I got some really valid questions from Chris in Pittsburgh, which actually inspired me to write the FAQ on Vaccinations.
I listen to you from Pittsburgh, PA on podcast. I love your program and share your beliefs in dog health, nutrition etc. I have read many of the books written by your guests prior to them coming on your show which makes it very neat to hear them speak.
Exactly what diseases are checked in a titer? And how often should these titers be done on adult dogs? My vet checks distemper and parvo yearly, which costs $100.00. Another vet said parvo titers are not needed on adult dogs because parvo is a puppy disease. If this is the case, I wonder why parvo immunization is given in the mix of all the other immunizations routinely every 3 years. My vet does encourage immunizations, but is agreeable when I say no.
We have 2 shelter adopted dogs:
Redford is a 68 lb male golden retriever and at a guess, approximately 8.5 years old who has been ours for 3.5 yrs. He was a stray with no health history, so the shelter gave 2 sets of immunizations, as is protocol. He has allergies and I did not want to further compromise his immune system, so instead of giving him another round of immunizations as I was supposed to 1 year later, I had titers done and the levels showed he had adequate levels. He has now had distemper and parvo titers checked every year for 3 years, which have all been good. Does he need to continue to get titers every year??
Rosie is a 40 lb female Australian shepherd (someone cut her tail very short, maybe trying to pass her off as a pure Aussie when a puppy…?), Springer spaniel or lab mix is 3.5 yrs old who we have had for 1 year. Last year when her owner turned her in to the shelter, the shelter gave her the normal round of immunization boosters and a 1 year rabies shot. Is there any difference between the 1 year and 3 year rabies shot? She will shortly be due for a rabies booster, since her paperwork states she had the 1 year rabies. When it is time for her immunizations I will titer her also instead of just immunizing her.
I give my dogs Heartgard monthly and Frontline plus as needed. My understanding of flea and tick preventative is that the flea or tick has to bite the dog to get the poison into their system from the dog and then dies. But if the flea or tick is carrying a disease, the dog will be exposed with this bite. The preventive kills fleas or ticks but does not prevent the spread of disease. So why not just remove fleas and ticks from the dog when needed instead of being encouraged by the vets to put the preventive (which is actually poison) on the dogs skin, which gets absorbed into their system? What is the advantage of using the preventive??
I always look forward to your program. Have a good day, Chris
