Whose Job is it?

[blanche]

This is a topic I've been thinking about the last couple of months and one that we struggle with in the rescue.  Whose job is it to see that dogs are vaccinated appropriately--depending on one's definition of appropriate.

The rescue is VERY cautious about vaccinating in that we don't want our rescued dogs vaccinated annually and when we vaccinate them, we usually opt for the three year rabies.  And we would like for our adopters to follow our protocol, but realize that we can't actually dictate that, much as we'd like to.  We can advise and strongly suggest caution around vaccines, but ultimately, the owner has the control once the dog is adopted and not us.

It's discouraging to find out that many of our adopted dogs get re-vaccinated before they're due.  So I'd like to hear people's ideas about who's responsibility it is to ensure that dogs are appropriately vaccinated.  Now I do realize that not every person or every vet agrees with our vaccine protocol.

Personally, I think it's my job as the owner to ensure that my dogs get vaccinated according to MY desires and knowledge--bearing in mind the legality issues of rabies.  I don't expect my vet to keep on top of if my dogs got 3 year or 1 year vaccines.  I believe that is my job.  It's great if a vet does this, but I don't expect it.  

I can't change all the vets, but I can ensure that my dogs get the care I deem appropriate based on my knowledge and research.

[Sammers]

Good topic.

Sami has been having a few issues lately and has cost my quite of bit of money that I do not really have. Odie is due for his yearly physical and needles. I am quite nervous about all that. I don't know what I want him vaccinated for, and I don't really want to go by what my vet says. I have a bit of history with most vets that ain't pretty as far as Sami is concerned. So I am a BIT skeptical.

Having said that, I really don't know a lot about vaccines. I did read the manual for fostering. I did follow it, but I am not sure why we should vaccinate for one thing and not the other. etc...

[lmcpug]

I agree it is up to each pet owner to get the vaccines they
want for each pet, updated at the due date.

Meaning some pets do not tolerate or have allergic reactions
to certain vaccines.

I believe that when a pet goes into rescue and does not come
with a vaccine chart or the rescues ability to confirm with the pets
Vet Clinic as to the stat of vaccines is compromised; then I believe
that for the foster family it is peace of mind that the rescue is
vaccinated.

I give high praise to the rescue for doing so as some do not go
to that extent.

When the rescue is adopted out; then the rescues vaccination
chart should be provided by the rescue in order that the new Vet,
the rescue will see,can then help the current owner with
any updates or at the very least the new owners can plan for
the updates. to take place.

in my humble opinion! 


 
       
   
   
         

[blanche]

I agree it is up to each pet owner to get the vaccines they
want for each pet, updated at the due date.

Meaning some pets do not tolerate or have allergic reactions
to certain vaccines.

I believe that when a pet goes into rescue and does not come
with a vaccine chart or the rescues ability to confirm with the pets
Vet Clinic as to the stat of vaccines is compromised; then I believe
that for the foster family it is peace of mind that the rescue is
vaccinated.

I give high praise to the rescue for doing so as some do not go
to that extent.

When the rescue is adopted out; then the rescues vaccination
chart should be provided by the rescue in order that the new Vet,
the rescue will see,can then help the current owner with
any updates or at the very least the new owners can plan for
the updates. to take place.

in my humble opinion! 


 
       
   
   
         

Lori:
We do vaccinate appropriately for all the dogs--if they come to us with no vaccine history and we can't secure one on record, then we do a different process.  If they come to us with a vaccine history, then we vaccinate based on that and usually go with a 3 year rabies if we have to vaccinate for rabies.  We do provide adopters with a run down of what vaccines have been done, of what duration and when the dog would be due for re-vaccination.  There is some debate about the 3 year DHPP--because the dosage is higher for the 3 year (unlike the rabies where the one year and the three year are the same dosage) and there is some increased risk for a reaction as a result.  And DHPP/DA2PP isn't mandated by law so there's some flexibility on this one--although both Distemper and Parvo are potentially lethal diseases, the duration of the vaccines is longer is longer than the one year.

Our rescue vets are given our protocol, but I still feel like it's the owners/foster parents job to make sure it's followed.  I just won't trust that most vets will remember it or follow it without someone there saying "Do this only".

[blanche]

Good topic.

Sami has been having a few issues lately and has cost my quite of bit of money that I do not really have. Odie is due for his yearly physical and needles. I am quite nervous about all that. I don't know what I want him vaccinated for, and I don't really want to go by what my vet says. I have a bit of history with most vets that ain't pretty as far as Sami is concerned. So I am a BIT skeptical.

Having said that, I really don't know a lot about vaccines. I did read the manual for fostering. I did follow it, but I am not sure why we should vaccinate for one thing and not the other. etc...

Amanda:
Search this section and you'll find quite a lot of information on vaccines and what the research says--from both sides.

[lmcpug]

Lori:
We do vaccinate appropriately for all the dogs--if they come to us with no vaccine history and we can't secure one on record, then we do a different process.  If they come to us with a vaccine history, then we vaccinate based on that and usually go with a 3 year rabies if we have to vaccinate for rabies.  We do provide adopters with a run down of what vaccines have been done, of what duration and when the dog would be due for re-vaccination.  There is some debate about the 3 year DHPP--because the dosage is higher for the 3 year (unlike the rabies where the one year and the three year are the same dosage) and there is some increased risk for a reaction as a result.  And DHPP/DA2PP isn't mandated by law so there's some flexibility on this one--although both Distemper and Parvo are potentially lethal diseases, the duration of the vaccines is longer is longer than the one year.

Our rescue vets are given our protocol, but I still feel like it's the owners/foster parents job to make sure it's followed.  I just won't trust that most vets will remember it or follow it without someone there saying "Do this only".

I agree! All owners are responsible for. Updates and Pugalug
has always an. exceptional policy where the rescues r concerned!
I have theee highest respect for Pugalug, volunteers and fosters parents!
the rescues are given utmost care BUT. ultimately it is definitely up
to the owners!
 
although I must. say Oakridge Clinic does. send out reminders.
They are very efficient in that respect and I also applaud their
effort to help keep vaccines up to date      
 
  

[blanche]

Well, I think a lot of clinics send out reminders--problem is most clinics send them out annually and if you aren't up on the duration of the dog's vaccines, it's easy to assume they must be due because you got a reminder.

Anyway--it's just something I've been thinking about.  Some folks think it's the vets job to track duration.  I think that's a nice idea, but not the reality.  I only have to keep track of the status of my five--my vet has to keep track of hundreds so I feel like in the big scheme of things, it's my job to keep up with it.

[Jemma]

I agree totally that it's the owner's responsibility to remember when vaccines are due and not the vet.  As you mentioned, Blanche, they see hundreds of pets each year.  It'd be near impossible for them to remember if Fluffy or Fifi had which vaccine and when.  One clinic I used to take my old pug and Amir to would send out yearly reminders.  Amir now goes to the Atlantic Vet College teaching hospital, and to my knowledge, they don't send out reminders but I am asked each time I go in for a wellness exam if they're up to date.  They've switched to three year vaccines instead of one.  Now it's just up to me to remember that his next set of needles are due in 2014 and not the College.

[RockysMom]

I agree with Blanche that it's the owner's responsibility.
I have recently had my previous vet call to remind me that Rocky is overdue for his vaccination.

Well guess what.....he had a 3 year rabies Jun 26, 2009 and isn't due until Jun 26, 2012.  I made sure I remembered the date (even though I have the certificate) for just this type of thing.  This vet is no longer providing care for Rocky for other reasons, but this was another example of why I switched to another care provider. 

Vets are not set up like the Public Health department for tracking vaccines and due dates for our children I(this is a legislated responsibility related to risk of infection esp for school age children).  We simply cannot expect all vets to have a sophisticated tracking system to remind us.  Our pets are OUR responsibility and in my opinion this extends to all areas including vaccinations. 

Interesting topic Blanche.....

[SpeedyPug]

I pay attention 'cause my vet would happily vaccinate yearly.  Geeg is now exempt (i TOLD the vet she was exempt after 2 bad reactions- do i need a piece of paper stating this???) and Jemmie got his 3 year rabies last year and no DHPP- i don't want to overload his bod and he doesn't come in contact with much.  So in April, we're due for physicals, heartworm and heartworm meds but no needles.  I want to ask the vet about Geeg's fall allergies and her dark pigmented eyes, too.  Last year i got "they look good for pug eyes" but i need more info this year...to give drops or not to give drops, that is the question...

[Pugpillow]

I pay attention 'cause my vet would happily vaccinate yearly.  Geeg is now exempt (i TOLD the vet she was exempt after 2 bad reactions- do i need a piece of paper stating this???) and Jemmie got his 3 year rabies last year and no DHPP- i don't want to overload his bod and he doesn't come in contact with much.  So in April, we're due for physicals, heartworm and heartworm meds but no needles.  I want to ask the vet about Geeg's fall allergies and her dark pigmented eyes, too.  Last year i got "they look good for pug eyes" but i need more info this year...to give drops or not to give drops, that is the question...

Yes, you need a formal waiver from the vet for not doing the rabies vaccination when legislated. 

For preventative reasons, I regularly give all my pugs OTC eye drops whether or not they have been diagnosed with problems.  I use Natural Tears II morning and evening.

[lmcpug]

yes, it all goes back to the owner knowing and being up on
the vaccines.
the Clinic sending out reminders is a good thing in that it
should nudge the owner to check and make sure.
It's like anything, time goes by and 3 yrs can fly and everyday
life starts blurring for some of us!
So if anything, yes the clinic may do it as a yearly reminder and the owner should
do a "memory check" on when all vaccines are due.

I do not give the boys rabies any longer.
My Vet concurs as well, that at their age it is not necessary.

[blanche]

I do think an annual exam with blood work is crucial, especially for older dogs.  but annual vaccines just aren't part of my protocol.  and I know that most vets are still locked into annual vaccs where all the vaccs are done in the same day.  Again, not in my protocol even if I did vaccinate annually.

[Jeanne]

I'm extremely lucky and so are the other pet owners at the practice.  My vet keeps track (it even shows up on the vaccination certificate), does 3 year and refuses to do everything all at once.

I do annual checkups and bloodwork.

[Pugpillow]

And I bless your vet frequently, Jeanne!!  They also provide vet records on a timely basis.