I agree, i also don't think it's nessecary for annual boosters either. I have 3 dogs and they are all at various states booster wise. The youngest is up to date, she's not 2 years old yet though so she had her booster at age 1. The middle dog had his last booster 2 years ago (he's 4) and the eldest dog is 12 and he hasn't had one for 4 years.
Our own vet has actaully admitted they do not need these boosters annually. I know there's lots of dog owners who also think they're needless every year.

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Paula
Grifdegalles

us humans dont have annual tb,tetatnus,rubella etc do we!

Must admit i havent had our eldest done yet shes 7 but still within the time frame if i decided to. Our 3 year old is up to date though. My 17 year old cat hasnt had any jabs since he was 2 and he's had no problems what so ever

Right, where to start.

There is increasing evidence that annual vaccination is not neccessary because immunity lasts longer than a year, or the dog builds it's own immunity through coming into contact with low levels of the viruses in it's day to day life.

I have my puppy vaccs done, at 10 and 12 weeks, then titre test (a test fro immunity) prior to the yearly booster. My girl is now almost three and has so far only needed her puppy vaccs. Next time we have a litter and I keep a pup, I plan to titre test before having any vaccs. I know people who's pups have never been vaccinated and are immune.

Vaccinating when it's not needed doesn't boost your dogs immunity and it can cause problems, sometimes serious ones, especially to the Leptospirosis vaccine. However, simply not vaccinating without checking your dogs immunity is irresponsible in my opionion and also contributes to lower 'herd immunity'.

Just also to add, you never need to start the course again, immunity doesn't work like that.

Hi Jackson

What is a titre test - I have never heard of it. Does the vet do it and how much approx does it cost?

Also if it shows they have lost their immunity if you don't start immunisation over again how do you resolve this?

Hi!

A titre test is a blood test that tests fro immunity. Your vet will take the blood and send it away fro testing, usually to Glasgow. Glasgow charge £18 for a combined test for Parvo, Distemper and Adeno virus immunity and then your vet will add one whatever they want to charge for the bloods.

If they aren't immune, you just need one vaccination, not a course.

Thank you. Wonder why vets never tell you about this?

because of the money they would lose!

We actually accept dogs that haven't had yearly boosters provided they have a record of being titre tested to prove imunity.

They wouldn't lose money, in fact, they'd potentially make more.

My vets charge £30 for a vaccination including a full health check, but charged me £62 for my titre. (£18 for lab and £44 for them) If I had then needed to vaccinate they would have still made their £30 on top of that.

I think the reason they don't suggest it routinely is lack of education of the general public and that some people would then think they didn't need to vaccinate, and also not bother to titre test, so their dog might not actually be immune. This thread has demonstarted that.