Vaccination month

[curly~sue]

Hello!

Has anyone seen the TV ad campaign for Vaccination Month? Are any of you taking advantage of it? Is it really that important ?

[lankeela]

No. Only ever vaccinate puppies, not adults, unless there is a specific reason such as contact with rats (Leptospirosis) or an outbreak of Parvo in close proximity to where I live.

[curly~sue]

Thanks lankeela. According to the site it applies to cats and rabbits too. My mum is surrounded by fields and has three cats that were all vaccinated as kittens, do you think she needs to look in to it ?

[gelda]

I only believe in vaccinating puppies and kittens too, I've seen too many dogs disabled and a few who have died by putting these awful unnessesary chemicals into their bodies, quite a few vets now don't believe in these yearly boosters, people are being conned and the poor animals have no say in the matter. I've said my piece!

[wolf63]

My two cats haven't been inoculated since I got them at 18 months old. However I am off on holiday this year and they are going to the cat-hotel and will have to vaccinated for their stay.

The only good thing about yearly vaccinations is that you are taking the animal to the vet who can check it over for something that you might have missed.

In theory preventative medicine is a good idea.

[lankeela]

You can still take them for check ups, cheaper than boosters. You can also have titre tests done to see if the vaccinations need redoing.

[wiggal]

Hey all,

From reading this, just wanted to ask, my cats range from a year - 4 years. I have been looking to take one in each month to get them vaccinated as they havent been before,

Now I'm unsure! Should I or shouldnt I?

My fella has always said the cats he had previously have not been vacinated and never had problems?

Ta!

[tiggerblue10]

Tigger and Blue get boosters every year. It is very expensive but I do it for peace of mind and as Wolf says they get checked over for other things too.

[gallapunk]

Some of those vaccines contain terrible chemicals that can cause brain damage and all sorts of other horrible things. I wouldn't do it now. I always used to, but several years ago, after speaking to some registered, experienced breeders and behaviourists, they changed my mind. I guess talk to your vet if you're in any doubt, but the response/advice will probably depend on whether they are pro or anti themselves.

[gelda]

Lankeela, Are you allowed to show your dogs at Crufts without having them vaccinated? just a thought.

[lankeela]

Yes. Also it is a fallacy that you have to have vaccinations to board dogs and cats, it is not a legal requirement it is just what the kennel/cattery ask for. After all, if your pet is not vaccinated, they are the ones at risk, not the other boarders.

[gelda]

Very true, I didn't look at it in that way