Not Really sure what to do Advice needed please

[catcmartin]

Our Charlie 13y/o working cocker was quite poorly a few weeks ago and has a really bad heart murmur 5/6 or even 6/6 and is on Vetmedin and Frusecare which is gradually being increased over time as fluid builds up in his chest.  I discussed his booster due at the and of this month last time he saw the vet about 4 weeks ago.  I felt he was quite fragile and dont want a booster pushing him over the edge so to speak.  The lucum vet agreed and said that all the vets had discussed it and felt the practice should change the policy and only booster every 2nd year.  However the Senior Practice Partner wants to continue boostering annually as he feeels that way they will see each dog at least once per year.
This is where my dilema comes in Charlie sees  the vet regular for his heart and has had his booster every year for the last 13 years.  My worry is if I dont booster this year what will the Insurance company say to that.  I have called them and asked them what their policy is on this and also discussed titer testing with them, they had not got a clue what I was talking about.  Eventually got out of them that if Charlie gets an illness that could have been prevented by vaccination then they will not pay out.  As he is frail he does not really mix much these days and short walks are all he manages.  Has any one else ever been in this quandry I have another vet app for tomorrow to discuss this and enquire about titer testing rather than just go ahead and booster. 
Any advice would be helpfull I am more than concerned about him getting his booster this year as I have only just got him stable again. 

Cathy
Cheekie Charlie

[Robbie34]

I'd be inclined not to have him vaccinated.  

Do you think your insurance is good value at his age?  I ask this because when Charley reached ten years of age M&S raised his insurance premium to £589.  I also had to pay the first £70 of any claim, plus 20% of the remainder.  I refused to renew my insurance and accepted that I would take a hit if needed.  Two years later Charley had a malignant melanoma removed from his back paw, and the total cost was about £490.  Thus, I had saved two years premiums, and I guess the premium would have increased again when he became eleven.

Unless you are paying a low premium with a low excess, it may not pay you to continue with his insurance, and by not having him vaccinated there will be nothing to lose.  However, it is very unlikely that he will suffer anything due to no vaccination at his age.  He will have developed sufficient immunity, and particularly as he does not mix with other dogs.  

[Honormum]

We've stopped insuring our 11 year old lab for the same reasons - the policy was over £600 a year, excess was £150 plus we would have to pay a percentage of any claim.

We hadn't made a claim for some years, so it was a bit of a no-brainer. Lots of friends with dogs simply save the money they would have spent on the insurance - that way, you have a crisis fund when needed.

I'm guessing more claims are made for other illnesses/conditions than those that vaccinations prevent, so perhaps you have to consider the odds and make your choice. I wouldn't vaccinate, simply to keep the insurance people happy, if you've got any reservations.

[Ninasmum]

I'd be inclined no to have him vaccinated. 

Do you think your insurance is good value at his age?  I ask this because when Charley reached ten years of age M&S raised his insurance premium to £589.  I also had to pay the first £70 of any claim, plus 20% of the remainder.  I refused to renew my insurance and accepted that I would take a hit if needed.  Two years later Charley had a malignant melanoma removed from his back paw, and the total cost was about £490.  Thus, I had saved two years premiums, and I guess the premium would have increased again when he became eleven.

Unless you are paying a low premium with a low excess, it may not pay you to continue with his insurance, and by not having him vaccinated there will be nothing to lose.  However, it is very unlikely that he will suffer anything due to no vaccination at his age.  He will have developed sufficient immunity, and particularly as he does not mix with other dogs. 

These are my thoughts too 
Our 1st cocker Sam wasn't vaccinated after 9 yrs of age.  My eldest boy Alfie who is 9 in Jan. hasn't been done either this year, although i do plan to titre test early next year. 

[JaspersMum]

Eventually got out of them that if Charlie gets an illness that could have been prevented by vaccination then they will not pay out. 

Assuming that they would still payout on other illnesses such as heart etc, I wouldn't vaccinate.

I have a real quandry about vaccinations at the moment, particularly Jasper who seems to be developing all sorts of lumps and bumbs, but my vets are adamant vaccination MUST be done.  With daughter working there, I felt duty bound to get him done but think this is the last time he'll be done 

[Poppsie]

When Pebbles got ill with pancreatitis our vet wouldn't give her a booster as he said she had enough going on without (as you have said yourself) pushing her over the edge  like Robbie our insurance was quite expensive and we had to pay 20% of the cost ourselves  at Charlies age I wouldn't vaccinate him either poor lambs got enough to contend with  x x x

[Patp]

I wouldnt vaccinate either.  My vets do a monthly plan which covers 2 health checks a year, boosters, worming and flea treatments (also giving 10% discount on everything else).  This costs me just over £10 a month (I also pay insurance also).  For another £10 it would cover me for any accidents.  This cost is regardless of age.  When Jinley is older, I will pay solely into this scheme, cancel her insurance and stop vaccinating.  Amazing how the premiums creep up regardless of claims, then when they are at an age that problems will undoubtedly occur the cost is extortionate!!

Years ago when we lived on a farm, our vet said not to bother vaccinating our dogs as they would build up their own immune system.  Funny how things have changed eh?

Pat

[jennyspin]

Having just lost jessica to autoimmune and hearing "on the grapevine" that even vaccinations can flare this illness up i would say don't vaccinate and enjoy your boy instead xx

[Ben's mum]

I'm another one who wouldn't vaccinate (or titre either possibly) if Charlie has been regularly vaccinated over the years his immune system should be ok for all the normal diseases. I don't vaccinate my boys and the insurance company have been clear they won't pay out on anything that could have been vaccinated against.  Like you have already identified he has a fair bit going on already and if he doesn't go too far he should be ok. 

[MaggieR]

I had this discussion with the vet who is treating Maggie with acupuncture because of her compromised liver function.  She said the vaccine data sheets now state the vaccine should only be given to a healthy dog.  Thats all it says - there are no specific conditions mentioned - just that it should only be given to a healthy dog.  Now, given Charlie's issues,I wouldn't say he was a healthy dog,  sorry if that sounds harsh, don't mean it too. So from my perspective that is the argument I would be having with the "senior partner" and also the insurance company.
The vaccine data sheets can be found here: http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Compendium-datasheets_A-Z/Datasheets/-23637.html you just go and find the manufacturer of the vaccine...
xxx

[PennyB]

While not a dog, my cat who's now 16 is no longer vaccinated but is still insured - thankfully it was vets who said for him not to be vaxed any more as 3 years ago he had a fibrosarcoma and the worry is it could come back if vaccinated

[catcmartin]

Thanks everyone you have confirmed what I was feeling.  I will not booster Charlie this year.  I already have an account we setup years ago as we knew the insurance company would not pay for another spinal surgery for him so we saved up enough to cover it should he ever blow another disk.  However regardless he would not be suitable for any type of surgery as his heart is too bad now.  We will take our chances.  My excess with the insurance company is £80 and they pay all of the rest so they have been really good.  I will keep the insurance going.  I would never forgive myself if I bowed to pressure and boostered him and it did put him over the edge.
Cathy
Cheekie Charlie

[Robbie34]

You are doing the right thing in keeping on your insurance at that rate.  What is the insurance company?

[catcmartin]

Hi Robbie the insurance company is Direct Line been with them since Charlie was a pupster and he has had a lot of serious health issues over the years, pancreatitis, IVDD with spinal surgery now major heart issues.  Although they only pay for any meds or treatment for the first year so we now pay for his heart meds.  I get a prescription and buy Vetmedin online as the vet charges an arm and a leg for it. 

Cathy

[Geordietyke]

Another one who agrees about not vaxing.  MaggieR kindly gave me that info too as Odie's Addison's was most likely triggered by this year's booster so I'm assuming he would be classed as an "unhealthy" dog.  His next booster isn't due until March so we'll see what my vet says then.....