It's funny you speak about this. I am 51 years old and have had my childhood dog live to 17(poodle) and then as an adult I had a Lab live to 17 years old and now have a Yorkie in his 10th year. Other than the puppy shots none of my dogs received any shots the rest of theirs lives and required NO operations. My lab didn't even lose teeth!! I'm a firm believer the shots are killers for animals. The mercury is just super deadly to them and lessens their live span!!!