I Do NOT Vaccinate My Dogs Every Year.
We do not vaccinate our children every year for their entire life, so why the heck would we vaccinate our dogs every year for its entire life? Because you didn’t know any better and you got that postcard in the mail every year telling you to do it. I take my dogs to the vet every year for a check-up with blood work, urinalysis, and titer testing. Titer testing is a blood draw that checks the antibody levels for Parvovirus and Distemper. FredMan was vaccinated as a puppy, got his rabies booster at one year of age and has not had another shot. He was born in December 2010 and has had no booster shots. Titer testing has shown that he does have the proper antibodies levels and he is protected.
In 2011 The American Animal Hospital Association guidelines committee changed its recommendation of annual distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus vaccinations to every three years. If your vet is still recommending vaccines every year, please show them this: 2017 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines. Stated in the PDF of these guidelines: "Administer subsequent boosters at intervals of 3 yr or longer."
PLEASE do your own research when it comes to your dog’s health. Below are many links to assist you in your quest to learn about over-vaccination. Don’t beat yourself up for not knowing this sooner. Just move forward with your new knowledge and do what you feel is best for your pet. Keep learning. When we know better, we do better.
The following is a collection of links about vaccines. I will keep adding to this list, so check back.
The first link is a video series that completely changed my outlook on vaccines.
How Often Should You Vaccinate Your Dog or Cat?
Way back in 2006 the AAHA changed the protocol to every 3 years.
Five Things That Are Not True About Vaccines
Four Warnings from Vaccine Manufactures
What Your Vet Doesn’t Know About Distemper Could Harm Your Dog
Five Vaccine Ingredients that can Harm Your Dog
RABIES is the only vaccine required by law.
Rabies Vaccine: 13 Ways to Vaccinate More Safely
Hopefully Changes are Coming for Rabies Vaccine Requirements
The Rabies Challenge Fund is Working to Change Rabies Vaccine Requirements
It is the law to keep current on your rabies vaccines. However, it is not without risks.
Check out this article on Rabies Miasms.
A book on the subject: Pukka’s Promise
A Facebook page about vaccines: https://www.facebook.com/anvacc