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Vaccinations
Vaccinations for puppies are a controversial subject in veterinary science as well as for
AAHArecommended Vaccines for dogs:
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED(Core diseases/vaccinations)
Rabies, Parvovirus, Distemper, Adenovirus-2
OPTIONAL (Non-core)
Bordatella, Lyme, Corona, Para-influenza (if given in combination with the core vaccines)
NOT RECOMMENDED AS ROUTINE
Leptospirosis and
Distemper-Measles (given to puppies only)
NOT RECOMMENDED
Corona virus, Giardia, Adenovirus-1 and Leptospirosis (unless problematic in your region). |
responsible breeders. Vaccinating practices vary and involve the
following factors:
1. Your puppy's environment
2. Your puppy's age when he received his first shot
3. The interval between vaccines
4. The kinds and types of vaccines best for your area of the country In addition, the veterinarian's (and breeders) training, beliefs and opinions also play into this. The first point to consider should be safety. Vaccines can be harmful and we should be vaccinating because the advantages outweigh the risks.
HOW VACCINES WORK:
In short, a vaccination stimulates a dog's immune system to protect itself against disease. When the antigen or infectious agent enters the dog's body, it is recognized as foreign and antibodies are produced to destroy it. Even though the invader is gone, the cells that manufactured the antibodies "remember" it and will respond more quickly the next time the same agent is confronted.
We support a more holistic and natural approach to the wellness of our dogs. We are on a more conservative schedule in regard to vaccinations, and here's why:
Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk. This natural protection can stay with the puppy for 8-14 weeks. If a puppy is vaccinated before 8 weeks of age, the natural maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little or no protection will be produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks will, in fact, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system.
According to more recent, updated practices, a series of vaccinations should be given starting at 8 weeks and then 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (at 1 year 4 mo) usually will provide a lifetime of immunity.
HELPFUL OR HARMFUL?
We know of many well meaning pet owners as well as competent breeders who feel that if they give vaccinations starting early at 4-6 weeks and on a 2 week schedule, that they are protecting their pet or pups in a responsible manner. Unfortunately what they don't realize is that they may very well be harming the animal instead.
If a puppy is given vaccinations too early, the immunities received from the mother will neutralize the vaccine and little to no protection will be the result. Remember vaccination at 6 weeks will delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system.
New Vaccine Protocol
The following is information concerning vaccines and protocol as well as Dr. W. Jean Dodds' 2004 vaccination protocol regarding modified live virus vaccines (distemper, hepatitis and parvo vaccines are MLV's, rabies is a killed vaccine), Dr. Dodds and Dr. Ronald Schultz are two of the nation's leading experts and veterinary research scientists on vaccinations. Dr. Schultz,has been vaccinating his own pets on a very limited basis since 1974. He gives them puppy vaccines, then uses a blood test to check if their systems have produced antibodies in response to the vaccines. After that, he doesn't vaccinate them again, except for rabies as required by law.
To sum it up, two of the country's top veterinary vaccine experts don't give MLV booster vaccinations after the age of one year. In human terms, none of us who received the modified live polio virus vaccinations as children get yearly, biennial, triennial, etc... boosters for the rest of our lives.
VACCINATION PROTOCOL
by Dr. Jean Dodd
All 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs. 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 doctors economic well-being should not be a factor in a medical decision.
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Excerpts from the August 2004 issue of Veterinary Economics:
"Many veterinarians derive a substantial percent of their total incomes from vaccinating dogs and cats... So changing your vaccine protocols could have a significant affect on practice finances. How big a hit will you take?"
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NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY
Dogs immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces immunity, which is good for the life of the pet (i.e.: canine distemper, parvo,). 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 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 l year 4 mo) will provide LIFETIME IMMUNITY.
DR. DODD'S NEWEST CANINE VACCINATION PROTOCOL – 2004
(FOR MINIMAL VACCINE USE PROGRAM)
AGE OF PUPPY: VACCINE TYPE:
9 - weeks Distemper + Parvo virus, MLV (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy DPV)
14 weeks Same as above -
16 -18 weeks (optional) Same as above -
24 weeks or older, if allowed by law Rabies (killed vaccine preferred)
1 year Distemper + Parvo virus, MLV
1 year Rabies, killed 3-year product
(give 3-4 weeks apart from distemper/parvo virus booster)
Note: This vaccine protocol is offered for those dogs where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one I recommend and should not interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It's a matter of professional judgment and choice.
Information on Vaccinations and Vaccinosis
These are our opinions about vaccinations, please consult your veterinarian and research this issue to make your own decisions. It is a highly controversial subject, and one that everyone with an animal should look into.
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