Do you vaccinate your dog?

[Kimmikins]

An oldy but a goody, and I don't think it's been discussed here yet

I really don't agree with the frequency of vaccinations. I agree with vaccinating, I think the world is a much better place for it, and has created an environment where we are able to really discuss the pros and cons of it. But I don't agree with annual vaccinations...it goes against the whole purpose of vaccinating in the first place! There are more and more studies being published about how long a vaccine lasts in our pets, and yet still vets and insurance companies push for annual "boosters" - can't help but be a cynic and think that the money aspect is a big factor in that!

Buuut, Tim would rather that Sara was vaccinated...and since I've always said that she would be his to make decisions for and raise (she's his first dog, so I'm trying to take a backseat where possible) I left him to it. But he paid for it, I won't pay for something I don't agree with!

[sarahhound]

I don't vaccinate them, don't think there is any need for it. Haven't done Todd ever, he was done in August 2005 just before we adopted him. Never done Lucy. I gave Katy a booster at 1, she won't get any more.

I wanted to titre test Todd and Lu, purely out of curiosity, but my vet is so against it, I'm not having it done for a peaceful life! When I mentioned it recently he looked at me like I'd just said the most horrific thing in the world.

[sparks01]

I don't think he needs it after he has had his vaccination at one year but my insurance states he must be up to date with his vaccinations so we had to have it done

[Adrianne]

Bootsie was done initially and for her first booster...she is now 11, and hasn't been done since ..but I did get her tested before she had pups..to ensure that she had immunity to pass down to the pups and she was still covered. Bootsie doesn't mix with a lot of dogs.
Cupes on the other hand is vaccinated at the moment - he works with a lot of other dogs, but I am ready to re-think this, I have already cancelled his insurance policy, they barely want to know if you even take your dog to work with you, let alone allow him to work too, and with behaviour cases.
I object to insurance companies dictating that they must be vaccinated each year .. WSAVA guidelines issued to vets (world small animal veterinary association) reported just in March 2013 that every 3 years would be more than adequate and even too much in some cases. My insurance also wanted a dental check up each year ...what next? what would the vets like to make some extra money on next, more like?

[Kimmikins]

There are some insurers that don't require up to date vaccinations. Sara's with Healthy Pets and they don't require them - they just won't cover an illness covered by a vaccination, which to me is fair enough. If I can, I'll make this round of boosters the last!

[sarahhound]

Dec 15, 2013 14:01:11 GMT sparks01 said:

I don't think he needs it after he has had his vaccination at one year but my insurance states he must be up to date with his vaccinations so we had to have it done

My insurance with MoreThan simply days anything that could have been prevented by vaccinations will not be covered. 

[PetGoodsOnlineltd]

Ive always found this a tricky one. It was an american news article that i read but they stated that yearly vaccinations added up to around 15-20% of a vets revenue each year. Being cynical you can see why they wouldn't want to lose that, but on the other hand i always think on the off chance an injection once a year might help/stop them getting something nasty ill just pay the £35 quid etc and just view it as an addition to my insurance policy. Its a personal decision as my father in law is dead against it and have given me loads of papers and reports on the basis of what some of you guys are saying about them being longer lasting and unnecessary every year. Its a personal decision i suppose and i just think for about 75p a week over a year id rather have a little peace of mind.

[Kimmikins]

Have any of you heard of Vaccinosis? It's where they start to form a response to the vaccine itself i.e the body starts attacking the vaccine as if it were the illness itself. It can make dogs really poorly,and is an exponential response...so if they show slight signs one year,it will get worse each time they're vaccinated.
I don't mean to sound scare-mongery,which that paragraph kind of looks like! Scrumpy Jack has been showing signs of vaccinosis,he gets really lethargic and flat,and it has been getting gradually worse. Not really poorly,but enough to be noticeable. So now the vet has scaled back his vaccinations. Another reason I personally disagree with annuals

[Adrianne]

VACCINATION GUIDELINES FOR NEW PUPPY OWNERS 2013

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has issued guidelines to
veterinary surgeons and dog owners which aim to ensure that dogs are protected from
infectious disease, while reducing the number of vaccines that are given routinely. Full
guidelines are available at this link: www.wsava.org/guidelines/vaccination-guidelines

The basic principles of these guidelines are:

1. We should aim to vaccinate every animal with core vaccines, and to vaccinate each
individual less frequently by only giving non-core vaccines that are necessary for
that animal.
2. Vaccines should not be given needlessly. Core vaccines are those that are required
by every dog in order to protect them from life-threatening infectious diseases that
remain prevalent throughout the world. Core vaccines should not be given any more
frequently than every three years after the 12 month booster injection following the
puppy/kitten series, because the duration of immunity (DOI) is known to be many
years and may be up to the lifetime of the pet.
3. The WSAVA has defined non-core vaccines as those that are required by only those
animals whose geographical location, local environment or lifestyle places them at
risk of contracting specific infections.
4. The WSAVA strongly supports the concept of the ‘annual health check’ which
removes the emphasis from, and client expectation of, annual revaccination and
suggests that vaccination (if required) forms only one part of an annual veterinary
visit that considers the entire health and wellbeing of the individual dog.

What this means in practice is that:

Core Vaccines

1. The WSAVA recommends that all puppies should have their initial vaccines against
the core diseases, which are distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis (also called
adenovirus). Note that in countries where canine rabies is endemic, rabies
vaccination is also considered core, even when it is not required by law.

2. The WSAVA also states that the last puppy vaccine against the core diseases should
be given at 14-16 weeks of age. This is because, before this time, the mother
passes immunity to her puppies, and this ‘maternal immunity’ can prevent the
vaccine from working.

3. A high percentage (98%) of core puppy vaccines given between 14-16 weeks of age
will provide immunity against parvovirus, distemper and adenovirus for many years,
and probably for the life of the animal.

4. All dogs should receive a first booster for core vaccines 12 months after completion
of the primary vaccination course. The 12 month booster will ensure immunity for
dogs that may not have adequately responded to the puppy vaccinations.

5. The WSAVA states that we should vaccinate against the core diseases no more
frequently than every three years. This is often taken to mean that we should
vaccinate every three years – but this is not the case. If the dog is already immune
to these three core diseases, re-vaccinating will not add any extra immunity.

6. The WSAVA supports the use of titre testing. This is where a small sample of blood
is taken from the dog and checked for the presence of circulating antibodies. The
presence of circulating antibodies indicates that the dog is immune, and
revaccination (with core vaccines) is not required. You may decide to titre test before
giving the 12 month booster, as this may show that boosting is unnecessary. Two
new in-practice titre-testing kits are now available which will allow your vet to do a
titre test very quickly, without sending the blood sample to a laboratory. Ask your vet
to look into this less expensive option. One kit is called VacciCheck (Biogal
Laboratories) and the other is called TiterChek (Zoetis).

7. It is important to give as few vaccines as possible, whilst also ensuring that dogs are
protected from life-threatening viral diseases. The WSAVA seeks to reduce the
number of vaccines given as there is always a risk of adverse reactions with any
vaccination. The risk of adverse reaction is considered small and the WSAVA
asserts that the benefit of protecting your pet from life-threatening infections far
outweighs the risk of adverse reaction – although any reaction to a vaccine that is
not needed is unacceptable.

The WSAVA has listed the types of reactions in its
vaccine guidelines (which you can see on the link given above). They range from
mild (such as fever, loss of appetite), through to severe (such as epilepsy, arthritis,
autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, and allergic reactions). The most severe adverse
effects can be life-threatening.


Non-core Vaccines
The non-core vaccines commonly used for dogs are for leptospirosis and kennel cough.

Leptospirosis

Of the leptospirosis vaccine, the WSAVA states: “Vaccination should be restricted to use in
geographical areas where a significant risk of exposure has been established or for dogs
whose lifestyle places them at significant risk. These dogs should be vaccinated at 12–16
weeks of age, with a second dose 3–4 weeks later, and then at intervals of 9–12 months
until the risk has been reduced. This vaccine is the one least likely to provide adequate and
prolonged protection, and therefore must be administered annually or more often for
animals at high risk. There are many different serovars (strains) of Leptospira in the world.
Leptospirosis in dogs is most often caused by one of a small number (four to six) of these
serovars. The vaccines available today contain the serovars that are most often the cause
of canine leptospirosis in a particular geographical area. This product is associated with as
many or more adverse reactions than occur for any other vaccine. In particular,
veterinarians are advised of reports of acute anaphylaxis in toy breeds following
administration of leptospirosis vaccines. Routine vaccination of toy breeds should only be
considered in dogs known to have a very high risk of exposure.”


Simply, this means:

1. The leptospirosis vaccine provides protection for a maximum of 12 – 18 months.

2. This vaccine can be associated with adverse reactions.

3. This vaccine should only be given if there is a real risk.

4. Leptospirosis may be relatively rare in your geographical area, so it’s also worth
asking your veterinary surgeon if he/she has recently seen any confirmed cases
locally. If not, and your dog does not lead a lifestyle which carries a risk of exposure,
you may decide not to vaccinate against leptospirosis.

5. Signs of leptospirosis may include one or more of the following: fever, joint or muscle
pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea, discharge from the nose and eyes,
frequent urination, and yellowing of gums and around the eyes. If you observe these
signs in your dog, you should take him to your veterinary surgeon straight away.


Kennel Cough

1. In most dogs, kennel cough is generally a mild illness, similar to humans having a
cold or the flu. It is usually treated by keeping the dog quiet and giving throat-
soothing medications. Occasionally antibiotics can be given to treat secondary
infections.

2. Kennel cough vaccines are generally only required by dogs in close contact with
other dogs – for example in boarding kennels. However, you should check with your
kennel because some will demand kennel cough vaccines, and others will not
accept dogs that have been vaccinated against kennel cough (due to shedding).


[Kimmikins]

 that's the kind of stuff I spout, but always forget where I read it from!

And yet vets still push for them, and so often you hear of vets giving little time of day to clients who want to have a serious, sensible discussion about it all. It seems to be a case of "get them, or you're a terrible pet owner" or "what do you know, I'm the one with the degree and letters after my name" type attitude. My clinic still don't offer titre testing as a routine, it's very expensive and they have little or no support to offer them from the insurance companies...