What about these yearly vaccinations?

[dab_20]

Just judge your situation, find a vet who will tell you the truth. My vet will tell me what really isn't necessary. Rabies is a must have for any dog IMO. If you live in the country in a humid climate, for instance, you would need more vaccines because of the different bugs and animals that can spread diseases. Bordetella is only needed if your dog is around a lot of other dogs. I live in apartments with tons of other dogs, so I do get that done. I also think heartworm meds are important as well.

[IRescue452]

My vet told me they no longer need to test for heartworms for heartgard because they changed the formula.

I do 3 year rabies and the 5 way every 3 years. I go to the dog park and my dogs have never gotten kennel cough. It can spread by walking down the same sidewalk as a dog who had it so your dog is at risk even if you don't meet other dogs directly. Kennel cough is actually an upper respiratory infection caused by several potential viruses or bacterias, its not a disease in itself. You do need it if you want to board your dog and I suggest it if your dog is not healthy overall or if you have a very old dog who is susceptible to pneumonia.

[Sharon_FL]

Well, I guess I don't need "Bordetella" since I never board my dog, have stopped going to dog parks because she doesn't seem to enjoy playing with the other dogs anymore and we will just encounter the occasional random dog for a quick sniff on our daily walks. She doesn't go to doggie daycare, either.

Do most of you just get the 3 way vaccines? Lily is a Yorkie/Maltese mix. I don't know what they are looking for in the "fecal" test. I suppose worms. We live in FL. It is hot and humid, but she doesn't dig around in any dirt. She mostly goes potty on grass on our walks and isn't outside by herself ever.

I give her "Advocate" for Heartworms/fleas and I believe it also takes care of worms and a bunch of other stuff.I don't even get it from my vet. I get it online a bit cheaper than they would charge and she gets it all year, of course, since we live in FL.

My vet has never mentioned a 3 yr Rabies shot. She always just gives her the yearly one. I guess I have to ask for it, huh?

I would love it so much if someone would look over the list of what my vet thinks Lily should have and read what info I have given here and give me some suggestions as to what your opinions would be as to what you think she actually only needs....

I am thinking to drop the "Bordetella", tell her she doesn't need a "fecal" .... just need to know which of those 5 way vaccines i don't need? Seems to be the "Lepto" is not so needed and the "Parainfluenza"?

Does that sound right? Just get her the 3 core ones (DPH?) + Heartworm.... Someone mentioned Lymes disease. How important is that in my area. Anyone know? I worry so much about my little Lily. I want to make sure that I make the right decisions in her health care. I love her so much!


Thank you guys so much for helping me. you don't know how much I appreciate your time and patience. Truly, thank you....

[pomtzu]

Sharon - Lyme's has been found in every state, but it is most prevalent in the Northeast region of the country from the DC/MD area, north to Maine. It probably wouldn't be a huge issue in FL, but you might want to ask your vet about it. My dogs get vaccinated every year, but it still isn't 100% effective either, as Sparky had it a couple of years ago. He tested false negative when my vet suspected he had it, but he actually did have it, and after a round of antibiotics for 30 days, he was back to "normal".