Vaccinations for Dogs 3 Years or Older (DHPP, Bordetella and Rabies) - Page 1

In your opinions, should dogs older than 3 years have vacinnations for DHPP, Bordetella and Rabies? My vet wants to give my German Shepherd these vacinations next week. I have read several articles that disagree with older dogs being vacinated and was curious as to what some of your opinions are? 

Rabies as required by law only Go to Jean Dodd's web site and follow her recommendations. Bordetella is required by boarding kennels but it is useless and the only dogs I have had that have ever had Bordetella got it from the nasal vaccine.  Dogs need a "booster" for DPV just as often as you need a Polio booster.

http://www.hemopet.org/education/jean-dodds-veterinarian.html

If you want to be sure your dog still has enough antibodies to provide protection, you can always titer. If you have been following the typical protocol so far, however, I can almost guarantee that your dog will be all set for many years to come without needing a booster. Rabies, of course, is not really a choice as it is required by law in all states in the US of A.
Fully agree with bubba: Dr. Dodds protocol is minimal, core, and effective (and chances are you have been doing way more than what she recommends regarding vaccinations).

Many thanks to Bubba and Sagey for your advice and link. I have read so many negative things about vaccinations lately. My dog's last shots, rabies and rattle-snake vaccine (snake vaccine - which made him sick for couple of days), were when he was two years old. He had his puppy shots up until he was 9 months old. 

I have changed my dogs shot protocol totally: My current GSD boy was bombarded with vaccinations as a puppy and from 13 weeks on he has received nothing except rabies and that is only because it is required by law or I would also drop that.

I run a titer first before giving anything. And more allergic reactions to Bordatella has been documented and has had some significant health problems. Really need to reaccess our routine protocol and minimize vaccines for dogs well being and longevity. Long term vaccines are a disaster to our dogs health especially over vaccinating; it is worse than none.

Thank you Nan! I had not heard of running a titer first before vacinating dogs. I researched this, and what you are saying and what I read makes a whole lot of sense.

Years ago had my coat tittered for Parvo and he had enough immunity to last several thousand lifetimes. Never had another parvo but did selectively have a few occasional vaccinations based on exposure due to stock work. Lived to almost 14.

As it. happens it was with my vets approval and understanding but I would have done it anyways, I stopped ALL vaccinations for Nemo at age 6. Nemo was a pituitary dwarf GSD who I lost last New Year's eve at the age of 16.5 years od. I personally think the low vaccination level contributed to his good health and longevity. I also do not systematically poison my dogs with flea and tick treatments.

I do think we overvaccinate and agree the Bordetella is totally useless especially when it's given the same day the dog is being kenneled ( often done - just brings it with him). However I also think however we have to be aware of what environmental risks our particular dog is faced with. If you live where there are raccoons, foxes, coyotes or skunks or bats make sure to do a rabies every three years since those species all carry rabies and often interact with dogs. My area has had a very severe lepto outbreak recently but the problem there is often the right servovars (sp) are not in the vaccine. This also true for cattle lepto if your dog works stock so make sure your vet knows he is a stock dog. This particular outbreak was spread thru dog parks which thankfully I never go to - yet another reason why not to. Unfortunately my current dog is a possum killer (Seffe 6 possums1) and lord only knows what those ugly disgusting things bring.