Are annual shots overkill!!!

**Lady's Human** · 05-15-2006, 10:59 PM

Actually, it is possible. Smallpox and polio ring a bell?

**wolfsoul** · 05-15-2006, 11:22 PM

People are NOT the same thing --- Polio and smallpox vaccines were not given to every single person for dozens of years annually or every few years. Dogs can have ten generation pedigrees where every single dog in that pedigree recieved the exact same vaccinations. Not only does this mean that the dog is breeding a weaker immune system into it's line, but that dog is carrying on a higher chance of vaccine sensitivities. Smallpox was not something that was vaccinated into the entire world population for years and years and years. Vaccinosis is extremely rare in people compared to dogs because people are not vaccinated as often and not with nearly as dangerous protocols. People are not able to start breeding at a young age and create litters that pass on the same genetic predispositions every year. Smallpox and polio compared to parvo virus is not the same thing at all. Parvo is one of the more common vaccinosis reactions, it has been known to last on sterilized surfaces for up to 7 years, etc. There is no way that every canine and feline disease could be wiped out as easily as polio and smallpox were.

**Lady's Human** · 05-15-2006, 11:34 PM

The original purpose of Rabies vaccines and the laws requiring rabies vaccine was not to protect the dogs, it was to protect the human population from getting the disease through dogs. Given the fact that rabies is a fairly common disease in wild animals in North America, not vaccinating is foolish.

If a reliable test for immune levels was developed and allowed by law, I could see not vaccinating every three years. Until that happens, however, I'll follow the law.

**wolfsoul** · 05-16-2006, 12:27 AM

If the rabies vaccine was created to protect humans, why don't the humans get the vaccines? Because there is a strong risk of problems, so instead we give them to our pets. I don't understand why we give them to dogs anyways -- I mean, if someone is stupid enough to not go to the doctor after being bit by a rabid dog...It takes 3-12 weeks for rabies symptoms to start. By then, it would be obvious that the animal has rabies. Of course if it is a stray dog,there should be enough suspicion of a dog randomly attacking somone that they would go to the dotocr. The only animal that doesn't give a very noticable bite is a bat, so that is the only time I can see someone not going to their doctor. The problem is not rabies, it's people's common sense.

There IS a legal reliable test for antibody levels that can be used in most areas--- it's called a titer. My dog gets it annually. Rabies vaccinations are not required by law where I live, as rabies is very rare. The very first rabid skunk in BC was found two years ago.

**Corinna** · 05-16-2006, 12:27 AM

Rabies is the only one I get for my pets one becouse of the law, and we live in an area with proven rabied bats.
I got my kids their first 2 vaccines and both got sick , and then I started reading about them . I stopped getting them , too many factors show that too many other things are happening to the kids getting them. ( hyper activity, autism, and immume defistionsys(sp) ) Son got hyper active after his two. Plus the pertusus in the whooping caugh one each one spiked a 1o4 temop in 20 mintues( so did I as a kid)

**wolfsoul** · 05-16-2006, 12:31 AM

I stopped getting vaccines after getting sick too. After my second HepB shot I was sick with flu-like symptoms for two weeks and developed a phobia of anything sharp. Now whenever I need my blood tested I have an absolute panic attack. My dad developed both the hyperactive and innattentive subtypes of ADHD after getting his first shots, so he never had any shots for the rest of his life. My stepmom always laughs because she got all of her vaccinations and still got mumps, my dad didn't get any vaccinations and barely gets a cold.

**Sevaede** · 05-16-2006, 12:48 AM

Hmmm. I think I am divided on this issue. Where I live, I am pretty sure there are things that are really common besides heartworm (which, as we all know, is not taken care of by vaccination but rather a topical or pill.). I would just be worried about my fur babies coming in contact with any diseases. Hmm. I shall do some more research.

So far, (even though this doesn't apply, exactly) Soni has been vaccinated against rabies, feline leukemia, and fvrcpc. I will do the same for Isis because not only is it required by law but I have to do it in order for her to be spayed (some even require a bordatella vacc.).

edit: As far as human vaccinations go, I have had a polio vaccination, and have started the hep b several times but never finished, amongst others and have never had a problem with them myself. Then again, I've always been pretty darn healthy minus the ear infections when I was way younger and especially concerning something else.

**wolf_Q** · 05-16-2006, 12:41 AM

I've also been worried about the annual vaccines. Nebo has received all of them each year and is due this July (annual, next year rabies) but I don't think I'm going to do the annuals. I've asked about the titer tests but I haven't yet found a vet that does that, I will keep looking. Are any of the diseases the annual vaccines are made to prevent life threatening in a healthy adult dog (besides rabies)? I know parvo can be life threatening but I thought it was a lot more serious in puppies.

I do think he'll still get a rabies vaccine though, because I'm paranoid. I know that if by chance he bit anyone if I couldn't provide proof of a current rabies vaccination he'd have to be quarantined for at least 10 days. When I was bit by a cat at work and it was not current the cat had to be (by law) quarantined, or kill the cat to test it (I'm not sure if I, being the one bit, actually could choose to have that happen? I didn't and wouldn't of course). I didn't want to get the rabies shots, so I rather just hoped I didn't get a phone call saying the cat showed symptoms of rabies, bad idea I know.

I don't think rabies is *that* common around here but I do go camping often where there's lots of wild animals........like I said, I'm paranoid.

*edited to add: I got a flu shot once and became extremely ill from it and I have sworn to never get one again!

**MsLadyLyn** · 05-20-2006, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by wolfsoul

People are NOT the same thing --- Polio and smallpox vaccines were not given to every single person for dozens of years annually or every few years. Dogs can have ten generation pedigrees where every single dog in that pedigree recieved the exact same vaccinations. Not only does this mean that the dog is breeding a weaker immune system into it's line, but that dog is carrying on a higher chance of vaccine sensitivities. Smallpox was not something that was vaccinated into the entire world population for years and years and years. Vaccinosis is extremely rare in people compared to dogs because people are not vaccinated as often and not with nearly as dangerous protocols. People are not able to start breeding at a young age and create litters that pass on the same genetic predispositions every year. Smallpox and polio compared to parvo virus is not the same thing at all. Parvo is one of the more common vaccinosis reactions, it has been known to last on sterilized surfaces for up to 7 years, etc. There is no way that every canine and feline disease could be wiped out as easily as polio and smallpox were.

As I recall the Smallpox vaccine was only given once. As for the Polio, I remember those nasty little "sugar cubes." But when my cousin developed Polio from taking the vaccine all our parents decided that not one of us were going to take another one, thank goodness! Our dogs however have to take these needless shots annually. Why would I want to take a chance that I could, in the long run, be doing my dear pet harm. I myself got a flu vaccine and then I got the flu! Will I take another one? Not on your life! As with rabies vaccines you and your pet are getting a "live virus" with these vaccines! So why do it at all?

**Lady's Human** · 05-20-2006, 01:15 AM

Rabies vaccines are NOT live virus.

**wolfsoul** · 05-20-2006, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Lady's Human

Rabies vaccines are NOT live virus.

You can get both killed and modified live rabies vaccines --- most people prefer live.

**Lady's Human** · 05-20-2006, 11:45 AM

The vet school links I looked at all listed the killed vaccine, nothing about a live vaccine.

**Suki Wingy** · 05-23-2006, 12:22 AM

still making up my mind. Untill then, he will continue to get his full set of shots. One thing I have to ask is:
He has a mild case of epilepsy, the vet never said if he'd always had it or whatever, but it only showed up after a few years of annual vaccines. My question is, could this have ANYTHING to do with his rabbies vaccine?

**frawri** · 05-16-2006, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Lady's Human

Actually, it is possible. Smallpox and polio ring a bell?

There not eradicated, just cut down... Plus at the time I don't think the vaccination had all this other junk in it that is in our vaccinations now.

**frawri** · 05-16-2006, 08:58 AM

I think we all can have our own views on this with out getting at each other’s throats. We are not animals, lets not act like them. This topic was brought up to help others see there is something wrong with just letting others do our thinking for us. I think it has helped us talk about it. That is great, lets keep doing that. It helps out so many people. But please don't just take one or two persons idea of right or wrong. Look into it for yourself. Think for yourself. Do research. Then when you have it all sitting in front of you, make an educated choice as to right or wrong. Your animal is going to love you either way, but it is important for YOU to make that educated choice.