[Cincinatus' Wife]

Our daughter's six year old schnauzer always had bad allergic reactions to the yearly shots. A year ago she almost lost this dog to an immune disorder. Those yearly shots are the suspected cause. Our daughter's love of this animal and the hard work of her and our vet pulled the dog through. However, this pet can never again get these shots. This will change where she can go and services providers who will care for her.

[The Raven]

We lost an 18 month old Bassett Hound to a rare liver cancer. This was after we signed up for all the shots including some new ones (flea prevention of all things).

I always suspected the vet's overuse of shots couldn't be handled by the dog.

[Lizzy W]

I'm always looking for excuses to post my baby, Reagan!

[Snowy]

I know that the rabies vaccine for my dog and two cats lasts longer than a year, however, here in Occupied Pennsylvania, yearly rabies shots are the law. Apparently, if your animal bites or scratches someone and their shots are not up to date (once a year), the animal is to be euthanized and the head sent to Harrisburg for testing. It's infuriating what I have to spend at the vet for routine shots. The producers of the vaccines don't want to change the law, and neither do the vets - too much money pouring in. How do we get this changed?

[mewzilla]

The vets we've encountered lately are still pushing the annual shots. They won't board your animal if it doesn't receive annual vaccinations or treat it if the treatment involves an overnight (or longer stay). I can understand the need for the shots, but not annually.

[Darnright]

Bump

[abner]

I was turned down adoption of a kitten because my other cats were not current on their shots. Never mind that they were vaccinated and brought up to date 'if' they had to go to the vet. Never mind that they NEVER go outside.

Yes, the pet store called my vet to find out. One is 12, one is 8, and the other is 13. Wow, I must be a horrible pet owner.

This is Fidget.

[Snowy]

I have to add...

What does "required by law" mean in the article when referring to the frequency of rabies shots??? Either the vaccine is effective for a length of time, or it isn't. How can where you live determine the effectiveness of a vaccine????? [/rant]

[Pokey78]

Too many vaccinations, and this is what will happen to your beloved pet:

[norton]

Ask you vet about cancers caused by the oft repeated shots;
they are aware of the problem.
Here as well, if kitty ain't up to date (yearly) the city and the vet will find a way to force the issue.
If puppy is the wrong breed, puppy better damn well be out of public sight.

[1Old Pro]

WOW, I've been waiting to read this article for a decade or more.

Vets are a cash machine. My vet sells me special prescription food for my elderly doggie at 3 times the price of brand name quality off the shelf food.

As for lyme disease, I always thought that was a racket. 80% of dogs don't need it. The remaining 20% who are outside alot probably do.

[Lizzy W]

At least in Charleston, SC, vets may be reaching a consensus on vaccination. My old vet does not recommend FELV for inside kitties (who test negative) because of the tumor risk at injection site. And, my new vet does not suggest yearly vaccinations for indoor kitties. However, I'm not sure if this recommendation stands when there is also a dog in the house (because some of these disease-causing organisms can be tracked in from outdoor pets).

[HairOfTheDog]

Interesting, Washington must be a "three year" state on rabies, but my vet is still recommending annuals on the others. My horses get annuals on their various shots also, but I give these myself and they are cheap.

I have never heard (before this) of side-effects to the shots themselves, I believe they must be very rare.

Thanks for the post.

[Daus]

I was just in talking to the vet and they are pushing heartworm pills for both our dog and cat. The dog I could understand, but when pressed on why our inside cat would require heartworm pills, the older Doc actually said in 30 years of being a vet he's never seen a cat (inside or outside) get heartworm. Though they continue to reccomend it.

I've really had it with the whole profession. I've sunk hundreds into a supposed Thyroid deficiency, my hyper-active 100mph Boxer is reported to have... "Well, let's run that $120 thyroid test ONE more time, since the results of the first 3 were inconclusive"

[falcon1]

I know want your daughter went through. We have a 11yr old female schnuzer that had reactions to her yearly shots, now we are fighting (AIHA)autoimune. We got are 12yr old male his shots (schnuazer also) and he proceeded to have trouble with both of back legs and just getting back to almost normal.(shots about 2 months ago).

[RCW2001]

The magazine "Dog Fancy" had an article to this effect about a year ago. I've decided to go to a three year schedule on my two remaining dogs.

Sadly, one week ago today, I lost my black Lab (Maxwell) of nine years to 'cushings disease'. A horrid illness, caused by a tumor, that we battled for seven months.

I miss the big ole bruiser...

[steve-b]

My vet suggested on his own initiative that my indoor cat should get feline leukemia shots every other year instead of every year.

[RightFin]

I just wanted to post my baby-boy, Kramer. (Yes, his teeth are permanently that way, but his daddy and I love him!)

[lowbridge]

bump

[PoisedWoman]

Maisey Jane, age nine, gets shots every few years, not annually. Last year, we had a bad flea season so I got Advantage at the vet's office. She totally lost her voice for three days. Croaked rather than meowed. Both the vet and the manufacturer swore up and down that Advantage would not cause such a problem, but it definitely did. I actually used less than the standard dose, which killed fleas instantly. BTW, I adopted Maisey from the shelter one hour before her time was up. Lucky for both of us! She's a splendid animal!

[tictoc]

Does anyone happen to know if veterinary science in the U.S. has developed a cure for Leishmaniosis?

I live in Europe, and my Ibizan Hound spent the first year of his life in Spain where the disease is common. It has a very long incubation period.

When I asked my vet about it, she said that current treatment is almost worse than the disease.

While a test exists to see if a dog carries Leishmaniosis, she recommended against it because "what good would it do you to know?"

I think she's right and decided not to test my dog, but would like to know if anything new has come out in the U.S.