Vaccination questions?

[pazzo]

I am pretty confused. I mast admit this is definitly an area where I am lacking! Please give me some opinions. Santo is due for his "shots" he is 19 months and I got my reminder. I am assuming they mean his rabies, distemper, and his lymes. I am not going to vaccinate against lymes again. It is a problem where we live but I think it is not a good vac. My question is I was told (and read) never do vaccines together. Is this correct? Should I do one this week and one next, should I do titer tests? What are some of your toughts? Any are appreciated as I am totally confused! Thank you.

[Berner1]

Different vets handle vaccinating in different ways, as well as breeders do. My pup had his Distemper combo together with his 1st nasal Bortedella, the Lyme shot was done separately, as thats how we handle it at our practice. If there is a high incident of Lyme disease in your area, that would concern me to not vaccinate. All pets, as well as humans build up different immunity titers to conditions. I don't like alot of vaccines given at once, but I have seen paperwork from other vets that do it all at once. I guess we just need to educate ourselves more and be aware of this.

[BostonRott]

I live in a VERY high Lyme area, track with my dogs, as well as run them in fields. I do NOT get the Lyme vaccine since it has no real benefit. The proven efficacy is low. I know plenty of vaccinated dogs who have since gotten Lyme disease. I prefer to use the Preventic collar, haven't had a tick on my dogs since I started using them.

As to vaccine protocols, do some searching, this has been discussed many many times, including recently. You'll find links to articles, etc.

[pazzo]

Thank you for your replies. I have been doing some searches and just wanted some opinions, as I also feel the same way about the lymes vac. I will continue to try to find articles since this is an area I am really lost in. I used to trust the vet's opinion, but since people value money more than health these days I can't be that confident anymore.

[Carol Burke]

For boosters at 1 to 1 1/2 years of age I give Parvo, Distemper and Rabies. I give them seperately with at least a week in between. The only shot I give after that is Rabies.

[MomofSweetPotatoes]

We do not get the lyme vaccine either, and also use preventic collars (which are the only ones safe for greyhounds)

[Berner1]

Vaccines are FDA approved???????? Know a friend who did not get the lyme shot, used a preventic collar and never went to the vets for numerous tick bites on dog, unfortunately, he came down with lyme, was advanced and had to be Euthanized. I know there are vets out there for the money, but there are plenty that care. What about Distemper & Parvo, vets are not wanting to booster these every year. I personally am very much afraid of Parvo, as I am sure you are too. All animals and humans will build up a certain immunity to conditions as we do.

[pazzo]

berner1,
The thing about the lyme vac is like gretchen said it is not always effective and even with the shot the dog can come down with it anyway.