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 7 Things You Don’t Know About Vaccinating Pets
Health

7 Things You Don’t Know About Vaccinating Pets

by Dr. Elisa Foster May 17, 2023 47 4 min read

1. The only vaccine required by U.S. law is rabies. 15 states currently offer exemptions to animals with serious health problems and more are adding exemptions. Not all states require cats and ferrets to be vaccinated. Note: because laws change with little fanfare, not all veterinarians know the current regulations. Click here to see a list of U.S. state laws. Double check with your city and county Animal Control.

2. There is little or no research showing that annual revaccination for core vaccines boosts immunity. Studies do show that core vaccines shouldn’t be given any more frequently than every three years — not every three years.

3. Mature dogs and cats rarely die from vaccine-preventable infectious disease and thus may not need vaccinating.

4. A simple blood titer test can prove immunity for core vaccines. Though more expensive than vaccinating, titer tests need not be repeated often or perhaps even ever (according to many experts).

5. When cats, and small to medium-sized breed dogs, receive multiple vaccines in one visit (a common practice) they become “significantly” more likely to have a reaction. Each vaccine can increase risk by as much as 27%. A “7-way” canine vaccine plus Bordetella plus rabies means 9 vaccines at once!

6. Treatment for vaccine reactions can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars over the pet’s lifetime and may ultimately prove ineffective. Who pays? You do! Only rarely will vaccine makers pay vet bills.

7. Groomers, trainers and boarding establishments may have vaccination requirements that have more to do with liability than pet health. Many of these caregivers haven’t been made aware of the newest vaccination recommendations. Conversely, some enlightened proprietors accept titer testing in lieu of vaccination. It pays to shop around!

Now, before you vaccinate, please read Ask These Questions BEFORE Vaccinating Your Pet

DISCLAIMER: All information and links provided here are for general information purposes only, and are not to be intended as medical or legal advice. This information should not be used to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified pet health care professional. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from available research. The decision whether or not to vaccinate is an important and complex issue and should be made by you in consultation with your pet health care provider. Our goal is to prevent vaccine injuries and deaths through education. We neither promote the use of any vaccine or vaccine protocol nor advise against it.

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Dr. Elisa Foster

Dr. Elisa Foster, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist with over 15 years of experience in both fields is the American College Of Veterinary Internal Medicine's best hope for answers on how to make our furry friends' lives better than they ever thought possible!

5 Comments

  • Svea says:
    May 17, 2023 at 10:51 am

    Just recently I was getting a Great Dane puppy, 8 weeks old. She was vaccinated about 3 or 4 days before the ears were to be cropped and she to go home with me… she had a reaction to the anastasia and died on the table. I felt horrible and heart broken and responsible. Still do.

    Could the reaction have something to do with her recent vaccination?

    Thank you for educating people about vaccinations.

    Sincerily ,
    ~Svea~

    Reply
    • Dr. Elisa Foster says:
      May 17, 2023 at 10:51 am

      Svea, dogs are not supposed to be vaccinated before surgery because of a possible reaction. The vet should have known. Also, most animal lovers opposed ear cropping. Many vets won’t do it anymore. Please rethink it with your next puppy.

      Reply
  • Velvet says:
    May 17, 2023 at 10:52 am

    The Dodge 5 way plus a Leptospiros vaccine
    triggered Autoimmune Hemletic Anemia vets were alerted of this in 1998 but my vet kept forcing me to give her a Leptospiros vaccine I questioned it he said its wide spread I’ve already treated several cases there has been 12 know cases in Texas I finally agreed I spent $13,000.00
    Dollars to save her life and would do it again to have her here she was only 6 we loved each other unconditionally I had a surgery and almost died in. 05 she never left my side she was my baby, my best friend she was my life. The Gulf Coast told me that is what happened it is etched in stone now and vets are still vaccinating

    Reply
  • Denise says:
    May 17, 2023 at 10:53 am

    THIS IS SCARY , I AM VERY CONCERNED , I HAVE 2 CATS & 2 LG. DOGS .AND NEED MORE INFO. TO THE RIGHT THING FOR MY PETS . I CAN’T JUST SIT BACK STUPID & LET ANY UNESSARY SHOTS BE GIVEN ! IT SHOULD BE WELL EVALUATED BEFORE ANY FURTHER DAMAGES ARE DONE .

    Reply
    • Dr. Elisa Foster says:
      May 17, 2023 at 10:54 am

      Denise, here’s more information on when to vaccinate a dog or cat. https://truth4pets.org/question-before-vaccination/

      Reply

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