Bid wrote:Seventiesboy wrote:
Any ethical vet will tell you that immunisation is important for the protection of your dog and also for the reduction in disease incidence within the community.
The situation is the same in humans.
Sorry - I don't agree with that - any ethical vet will explain how immunisation works, and that your dog will have immunity for many years. Any unethical vet will take your money for annual vaccinations that are unnecessary! You are right in saying that the situation is the same for humans though - we only get our vaccinations once, not every year!
You are also right in saying that the dogs are exposed to bugs daily - when we had Daisy's titres done her count for parvo was sky-high - showing that she had been in contact with the virus and her immune system had fired up and protected her - without annual re-vaccination.
Sorry but your medical science is not quite correct.
Dogs, humans and all animals are exposed to bacteria/viruses etc daily.
Humans do not only have one injection.
Children have courses and boosters thoughout their development.
Tetanus is required regularly until a certain number have been given.
Hepatitis B requires boosters every 4 years
Influenza should be offered annually to at risk groups.
Etc, etc, etc.
The facts are very clear that disease prevention is better than having to cure an illness. Look at the evidence on small pox eradication vs small pox deaths for an example.
I am pleased that her Parvo titres are still high and that her vacc for this isn't required at present. You may be aware that antibody titres will degrade over time and that the degradation rate will not necessarily be linear. So how often should the blood test for titres be done? Vaccination schedules are based on research evidence from the study of animals or humans and are directed at the best possible advice for good health.
I firmly believe that any ethical vet will discuss the pros and cons of immunisation with a pet owner whatever that pet may be.
It is a PERSONAL opinion but I would rather that my dog was protected than be put at risk.
You have the choice when you pay your money to a vet and you must have a vet that you can trust.
My REAL opinion is that questions such as this on dog vaccination should be posed directly to the vet and if the vet is not trusted then another vet should be approached.
Who knows on a public forum who is giving what advice and whether they are qualified to do so.
Who knows, I may be a shopkeeper, an immunologist, a bin man or even a vet.
You may be a vet or a GP for all I know.
I would approach my vet or vet nurse for advice like this.
As I said this is only MY PERSONAL OPINION and my priority is MY dog's well being
