Dogs should not be getting annual shots after their first adult boosters. If your vet still does this he/she is behind the times. I believe the current recommendations are every 3 years (except for rabies as required by law). Many people stop altogether after the first year booster and do titers to determine coverage. I took this route and last year my vet even told me not to do the TITERS every year. The science seems to support the idea that most of the core vaccines last at least 7 years and often longer. (We certainly don't vaccinate our kids for everything annually, do we!)
Obviously the pets should have annual exams and I know how quick that adds up, especially with occasional blood tests tacked on.[/QUOte
Another thing on the boosters if you want to do every year. Most feed and seed stores carry them for about $7.00 and that includes the syringe to do it yourself. Also you can buy something called Ivermectin. This is heartworm medicine for horses. It is the same ingrediant that is in all the namebrand heartworm pills. It cost about $20.00 bucks a bottle and will last about 4 years in the fridge. You give your dog 1/10cc per 10lbs of body weight.
