The Vaccine Issue

What is the truth about vaccinations?

The conventional approach is to get annual booster shots.

There is a growing body of evidence against vaccinating yearly. Most veterinarians just choose to ignore the research because either they still feel the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risk or that they dont want to lose the income from giving booster shots to all those animals each year.

Vaccinations work by stimulating the immune system- the positive effect is to protect against infectious disease. The negative effect can be the host of immune related diseases.

These can include: immune mediated hemolytic anemia, immune mediated skin disease, vaccine induced skin cancer in cats, skin allergies, arthritis, leukemia, inflammatory bowel disease and neurological conditions. 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.

Most veterinary schools are advising alternate vaccine protocols and newer research is showing that vaccine immunity lasts much longer than previously thought. In some cases a vaccine given at 1 year of age may provide lifelong immunity.

The analogy can be drawn to people and Tetanus vaccine. It only needs to be boosted every 10 years, and this may be similar in dogs and cats. Vaccinations do help prevent serious illnesses, but they should be used with caution. Before vaccinating your pet, consider the risk.

If your cat is indoors 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.

The following is recommended by Dr. Andrew Jones, a practising Veterinarian in Nelson BC, Canada:

1. Puppies and kittens ONLY need a series of 2 vaccine boosters, at 8 weeks then repeated at 12 weeks. The most critical time to prevent infectious disease is at this young age. In small kittens and puppies, you can wait until 12 weeks. The traditional 3rd booster in puppies is not necessary. If possible, delay giving the Rabies vaccine until 6 months.

2. Puppies should only be vaccinated for Parvovirus, Distemper. Give Bordetella if going to a kennel or puppy class. Give Rabies vaccine at 6 months.

3. Kittens should be vaccinated for the respiratory viruses and Panleukopenia. ( FVRCP). Feline Leukemia vaccine should only be given to high-risk cats- those in multi-cat households or outdoor cats surrounded by a large cat population. Give Rabies vaccine at 6 months. ENSURE that the vaccines are given in the subcutaneous tissue on the lateral sides of the right and left legs.

4. Common sense should to 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.

5. I do not recommend vaccinations for Corona virus, Leptospirosis or Lyme vaccines for dogs. 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.

6. I do not advise vaccinations for FIP, Feline Bordetella, FIV and limited use of Feline Leukemia vaccine in Cats.

7. My current advice is to give Booster vaccines at 1 year, then EVERY 3 years until the age of 10. As new research progresses, this may even become more infrequent. We are now just learning about the duration of immunity for some vaccines, and they may well be longer than 3 years. The most IMPORTANT time for vaccines are the 2 boosters as puppies and kittens and 1 year booster. Your pet should still see your veterinarian yearly for their annual wellness exam.

8. 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!

9. As an alternative, some people are using Homeopathic Nosodes. They can also be used before three months of age if an animal is at risk. Many people 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.

10. Learn as much as possible about vaccines and diseases in your area. Your veterinarian cannot make this decision for you, nor should they. It is your responsibility to make this decision for your pet. The best road to good health is feeding a diet rich in fresh foods, raw meats for the carnivores, fatty acid supplements, adequate exercise, lots of positive human interaction and avoiding disease.