Question for Mr. Mongo

Totally Judy

Totally Judy

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
Messages
4,347
Mongo.....

Your opinion please, if you would. Not asking for advice.

Topic is Annual Vaccinations for dogs. The past practice has always been to give your dog an annual 'booster' vaccination.

Some concerns that have been raised are whether or not annual vaccinations are really needed and possibly does giving annual vaccinations actually pose some harm to dogs as they become seniors.

I've always done the annual thing for my dogs, but have not done so for the past year++. I ask all sorts of people in dog-related professions, and mostly they say "YES!!! You need to give shots every year."

But then I go on online and do some research and, for example, the CSU Vet School gives some options as to when an every 3-year booster would suffice.

I pretty much know which way I am going to go on this, but am still wanting to get as much input as possible. My munchkins are my responsibility and I need to do what is best for them - whether it is an annual or 3-year booster. Money is not the issue. Their health is the issue.

I believe that dogs who compete in any events, i.e., conformation, agility, field and trial, etc. should have annuals because they are in close contact with lots of dogs. I'm not questioning annual vaccinations for those dogs.

Your viewpoint on this topic would be appreciated. I understand if you don't feel comfortable discussing this here.

Thanks,

Judy
 
Massive can of worms Judy, and not the kind you can "deworm" easily.
Vaccinations are a hot topic. I do think that rabies should be boosted regularly, either once a year or every three years. This one is also required by law, at least in Illinois.
The "distemper" shot is actually a combination of diseases that are vaccinated for. It can be a four way vaccine that covers the minimum... Distemper, Adenovirus 2 (hepatitis), pneumonia, and parvo. The other end of that spectrum is a DA2PPVCVK-L4, which covers the same of the four way and adding Corona virus, and a four way Lepto. So, you are protecting against a bunch of stuff. Distemper probably only needs to be boosted only a couple of times in life. Probably the same for hepatitis. The others I feel need annual boosting, as they may have waning protection with time. Same with Bordetella or kennel cough vaccine.
For cats, same story with rabies and a similar tale with the FVRCP/PN or "cat distemper" vaccine. FeLV vaccine is a good idea for indoor/outdoor cats, but I do not recommend it for indoor only cats. Complete story is not in yet for the FIV vaccine in my book. FIP and Ringworm vaccines were complete busts and are probably off the market now.

I have two dogs. They get vaccinated annually for Rabies, Kennel cough, and the "distemper" vaccine, as well as Heartworm testing and all year prevention.

How's that?
 
Mongo,

That was good! Do you differentiate the need for annual booster shots based on whether the dog(s) are exposed on a regular basis with other dogs, boarded, etc. vs. dogs who are kept at home except for trips to the groomer and/or vet? Of course visiting the vet exposed dogs to possibly infected dogs.

But what is your thought on long-term effects of annual vaccinations?

Yeah, I know it is a hot topic, which is why I am interested in your opinion.

Judy
 
Judy,

FWIW... my wife and I raise and breed champion Weimaraners. Our three permanent family members (ages 12-6) all get yearly boosters for the same things Mongo mentioned. We've never had any adverse reactions to the immunizations, and we think the shots (etc.) have helped prevent our lovely pets from catching all sorts of problematic things.

I'd rather not take a chance with the health of my herd of hard charging canines... vaccinations every year for all!

AJ
 
Having known people who lost dogs to parvo and heartworm, there is no way that I wouldn't vaccinate my dogs. Whatever the slight long term risk might be, I feel that it is far less than the very real threat of rabies (rampant in wild animals around here), heartworm, parvo, etc.

Unless your dogs have no chance of contact with other animals or any vector of disease, I can't see taking the risk.
 
Judy, taking your dog to the groomer, dog-park, pet store, even around the block is kinda like sending your kid to kindergarten... just as germy.
There was a study done 20 yrs ago that measured the amount of roundworm eggs in the environment. Guess where they found the most? Yep, all the neighborhood playground parks. :eek: I'm not going to even touch the public health issues here other than to say you should keep your dog on a product like Sentinel or Interceptor all year 'round. These products also act as a monthly dewormer for roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.
 
HEY.... Judy, shouldn't your thread be titled "Question for DR. Mongo"? I believe MR. Mongo is Alex Karras and/or Steve McMichael.:D
 
DR. Mongo, Sir:

My most humble apologies for my lack of protocol. Indeed, I should have acknowledged your most esteemed and hard-earned title. :o

In the future, under similar circumstances, I will ensure that you are titled appropriately.

Man oh man.... I can't seem to do nuttin' right. :D

Judy

p.s. my mutts are lying on the floor writhing in agony from some germy thing they picked up somewhere. I guess I should have gotten their booster shots last June, huh? Oh well. Anyone know where I can get 3 new Lhasa Apsos?
 
Totally Judy said:
p.s. my mutts are lying on the floor writhing in agony from some germy thing they picked up somewhere. I guess I should have gotten their booster shots last June, huh? Oh well. Anyone know where I can get 3 new Lhasa Apsos?
Click to expand...

What are you gonna do with the 3 old Lhaso Apsos... tie 'em to a stick and use 'em as dust mops? :D
 
Clydetz said:
What are you gonna do with the 3 old Lhaso Apsos... tie 'em to a stick and use 'em as dust mops? :D
Click to expand...

That is what I do with the Lhasa Apsos while they are living. It's easier to wash them out and re-use them.

I use the hair from the dead ones to make hair weaves for myself. :D
 
Totally Judy said:
DR. Mongo, Sir:

My most humble apologies for my lack of protocol. Indeed, I should have acknowledged your most esteemed and hard-earned title. :o

In the future, under similar circumstances, I will ensure that you are titled appropriately.

Man oh man.... I can't seem to do nuttin' right. :D

Judy

p.s. my mutts are lying on the floor writhing in agony from some germy thing they picked up somewhere. I guess I should have gotten their booster shots last June, huh? Oh well. Anyone know where I can get 3 new Lhasa Apsos?
Click to expand...

Judy, I'm not REALLY that uppitidy about title... just yankin' yer chain!
By the way, everybody knows that ya gotta go to "Lhasa Apsos 'R us" for those little critters!;) :D
 
Totally Judy said:
While we're on the topic of dogs ----- how is Clyde doing these days?
Click to expand...

He's a fighter... just when I think it's time for that last lonely ride, he looks up at me, wags his tail and makes me believe in the credence of prayer. He's lost alot of weight, is weak in the back end, and sleeps alot. In the last few days his appetite has 'perked' up and I've been giving him a main course of chicken with some canned dog food w/gravy, liverwurst or roast beef, vitamins, his meds and nutri cal twice a day. This past Saturday we actually took a short walk and he even wanted to take a ride in the truck with me! I took some pixs and I'll post 'em in a bit. Thanks for asking, Judy. :thumbup:
 
Mongo said:
Judy, I'm not REALLY that uppitidy about title... just yankin' yer chain!
By the way, everybody knows that ya gotta go to "Lhasa Apsos 'R us" for those little critters!;) :D
Click to expand...

Dr. Mongo..... I know yer not yuppity........ I was just yankin' back! :D

Lhasa Apsos 'R us.......why didn't I think about that? Is that just another cute name for...........drum roll..............PUPPY MILL? :eek:

Judy
 
Anyone who wants to retire so he can blow stuff up should be refered to by Dr. Mr. Mongo, Sir.
 
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