[Moleskins]

Ok I'm obviously not the father, I've been reading up on allsorts of stuff on the net about dogs and bitches in particular having pups. I've just found this http://www.positivehealth.com/article/animals/they-shoot-horses-but-vaccinate-dogs haven't read it all but what I have read does make me think.
On one American site they make the point that humans don't get vaccinated every year.
This is a UK site (?) as I figured (Americanism) the situation her might be different.
What do you think? Can it have any bearing on some of the health issues that have been discussed on the forum of late?

[Sylvia]

I have always had my pups vaccinated when tiny and vulnerable but not as adults. By then they've picked up a natural immunity which is far better. It has been proven that continual vaccinating as adults actually weakens their immune system.
Your vet won't tell you this. If he can rely on, what? £50 a year from, say 500 people, he's going to keep quiet

[Mammyshaz]

It depends on the disease as to how long your immunity keeps up antibodies to it.
As I'm in a high risk job for tetanus it is advised to booster every 5 years to a total of 5 boosters to give lifelong cover.

There are plenty of older dogs still becoming ill with the likes of parvovirus, I personally wouldn't risk it. Then there are the dogs who manage to get to ripe old ages of  15 years plus, who's immunity is reduced naturally, if their vaccination program is kept to date they will be protected at an age where they really don't deserve to die through lack of immunity to disease 

I think it is distemper  which tends to last a minimum of two years immunity whereas lepto or hepatitis ( cannot remember which ) has poor immune properties so often dog a re not fully covered for the full year.
I know plenty people who don't vaccinate after the first booster but it is a game of Russian roulette in my opinion. If you are really worried about the risk of routine vaccines then at least have titres done to see if your dog still has immunity. Nursing collapsed, dying animals with diseases that could have been prevented is heartbreaking 

[Bumblebear]

I have always had mine vaccinated as pups and then only when I have to (like when they needed pet passports).  My oldie is now 19.5 years   I think too much vaccine causes more harm than good and I have read of booster "build ups" basically poisoning dogs, too.  But it's each owners call.

[Mammyshaz]

In 25 years of veterinary nursing I am yet to see a dog die from regular vaccination.  Yet I see many die through lack of vaccinating.

[sabrina]

I have done it both ways. In the past years all my dogs were injected then we got Fallon. She had her puppy ones no problem but the following year after getting her booster she was very ill. My vet himself told me not to risk it again unless I was planning to breed from her. I did neither. Jake our Jack Russell who is now 10 also had his puppy jags but after receiving a phone call a few weeks after we bought him to ask how he was I was very shocked to hear that both his siblings died from fits after their jags.I just had a chat with my vet last week when both Jake and Rascal were getting flea and tick treatment about this very subject. As we plan to go on a walking holiday with the dogs I wanted his opion on Jake not having his boosters. He said it was up to me but I will be taking a risk whatever. I have chosen not to. What may be fine for some does not always agree with others so why would we think our pets are any different.

[Mammyshaz]

That's awful Sabrina    with a history of this in his family there must be something underlying in his genes. I don't think I would risk it either in this case.
 I witnessed a reaction to a vaccine appx 20 years ago where the dog had symptoms of chorea due to  distemper but it is unknown whether the pup had already been incubating the disease when it was vaccinated. I think both vets and nurses are very stringent on vaccinating their own pets because we do still see so many animals suffering from  parvovirus and distemper. It's weighing out the risks., remembering that we can also carry parvovirus on our shoes and clothing etc back home.
There have been the odd report by people of their pet dying due to vaccinations but when you ask the history there has usually been some other severe health problem underlying such as severe heart condition or epilepsy which flared up after a stressful vet visit rather than the actual vaccine itself. Still sad tho.

[Moleskins]

Skips last booster was due recently when I knew she was in pup, the vet advised it was ok to go ahead so we had her done.
It does make interesting reading though, my daughter had an anaphylactic shock reaction to a vaccination once.
That was worrying.

[Mammyshaz]

I'm guessing she has had boosters in the past being over 1 yr old. In which case her antibodies are not meeting the disease for the first time, it's just to 'remind' them in a way.  the immunity will pass from mother to pups so they are protected until they have their own vaccines started. With visitors coming to socialise the pups and view them, a good mother derived immunity is essential 

How is she doing? Must be getting rotund I would imagine. Not long to go      get the camera ready 

[Moleskins]

Rotund is the word I'd use too, we're fascinated by feeling them move and trying to decide if its a foot or what that's doing it.
Funnily enough the OH did say today to make sure the camera battery was charged up. Had a look at some newborn Springers on YouTube today to try to get an idea of size. We're  but a bit daunted by the prospect. Trying to put to the back of my mind all the things that can go wrong. Trouble with dogs is they're so very much part of the family.
I'm sure we'll all be  when they're here.

[Moleskins]

Just been combing her ears and stroking her tummy, and noticed a little bit of milk appeared on the one nipple.
Hope it's not tonight as I've got to go to a meeting and the OH is in charge until I get back.