Do dogs really need annual DHLP booster?

[leahjade]

I know rabies shots are required by law but is the DHLP booster necessary every year? Of course, a vet would say so, but my dog never is around other dogs and only goes outside to go potty.

 

[pl71]

My vet says no, once they've completed the puppy series they shouldn't need annual boosters. I take my dog in for annual checkups, she gets the kennel cough thing annually since we board her, and she's on heartworm and flea/tick medication. She gets a rabies shot every 3 years.

Our vet has a standard letter explaining why she feels a booster is not needed, and our kennel accepts that instead of proof of vaccination.

Here's a link with more on it:

http://www.fila-brasileiro.org/annual-immunization-boosters.html

 

[leahjade]

thanks - it really gets expensive and makes me wonder what is necessary and what is just paying my vet's kids way through college! It seems like they think of more and more shots that are "required" every time I go!

 

[daisax]

Most vet schools began endorsing a 3 year cycle of revaccination several years ago. Laboratory testing shows immunity lasts up to 7 years and even longer in many dogs on most of these vaccines.

You can test your dog's immunity levels with titers (a simple blood draw) but this is far more expensive than simple vaccination, so it's your choice. I prefer to check the titers every couple of years (my 9 year old has not been revaccinated since puppyhood and has maintained his immunity, while his niece needed re-vaccination at 3).

IMO, any vet who endorses annual DHLP is far behind the times, and you'd best look into finding a vet who is keeping current with the science.

 

[npmommie]

we don't do the annual booster, our vet also says its not necessary. we do it every 3 yrs or so...........usually when they get their 3 yr rabies shot.

 

[disneystacy]

We have to get our dogs vaccinated yearly as we board our dogs and it is required.

 

[pixiewings71]

We get ours done every 3 years, except the bordatella which is yearly for our big dog. So far it's every 6 months for the little dog but she's not a year yet so that may be why. We only do the bordatella when we are planning to board them.

 

[Zoiebear]

I would say dont skimp on vaccinations, because you will be sorry if something bad happens. There are so many mobile clinics that just charge you for the injections you can get for cheaper. I know that there is practically a clinic every weekend around my area.
Stacie

 

[Momma2dakidz]

I just got off the phone with my own vet arguing this very point. She had NOTHING valid to say. except "laws say every year" UMMMM not in ohio idiot! I got on the dis to calm down before calling around for a new vet. Vaccines are good for 3 years atleast. If teh dog is older then i wouldnt even vaccinate for rabies. If there is an issue then ask for a titers. You dont want to be on my path, i have a German Shepherd dog in renal failure due to vaccines and doxycyclene. Its by far cheaper to just not vaccinate and get a rabies titers.

 

[mdhkitten]

I worked for vets for 12 years and the last vet that I worked for was more into fewer vaccinations for OLDER animals. DHPP we didn't feel was necessary for dogs that were, let's say, over 4 or 5. Typically the things that this vaccine protects against are typically acquired by puppies and younger dogs (even up to a couple of years).

The things that every pet should get (depending upon the area) is:

*Rabies- How often depends upon where you live. Many states, such as Alabama where this is a higher rabies epidemic, require YEARLY vaccines by state law. Many northern states only booster every 3 years. It's usually the same vaccination (there are those that are only good for a year, but most vets use the 3 year type), but legally you have to have it yearly in some states.

*Bordatella (kennel cough)- Super important if you ever board your pet or have them groomed, but important regardless. It doesn't cost much and this is super contagious and quite frankly, a pain in the butt if your dog gets it. Then you have to listen to a hacking dog that coughs up slimey stuff and if they do contract it then you're looking at a bill to see the vet and be prescribed a couple of different meds. No fun to deal with for either you or your pet.

*Heartworm test- Some vets will recommend every 6 months, but personally I do it yearly. This is important because you wouldn't believe the number of owners who accidentally forget a month, and although you rarely see it, I have seen pets who were on prevention year round and still contracted heartworms. Giving them preventative while they're positive can be very dangerous. I'm not sure of how this works now, but back when places like 1-800 Pet Meds, etc, came into play, heartworm manufacturers wouldn't foot the bill if you treated your dog monthly and they still came up positive if you chose to purchase from places like this. They DID pay for treatment for heartworm cases where the pet was taking the product monthly, purchasing it from a veterinary clinic, and was being checked for heartworms as recommended. I'm not sure if this is still true or not, but I did email one of these places recently to see what they had to say and they weren't sure how the manufacturer would handle it.

 

[mdhkitten]

BTW, here's an article about the manufacturers paying for treatment for heartworm preventative purchased directly from a vet vs. that which is purchased from an online company:

http://www.arcamax.com/catsanddogs/s-174512-661306


Also, I did find that if you buy from 1800petmeds and your dog contracts heartworm disease while taking the drug as recommended they WILL reimburse you for your veterinary bills up to $500 after a certain process. Believe me, depending on how bad the heartworm disease is it can certainly cost more than this, plus who wants to pay the amount up front to be reimbursed later. A lot of vets will price match these places, so be sure to check with yours!

http://www.1800petmeds.com/guarantee_info.jsp