moosepup

Happened a couple years ago I think?

Nope not funny at all. In her old age Zoe has started getting a bit aggressive when we walk past strange dogs, I think some of it stems from her losing her eyesight and feeling less confident, so I always make sure I stop and let people with dogs pass or give them a wide berth. Moose is fine when walked on his own. Also not funny when a big dog tries to go for Moose when we're out walking and it's owner laughs and makes comments about Moose being dinner.

I only feed Happy Paws: http://www.happypawstreats.com.au They go bananas for them. :)

Yay!

Genuine question.... why bother with the earlier vaccs if the mothers antibodies render them useless? Is it just in case?

What were his results KB? As others said a low result might just mean he hasn't been exposed recently, the fact that he has some response is good. I personally wouldn't necessarily vacc straight away based on a low result unless you need to for show/trial purposes. :) Mine were tested a couple months ago, anything over 40 being considered adequate... Moose - last vacc 2010 - Parvo 320, D & H both 56 Zoe - last vacc 10+ years ago - Parvo 160 The D&H are as expected as I don't think there have been any cases in my area in recent times.

That is true but you usually have to pay a consult fee on top of the actual cost of the vaccination (which I think Stitch is referring to). It's been a while since I had a pup though so I have no idea what a C3 or C5 costs anymore. Is $65 what they charge just for the vacc or for the consult as well? If it's both then that's pretty reasonable.

Same kiwi! Mine aren't fussy about food but for awhile there Moose was fussy about what it was served in, the only thing I could get him to eat off was an ice cream container lid. :laugh: I think he didn't like having his nose touching the side of the deep bowl so I did pander to him and got him this and no problems since... :D I do vary the flavours of BARF I get them so maybe that stops them being fussy but I think they'd eat whatever I put in their bowls. I think some dogs just don't like certain foods and other dogs are just spoilt. :)

Hahaha I love the start where the dog behind her is serenely swimming around and then she gets right in there paddling up a storm. The other dog is probably thinking 'what the heck is this?!'. :D

What a cutie roly poly puppy. :)

He is quite a big pup, 9 weeks in that photo. He has a thick coat too so it makes him look a little bulkier. That would be a sight! Two fluffies. :D

Nacho! He's a Chihuahua but his ears haven't quite popped yet. :laugh:

Two weeks. :D ETA - I'm getting him in two weeks, he's not two weeks old. :laugh:

Spot on. :)

Here's one article that has quoted research: http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/lifelong-immunity-vets/ . I'm about to head out so can't look for more but if you're interested have a search for Dr Jean Dodds and Dr Ron Shultz. From one study... I believe the above is applicable to more than 95% of canines and fits my own experience as both dogs have more than adequate titre results and haven't been vacc'd for 3 and 10+ years. Those figures would cover a lot of dogs for a lifetime. Happy researching! :)

Well actually no, we don't, not beyond the initial puppy vaccs. That's what I meant, all dogs at least need their puppy vaccs.... sorry it wasn't clear enough.

We most definitely need to vaccinate our dogs, there's no argument there, it's the frequency that's under debate. :)

If it were me they wouldn't have had anything but it really depends on what you do with the dogs, where you live and what you feel comfortable with. I don't think the vets are trying to do the 'wrong' thing by you when recommending annual vacs, they're either behind the times a bit or just following religiously what the vac label says. I think we're still at the point where owners need to do their own research and make the decision they feel most comfortable with. The AVPMA (Aus govermentment) site I linked to even discourages the recommendation of annual vacs. For me, the titre results are proof that I don't need to vaccinate for parvo, distemper or hepatitis (C3) possibly ever again. I don't see a need in giving a preventative for kennel cough as it's very rarely fatal and the KC vaccines don't cover all strains anyway. I also have never had a dog with KC so the risk to me is very minimal. The only thing they get regularly is Interceptor but even then I only give it every 6 - 8 weeks. I think being off colour for a few days from a vacc wouldn't be unexpected, I'd get them checked if it carried on for over a week though.

After reading this I checked Indi's certificate and the vet has written C3 Triennial. When I looked for the definition of 'triennial' I found it can mean 1. Occurring every 3 years or 2. Lasting 3 years. That being the case it's still accurate to be called triennial as they 'require' it to occur every 3 years I think what alpha meant was that the "annual" C3 and the "triennial" C3 are exactly the same injection, it's just how the drug companies have labelled the product that varies, which is why vet advice varies, ie. if the product says it needs to be given annually then that's what the vet recommends. This is what the AVA/APVMA wants to change, the misleading labelling.

Indeed. I'm just going to titre test every few years but I'm confident I'll never have to vaccinate either dog again in their lifetime. Incidentally, Zoe is the longest lived dog we've ever had and the least vaccinated. Our other dogs have died of cancers (all raised in the same house), whether that was in part related to over vaccination or not who knows but it's certainly pause for thought.

I think kennel cough vaccine only last 6 months, not positive though. If I absolutely had to vaccinate I'd do C3 triennially and only do kennel cough if I was showing or putting them in kennels. I wouldn't be too worried about them catching it in their normal environment, I've never had a dog with it. Another thing to note is that the kennel cough vaccine is similar to the human flu vaccine in that it doesn't cover all strains.

I wouldn't rule out an injury just yet, our Zoe busted her cruciate ligament many years ago and didn't so much as whimper when the vet manipulated the leg, it was only discovered with x-ray. Some dogs are crazy stoic like that! I'd at least get the x-ray to rule out injury before spending money on other options. Hope you find the cause.

I'd just wait a couple of weeks, I only dose with Interceptor every 6 weeks and less frequently in the cooler months. :)

This is an interesting read too http://www.apvma.gov.au/use_safely/vaccination.php Particularly this (my bolds): The bit in red is why most vets still recommend annual vaccination, because that's what the label says.