Vaccinating the senior dog

LJsMom · 03-19-2009, 04:15 PM

In June LJ will be due for a rabies vaccine, DA2PLPV Booster, and Lyme vaccine.

LJ is 13 years, 3 months old. She has arthritis, EPI, and is hypothyroid.

What do I agree to vaccinate for? What should I titer for?

**Lauri & The Gang** · 03-19-2009, 04:18 PM

I would agree to NOTHING. I also wouldn't bothering doing a titer either.

How often was she vax'd in the past?

Annikas Mom · 03-19-2009, 04:20 PM

I agree 100% with Laurie!!

GunnersMom · 03-19-2009, 04:24 PM

I agree, as well. I wouldn't vaccinate her for anything at her age and probably wouldn't bother to titer, either. If it would give you peace of mind, it might be worth the money to titer, but honestly, if she's been vaccinated throughout her life, it's a safe bet to assume that she has a very high level of immunity to everything.
Not knowing what your local laws are, you might run into trouble with the rabies vaccine. If so, I would go ahead and titer for rabies so you have proof that she doesn't need the vaccine. I would also insist on a letter from my vet, stating that a rabies vaccine at her age could be dangerous.

BowWowMeow · 03-19-2009, 04:27 PM

Per my vet's advice, Chama has not been vaccinated or titered in 5 years. Her last titer was for rabies and her last vaccine was also for rabies and that was 7 years ago.

There is absolutely no point in vaccinating an older animal as it poses much greater risks to their health than benefits for their health.

Each year I get a letter from my vet that includes the results of her last titer and also says that she cannot get a rabies vaccine because of her age/health. That has been sufficient to get Chama over the border into Ontario.

**angelaw** · 03-19-2009, 04:28 PM

Duchess is 12.5, her last rabies was 3 yrs ago. Oxana, same thing (she just turned 11) neither one will be vaccinated again. Hardy is 7, he's due for his 3 yr again, so I will do his one last time.

LisaT · 03-19-2009, 04:30 PM

I agree, NO vaccines are needed.

You can legally decline all but the rabies. (assuming your state requires rabies) My Indy gets a letter waiving her rabies, Max is on the "don't ask, don't tell" plan.

**angelaw** · 03-19-2009, 04:32 PM

So do mine, as state allows exemptions if medically necessary. Towards the end with V, I did the don't ask don't tell as he didn't go anywhere at the end.

**Lauri & The Gang** · 03-19-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Quote:She has arthritis, EPI, and is hypothyroid.

Ignoring her age - the above statement is enough reason to NEVER vaccinate her.

On the insert of the vaccine bottle it states that it should only be given to a HEALTHY dog:

The following is the label on the Fort Dodge Lymes vaccine:

http://www.wyeth.com/irj/servlet/prt/por...ocs/LymeVax.pdf

Cooper&me · 03-19-2009, 05:22 PM

I totally agree with Lauri. DO NOT VACCINATE!!!!!

03-19-2009, 04:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
LJsMom Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: RI Posts: 2,246	Vaccinating the senior dog In June LJ will be due for a rabies vaccine, DA2PLPV Booster, and Lyme vaccine. LJ is 13 years, 3 months old. She has arthritis, EPI, and is hypothyroid. What do I agree to vaccinate for? What should I titer for? __________________ Joanne Kryska's Ironwill Steel Train SD (Siberian Husky) Mila (GSD) Adopted from BDBH. Waiting at the bridge: Lady Jane Cobb (GSD - age 15) Sasha (Siberian Husky - age 13) Niko (Siberian Husky - age 14) Wooly Bear (Siberian Husky - age 13)

03-19-2009, 04:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lauri & The Gang Moderator Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: SouthEastern WI Posts: 12,525	Re: Vaccinating the senior dog I would agree to NOTHING. I also wouldn't bothering doing a titer either. How often was she vax'd in the past? __________________ Lauri & The Raw Fed Gang Raw Dog Ranch Tazer HIC CGC – Cocker Winnie CGC - Corgi Mix Chimanes Spice it Up Piquin (Kaynya) - Chinese Crested Sasha - GSD mix Nator von Triton HIC CGC (Mauser) - LC GSD Piquins Some Like it Hot (Spike) – Chinese Crested Piquins Too Hot To Handle - Fuego (Chinese Crested)

03-19-2009, 04:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Annikas Mom Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Grass Valley, CA Posts: 1,920	Re: Vaccinating the senior dog I agree 100% with Laurie!! __________________ Darlene http://www.vomherrenhaus.com Annika Vom HausWesterman 7/30/03-4/18/07 Manto Vom Grum Majestat 5/31/05, work in progress Bodo Vom Landgraf 7/7/03, Bh, retired Venja Von HausLohe 6/10/04, Bh

03-19-2009, 04:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
GunnersMom Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,249	Re: Vaccinating the senior dog I agree, as well. I wouldn't vaccinate her for anything at her age and probably wouldn't bother to titer, either. If it would give you peace of mind, it might be worth the money to titer, but honestly, if she's been vaccinated throughout her life, it's a safe bet to assume that she has a very high level of immunity to everything. Not knowing what your local laws are, you might run into trouble with the rabies vaccine. If so, I would go ahead and titer for rabies so you have proof that she doesn't need the vaccine. I would also insist on a letter from my vet, stating that a rabies vaccine at her age could be dangerous. __________________ Deni Owned by: Gunner - GSD - 7 years Riley - Golden Retriever - 2 1/2 years Jake - (aka Demon kitty) Gray & white tabby

03-19-2009, 04:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
BowWowMeow Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14,798	Re: Vaccinating the senior dog Per my vet's advice, Chama has not been vaccinated or titered in 5 years. Her last titer was for rabies and her last vaccine was also for rabies and that was 7 years ago. There is absolutely no point in vaccinating an older animal as it poses much greater risks to their health than benefits for their health. Each year I get a letter from my vet that includes the results of her last titer and also says that she cannot get a rabies vaccine because of her age/health. That has been sufficient to get Chama over the border into Ontario. __________________ Ruth & the 4 Legged Rescue Gang Rafi the malaroo http://www.dogster.com/dogs/693238 Gio & Varda, the krazy kittens ....In my heart: Cleo Kitty Chama Kai Basu Massie

03-19-2009, 04:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
angelaw Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Brooksville, FL Posts: 15,225	Re: Vaccinating the senior dog Duchess is 12.5, her last rabies was 3 yrs ago. Oxana, same thing (she just turned 11) neither one will be vaccinated again. Hardy is 7, he's due for his 3 yr again, so I will do his one last time. __________________ Angela http://www.vomlandholz.com Hardy, Diesel, Jet, Denial v. Zioner Berg, Iris & Patches the cats

03-19-2009, 04:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
LisaT Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northern CA Posts: 17,002	Re: Vaccinating the senior dog I agree, NO vaccines are needed. You can legally decline all but the rabies. (assuming your state requires rabies) My Indy gets a letter waiving her rabies, Max is on the "don't ask, don't tell" plan. __________________ K9 Tick Disease Information http://www.rabieschallengefund.org

03-19-2009, 04:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
angelaw Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Brooksville, FL Posts: 15,225	Re: Vaccinating the senior dog So do mine, as state allows exemptions if medically necessary. Towards the end with V, I did the don't ask don't tell as he didn't go anywhere at the end. __________________ Angela http://www.vomlandholz.com Hardy, Diesel, Jet, Denial v. Zioner Berg, Iris & Patches the cats

03-19-2009, 05:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cooper&me Master Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: indiana Posts: 964	Re: Vaccinating the senior dog I totally agree with Lauri. DO NOT VACCINATE!!!!! __________________ Michelle Ava (6 yr old boxer) Mia (4 yr old Brussels Griffon) Quincy (GSD 10/03/07)

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