[Corky/Max]

The Truth About Pet Vaccinations


by Dr. Larry Siegler

Most guardians have never been told the truth about vaccinations. On the contrary, you are likely to get annual notices from your veterinarian that your companion is "due for their annual booster shots". The evidence against vaccinating, however, is overwhelming. Most veterinarians just choose to ignore the research because they don't want to lose the income from giving booster shots to all those animals each year.

Vaccinations represent a major stress to the immune system. They can not only cause side-effects and allergic reactions, they also contribute significantly to long term chronic disease. Chronic health problems frequently appear following vaccination including skin allergies, arthritis, leukemia, upper respiratory infections, irritable bowel syndromes, neurological conditions including aggressive behavior and epilepsy, auto-immune diseases and cancer.

I have been practicing veterinary medicine for over 20 years and I see sicker animals at a younger age now than when I began. It is more and more common to see cancer in dogs and cats under 5 years of age. Autoimmune diseases are on the rise as well. Our companions are suffering from generations of over-vaccination, which combined with inadequate nutrition, poor breeding practices and environmental stresses are leaving each generation more susceptible to congenital disorders and chronic disease.

Vaccinations do help prevent serious illnesses, but they should be used with restraint. Before vaccinating, consider the risk. If your cat is indoor only and will never be exposed to unvaccinated animals, the risk of infection is low.  The decision about vaccinations is very individual and should be guided by your own research on the subject before you go to the veterinarian.

Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated until at least 12 weeks of age.  Their developing immune systems are especially vulnerable to the stress of vaccines. Request individual vaccines and vaccinate at least three weeks apart if possible. Until 12 weeks of age keep your companion safe by avoiding exposure to public areas such as parks and pet stores. Keep them close to home and only expose them to animals you know are healthy. For puppies consider parvovirus and distemper at 12-15 weeks, and not until after 6 months of age for rabies. For kittens - consider one Panleukopenia combination (FRCP). Again, if available, give the vaccine components separately spaced three to four weeks apart. Feline leukemia and FIP vaccines may not be necessary for your cat. Consider its lifestyle and environment. IF your cats go outside and you have rabies in your area, give a rabies vaccine at six months of age. (Legal requirements vary from state to state.)

Vaccinations do not need "boosting". Studies have shown that a single vaccination for parvovirus, distemper and panleukopenia results in long-term protection from disease. Simple blood tests can determine if your companion's antibody levels for parvovirus and distemper remain high enough to resist infection. Next time your veterinarian suggests a booster shot, request the blood test first. (Rabies may be required by law every three years. Check the regulations in your state.)

I do not recommend vaccinations for Bordetella, corona virus, leptospirosis or Lyme vaccines unless these diseases are endemic locally or at a specific kennel. The currently licensed leptospira bacterins do not contain the serovars causing the majority of clinical leptospirosis today, so it is generally not a useful vaccine.

Homeopathic Nosodes are an alternative some guardians are using when choosing not to vaccinate.  They can also be used before three months of age if an animal is at risk.  Many guardians use these homeopathic medicines to help protect their companions against Parvovirus, Distemper, Kennel Cough, Panleukopenia and FIP. Some nosodes seem to work more effectively than others.  Homeopathic nosodes are not vaccinations. They do not produce titers against these diseases like a vaccination.  They do seem to offer some protection by reducing the severity of illness if the animal is exposed, even if they don't prevent it.

Never vaccinate a sick or weakened animal. If your puppy or kitten is showing signs of allergies or skin problems, WAIT. Vaccinating an already compromised immune system is almost sure to compound the problem!

Educate yourself. Your veterinarian cannot make this decision for you, nor should they. You are your companion's guardian. It is your responsibility to give them the best care you can by researching and carefully weighing your decisions about their healthcare.

[Lara's mom]

I'm not even going to comment on this except to state the obvious which is that modern vaccines have saved the lives of countless companion animals.

[cherylmartin]

I do know that The Veterinary College in Auburn AL do not recommend all of those boosters every year, and if they are not going to be exposed to a kennel, then why 'kennel cough' vaccine. I agree with you corky/max

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I'm not even going to comment on this except to state the obvious which is that modern vaccines have saved the lives of countless companion animals.

Though I agree with your philosophy, I will point out that none of mine past age of 2 have had any boosters and for that matter Rabies unless called upon for kenneling or traveling. Mine have lived far beyond their breed years. I am not a proponent for over vaccinating as have also seen side effects that bother me.
Immune system of an adult dog is sufficient but the fact is rabies vaccinations do put a strain on the immune system leaving the dog subjected to other issues. Just food for thought. Oh, and my vet also is not a proponent for the proverbial yearly booster philosophy as he noted, it really does not do that much for them.

[pinsnpugs]

Yes, vaccines are a great tool to help protect our pets. However, the over vaccinating is an issue.
We vaccinate puppies for their entire round, one at 1 yr of age, then every 3 yrs until they are about 6/7 yrs.

We have never had a case of parvo, distemper, etc. and we are very active with ourdogs and are at shows regularly.

[cherylmartin]

I agree again. I would cringe every time I was 'required' to get Jasmine boosters. Here, they HAVE to have an uptodate rabies tag every year and while researching it I discovered what most Schools of Veterinary medicine in the south say about this practice. And yes they are good tools, for pups-but as your dog gets older-if they are not exposed-why vaccinate.

[lulusmom]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I'm not even going to comment on this except to state the obvious which is that modern vaccines have saved the lives of countless companion animals.

I wholeheartedly agree; however, there is scientific evidence that proves that annual boosters are not necessary. I believe that all 27 teaching hospitals in North American have adopted the new three year vaccine guidelines based on published studies and recommendations made by AAFP/AFM, AAHA and the AVMA. The AAHA released new edition of guidelines 2006.

Canine Vaccine Guidelines Revised

I have senior dogs with immunosupressant diseases so all vaccines are out of the question for them. I parted ways with my gp vet because of their strict adherence to the outdated one year vaccine requirements and I walked away, despite the fact that they are excellent vets. This practice had the nerve to deny my dogs dental treatment if I refused the annual booster or alternatively a $150 titer test. This vet was also aware of the fact that my dogs were treating with an internal medicine specialist that provided me with a waiver and said absolutely no more vaccines. The only reason I can see for a vet to insist on annual boosters is to line their pockets because it sure isn't in their patients' best interest to over vaccinate.

In my opinion, any vet that isn't following the new vaccine guidelines should be challenged.

[Pet food store owner]

In the many, many years of being involved in the pet food biz one thing we have seen is the overusing of vaccines by Vets. IF you ever have time look up the word vacinosis on your search engine and you will see just how much we tend to overvaccinate(sp?)our pets and what it can do. There is a proceedure called Titer testing which takes blood to test the dogs immune system defence by measuring the presence and amounts of antibodies. This is far better than than giving boosters every year or two.

[Mr. Vega]

Originally Posted by cherylmartin

I do know that The Veterinary College in Auburn AL do not recommend all of those boosters every year, and if they are not going to be exposed to a kennel, then why 'kennel cough' vaccine. I agree with you corky/max

I am a student at AUCVM. The position that we tend to take at the small animal hospital is that which goes along with what you will commonly find in the AAHA and AVMA guidlines for vaccination. DHPP - Distemper, Hepatovirus/Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvo (which typically are given in one dose) are rec. every 3 years (after puppy boosters and 1 additional booster a year after that). This, however, is not true for Leptospirosis vaccine (and a few others)- it is indicated as an annual vaccine for dogs that may be at higher risk to exposure.

Lepto is listed as "non-core." Unfortunately, by the time that phrase goes through 100 people on the internet, it gets translated into "always unnecessary." That vaccine is listed as non core because it is not needed in all parts of the country (like the core vaccines are). This SHOULD NOT be interpreted as "just some vaccine that you don't really gotta give that vets just use to make money." I know that A TON of people love to point their finger at Lepto for all sorts of problems, but, if you're doubting the existence of Leptospirosis you can talk to the all of the heart-broken people I've seen over the years whose dog died in renal/hepatic failure from infection via Leptospira bacteria.

For "kennel cough." This was a slang name given to Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis because it was more prevalent in boarding kennels. The causative agent, Bordatella bronchiseptica, is a bacteria that does not know the boundaries of a kennel. This is important for those individuals that frequent dog parks. Again, while this vaccine is certainly NOT indicated for every dog, there are PLENTY of cases of CIT that come through hospitals that never saw a kennel at all.

As for the reasons behind 1 year, 3 years, etc... I'm sure most of you aren't worried about undervaccinating, but, in case you're worried about the 3 year schedule... I've read countless studies, and personally seen/assisted in quite a few as well, that measured Antibody titers against the core vaccines and most of them do indicate that most dogs will in fact sustain immunity to those agents for 3 years. So, why not longer? Not every individual shows high enough titers for 6, 7, 8 years and so we're pretty much forced to take a utilitarian view and set everyone equal at 3.