Annual booster at 9 yrs?

Hi all, just wondering whether any of you decide to give the annual booster a miss when your dog gets to 9 or 10 yrs. old? I have always done this at 10 as I think they've had enough by then, but I really want to do it now with Cassie who is due next week but she's only 9. I know all about the pro's and cons etc. and am not looking for a discussion here, but seeing as you are all avid dog lovers and know what you're doing with things like this, I just wondered whether you agree with my feelings? Any input would be much appreciated to help me make my mind up! Thanks.

personally id get the booster older dogs are more susceptable i believe ,, i would carry on . or seeks vetinary advice .. its your choice babe make up your own mind

I totally agree, and I would do exactly the same! I havent had a dog boosted here in years, ever since the "titre testing" episode and even more so now we know boosters last at least 3 yrs!
Dawn.

do they really last 3 years ?

Hi Helen,

Personally I won't be having any boosters for Benji at all (I read something yesterday that led me to believe that his puppy injections could be to blame for the skin condition he now has. In the past we have never ever (neither me or my elder sister (and we have had quite a few dogs between us) had boosters on our dogs. My sister has 5 dogs now and one of them is nearly 11 and he has never had a booster in his life and the other 3 are 9 and they have never ever been boostered either and then there is Toby the Bichon who is one and she isn't having him done. We had a cross breed who never had a booster in her life and she died at 16 years of age and a poodle that died at 17 and he didn't either. None of the dogs mentioned hardly ever go to the vets or get ill they are extemely healthy dogs. I am not saying that you shouldn't have yours done though Helen but personally I don't believe they need all these vaccinations that vets are doing and that they aren't particularly good for them. I suppose its a risk whatever you do but its my choice not to vaccinate. We don't have vaccinations yearly so why should our dogs and they only live on average 12-15 years and we have a lot longer than that to survive on our baby vaccinations.

Hmmm thanks Borderdawn, you especially have made me think I may be right in my thinking. I have already told my vet when I last saw him that I didn't think I would have her done this year, and he said that was ok, but what got me worried/thinking about this again was her recent episode of that passing blood which they never found out exactly what it was and I got to thinking what if she had picked up something serious and her booster was protecting her again getting a full blown attack - I know this is a very difficult subject, but to hear from specialists like yourself on here does help me come to a decision. Thanks very much Dawn.

Hi deefin. Yes, my vets now only give a Lepto and Kennel Cough jab every year, leaving the fully loaded booster to every third year, as they have now proved it is totally unnecessary to give them every year. These are the Companion Care Vets which are based in the Pets at Home Store. Ask you vet what they do with their annual boosters and whether they do the same as it would be much better to have them like this than every year giving them the full works.

Unless you plan on having to kennel your dog anytime then i wouldnt bother.

Hi Foxy, Yes I read about the vaccine in your other thread and thanks for the website, very informative.

I know it's a decision I have to make myself, but a lot of people on here are serious breeders etc. and know what they're talking about, and I was very interested in what their opinion is on this just to help me make up my mind. I really feel a dog of 9 yrs. old especially with her poor health history and knackered intestines, probably resulting in a lower immune system to help her, I just can't seem to make up my mind 100% if you know what I mean.

Funny you should say that about Benji, as I noticed that Georgie started scratching again within one week of having his booster jab back in May, and yet he hadn't scratched at all since Christmas when I had it all under control, so I am in fact, also considering whether I will even have him boostered next year and he is only 5. I think if my decision sways on the "don't" for Cassie, then this will also apply to Georgie from next year on. Oh, it's a real dilema isn't it. Thanks for your input Foxy, a lot of my friends are the same with theirs and don't have any after the initial puppy ones.

Yes Deefin as Helen says, some manufacturers vaccines do, can there be a reason why they all don't? I doubt it. Have a look here
http://www.future-of-vaccination.co.uk/index.asp
DAwn.