MODIFIED VACCINATION PROTOCOL
- 2003 UPDATE
MINIMAL VACCINATION USE
W. JEAN DODDS, DVM
HEMOPET
938 Stanford Street
Santa Monica, CA. 90045
310-828-4804: FAX 310-828-8251
Note: This schedule is one I(W. Jean Dodds) recommend and should not be interpreted to mean
that other
protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It's a matter
of professional
judgment and choice. The following protocol is offered for those dogs where
minimal vaccinations
are advisable or desirable. For all other dogs, the 1999 protocol is still applicable.
______________________________________
Age of Puppy
|
 |
Vaccine Type
|
9 weeks |
|
Distemper & Parvocirus MLV
(e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy)
|
12 weeks |
|
Same as above or 1 dose at 14
weeks of age
|
16 weeks |
|
Same as above or 1 dose at 14
weeks
|
24 weeks |
|
(or older if allowable by law) Rabies |
|
|
|
1 year |
|
Distemper & Parvovirus MLV |
1 year |
|
1 year Rabies killed 3- year given 3-4
weeks apart from the
Distemper/Parvovirus booster |
|
|
|
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Do vaccine titers for
Distemper and Parvovirus annually there
after. Vaccinate for Rabies according
to the law, except when circumstances indicate that a vaccine waiver be obtained
from the primary
veterinarian. In that case, a Rabies titer can also be performed to accompany
the waiver request.
©This was reproduced exactly as it was written by W. Jean Dodds, DMV.
ADDITIONAL NEW INFORMATION ON VACCINATIONS
I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North America
are in the process of
changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats. Some of this information
will present an ethical &
economic challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics.
Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations
every 3 years to
appease those who fear loss of income vs. those concerned about potential
side effects. Politics, traditions,
or the doctor's economic well being should not be a factor in medical decision.
NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY
"Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified
live virus vaccine is given after 6
months of age, it produces an immunity which is good for the life of the pet
(ie: canine distemper, parvo,
feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies
from the first vaccine
neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect.
The titer is not "boosted" nor
are more memory cells induced." Not only are annual boosters for parvo
and distemper unnecessary, they
subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated
hemolytic anemia. "There is no
scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration
of MLV vaccines." Puppies
receive antibodies through their mothers milk. This natural protection can
last 8-14 weeks.
Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks.
Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%)
will be produced. Vaccination at 6
weeks will, however, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine.
Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart
suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of vaccinations
is given starting at 8 weeks
and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another vaccination given
sometime after 6 months of
age (usually at 1 year 4 mo) will provide lifetime immunity.
CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOGS
Distemper & Parvo
"According to Dr. Schultz, AVMA, 8-15-95, when a vaccinations series
given at 2, 3 & 4 months and again
at 1 year with a MLV, puppies and kitten program memory cells that survive
for life, providing lifelong
immunity." Dr. Carmichael at Cornell and Dr. Schultz have showing immunity
against challenge at 2-10
years for canine distemper & 4 years for parvovirus. Studies for longer
duration are pending. "There are no
new strains of parvovirus as one mfg. would like to suggest.
Parvovirus vaccination provides cross immunity for all types." Hepatitis
(Adenovirus) is one of the agents
known to be a cause of kennel cough. Only vaccines with CAV-2 should be used
as CAV-1 vaccines carry
the risk of "hepatitis blue-eye" reactions & kidney damage.
Bordetella Parainfluenza: Commonly called "Kennel cough"
Recommended only for those dogs boarded, groomed, taken to dog shows, or for
any reason housed
where exposed to a lot of dogs. The intranasal vaccine provides more complete
and more rapid onset of
immunity with less chance of reaction. Immunity requires 72 hours and does
not protect from every cause
of kennel cough. Immunity is of short duration (4 to 6 months).
RABIES
There have been no reported cases of rabid dogs or cats in Harris, Montogomery
or Ft. Bend Counties
[Texas], there have been rabid skunks and bats so the potential exists. It
is a killed vaccine and must be
given every year.
Lyme disease is a tick born disease which can cause lameness, kidney failure
and heart disease in dogs.
Ticks can also transmit the disease to humans. The original Ft. Dodge killed
bacteria has proven to be the
most effective vaccine. Lyme disease prevention should emphasize early removal
of ticks. Amitraz collars
are more effective than Top Spot, as amitraz paralyzes the tick's mouth parts
preventing transmission of
disease .
VACCINATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED
Multiple components in vaccines compete with each other for the immune system
and result in lesser
immunity for each individual disease as well as increasing the risk of a reaction.
Canine Corona Virus is
only a disease of puppies. It is rare, self limiting (dogs get well in 3 days
without treatment). Cornell &
Texas A&M have only diagnosed one case each in the last 7 years. Corona
virus does not cause disease
in adult dogs. Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse reactions
in dogs Most of the clinical
cases of lepto reported in dogs in the US are caused by serovaars (or types)
grippotyphosa and bratsilvia.
The vaccines contain different serovaars eanicola and ictohemorrhagica. Cross
protection is not provided
and protection is short lived. Lepto vaccine is immuno-supressive to puppies
less than 16 weeks.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Giardia is the most common intestinal parasite of humans in North America,
30% or more of all dogs & cats
are infected with giardia. It has now been demonstrated that humans can transmit
giardia to dogs & cats &
vice versa. Heartworm preventative must be given year round in Houston.
VACCINES BADLY NEEDED
New vaccines in development include: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and cat
scratch fever vaccine for
cats and Ehrlichia [one of the other tick diseases, much worse than Lymes]
for dogs.
"ACVIM Board Endorses Use of AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines"
The following statement was endorsed by all 23 members of the ACVIM infectious
Disease Study
Group and approved by the ACVIM Board: "The American College of Veterinary
Internal
Medicine believes that all dogs should have a routine health examination by
a veterinarian at least
yearly. At that time, vaccination needs should be determined and only those
antigens
deemed necessary should be administered. We currently endorse the use of the
AAHA (American
Animal Hospital Association) 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines as an aid in determining
the
vaccination needs of individual dogs.