy boosters and rabies and then their second rabies and thats it

Dont fall into the trap. These vets push their crap the same as every dr's does with anti depressants when you feel sad for a week.

**frank13** · 05-20-2013, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by GirlyGymRat

Didn't your momma immunize you????

j/k i love dogs

**GirlyGymRat** · 05-20-2013, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by frank13

j/k i love dogs

I am a dog lover too

**Bonaparte** · 05-20-2013, 09:21 PM

Careful, the vaccine may cause your dog to become autistic

**JJ78** · 05-20-2013, 10:09 PM

I got my dog his first round of shots when he was 3-4 months old. He is now 11 and he has never had any others.

it all depends on where yu live and if they are aound a lot of other dogs.
I have had vets tell me that most are just ways to get money out of ya

**Honkey_Kong** · 05-21-2013, 01:44 AM

Aside from Rabies, I really don't see the point in vaccinating your dogs (unless it's because something requires them to).

**Lunk1** · 05-21-2013, 08:29 AM

Lesson learned the hard way....do the heartworm prevention every year ;(

**lovbyts** · 05-21-2013, 08:49 AM

All these post about pets needing surgery, shots and everything else people didnt even do for their kids 30 years ago = $$$$ and convince me more and more NOT to have any pets except for the cold blooded type and no I'm not talking about women.

**diesel101** · 05-21-2013, 09:14 AM

If you want to save money go to a large animal vet (cows,horses, etc) to get the shots.Small animal clinics are a lot more expensive.

**DailyDose71** · 05-21-2013, 11:43 AM

My GF is a vet, so I have to or she would kill me.

**Rwy** · 05-21-2013, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by Lunk1

Lesson learned the hard way....do the heartworm prevention every year ;(

Your dog died from this? My breeder doesnt use it and either have I for 6 years...

**Rwy** · 05-21-2013, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Honkey_Kong

Aside from Rabies, I really don't see the point in vaccinating your dogs (unless it's because something requires them to).

Parvo is def not something to joke about when they are puppies. They need their boosters but a lot of other things I am iffy on

**Sfla80** · 05-21-2013, 02:23 PM

Besides the yearly vaccines. How often do you need to take your dog to the vet??

And recommendations in type of dry food?

**Rwy** · 05-21-2013, 02:24 PM

I take him once a year. My dog hates the vet. The only person he sees and wants to go at him lol

I have his bloodwork done and just a check up

**Sfla80** · 05-21-2013, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Rwy

I take him once a year. My dog hates the vet. The only person he sees and wants to go at him lol

I have his bloodwork done and just a check up

Cool mine just turned a year. Have the vaccines coming up in a few months.

**BeastBro66** · 05-21-2013, 03:09 PM

I've always vaccinated my dogs.

The Rabies vaccine is mandated by law in the states. The laws vary from state to state, usually every 1 to 3 years.

The Parvo vaccine is definitely worth getting if you're walking your dog in a public area or dog park. It is a horrible disease that usually leads to death. More so in puppies than adults, but why gamble.

The Bordetella vaccine is not mandatory unless you will be boarding your dog somewhere. You may consider it if you will be bringing the dog to a dog park where they will be around unknown pets.

**jasc** · 05-21-2013, 07:11 PM

Thanks for all the replies fellas!

Seems like the board is split on this

Might have to do it just to be on the safe side

**jasc** · 05-21-2013, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by Rusty11

Yea, I've read that, as well. We go out of town a lot and leave my basset at a pet hotel. They require the shots, so I don't have a choice. Curious...where do you purchase the shots? My vet charges too much.

Tractor Supply sells some of the vaccines for dirt cheap, but I've always gone to the vet

Runs me about $130 for the bunch

**jasc** · 05-21-2013, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Sfla80

Besides the yearly vaccines. How often do you need to take your dog to the vet??

And recommendations in type of dry food?

Only if/when she gets sick.

I'm currently using Innova, but debating on switching to Blue. I question the quality since their parent company was bought out.

**Sfla80** · 05-21-2013, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by jasc

Only if/when she gets sick.

I'm currently using Innova, but debating on switching to Blue. I question the quality since their parent company was bought out.

I use natural balance. Thinking of going more upscale lol if you would say. I want my dog to be healthy and don't mind spending the extra $ for food. But not sure what's hype and what's actually good for them.

**Lunk1** · 05-21-2013, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Rwy

Your dog died from this? My breeder doesnt use it and either have I for 6 years...

Yes. It actually killed one and he passed it ot another one befor he died. I used to breed bird dogs and nobody I knew worried about heartworm but it has seemed to become alot more of a problem over the last 10 years. It's cheap and easy to prevent.