Is a BOOSTER shot necessary?

[monkeylove]

My little chihuahua is 2 years old and had her annual vaccination a few weeks ago. It had been over a year since her previous vaccination, so the vet told me she needs to get a booster shot within a month of this vaccination to strengthen the vaccination.

My dog really hates getting shots and I don't want to put her through any more unless they are absolutely mandatory for her health....is it really necessary to do the booster shot, or will she be ok with just the vaccine?

Thanks.

[SARAH]

If she encounters no virus/germ/bacteria ... but are you willing to take that chance?

[CearaQC]

In my opinion, some vets but not all, encourage people to annually vaccinate their pets just to make more money.

I don't think it's necessary to have to keep going back year after year.

The internet has lots and lots of information on vaccines. Just Google "dog vaccines" in quotes like that and enjoy reading.

[Longblades]

This is a big controversy that I've looked into only a little bit. Our new puppy is 9 weeks old today. His breeder has given us a vaccination schedule and she advises he only be boostered every three years. Many authorities believe the vaccination remains effective for much longer than one year. For everything except Lepto. and heartworm, they'd be annually. Going by memory here, that may not be exactly right. There is a three year rabies vac. but the others, it is felt, don't need boostering that often and too frequent vacs. can be just as dangerous as too infrequent. I don't know how, though. I have contacted one Vet who does not take a position either way on it, saying it is up to the client. By the way, I believe booster is just a word for a repeated vaccination.

[Ford Girl]

I too have researched this, there is all kinds of info out there on this topic.

For me, we decided to go yearly after our group of friends - who all have dogs - went thru a very bad kennel cough episode last spring early summer. The dogs who were up to date with their shots got thru it no problem, most didn't even visit the vet, the dogs who's vets do shots every 2 or 3 years got VERY sick, antibiotics, multiply trips to vet offices, missed camping weekends, several perscriptions, isolation, etc...and it kept going around and around thru our "pack" of dogs for over a month.

I decided then that for a dog like mine who goes to day care, dog parks, group play, play dates and socializes on a daily basis with other dogs needs regular boosters. I think it depends on age, physical condition, and socialization.

[Longblades]

http://www.wsava.org/PDF/Misc/VGG_09_2007.pdf

I just put this link in a brand new thread about Vaccinations. Posting here as well in case someone looks just here.

[satchelp]

Good link. Definitely worth reading. Thanks.

[Luba]

I say no and then I also say no.

Do titer testing every 3 / 4 years and see if your dog has antibodies still present and then boost only if needed. I choose to do neither, by choice. I home cook for my dog, she is happy and healthy. Many vaccines don't even protect against many strains of virus, they're useless. The worst one is leptosporosis. It's a money grab and so is all their prepared dog food.
Good job to keep you coming back for more. My dog never needs to go to the vet unless she's unfortunatley injured or something. I prefer it that way, just like with people.

Modern medicine has it's place and I've worked many a year within the field myself. But it also has its downfalls. I know from personal and professional experience. Once you start a domino the rest fall into place.

I would never vaccinate myself, my kids, my pets. That's just my opinion.

Merck has just admitted to putting live cancer cells in some vaccines for humans, what do you think they will be doing experimenting on pets?

[rainbow]

Originally Posted by monkeylove

My little chihuahua is 2 years old and had her annual vaccination a few weeks ago. It had been over a year since her previous vaccination, so the vet told me she needs to get a booster shot within a month of this vaccination to strengthen the vaccination.

My dog really hates getting shots and I don't want to put her through any more unless they are absolutely mandatory for her health....is it really necessary to do the booster shot, or will she be ok with just the vaccine?

Thanks.

If your 2 yr. old dog had all her puppy shots then I don't see why she needs a booster shot within a month this year.

[satchelp]

Originally Posted by Luba

I say no and then I also say no.

My dog never needs to go to the vet unless she's unfortunatley injured or something. I prefer it that way, just like with people.

Merck has just admitted to putting live cancer cells in some vaccines for humans, what do you think they will be doing experimenting on pets?

So in your mind, there is no place for things like taking your dog to the vet for routine blood screening to make sure your dog is in fact healthy, and that some disease process hasn't started?

I find the statement about the live cancer cells in vaccines rather alarmist (along with your comments in another thread about dog food being full of dead things). What you left out is that these are actually cancer vaccines that are used in mounting an immune response to treat existing cancers.

As for the dead things in dog food, I suppose you feed your dogs live animals or vegetables with their roots still firmly planted in the ground?

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion, but the unsubstantiated statements you have been making are not very helpful to the OP's or anyone else for that matter.

[Luba]

So in your mind, there is no place for things like taking your dog to the vet for routine blood screening to make sure your dog is in fact healthy, and that some disease process hasn't started?

I find the statement about the live cancer cells in vaccines rather alarmist (along with your comments in another thread about dog food being full of dead things). What you left out is that these are actually cancer vaccines that are used in mounting an immune response to treat existing cancers.

As for the dead things in dog food, I suppose you feed your dogs live animals or vegetables with their roots still firmly planted in the ground?

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion, but the unsubstantiated statements you have been making are not very helpful to the OP's or anyone else for that matter.

Where did I say don't get routine blood screening done? Did you even read the post? Obviously not. Do you even know what titer tests are? You need to read and give yourself educated information, or ask questions if you don't understand instead of assuming that you do.

And if you're going to quote me then perhaps get it right. Processed dog food is processed and all living organisms are now DEAD there is no living healthy natural bacteria in such. For gosh sakes if you don't understand something just ask dont' bark. Fresh foods contain live cells, living cells with healthy living bacteria that all animals require, and natural sources of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. So, perhaps you think that an apple is dead, or a carrot? It may not be growing any further but it most certainly is alive.

What truly is it that is unsubstantiated that you don't understand?
You may disagree with me and that's jolly good for you but it won't prevent me from providing information to others which may help them and their pet.

find the statement about the live cancer cells in vaccines rather alarmist

Yes it most certainly is alarmist but it is also most certainly true. I suggest if you wish further information on this you do some research. I wouldn't suggest anyone inject themselves with a cancer, regardless if you think that it is only a cancer vaccine. If you are refering to Gardasil, yes that most certainly is 'one' such vaccine.

unsubstantiated statements you have been making are not very helpful to the OP's or anyone else for that matter.

I just really don't think you've gotten into everyones head and figured out that they all have the same views and opinions as yours. And it's too bad you feel that way. It is always good to keep an open mind.

Researching and educating ones self not just by reading material offered by the companies that financially benefit from whatever they administer / vaccinate/ drug / sell you is part of being not only an informed consumer but a wise one. I don't know your knowledge, you don't know mine but I am willing to share mine if it will open someones thoughts to the possibility that things are not black and white and that there are alternatives to just going along with whatever you vet suggests.

[petslover]

Hi everyone, I am new here, in fact I just joined today and only because I saw this thread and this question about vaccinations.
People are unaware, like I was that there is a risk of your pet dying from an anaphylactic shock, which is an allergic reaction to many vaccine, especially the rabies vaccine. This is true especially when he is being revaccinated (booster). I did not know. My vet did not inform me of the risks before so I could make an informed decision, especially since she was an indoor cat and my state does not require by law the vaccination. There is vast information in this subject online, only I had to lose my baby to find out about it. This just happened two days ago. I am sad and frustrated I had to find out like this. There are many alternatives to the rabies vaccine such as finding one that has no adjuvens(non active material that actually causes the reaction), giving benadryl to pets that had previous reactions to vaccines beforehand, and even doing a titer test which can tell whether or not your pet still has the antibodies in his body and for how many years they will last, so you can wait for the next vaccine.

Don't wait for something to happen like I did, do your research and don't trust everything you hear.

you will find good info and a great article with opinions by Dr. Schultz, a specialist in the area about it:

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.co...c2.htm#hearing

Best wishes

[satchelp]

Originally Posted by Luba

Where did I say don't get routine blood screening done? Did you even read the post? Obviously not. Do you even know what titer tests are? You need to read and give yourself educated information, or ask questions if you don't understand instead of assuming that you do.

You did say that your dog doesn't need to go to the vet unless he's injured or something. To me that sounded like the only situation your dog went to the vet. I apologize for misinterpreting what you said, but it really wasn't clear.

As for titre testing, my dogs all go to a holistic vet, and I have been doing nothing but titres for the past 5 years , so I certainly do understand it. I am not at all a proponent of vaccines.

Originally Posted by Luba

And if you're going to quote me then perhaps get it right. Processed dog food is processed and all living organisms are now DEAD there is no living healthy natural bacteria in such. For gosh sakes if you don't understand something just ask dont' bark. Fresh foods contain live cells, living cells with healthy living bacteria that all animals require, and natural sources of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. So, perhaps you think that an apple is dead, or a carrot? It may not be growing any further but it most certainly is alive.

Thank you for finally explaining what you meant. Your statements made on this subject were far from elaborate, and, as such, not helpful in my opinion. I certainly do agree with you that fresh food is much better processed food; however I would argue that not all 'fresh food' has living cells. With regard to meat, chicken for example, whether fresh or processed is indeed dead.

Originally Posted by Luba

Yes it most certainly is alarmist but it is also most certainly true. I suggest if you wish further information on this you do some research. I wouldn't suggest anyone inject themselves with a cancer, regardless if you think that it is only a cancer vaccine. If you are refering to Gardasil, yes that most certainly is 'one' such vaccine.

No, actually I'm not thinking of Gardasil, because that is actually made with various strains of HPV which is a virus. Yes, it is a virus that causes cancer, but it, in itself, is not cancer cells. What I meant was cancer vaccines that are used to battle existing cancers, i.e. another form of treatment, which in this application is used to stimulate the body to attack the present cancer.

Originally Posted by Luba

Researching and educating ones self not just by reading material offered by the companies that financially benefit from whatever they administer / vaccinate/ drug / sell you is part of being not only an informed consumer but a wise one. I don't know your knowledge, you don't know mine but I am willing to share mine if it will open someones thoughts to the possibility that things are not black and white and that there are alternatives to just going along with whatever you vet suggests.

I can appreciate that you have knowledge I don't have and vice-versa, and I do agree with you on some key points. I may just have conveyed these ideas a little differently .. but that's me.

[satchelp]

Petslover,

I'm really sorry to hear of your loss.

I agree that the vets really need to inform people of the risks of this vaccine. Sadly, this is not the first time I've heard a story similar to yours.