Question on older bulldogs. Need input from you guys.
Submitted by Bill Sue Angel ... on May 13, 2012 - 6:57pmAs some of you may know us from the chat forum, Lily, our surviving bully is just over ten years old. Needless to say, as an older doggie, she has limited stamina and we try not to exert her. From a health standpoint, our question is this: Is it wise to subject her, at this point in her life, as an older bully, to another rabies shot and blood test and Heartgard and all the other annual stuff, or in light of her age and physical condition, should we just leave her alone at this point? We don't take her to any doggy parks anymore and she has no real exposure to other critters, just our yard. We just don't want to subject her to something that would stress her. Your input is appreciated.
I say no more meds or shots.
That's just my humble opinion. I stopped vaccinating after my boys's first booster at 1 1/2 yrs. old. He had a terrible reaction. I did titers for severals years after then just stopped altogether. My frenchie is 12 1/2 yrs old.
i would not stress her....
if your worried about ticks and fleas.....use deep woods off spray....spray some on a towel and wipe her down.....talk to your vet and make sure they wont jerk you around if their is an emergency...and she is not up to date on her shots.....you may just want to get a titer so that would cover you in an emergency situation.....
Judy and Carmine'sMom.............
Thanks so much for your input. What's a titer? Sorry if I sound ignorant, but......that's why they invented questions, right?
Titers are blood tests
that check for antibodies. Used instead of vaccinations to test for sufficient immunizations. Expensive, but a great alternative.
Lynn King CPDT-KA
At about age 8......
...is when I allow last rabies vaccine to be given, and luckily haven't had an issue. The last Distemper and Parvo boosters were given at about 16 mos. I still give heartworm preventative year round. however.
I don't vaccinate my older dogs for anything
if licensing is important to you, ask you vet for a medical exemption for the rabies. Heartworm prevention, because you live in Florida, may be something that you want to continue.
Around here, 8 years old is considered "senior", regardless of breed.
At 10 years old, Lily has earned the right to just cruise through life without the stresses of vet visits and/or over vaccinating.
I just love the ole dogs
Lynn King CPDT-KA
I have to agree to skip it
I don't even give any of it to Audrey anymore and she's only 3. (except for rabies every 3 years-required by law. I have no intentions of giving that to her either when she's an old lady)
I live in NC, on a certified swampland, and I don't use ANY pesticides on her or in her anymore, and haven't for 2 years now.
Even if Lilly got infected with a heartworm microfilariae tomorrow, it takes 7 months for that heartworm to mature to adulthood. She would have to become suddenly infected with TONS of worms to have it make an impact on her in that 7 months. Honestly, the chances of that happening are not real high. She has a greater chance of being infected with one of the newer strains of heartworm that are resistant to the current insecticides, which makes the pill useless anyways.
Cathy and Audrey
Amazing! Thank you all for the input!
We've learned a lot. Yes, Lily has earned the right to just enjoy the rest of her life without the stress of vet visits and such. All of your insight has been extremely helpful. The time we have left together will be even better, knowing your opinions on older bullys. Lil says "Thank You", too!
Agree --- I don't do shots after
about 7 yrs old and I have not done rabies either up to that age. But it is now state law so when MacKenzie went in the last time he got his rabies. He'll be 9 soon.
Nope, me neither.
I don't want to stress their systems out after about 7 or 8. No reason to.
Amy and Sophia
Hey Bill
I had decided to quit giving shots because my bullies are so old they do nothing but sleep. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago I had to kennel them, so of course they had to have their shots. But, I think at a certain age when they no longer are exposed to things, it is far worse to stress them than the shots are worth. Just my opinion. The only thing mine seem to have been exposed to is some sort of somethin' that makes 'em SLEEP all of the time!! LOL! Take care my friend!
This is all very good to hear
This is all very good to hear as my vet recently decided to start supporting me in my decision to stop vaccinating, etc., under any circumstances. But what have you done where "it is the law"? Here, they say "Well, you can do titers but they've never allowed that as an 'excuse' to not have it done"...
Matilda's rabies vaccine expires in 2013 - at age ten - there is no way I'd ever do it again. She had horrible reactions each time she'd been given them all her life anyway. I don't know why I didn't learn sooner.