I keep hearing conflicting stories, and wondered what everyones view was on here.
Should we still trot along and get these boosters done annually or should we go every 18months or 2yearly?
If we leave it over a year will our dogs succumb to one of these horrible diseases or will they be covered still?

I have a dog with Eosinophilic Granuloma (an immune problem) and my last little dog aged 4 died from it. i wondered if the vaccinations could have been linked to this disease as they have both been done every year without fail.
Worried as don't want my new dog goiing the same way.

Personally I think annual boosters do more harm than good.  My two dogs have only ever received the initial puppy jabs and I firmly believe that their excellent health is largely down to not subjecting them to annual boosters.

It certainly wouldn't surprise me if the immune problems your little dogs have suffered from are related to regular boosters.  You're right to question this issue - there's lots of information available on the net and, also in previous debates on this forum.  
I would advise you to obtain as much info as possible so that you can make an informed decision.

We have been talking to my vet about this as all 4 of ours are due their boosters, apparently it's only the Intervet Nobivac vaccination that is safe to be used once every 3 years.  For this reason on Monday all 4 are being done with the Intervet and I won't go back for another 3 years after.

I think that they still are supposed to have the Lepto jab every year aren't they ?

See http://www.intervet.co.uk/Species_Pages/Dog/News.asp

Daisy

Yes Lepto is still annually

We've just had Kayla to the vets this evening for her booster, as she had everything last year this time she only had Lepto and Parainfluenza as the others will be good for upto 3 years. I was a bit apprenhensive after all the debate that has been going on but we have faith in our vet and believe we have done the right thing. Plus it only cost £25 which is considerably cheaper than it has been in the past, a small price to pay for piece of mind I think :)
Emily

I have had my current dogs vaccinated as pups and have had them both done annually, as I cannot kennel them without.   I have a friend who owns kennels and she doesn't belive in annual vaccination,  but, of course, has to take dogs in that have been done yearly, otherwise she would contravene the rules of boarding kennels.

I have had all of my dogs in the past, done as pups but have never had follow up annual vaccinations and they all lived to a good age without any health related problems, the two that I have at the moment,  have not been so healthy and I just know that it is down to vaccines. One was positively ill after his vaccine, so I do not think that it is a good thing
:( If its such a good idea, why aren't WE vaccinated every year?

For many diseases we should be boostered regularly. When was your last tetanus booster, for instance? If it was more than 10 years ago you are at risk ...

I may have been lucky, but I've only ever stopped annually boostering my dogs when they reach 15 years old, and have never had any health problems at all from it in the last 30 years.
:)

Hi Jeangenie,

I am 36 yrs old and have never had a tetanus, nor any other vaccine in my entire life. I have been exposed to all the risks, garden scratches, dog bites etc, my mother chose not to do it. Because of a very recent major health issue, totally unrelated to vaccinations, I couldn't have one now, or any other that could interfere with my immune system.

I should point out that my health problem now is a genetic one and all the "usual" vaccinations in the world wouldn't have stopped me from contracting it. But you do raise a good point, tetanus, every 10 years......enough said.

Tetanus every 10 years (every 5 years for those at most risk due to their job), including the initial course, equals about 11 doses. The average lifespan for most breeds is about 11 years, so the amount of vaccinations is the same ...

Ok, just back from the vet, my older dogs only had the Lepto booster they were covered by last years booster for the rest, my other 3, which have only ever had  their puppy jabs as they are 15 months old, had the full booster, next year they will only have the Lepto.  So 5 injections, 1 tube of Fucithalmic Eye drops came to a grand total of £115 which is excellent..............Maria (our vet) explained about the boosters and is happy just to give them once every 3 years providing we go back each year for the Lepto.

Now I'm happier knowing that my vet approves too!  :-)

Jeangenie, I am afraid you are out of date, as I was up to 6 months ago.
I have a job that you used to have to make sure you were up to date with your boosters, without fail. I am a landscape gardener.
I went to have some test and asked about Tetanus booster. You only need the infant and teenage one, and you are covered for life. You are no longer expected to go every 10 years like you used to(unless you sever your leg on a rusty bit of metal etc.
I was shocked, but have spoken to 2 nurses that have been on updated training and they say the same.
HTH
Lea :)

Wow! I think I'll still keep going for them though.

Thats what I thought. But check with one of the nurses at you doctors and ask them if they have been on an up to date course, as I had to get a second opinion from someone else to make me think it was actually true!!!!!!!!!!!
Lea :)

I certainly will. It's 9 years since my last booster so I'm due another soon. I shall make enquiries. :)