Vaccinating Senior Dogs

[terrierman41]

What are your thoughts on vaccinating dogs 12+ years old?

[MikePal]

Depending on the prospective lifespan of the dog Sharon. ....my big boys the life span is 8 yrs (average) my neighbours Shih Tzu is something like 16 yrs I think....

I know what your driving at thought and personally, I wouldn't bother, at least the expensive ones, after they have hit the 3/4 mark. especially if they aren't likely to be exposed anyway (heartworm for house dogs). I'd drop that vaccination.

[terrierman41]

Depending on the prospective lifespan of the dog Sharon. ....

I've been called a lot of things but never that, lol.

My 13 year old terrier is living the cushy life of leisure now so I'm opting out on the vaccines. I've always been conscious about over vaccinating, and now that he's an old man I'm hyper conscious about putting anything into his body that he may react negatively to.

[Waftrudnir]

... I'm hyper conscious ...

if $ isn't your motivation to skip vaccinations, I couldn't see why you would not want to vaccinate your dog.

[MikePal]

I've been called a lot of things but never that, lol.

Sorry I was going by the Avatar pic and got confused.. ..fixed...

[vom Dufenshmirtz]

Most dogs need to be vaccinated once or twice when young and then again once or twice when they get older, perhaps around 8.
If the 14 yo dog was vaccinated after age 8, I wouldn't do anymore.
I am talking about 5-way here - DAPPV, anything else is a different story.

[MikePal]

In the past , the only shots my pups got were from the original vets visit....after that, they were farm dogs, no vet visits unless they were injured...most lived out their lives just fine.

It's only been with the past couple dogs my wife insists they get the gamit of stuff the vets push under the wellness plan.

[terrierman41]

if $ isn't your motivation to skip vaccinations, I couldn't see why you would not want to vaccinate your dog.

I've always believed dogs and cats are over vaccinated to begin with. And after having multiple lengthy conversations with someone who recently retired from the vet med field my opinion will never change.

[Waftrudnir]

I've always believed dogs and cats are over vaccinated to begin with. And after having multiple lengthy conversations with someone who recently retired from the vet med field my opinion will never change.

Believing is what people do when they don't know...
Don't take offence, cause it's not meant that way: You ask an honest question, but given a topic like this I bet people will read into it whatever supports their believes.
Vaccines cost money, but on a grand scheme, they are by far the cheapest healthcare intervention known to mankind. They are at least a safe as any other drug, because they are given to a healthy individual and not a terminal ill patient. And, this is what brings us to the risk/benefit/cost/exposure equation.
Yes, if you don't know what you need, a vet will likely sell you what is safe for your dog (pretty much everything) and what he can bill you for. So, if your elderly dog stays indoors 99.5% of the time and has no contact to any other dog and does not chase any critters, I'd say the risk of exposure is extremely low and may not justify the cost

[yellow dog]

I only vaccinated every 3 or 4 years unless i was competing with the dogs and would update everything just in case. An old house dog or cat I wouldn't bother especially the cat.