I just read Ed's eBook re: vaccinosis (again! ), and I know he speaks from experience. Kodee just turned 1 a week ago, and in a few weeks, he is "due" for vaccinations. I am planning on having my vet perform titer tests on him, but I have to admit, the idea of not vaccinating him still feels foreign to me. I know I won't worry as long as the titers show he has immunity, but I wanted to know, for those who don't vaccinate - have you ever had a dog become infected with an illness that can be vaccinated "against"? I worked for a vet for a while (I am by no means claiming to be an expert - just have a little experience to go by), and I have seen dogs die of Parvo, for example, and it is a horrible way to die. I always believed that it could be prevented if the dogs had been vaccinated. (They had not, and there were several cases of parvo in town during that same period).

I won't vaccinate as long as the titers come up ok (except for rabies, which is required by law here), but I still wondered - how common is it for dogs to become infected with say, distemper, or parvo, vs. the chance of vaccinosis?

I am especially interested in the responses of those who've had dogs who haven't been vaccinated in several years, but would appreciate input from all...

Thanks in advance!

You didn't ask for it, but here are some helpful links that have been posted here before. Sorry if you've already seen them.

http://www.caberfeidh.com/Revax.htm

http://www.caberfeidh.com/VaxNone.htm

Like you needed more to think about.

 Quote: kori bigge

I am planning on having my vet perform titer tests on him ... for those who don't vaccinate - have you ever had a dog become infected with an illness that can be vaccinated "against"? ...

After a good titer result?

titters are expensive and not worth it.

http://www.caberfeidh.com/Titers.htm

Forgot this one. Nice explanation of titers. Heck, theres lots of good articles on there.

My pup got all the puppy vaccines (unfortunately, and I'm fairly certain he had some reactions to them that weren't picked up on, and I'm fairly certain it lead to his arhtritic problems now at only 2yrs old, but I've written about all that here before.) I haven't vaccinated him (other than Rabies) since those initial puppy vaccines. He does go hiking and camping, but I'm more careful to not let him drink out of random puddles of water. This is really limited experience, but I haven't had any problems yet. I intend to get him to a holistic vet to find out if there's anything else I can be doing as prevention.

Good question, though! I'll be interested in the replies.

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: kori bigge

I am planning on having my vet perform titer tests on him ... for those who don't vaccinate - have you ever had a dog become infected with an illness that can be vaccinated "against"? ...

After a good titer result?

OK, I guess I'm not asking the question clearly.

Is the risk of vaccinosis (even with a bad titer result) worse/higher than not vaccinating and risking that your dog get (fill in the blank) illness/disease?

 Quote: Michelle Berdusco

titters are expensive and not worth it.

I agree

I never vaccinate my adult dogs and not one has had Parvo, Distemper, or Kennel Cough. Except for the Rabies vaccine everyone got last year. I had one dog become epileptic and a few other dog's personalities were "off" afterwards, among other problems. It has been a horrible experience and I don't want to repeat it.
If a puppy is vaccinated or exposed after maternal antibodies are gone they have immunity and more vaccinations won't make them more immune.
When was the last time you had your Polio booster?
How many times have you had Chicken Pox?

 Quote: kori bigge

... Is the risk of vaccinosis ... worse/higher than not vaccinating and risking that your dog get (fill in the blank) illness/disease?

This is the very crux of the matter: "Is it?"

This is what you have to decide. This is why all the URLs point to discussions and opinions -- so that everyone can decide.