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VACCINATION PROTOCOL INFORMATION
FOR DOGS AND CATS FORWARDED WITH PERMISSION
Dr. W. Jean Dodd's vaccination protocol is now being adopted by ALL 27 North
American veterinary schools. I highly recommend that you read this. Copy and
save it to your files. Print it and pass it out at dog fairs, cat shows,
kennel club meetings, dog parks, give a copy to your veterinarian and
groomer, etc., etc.*
Get the word out.
VACCINATION NEWS FLASH
*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 8-14weeks. Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than
8weeks. 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 4mo) 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 studies
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 asCAV-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).
*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 mouthparts 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 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CATS
Feline vaccine related Fibr osarcoma is a type of terminal cancer related in
inflammation caused by rabies & leukemia vaccines. This cancer is thought to
affect 1 in 10,000 cats vaccinated. Vaccines with aluminum adjuvant, an
ingredient included to stimulate the immune system, have been implicated as
a higher risk. We now recommend anon-adjuvanted rabies vaccine for cats.
Testing by Dr. Macy, Colorado State , has shown this vaccine to have the
lowest tissue reaction and although there is no guarantee that a vaccine
induced sarcoma will not develop, the risk will be much lower than with
other vaccines.*
*Program injectable 6 mo flea prevention for cats has been shown to be very
tissue reactive & therefore has the potential of inducing an injection site
fiborsarcoma. If your cats develops a lump at the site of a vaccination, we
recommend that it be removed ASAP, within 3-12 weeks.*
*Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine This virus is the leading viral killer of
cats. The individuals most at risk of infection are
young outdoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats and cats exposed to such
individuals. Indoor only cats with no exposure to potentially infected cats
are unlikely to become infected. All cats should be tested prior to
vaccination. /Cats over one year of age are naturally immune to Fel.V
whether they are vaccinated or not, so annual vaccination of adult cats is
NOT necessary. The incubation period of Feline leukemia can be over 3 years,
so if your cat is in the incubation state of the disease prior to
vaccination, the vaccine will not prevent the disease. *
/Feline Panleukopenia Virus Vaccine. Also called feline distemper is a
highly contagious and deadly viral disease of
kittens. It's extremely hardy and is resistant to extremes in temperature
and to most available disinfectants. Although an effective treatment
protocol is available, it is expensive to treat because of the serious
nature of the disease and the continued presence of virus in the
environment, vaccination is highly recommended for all kittens. Cats
vaccinated at 6 month or older with either killed or MLV vaccine will
produce an immunity good for life. Adult cats do NOT need this vaccine./*
*/Feline Calicivirus/ Herpesvirus Vaccine. Responsible for 80-90% of
infectious feline upper respiratory tract diseases.
The currently available injectable vaccines will minimize the severity of
upper respiratory infections, although none will prevent disease in all situations.* *Intranasal vaccines are more effective at preventing the disease entirely. Don't worry about normal sneezing for a couple of days. Because intranasal vaccines produce an immunity of shorter durations, annual vaccination is recommended.
VACCINES NOT RECOMMENDED
Chlamydia or pneumonitis. The vaccine produces on a short (2 month)duration
of immunity and accounts for less than 5% of upper respiratory infections in
cats. The risks outweigh the benefits.* **
*Feline Infectious Peritonitis. A controversial vaccine. Most kittens that
contract FIP become infected during the first 3
months of life. The vaccine is labeled for use at 16 weeks. All 27 vet
schools do not recommend the vaccine.*
Bordetella A new vaccine for feline bordetella has been introduced. Dr.
Wolfe of Texas A&M says that bordetella is a normal flora and does not cause disease in adult cats. Dr. Lappin of Colorado State says that a review of the Colorado State medical records reveals not one case diagnosed in 10 years.
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.
THE VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES; BUSINESS ASPECTS
Most vets recommend annual boosters and most kennel operators require them.
For years the pricing structure of vets has misled clients into thinking
that the inherent value of an annual office visit was in the "shots" they
failed to emphasize the importance of an annual physical exam for early detection of treatable diseases. It is my hope that you will continue to require rabies & Kennel cough and emphasize the importance of a recent vet exam. I also hope you will accept the new protocols and honor these pets as currently
vaccinated. Those in the boarding business who will honor the new vaccine
protocols can gain new customers who were turned away from vet owned
boarding facilities reluctant to change.
CONCLUSION
Dogs & cats no longer need to be vaccinated against distemper, parvo, &
feline leukemia every year. Once the initial series of puppy or kitten
vaccinations and first annual vaccinations are completed, immunity from MLV
vaccines persists for life. It has been shown that cats over 1 year of age
are immune to Feline Leukemia whether they have been vaccinated or not.
Imagine the money you will save, not to mention less risks from side
effects. PCR rabies vaccine, because it is not adjuvanted, will mean less
risk of mediated hemolytic anemia and allergic reactions are reduced by less
frequent use of vaccines as well as by avoiding unnecessary vaccines such as
K-9 Corona virus and chlamydia for cats, as well as ineffective vaccines
such as Leptospirosis and FIP. Intranasal vaccine for Rhiotracheitis and
Calici virus, two upper respiratory viruses of cats provide more complete
protection than injectable vaccines with less risk of serious reactions.
The AAHA and all 27 veterinary schools of North America are our biggest
endorsement for these new protocols.*
*Dr. Bob Rogers*
RABIES VACCINE
Rabies vaccine is licensed by the Federal Government to be effective for at least three years. We recommend that you always keep your animal's rabies vaccine current as required by law. In most states, rabies vaccines are required in dogs and cats. The first vaccine should be given after twelve weeks of age and before six months of age. One year after the first rabies vaccine is given, a second rabies vaccine is required. Thereafter, rabies vaccines should be given as required by the laws in the state in which you reside (generally every three years).
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