Epilepsy and vaccine boosters

[BearSoFair]

Posting on behalf of my Sister who is struggling to find balanced views on epilepsy FB groups who all seem 100% anti-vax without exception.

Her dog is around 7, developed epilepsy last year (MRI and countless blood tests to rule out other causes) and is, touch wood, very well controlled on medication. He is now due his annual boosters.

Generally, is it the right call to vaccinate? She says her gut feeling is yes, but there are SO many people online saying no, it makes seizures more likely, seemingly able to back up their claim with dates of boosters vs fits. Some mention antibody testing to see if boosters are required, does anyone have info on this? DSis feels shut down on epilepsy groups if she so much as mentions vaccination so hoping there are MNers with experience who may be able to advise!

Our dog has had epilepsy since puppy hood (he's nearly 5) and we've always vaccinated. I'll never know the alternative but he's well between seizures and I dont want him to risk being ill with something else as well as epilepsy.

There is no need to vaccinate and I do not vaccinate my epileptic dog.

However you can titre test your dog and you will know the antibodies that your dog has. The only one that you can not titre test for is Lepto. Lepto is controversial as the cover only lasts for 9 months anyway and does not prevent all dogs from getting lepto .

Just to say the vet is in agreement to not vaccinate

Manufacturers state not more than every 3-4yrs. I only do puppy jabs then 7yrs and that's it. They typically last 7yrs min anyway. I would not continue vaccinating a dog with neurological or immune related illness.

Will pass on that 'titre testing' is the name for antibody testing, thank you @lionbrain (and everyone else for responding!)

From what she's said I think her vet is pro-booster but has also been open that her dog is the only epileptic 'patient' he has and he needs to double check info so I think both he and DSis are learning as they go...

Titre testing checks for distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus. However it does not check for leptospirosis - weils disease which is endemic in the UK passed on in rats urine and found in many watercourses in the UK.
As a vet owning an epileptic dog I still vaccinate him on the standard schedule lepto every year and distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus every 3 year after the primary course is completed.