As you all know I am always concerned about what we put into our dogs and
that I am a real nag about sharing information. I am making changes
here in how I vaccinate and I want to strongly urge the rest of you to as
well look into modification of vaccination protocols. The following
is an addendum to your "Go Home Books" please print and
save:
Vaccines by: Gina Heitz
Vaccines are now being divided into two classes. ‘Core’ and ‘Non-core’
vaccines. Core vaccines should be given to every dog. Non-core vaccines
are recommended only for certain dogs. Whether to vaccinate with Non-core
vaccines depends upon a number of factors including age, breed, and
health status of the dog, the potential exposure of the dog to the
disease, the type of vaccine and how common the disease is in the
geographical area where the dog lives or may visit.
Experts generally agree that the core vaccines for dogs are: Distemper,
Adenovirus-2 (hepatitis and respiratory disease), and
Parvovirus-2.
Non-core vaccines include: Parainfluenza and Bordetella, both are causes
of 'kennel cough’. Borrelia burgdorferi (cause of Lyme
Disease), Giardia, and for some areas, Coronavirus and/or Leptospirosis.
Vaccines do not stimulate immunity immediately. Once a vaccine is
administered, the antigens must be recognized, responded to, and
remembered by the immune system. In most dogs protection does not begin
until five days after vaccination. Full protection from a vaccine usually
takes up to fourteen days. In most instances, two or more vaccinations
several weeks apart must be given to achieve protection.
Puppies:
Newborn puppies are not naturally immune to diseases. However, they
do have some antibody protection that is derived from its mother's blood
via the placenta. The next level of immunity is from antibodies derived
from the first milk. This is the milk produced from the time of birth and
continuing for 36-48 hours. This antibody-rich milk is called
colostrum.
Just when maternal antibodies wear off for each puppy is unknown, it
could be at 8 weeks, 16, or even longer, it varies with each
individual. This is why puppies have a series of vaccines, we
are making sure we protect each puppy, regardless of when the maternal
antibodies may wear off.
To best protect each puppy and protect it’s immune system without over
doing, or vaccinating improperly which can cause problems later, the
following schedule is recommended by cutting edge experts: (Many general
practitioners may disagree with this protocol.)
·
6 to
7 weeks Parvovirus vaccine only
·
10
weeks Distemper, Adenovirus, ParaInfluenza, and Parvovirus
·
13
weeks - Distemper, Adenovirus, ParaInfluenza, and
Parvovirus
·
16
weeks Distemper Adenovirus, ParaInfluenza, and
Parvovirus.
Corona vaccine (Non-core vaccine), is optional, but should not be
given before 9 weeks of age. Puppy immune systems cannot utilize
the vaccine before 9 weeks. (I do not recommend vaccinating for
Corona at all).
Leptospirosis vaccine (Non-core vaccine), is also optional, depending on
your geographical area. In the Pacific Northwest, Leptospirosis is
not a common disease and therefore vaccination is probably
unnecessary. However, if you give the Lepto vaccine, it should not
be given before 9 weeks of age, again the immune system cannot utilize
the vaccine before 9 weeks and if you are going to have a vaccine
reaction chances are it would be to this vaccine.
Some studies have shown that giving the Distemper vaccine (a core
vaccine) before 9 weeks of age results in an increased incidence of
vaccine-induced disease. This vaccine is also thought to be a
culprit in damaged immune systems if given too early.
Bordetella, another (Non-core vaccine), needs only be given if your dog
is at high risk. High risk includes frequent boarding, grooming, or
visits to dog parks. Puppy kindergarten classes and boarding
kennels may require this vaccine.
Rabies is a core vaccine and is mandated by law due to public health
risks. However Rabies vaccine should not be given before 12 weeks of
age. Waiting until after 18 weeks of age is preferable, but you
must abide by your county and/or state laws. If possible, give the
Rabies vaccine separately from the other vaccines. (I recommend 6
months of age for Rabies vaccination where the law permits).
For more information and or further modified puppy vaccination protocols
please visit this link:
Through new studies we are gaining a lot of knowledge about the length of
immunity produced by vaccinations. Vaccines are being improved, providing
longer duration of immunity, and better methods to test immunity are
being developed, (titer testing). Continual changes will be seen in
the recommendations for vaccine schedule. It’s possible that most
vaccines will soon not be recommended annually at all. And very
possible vaccine rotation will be more common e.g., vaccinate against
disease A one year, against disease B the next year, disease C the third
year, and then repeat the rotation. As is, several veterinary teaching
hospitals have modified recommendations from vaccination yearly to every
three (3) years and currently this is my recommendation and these core
vaccines are the only vaccinations I feel any dog should receive:
·
Distemper,
Adenovirus, ParaInfluenza, and Parvovirus
·
Rabies
at least 3 weeks from the above as required by law.
For more on re-vaccination and titer testing please visit these
links: