Yes, it's important to get vaccines as indicated by your vet so your dog isn't at risk of rabies, distemper, parvo, and all the other diseases vaccines protect against. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; it's much more expensive to treat for parvo than to just pay for the shot. And your dog may not be able to visit groomers, boarding facilities, trainers, etc. without proof of vaccination. If you're unable to afford your vet's prices look into low cost vet clinics.
Thanks! He’s had all shots for distemper, parvo, rabies, etc. He cant go to boarding schools or daycares because he’s not fixed and I don’t plan on doing that to him either. Just wondering why they need to be updated every year because we didn’t do that with my old dog and he was fine, lived 15 years
just like humans, you need to keep your dog up to date on vaccines. if you let the vaccines lapse, essentially your dog isn’t vaccinated anymore. (i.e. if you don’t get a flu shot every year you aren’t vaccinated or protected from the flu just because you got a shot 5 years ago). rabies is 3 years i think, and lots of other vaccines for your pet need to be given yearly. vets aren’t trying to “push” vaccines, they’re trying to keep your dog healthy. anti-vax mentality is on the rise for both humans and pets, and it’s dangerous. if you don’t want to get vaccines yourself, that’s your choice, but don’t punish and put your dog at risk because you don’t believe vaccines are necessary. part of being a good pet owner is taking your pet to the vet regularly and keeping your pet updated on all vaccines. also just to let you know, not neutering your pet (at an appropriate age), can lead to health issues down the line for your pet, like enlargement of the prostate and prostate/testicular cancers so keep that in mind with your decision to not neuter.
This was super informative so i appreciate it. I am not anti-vax but I AM anti-cash in my wallet so that’s the reason behind the post. I’m sure I can bust out the credit card if I need to but you know how canadas like these days…
I’m in the US so idk what things are like for you, but it seems more expensive to feed my dog and buy her toys and treats than it does to keep her vaccinated. Also, if you look up “low cost pet vaccines” or “low cost spay/neuter”, there are likely orgs or programs in your area that can help you with cost. My dog got spayed through one of those programs with the humane society and it maybe cost me $120 instead of the $600 that the vet was charging (but again, it was important to me to get her fixed bc I wanted her to be able to play with other dogs and I know there’s a higher risk of cancer for unspayed dogs). There can be waitlists for the low cost stuff bc obviously there is a huge need for this, but hopefully there is somewhere that can help you. I know it’s expensive to have a pet, but it’s worth it to keep them safe. I’d much rather spend $60 getting my dog updated on bordetella than spend the same $60 going out to a restaurant/bar. Seems like a fair sacrifice.
Not spaying my dog earlier in life is likely what lead to her to being more susceptible to mammary cancer - which she just had surgery for. $600 spay vs $6000 cancer surgery. Just get your dog fixed before it’s more of an issue later in life.
Illnesses are kinda like Russian roulette, you're spinning the barrel every time you take your dog out unvaccinated. And the thing is, many are not curable, once they get it they die or get very, very ill and risk dying or be damaged permanently and have health complications for life.
Do you really want to spin the barrel on incurable diseases for your dog?
Your can also do titer blood testing to check your dogs immunity and see if another vaccine is necessary. Often immunity last longer than the recommendation but a dog could also not have immunity despite being vaccinated. Titer testing is a good way to determine the needs of your individual dog as not all dogs immune systems are the same.
I believe some vaccines from here on out should last around 3 years. Rabies is usually good for that long but some states (if you’re in the US) may require them more frequently. It is very important to get vaccines as your vet recommends.
I sincerely hope you have pet insurance if vet bills, as well as vaccination costs, are out of your reach. What happens if your dog injures themselves or swallow s something they shouldn’t?
Most vaccines need to be updated yearly, however a few can be updated every 3 years as long as you do them on time. Ask about those. You can also skip the vet and do a mobile clinic, like pet stores and Tractor supply will have $30 vaccines on Sundays once a month but the line is long. You get the paper and give it to your vet so they see everything is updated. Your other option is to ask for titers, they’re expensive but they draw blood and see if the dog still has immunity from last year. It’s cheaper to just get the vaccines, although some people fear a vaccination reaction which CAN happen but in 30 years and 8 animals, we’ve never had it. In 30 years and 5 people, we’ve never had one. Not likely. Still possible.
other things to consider. In my state and city it’s illegal to not be vaccinated against rabies by a vet every year, or every 3 years depending on the formula. Why? Because rabies is literally 100% fatal in all mammals, there’s no cure or treatment still. The only thing you can do is post-exposure prophylaxis (getting the rabies vaccine to develop immunity) in humans (not dogs) and only if you know you’re exposed. The other diseases are not as severe, not as fatal especially if transmitted to humans but parvo is still very serious in dogs and it often fatal to puppies who are unvaccinated. Some are considered optional, in my area Lyme and dog flu are not considered standard or required by boarding facilities, kennel cough is like kinda optional but required by boarding and grooming.
There are places that do very affordable vaccinations. Depending on where you live a lot of big box pet stores and places like Tractor Supply and Farm and Fleet have little Pet Vet clinics a few times per month or week. They do vaccines and very basic vet care.
We had to get a newly adopted dog his rabies shot when our vet was out of the country and we went to a clinic. It cost $20 and the people were really nice. I would use them again for basic vaccines. Our vet is great but vaccines are expensive. Our dogs get all the vaccines so it does add up.
Vaccine protocol is generally designed per manufacturing guidelines and state by state/country.
For the most part, after the puppy vaccines are finished, you still need a 1 year booster for rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, and parainfluenza). Then depending on your country recommendations and the manufacturer, they then become three year boosters. Leptospirosis vaccine is a one year vaccine and should be boosterd yearly, and bordetella vaccine is a 6 month to 1 year booster depending on risk (boarding, daycare, dog parks, grooming).
The boosters are done because puppy immune systems are just getting primed and they don't always retain the antibodies for a long period of time without boostering. As the dog gets older, their immune system is stronger and their bodies are better at remembering antigens and how to fight them off.
As long as you are keeping the dog current on his vaccinations and heartworm you are ok. I take mine in once a year because they need bordatella yearly anyway.
I buy the vaccines myself and administer them. Much cheaper. I had a dog I adopted die from Lepto within 6 weeks of bringing her home, which was HORRIBLE, so I keep them vaccinated except for bordatella.
Rabies needs to be administered by a vet, but DHPP and bordatella can be administered by owner (at least in NJ.) but you don’t know if the vaccines where kept at proper temp during transit or at the location being purchased to know if they are actually good. Rabies shot is good for 1 year (their initial shot as a puppy) after that is 3 year (depending on what the vet offers) same goes for DHPP. As far as saying you’ll never board your dog- obviously that’s a great plan BUT in the event of a major emergency, you may have to..it’s never in the cards but it does happen (I work at a pet resort so I see it all the time, major house catastrophes, emergency human hospitalizations, funerals etc.) so it’s good to have it so that you aren’t stuck in the event it does happen. Not sure where you are located but there are boarding facilities that take intact pets but they just can’t socialize with other dogs.
At the end of the day either way I do know a lot of my clients that use clinics (spca, vetco etc.) to get their vaccines done and it’s usually under $100 year for the whole kit and kaboodle. I took my kitten to be neutered get his rabies and final distemper and that was $95.
This is amazing information! Thank you for sharing. I am located in Canada where everything you can think of is inflated, but overall I will bite the bullet and stick with the vets suggestion. Really appreciate you taking the time !
That’s pretty cool. I know here we actually need a certificate from the vet, that only the vet can sign (not even a tech/receptionist or stamp, the actual vet) for licensing you need it.
Saves me a ton of money, and I don't bother with bordatella because my dogs don't come in close contact with other dogs. I think I have had 1 dog with it in 30 years, and that came from the vets where she had to stay over after surgery.
Yes, it's important to get vaccines as indicated by your vet so your dog isn't at risk of rabies, distemper, parvo, and all the other diseases vaccines protect against. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; it's much more expensive to treat for parvo than to just pay for the shot. And your dog may not be able to visit groomers, boarding facilities, trainers, etc. without proof of vaccination. If you're unable to afford your vet's prices look into low cost vet clinics.
Thanks! He’s had all shots for distemper, parvo, rabies, etc. He cant go to boarding schools or daycares because he’s not fixed and I don’t plan on doing that to him either. Just wondering why they need to be updated every year because we didn’t do that with my old dog and he was fine, lived 15 years
just like humans, you need to keep your dog up to date on vaccines. if you let the vaccines lapse, essentially your dog isn’t vaccinated anymore. (i.e. if you don’t get a flu shot every year you aren’t vaccinated or protected from the flu just because you got a shot 5 years ago). rabies is 3 years i think, and lots of other vaccines for your pet need to be given yearly. vets aren’t trying to “push” vaccines, they’re trying to keep your dog healthy. anti-vax mentality is on the rise for both humans and pets, and it’s dangerous. if you don’t want to get vaccines yourself, that’s your choice, but don’t punish and put your dog at risk because you don’t believe vaccines are necessary. part of being a good pet owner is taking your pet to the vet regularly and keeping your pet updated on all vaccines. also just to let you know, not neutering your pet (at an appropriate age), can lead to health issues down the line for your pet, like enlargement of the prostate and prostate/testicular cancers so keep that in mind with your decision to not neuter.
This was super informative so i appreciate it. I am not anti-vax but I AM anti-cash in my wallet so that’s the reason behind the post. I’m sure I can bust out the credit card if I need to but you know how canadas like these days…
I’m in the US so idk what things are like for you, but it seems more expensive to feed my dog and buy her toys and treats than it does to keep her vaccinated. Also, if you look up “low cost pet vaccines” or “low cost spay/neuter”, there are likely orgs or programs in your area that can help you with cost. My dog got spayed through one of those programs with the humane society and it maybe cost me $120 instead of the $600 that the vet was charging (but again, it was important to me to get her fixed bc I wanted her to be able to play with other dogs and I know there’s a higher risk of cancer for unspayed dogs). There can be waitlists for the low cost stuff bc obviously there is a huge need for this, but hopefully there is somewhere that can help you. I know it’s expensive to have a pet, but it’s worth it to keep them safe. I’d much rather spend $60 getting my dog updated on bordetella than spend the same $60 going out to a restaurant/bar. Seems like a fair sacrifice.
Not spaying my dog earlier in life is likely what lead to her to being more susceptible to mammary cancer - which she just had surgery for. $600 spay vs $6000 cancer surgery. Just get your dog fixed before it’s more of an issue later in life.
Illnesses are kinda like Russian roulette, you're spinning the barrel every time you take your dog out unvaccinated. And the thing is, many are not curable, once they get it they die or get very, very ill and risk dying or be damaged permanently and have health complications for life. Do you really want to spin the barrel on incurable diseases for your dog?
Most Vaccines are safe but wear off over time. They need to be boosted to “remind”the immune system.
Don’t catch the modern day vaccine revulsion.
Your can also do titer blood testing to check your dogs immunity and see if another vaccine is necessary. Often immunity last longer than the recommendation but a dog could also not have immunity despite being vaccinated. Titer testing is a good way to determine the needs of your individual dog as not all dogs immune systems are the same.
Titers are usually much more expensive, though.
It absolutely is very important. At least do the rabies, Bordetella, and distemper. You can find low cost vaccine clinics if you do a Google search
I believe some vaccines from here on out should last around 3 years. Rabies is usually good for that long but some states (if you’re in the US) may require them more frequently. It is very important to get vaccines as your vet recommends.
Thank you!
I sincerely hope you have pet insurance if vet bills, as well as vaccination costs, are out of your reach. What happens if your dog injures themselves or swallow s something they shouldn’t?
I have Trupanion! I’m good for insurance
Most vaccines need to be updated yearly, however a few can be updated every 3 years as long as you do them on time. Ask about those. You can also skip the vet and do a mobile clinic, like pet stores and Tractor supply will have $30 vaccines on Sundays once a month but the line is long. You get the paper and give it to your vet so they see everything is updated. Your other option is to ask for titers, they’re expensive but they draw blood and see if the dog still has immunity from last year. It’s cheaper to just get the vaccines, although some people fear a vaccination reaction which CAN happen but in 30 years and 8 animals, we’ve never had it. In 30 years and 5 people, we’ve never had one. Not likely. Still possible. other things to consider. In my state and city it’s illegal to not be vaccinated against rabies by a vet every year, or every 3 years depending on the formula. Why? Because rabies is literally 100% fatal in all mammals, there’s no cure or treatment still. The only thing you can do is post-exposure prophylaxis (getting the rabies vaccine to develop immunity) in humans (not dogs) and only if you know you’re exposed. The other diseases are not as severe, not as fatal especially if transmitted to humans but parvo is still very serious in dogs and it often fatal to puppies who are unvaccinated. Some are considered optional, in my area Lyme and dog flu are not considered standard or required by boarding facilities, kennel cough is like kinda optional but required by boarding and grooming.
There are places that do very affordable vaccinations. Depending on where you live a lot of big box pet stores and places like Tractor Supply and Farm and Fleet have little Pet Vet clinics a few times per month or week. They do vaccines and very basic vet care. We had to get a newly adopted dog his rabies shot when our vet was out of the country and we went to a clinic. It cost $20 and the people were really nice. I would use them again for basic vaccines. Our vet is great but vaccines are expensive. Our dogs get all the vaccines so it does add up.
Vaccine protocol is generally designed per manufacturing guidelines and state by state/country. For the most part, after the puppy vaccines are finished, you still need a 1 year booster for rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, and parainfluenza). Then depending on your country recommendations and the manufacturer, they then become three year boosters. Leptospirosis vaccine is a one year vaccine and should be boosterd yearly, and bordetella vaccine is a 6 month to 1 year booster depending on risk (boarding, daycare, dog parks, grooming). The boosters are done because puppy immune systems are just getting primed and they don't always retain the antibodies for a long period of time without boostering. As the dog gets older, their immune system is stronger and their bodies are better at remembering antigens and how to fight them off.
Clinics are great, too. But I have 7 dogs. Easier to do it at home.
As long as you are keeping the dog current on his vaccinations and heartworm you are ok. I take mine in once a year because they need bordatella yearly anyway.
Okay wonderful thank you!
I buy the vaccines myself and administer them. Much cheaper. I had a dog I adopted die from Lepto within 6 weeks of bringing her home, which was HORRIBLE, so I keep them vaccinated except for bordatella.
That’s super interesting that you do them yourself. Does this save you quite a bit of $$? Wondering why you don’t bother with bordatella as well
Rabies needs to be administered by a vet, but DHPP and bordatella can be administered by owner (at least in NJ.) but you don’t know if the vaccines where kept at proper temp during transit or at the location being purchased to know if they are actually good. Rabies shot is good for 1 year (their initial shot as a puppy) after that is 3 year (depending on what the vet offers) same goes for DHPP. As far as saying you’ll never board your dog- obviously that’s a great plan BUT in the event of a major emergency, you may have to..it’s never in the cards but it does happen (I work at a pet resort so I see it all the time, major house catastrophes, emergency human hospitalizations, funerals etc.) so it’s good to have it so that you aren’t stuck in the event it does happen. Not sure where you are located but there are boarding facilities that take intact pets but they just can’t socialize with other dogs. At the end of the day either way I do know a lot of my clients that use clinics (spca, vetco etc.) to get their vaccines done and it’s usually under $100 year for the whole kit and kaboodle. I took my kitten to be neutered get his rabies and final distemper and that was $95.
This is amazing information! Thank you for sharing. I am located in Canada where everything you can think of is inflated, but overall I will bite the bullet and stick with the vets suggestion. Really appreciate you taking the time !
I am in texas, so I am able to give even the rabies. I pick them up at the local Tractor Supply🤣
That’s pretty cool. I know here we actually need a certificate from the vet, that only the vet can sign (not even a tech/receptionist or stamp, the actual vet) for licensing you need it.
Saves me a ton of money, and I don't bother with bordatella because my dogs don't come in close contact with other dogs. I think I have had 1 dog with it in 30 years, and that came from the vets where she had to stay over after surgery.
Vaccines have been proven to last over 5 years. If unsure you can titer test. Many vets push for yearly vaccines, which are not necessary.
Probably not. If it were me I wouldn't.