[Dailydrool] Over Vaccinating

[Laura Tancredi]

Helene
I myself am not a fan of over vaccinating.  The newest protocol with vaccinations are Rabies as required by city or county (some require yearly some are fine with every 3 years), and DHPP every 3 years, Parvo and Lepto every year.  Those are "core" vaccines.  Depending on the area you live in and risk - Influenza, Lyme and Bordetella.  If you are rescuing/ fostering dogs I consider Influenza (yearly) and bordetella (every 6 months) core for those homes.  

Another alternative is doing titers for Distemper and Parvo.  Although the titer cannot assure that the dog will not get sick it does indicate that the dog's immune system SHOULD be able to respond and fight an infection.  

Many times clients don't want to pay for the titers because they are more expensive than the vaccine.  The biggest problem I face is people don't come in for their yearly examines because they think "Oh the vaccine is still good."  Although that is true a yearly (or twice yearly for seniors) exam is frequently not seen as an important part of maintaining health in pets.  As I have stated before when I open my Drool only clinic I will be the happiest vet in the world because then I will have educated, caring, Daily Drool clients and I will skip happily from appointment to appointment.... really I WILL skip.  

Laura
Flash and Ryu