Vaccination Decision
In general, I follow the American Animal Hospital Association’s Canine Vaccine Guidelines. That means, I only vaccinate my adult dogs every 3 years (not every year). Since it’s required in our county by law, that means a 3-year rabies vaccination. I also do not do annual boosters for some of the others, like that combo one many dogs get for distemper, etc. because I once interviewed the top canine infectious disease expert in the country, and he told me that many such vaccines have MUCH LONGER duration of immunity that we’ve been led to believe. I absolutely want to protect my dogs, and those who know me know that I’m a predictable follower of rules. But, I had some serious reservations about getting Lilly vaccinated since she’s due in early 2009.
I didn’t write about it, but I’ve been talking to friends for months now about Lilly and vaccinations because here’s the thing:
Many of Lilly’s behavior issues worsened after her last round of boosters.
People with an anti-vaccine orientation tell me it’s a result of vaccinosis (a bad reaction to vaccines). The holistic vet we saw for a while in our pre-drug quest for behavior help said I should NEVER vaccinate Lilly again and that he’d write a letter to the local government to get me a waiver.
Indeed, Lilly did get a extra shots (“just in case”) when she was a pup because our veterinarian was worried that the ones she got at the shelter didn’t “take” since it turns out she was already sick with parvo. After she recovered, therefore, more shots … which made her feel ooky. And, indeed, she did have another reaction — large swollen lump, fever, lethargy — after her last round of adult shots.
Let’s be clear … I’m personally NOT saying that there is a link between what and who Lilly is and the vaccines. I cannot tell you there is a cause and effect, but I can say honestly that the shots and her behavior changes happened in close succession.
So, it was a real dilemma for me. Do I vaccinate? Do I do titer testing and try to get a legal waiver?
When I’ve asked about titer testing in the past, however, our regular veterinary practice has quipped, “It’s cheaper to vaccinate.”
Well, yes it is … but is that the point?
(Me thinks I need a new doc … but
finding one I can really partner with who is relatively close to our
somewhat remote location seems impossible.)
*sigh*
After much consideration, I went ahead last week and had Lilly vaccinated for Rabies (3-year). She seems perfectly fine, perfectly normal (for her).
Ginko is due soon too, so we’ll need to get him done so that we can renew our county dog licenses. They require PROOF of rabies, but not the others.
I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do about the other vaccinations. I guess I need to read up again about which ones she really might need.
BUT, for this round, I wanted to only give ONE at a time and wait several weeks for her body to do that immunity thing before we gave any others. Because, we can’t really tell which one causes the reaction, if we give them all at once.
Am I the only one who struggles with such routine things?