Distemper shot

    • Gold Top Dog

    Distemper shot

    Jetta is due for her Distemper shot. Last time she got one of these was 7/13/04, not quite two years ago. Should I take her in again to get vaccinated? With all the horror stories I hear of vaccinations I get nervous whenever she is due for shots.
    • Gold Top Dog
    If she hasn't had trouble with the shots before, then I wouldn't worry. I asked my vet what company they get their shots from and if it's not Ft. Dodge, then I relax. Actually, I asked the same at the feed store, as I give everything but the rabies vaccinations myself.

    Most dogs don't have problems. [:D]
    • Gold Top Dog
    If your very worried you could pull titers I think and find out if she needs it or not...  I think it shows everything I could be wrong maybe ask the vet about going that route.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Well, she had a bad reaction with a rabies/bordatella shot last year. She swelled up, threw up, and formed a scab over the area. I was just wondering if maybe the distemper lasts longer than 2 years. According to Dr. Dodds (I was on that website earlier today) the distemper should only be given once in the entire adult lifetime???
    • Gold Top Dog
    If you are worried about a reaction, have the vet give a benedryl shot 30 min. before... that's what I was told to do next time (although we will do titers before giving another vaccine) I give the shot. 
     
    I think Dodd's does say to do titers and that the shot CAN last longer than 1 yr. but I think it is different in all dogs.
    • Silver
    JMO, but I wouldn't give it to her.  I wouldn't give her another distemper shot again if she were my dog.   Most vets now recommend 3 years between vacs anyway so since she's only gone 2 years since her last one I'd wait at least another year.  Doing titers really doesn't give the full picture on immunity as it only can test certain types of cells.  I've done a lot of research and come to the conclusion that my dogs will only get puppy shots and a booster at 1 year and that is it except for rabies as mandated by the law. 
     
    Here's some good reading on vaccinations.
    [linkhttp://www.caberfeidh.com/HHC.htm]http://www.caberfeidh.com/HHC.htm[/link]
     
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    Loki had all of his puppy shots last year and is due next week to get his 1 year boosters. What vaccinations should we get him? I'm a little confused by all of the problems with vaccinations. We take him to daycare and the kennel, so I imagine that there are some vaccinations that are required there.
    • Silver
    Have you asked the kennel and daycare what they require?  And if they require yearly shots or if they follow the AVMA recommendations of 3 years between vaccinations?
     
    What vaccinations you give might be dictated by what's required for the places you take your dogs (unfortunately).  It is a little confusing but if you do lots of reading and research you'll be really informed about what is going into your dog's body.  At the very least, you shouldn't give all vaccinations on the same day - waiting a couple of weeks between is better. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    Thanks for the info. I do need to do a little more research, because its not something I've thought much about before. I'll also ask our daycare and kennel to see what they have to have. I don't like the idea of putting anything into my body or my dog's body that's not good for them or necessary.