Please Don't Fall For Vaccine Myths!
Vaccines have been a subject of controversy among parents regarding their children. Now they're a subject of controversy among pet owners. This really shouldn't be happening, but it is partly understandable because the schedule for vaccinations can vary depending on the pet and the pet's age, plus whether it had any vaccinations before you got the pet. In other words, the schedule for your pet could be so different from that for your neighbor's pet that you could wonder what to believe. Still, there are some common myths that you should not listen to at all.
Myth: Vaccines Give Dogs Autism
This myth is bad enough when people talk about children getting autism from vaccines (and that connection has been debunked repeatedly), but now there are people claiming that dogs can get autism from vaccines. Hopefully this is just the result of Internet trolling, but if you've started hearing rumors about this, remember that dogs really can't develop autism. There's not even a real way to test for anything resembling autism in dogs. Don't worry about autism. Get your dog vaccinated.
Myth: Pet Vaccines Are All Given Only Once, or They Are All Given Annually
Some human vaccines are given once, but pet vaccines often require boosters. You don't want to over-vaccinate, but other than the occasional non-core vaccine, most are not annual. You can get titers done if you're curious about your pet's immunity. Your vet should give you a schedule; if you sense that you're returning too much to the vet for vaccines, you can ask a few other vets what the schedule for your pet should be. It could be that the schedule you've been following is fine, or you could need to see another vet.
Keep in mind that the vaccination schedule you get is highly customized. Your pet's exposure and lifestyle, as well as age and health, can affect what your pet needs to get. Sometimes an outbreak locally also changes what your pet needs to be vaccinated for, such as leptospirosis.
Myth: If Your Pet Never Goes Near Other Pets, It Doesn't Need Vaccines
Your pet needs vaccines, especially those for rabies. Your pet could escape or be stolen and be exposed to other animals that way, or you could suddenly fall in love with that little stray cat that's started hanging out in your yard. Chances are that your pet will be exposed to other animals at some point, and you need to get vaccines to prevent that exposure from turning into a disease-transfer situation.
Again, talk to your vet, and to a few others, and compare the vaccine recommendations you get. Go with the most common recommendations and be sure you do not skip vaccines for diseases like rabies. Talk with a company like Jones Animal Health Clinic for more information.