Some updates on Vaccinations

At Dog Days Playcare, as at most of the other daycares and boarding kennels in the area, we require the standard vaccines: Rabies, the Distemper combo (which usually includes a few other things such as hepatitis and parainfluenza) and the Bordetella (or kennel cough) vaccine. Recently, we've had some of our clients come in for a boarding stay, and they haven't gotten an update on their Distemper vaccine. When we called the vet to get the update, the vet told us that, because the dog has received 3 Distemper vaccines over the course of his life, he should be adequately covered and doesn't need any more Distemper vaccines. This has happened twice in the last 6 months, with 2 dogs, both of whom are 7 years old.

As a dog OWNER, I really like the idea of not over-vaccinating my dogs. Most dogs have ample protection against Rabies and Distemper, if they've kept up with their vaccinations. However, as a dog daycare owner, I need proof. I have no control over any of our clients' dogs - I don't know where they are when they're not with us, and what they might come in contact with. So I have to require proof that the dog is appropriately protected against these two diseases, and therefore that they can't pass along those diseases to any of our other clients' dogs.

So if your vet suggests that, because of your dog's age, he doesn't need any more vaccines, make sure you inform the vet if you have plans to take your dog to a daycare or boarding kennel. At that point, your vet will probably suggest either the vaccine or a titer. A titer is a blood test which checks the level of antibodies against a particular disease. If that antibody number is high enough, the dog doesn't need a vaccine, because he's already protected against the disease.

At Dog Days Playcare, we accept titers for the Distemper vaccine. A couple of things you should know about titers is that the titer should be repeated every year, and they are more expensive than a vaccine (sometimes quite a bit more expensive).

I currently vaccinate my two dogs, Murphy and Leeloo; however, both are fairly young dogs - Murphy is 7 and Leeloo is 3.5. But because Murphy and Leeloo come with me every day to the daycare, I'm more comfortable vaccinating them. And because most vets in northern VA will do a 3-year Distemper vaccine, I am willing to continue to vaccinate them every 3 years. Perhaps when Murphy is 10, I'll opt to do a titer.

I suggest that each dog owner do some research about vaccinations and titers, and make your own mind up. Your vet will do either, and we will accept either. So continue to be your dog's guardian, and do what's best for your dog.