annual booster for dogs

[maggie01]

My shih-tzu is ten years old and her booster is due.

A friend had her Yorkie vaccinated a few weeks ago and she had a bad reaction to it. She is also ten years old.

I have read that many vets do not think these boosters are neccessary. What do you think?

I know my vet should be the one to answer this but I don't have too much faith in them giving me an answer for the welfare of my dog as everything these days seems to be about money.

[carmalee]

think you may well get lots of conflicting opinions on this but that's what this site is all about I guess!!
From my point of view based on talking to various vets and my personal experience is that annual boosters are not necessary after about the age of 7 years. I have an eighteen year old Border Collie (still going strong and still the same weight she was as a five year old) who lived with me on a huge animal welfare centre for many years and came into contact with literally hundreds of animals on a daily basis. According to my vet, it wasn't necessary to give her boosters. Obviously I kept her as fit as a fiddle, her weight in check and made her the happiest dog in the world! - all contributory factors to maintain good health. Keep in mind though some times you have to have an up todate certicicate - maybe for an unexpected stay in kennels - worth keeping in mind. Good luck whatever you decide.

[paddywak]

I think it's bit like an insurance policy, most people go thru life and never have to make a claim, I personally would rather keep the boosters up to date then risk Max's health no matter how unlikely it is that he would ever catch any of the things they protect against

[lankeela]

I never have my adult dogs vaccinated. Even vets agree it is not necessary every year, but they won't tell you that. I have known of too many dogs suffering from reactions, and unless there was an outbreak of parvo in my area, or they got bitten by a rat I would not be wanting to put unnecessary chemicals into my dogs.

[LoftyLottie]

My dogs are re- vaccinated each year, but it is selective and based on what diseases are prevalent. Living where I do there are lots of cases of leptospirosis and I just can't take any chances.

The cat has to be vaccinated for her annual stay in kennels.

[LoftyLottie]

Don't forget kennels won't take dogs unless they are kept up with their vaccinations. I don't kennel mine, but it's worth bearing in mind when making your decision.

[maggie01]

Thank you. I do realise kennels wont take dogs unless there vacinations are up to date but I don't have any intentions of kenneling them. One is 10 and one is 9.

I will have a word with my vet but think it over a bit more.

[lankeela]

Of course you could have a titre test done instead to see if the dogs have sufficient antibodies and don't need re-vaccinating. Not cheap but better than doing them if they don't need it.