what kinds of precautions do you have to take as a traveller? Tetanus? Malaria? It may only be fair to protect your dog from distemper, parvo and rabies than to suffer and die as many dogs do in Mexico from these common diseases.

"IMO it would be foolish to take a dog w/o distemper protection to these places. "

Me too. And I'm about as minimal-vax as you can be.

But what I would probably do would be to find a vet (and LB has a list) who does not over-vax (which to me means does not just administer every vax there is regardless of the area or the dog's exposure, etc., and then do annual "boosters") and make an appointment to develop a protocol for this dog. I would say in advance that the appointment was for foreign-travel vax prep. (Allow the vet to do some reading.) Before the appointment, I would get the requirements for entry into Mexico and Guatemala as well as the US requirements for re-entry and have those printouts with me.

I'm not speaking from experience -- just thinking how I'd probably proceed. We don't even know what legal requirements exist, so discussion is pretty limited.

Here is a link that discusses bringing unvaccinated animals into the US: Centers for Disease Control
Basically, if the dog has not been vaccinated for rabies, it will be required within 4 days of arrival to the US and then the dog is quarantined for a 30 day period. Other vaccines are not required.

Mexico requires proof of rabies vaccine when entering the country and a health certificate from a vet. They may or may not ask for it at the border, but it is a good idea to have it with you or they may not let the pet enter.

Hi,
all I am trying to say that she needs to do whatever is right for the situation. If the dog will die because it's not vaccinated then it's a no brainer and she should vaccinate IMO. If there is very little chance that it will catch the disease OR the vaccine is not effective anyways then she should not. For example: In Europe they are having a huge problem with pertussis coming back (I think it's called whooping cough here). The vaccine was formulated back in the 70's and has been in use since then. Now the virus has mutated and it's not effective anymore. Kids who have been vaccinated get it even though they are supposed to be protected.... so what's the point of giving it if it's not effective? But vaccines are such a political issue both human and animal and all I am trying to say that she should do whatever is right for the dog to keep it safe.

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

Here is a thread about the current recommendations by Dr. Jean Dodds, who is well-respected authority on canine vaccinations.

To minimize effects of vaccinations, don't give multiple vaccinations at one time, and never vaccinate when your pup is sick. Depending on where you are, you should be able to get a rabies vaccination that is good for 3 years. (this varies from state to state). Ask your vet which type he provides and if 3 year is available in your state.

And even as importantly as vaccinations, you should be concerned about the overall strength of your dog's immunity system.

Lynne your whole post was very enlightening. Another thread had me thinking about vaccs, just wondered what others thought...

I think some states do a 2yr and some a 3 yr Rabies. I think that the dog has to be over 1yr to receive anything other than a 1yr (maybe manufact dependent vs. state law--not sure).

I also am a very big fan of Dr Dodds vacc protocol and thyroid studies, etc. I also titer the dogs that are more out in the dog exposed areas. I do question every vet's ability to interrupt these titer results, thus reccomendations to booster or not.

So here is my internal contemplation. Some owners just don't vacc because they don't, others don't vacc because they've heard it is 'not good'. So will we see an increase of distemper/parvo cases as a result of lack of community education/vet agreeance?

In addition, I worry about these dogs (cats) not going in for their annual or semi annual exams. Which should have always been the emphasize, people went in yearly for the vaccs, so now some don't go.

These transition seems to be so slow and met with so much resistance.

 Quote: aimee pochron

So here is my internal contemplation. Some owners just don't vacc because they don't, others don't vacc because they've heard it is 'not good'. So will we see an increase of distemper/parvo cases as a result of lack of community education/vet agreeance?

This is a very good question. In us humans, there is a pertussis outbreak in California right now and the community hit hardest are the Latino rural farm workers. The state health dept. says it is problem due to lack of immunizations. You do need boosters as an adolescent and then adult to maintain immunity. Several babies have died, having caught it from older family members. We have not eradicated human disease or animal disease.

It is important to weigh risk.

ETA: Remember that Dr. Dodds recommends vaccination. Just not OVER vaccination.

Aimee, I think it's a good question. You will note that after initial puppy vaccinations and 1 year booster, Dr Dodds' most recent protocol says no additional vaccines needed for parvo and distemper.

Regarding puppies, I just don't know what I would do with a new pup. Because of the nature of viruses, there might be a possibility of a particularly virulent strain of parvo or distemper appearing. I guess you have to look at your own individual circumstances and weigh the potential risks and benefits. Will the pup be exposed to strange dogs, etc. (and exposure to strange dogs can mean walking a pup in the common area at an apartment complex, etc., where other dogs have recently been. It doesn't have to be direct contact with the dog.)

I remember reading that Cindy had a litter who had been vaccinated and several puppies(or more, I don't remember) died from parvo, even with the vaccination. I think that might have been the turning point for her, re no more vaccinations.

It's a tough call. One thing is for sure, if you are not going to vaccinate, you need to do the research and have all the supplies/meds on hand to combat a parvo infection.

I thank all those who have given their ideas here... I have given the 5 way once so far and the 7 way 4 times, one Rabies and have had no problems. The only thing I have stopped using is those strips that go on the back of the dog for flees. I am not sure of what to use instead but the two times I used the stuff Zuki was throwing up, and very uninterested in play or food. One of you mentioned not giving different shots at once...Would you say the 5 or 7 way is a bad idea and doing them indiviualy is better?

If your dog has had DHLP-Parvo 4 times she is probably immune to both Distemper and Parvo. You could check titers to be certain. The distemper immunity is felt to be lifetime by many people.
The dog is probably immune to rabies as well, but you may need a booster to be legal for travel.

Have you tried diatomaceous earth for fleas? Has anyone? I just bought it for ants. It is a powder that you sprinkle in crevices etc. and supposedly it kills the fleas (ants in my case). It's a mineral powder and you would have to have a bag with you wherever you go and repeat a procedure but it seems to be very attractive because it has nothing to do with the dog. Does anyone have any experience with it?