Mouprise.com

Pet Vaccination: How Much Is Too Much?

In 2003, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) revised vaccination guidelines and recommended that veterinarians vaccinate adult dogs every three years instead of annually, and many veterinarians changed their protocols regarding the new guidelines. The change came after experts agreed with overwhelming evidence showing annual vaccinations for canine diseases were unnecessary and harmful. It is up to the pet owner to avoid veterinary service providers who recommend, and even require, annual vaccinations. There are many vets who choose to ignore the guidelines because they don’t want to lose the revenue these booster shots generate each year. Another veterinary service that pet owners should avoid are those provided in a parking lot or pet supply store where you and your pet are without the benefit of a relationship with the veterinarian providing the inexpensive service. Your pet may pay the price for inappropriate or unnecessary veterinary care. Vaccines are a great stress on your pet’s immune system and can cause side effects and allergic reactions, as well as long-term chronic conditions such as skin allergies, arthritis, leukemia, upper respiratory tract infections, bowel syndrome irritable, and neurological conditions such as aggressive behavior, epilepsy, autoimmune disease, and cancer. Today, it is common for veterinarians to see sicker dogs and cats at a much younger age. Pets as young as 5 years old are being diagnosed with cancer, and autoimmune diseases are also on the rise. Combine over-vaccination with poor nutrition, poor breeding practices, and environmental stress, and you’re left with generations of pets that are susceptible to chronic diseases and congenital disorders. Annual vet checkups are a must for your pet, as this gives them a solid foundation of health, helps pet owners recognize subtle changes in their pets over time, and builds a relationship between your vet, you, and your pet.

It is best to prepare for your dog’s annual veterinary visit. Be prepared to discuss the best vaccination strategy for your pet by bringing veterinary records of your pet’s vaccination history with you. Do not assume that the clinic will have the latest information on hand and this is more imperative if you have changed veterinary clinics. Include all test results such as heartworm, antibody titer, blood and/or urinalysis. Have a clear idea of ​​whether you want or need your pet to receive vaccinations for which diseases, and ask your vet if any particular vaccination is necessary due to conditions in the area where he lives. Consider the risk. If your pet is only indoors and never exposed to unvaccinated animals, then the risk of infection is low. Educate yourself so you can have an intelligent conversation with your vet about the good and bad of vaccinating your pet. Know the health of your pet; if he has any health or behavioral issues your vet should be aware of and bring a list of any medications or supplements your pet is taking along with dosage, strength and frequency. The decision to vaccinate your pet or not is a very individual one and should be based on extensive research before going to your vet. If you’re seeing a vet for the first time, it’s a good idea to make an appointment to see him without your pet to discuss his philosophy on vaccinations and other tests, such as antibody titer tests. A “titer” is a measure of the amount of antibodies that are currently circulating in the blood to a given antigen. A dog showing a positive antibody titer test is considered protected against the disease for which the vaccine is intended and does not require vaccinations at this time. Never vaccinate a pet whose immune system is compromised with an infection, as the vaccine could distract the immune system from handling the infection and make it likely that the vaccine will not produce protective immunity.

If you decide to vaccinate your pet, consider having your vet perform a health exam and other tests first, and then wait for the results. If your pet is in good health, schedule a follow-up vaccination visit. Avoid multiple vaccinations in one or combined vaccinations; if this is the only option available, look elsewhere. Do not vaccinate your pet more than every three years. Some vaccines, such as Lepto, Bordetella or Lyme, do not last more than a year; however, consider whether these diseases are increasing in your area before vaccinating your pet. Schedule these vaccinations separately from the rabies vaccine if your pet needs them and administer them elsewhere on the body. Vaccination programs should be designed for the specific needs of each animal, not for the masses. You must factor the dog’s age, environment, activities, lifestyle, and previous adverse reactions to the vaccine, if any, into the equation. Do not vaccinate puppies and kittens younger than 12 weeks of age as their immune systems are very vulnerable to vaccine stress. Keep puppies and kittens safe from exposure by avoiding public areas like parks and pet stores. Vaccinate puppies between 12 and 15 weeks of age against parvovirus and distemper and wait until they are 6 months old before vaccinating against rabies. For kittens, a combination of panleukopenia (FRCP) and, if available, give the vaccine separately with an interval of three to four weeks. Consider your cat’s lifestyle and environment; if it comes out and you have rabies in your area, vaccinate it at 6 months of age. Vaccines against feline leukemia and FIP may not be necessary for your cat. Please note that legal requirements vary from state to state. Studies show that a single vaccine against parvovirus, distemper and panleukopenia provides long-term protection and a simple blood test will reveal whether antibody levels remain high enough to resist infection, so no need to a “boost”. Vaccines do not need a “booster.” Unless the diseases are locally endemic or a specific kennel has contracted Bordetella, corona virus, leptospirosis, or Lyme, vaccinations are not recommended by veterinarians. The leptospirosis vaccine is generally not useful because the currently licensed leptospira bacterins do not have the serovars that currently cause leptospirosis. An alternative homeopathic method used by pet owners who choose not to vaccinate is Nosodes, which can be used on animals under three months of age if the animal is at risk. These homeopathic medicines help protect pets against parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough, panleukopenia, and FIP. Although some nosodes work more effectively than others, they are not vaccines and do not produce titers against these diseases, but they do seem to offer some protection in the severity of the disease if the pet has been exposed, even if they do not prevent the disease.

When it comes to vaccinating your pet, educate yourself. You are your pet’s guardian and the decision is yours, not your vets’, nor should it be. You are responsible for the care of your companion; give them the best by carefully researching and weighing decisions about their health care.