The tide has turned regarding
yearly Vaccinations & Immunity... The
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccination Task Force
has updated their vaccination guidelines for 2011. According to AAHAnet.org
Developed
in a manner consistent with best vaccination practices, the 2011 Guidelines
include expert opinions supported by scientific study, published and unpublished
documents, and encompass all canine vaccines currently licensed in the
U.S. and Canada. The task force that developed the guidelines included
experts in immunology, infectious diseases, internal medicine, law, and
clinical practice. The absolute highlight is that all core vaccines with
the exception of the 1-year rabies are now recommended at 3-year or greater
intervals. Even more exciting is the task force has acknowledged that in
the case of the non-rabies core vaccines, immunity lasts at least 5 years
for distemper and parvo, and at least 7 years for adenovirus. Hopefully
these new guidelines will help more dog owners understand the long-lasting
effect of those puppy shots!
This
information is very important to all dog owners not just French Bulldog
owners. Vaccines protocols have changed, they are NOT needed every year.
Pet owners need to know this. The drug companies are profiting and it's
our animals that are paying the price. I am NOT against vaccinations, I
am against over-vaccinations and unnecessary vaccinations. I believe
the All Star Vaccine Protocol that I am
using today is what works best for my dogs, do your research on what is
best for yours.
The
American Veterinary Medical Association Committee report states that the
one year revaccination recommendation frequently found on many vaccination
labels is based on historical precedent, not scientific data'. Vaccine
research shows unnecessary inoculations are given yearly to our animals.
Humans don't get yearly vaccines for every disease we were vaccinated against
as babies, why should our dogs? Every breeder and pet owner will
do what they feel comfortable with, but Numerous Studies have proved that
over-vaccinations and non-core vaccinations do more harm than good. We
added this page for those that haven't had the opportunity to read the
studies that have been going on for years now. Advances in Human and Animal
medicine are made everyday so keeping up with studies and researches is
something we all need to do. Most Vets will not tell you any of the information
you will read here because either A. they are uninformed themselves or
B. Because they make lots of money giving unnecessary vaccinations
to those pet owners that do not know any better. This is not a personal
attack on any Vet out there PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS, I love my Vet and we
ALL need our Vets, but just like with human Dr's over prescribing medications,
it's about money, there is a lot of money to be made and it is their business,
period.
We
do NOT vaccinate our dogs yearly. What people have to understand, Vets
included, is that this is not about money for people like me. I rather
pay MORE for the vaccines that ARE needed, than pay less and have to vaccinate
my dogs with "non-core vaccines" or have to "re-vaccinate"
for diseases they already have immunity to because that's what the Vet
tells you that you must do and if you refuse, you are many times not a
welcomed client in that office anymore, it's happened to people I know.
What people have to understand is that the only vaccine required by law
for pet owners is the RABIES vaccine. All these other vaccines Vets want
you to have or force you to have are optional. In other words, you CHOOSE
what to give your pet and by doing your research you will know what it
is that you should and should not vaccinate for and HOW OFTEN.
I'm
definitely not a tree hugging hippy that dances around my dogs and shakes
pixy dust at them to ward off the evil bugs. I'm following the guidelines
outlined by AAHA and the experts in the field after YEARS/DECADES of research.
The vaccine manufacturers and the majority of Vets insist on annual boosters,
but studies show protection for AT LEAST 3 years, many 7 years and many
lifetime immunity. Why in the world would I feel comfortable pumping more
of these poisons into my dogs systems when they are already immune to the
diseases. I'm doing what I feel is right. I pay nearly triple what I would
pay for the vaccinations to have "blood titers" done on my dogs to check
their immunity, and I am willing to pay this before I vaccinate any of
my dogs for no reason. Google "blood titers for dogs" so you can read about
these tests and visit Dr Dodds website and read her "Reasons
for Vaccine Titer Testing".
Our
purpose in sharing this information here and what we do is not to discourage
anyone from vaccinating your dogs, but to encourage pet owners to make
educated decisions concerning their health care.
*EDUCATE
YOURSELF, YOUR DOGS HEALTH DEPENDS ON YOU* !!!KNOWLEDGE
IS POWER!!!
One quote I
find so honorable, written by a slew of UK Vets. "Article
Here" The oath we take
as newly-qualified veterinary surgeons is 'to help, or at least do no harm'.
We wish to maintain our position within society, and be deserving of the
trust placed in us as a profession. It is therefore our contention that
those who continue to give annual vaccinations in the light of new evidence
may well be acting contrary to the welfare of the animals committed to
their care.
We
have done our research and suggest you do yours. Look
up two of the experts in the field:
Dr.
Ronald D. Schultz of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine Dr.
Schultz is one of the preeminent experts in the field of veterinary vaccines.
Schultz, professor and chair of pathobiological sciences at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, has been studying
the effectiveness of canine vaccines since the 1970s; he's learned
that immunity can last as long as a dog's lifetime, which suggests that
our "best friends" are being over-vaccinated.
Dr.
Jean Dodds. She is a world renowned research immunologist. Dr.
Jean Dodd's address and more information can be found at: ItsForTheAnimals.com
- "Dr. Jean Dodd's is the owner of *Hemopeet /Hemolife* the world's largest
non-profit blood bank for dogs. Dr. Dodd's specializes in immunology. Her
puppy vaccination protocol can be found all over the net, but please NOTE
her protocol has been revised. Jean Dodds, DVM, is an internationally recognized
authority on thyroid issues in dogs and blood diseases in animals.
In the mid-1980's she founded Hemopet, the first nonprofit blood bank for
animals. Dr. Dodds is a grantee of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute, and author of over 150 research publications. Through
Hemopet she provides canine blood components and blood-bank supplies throughout
North America, consults in clinical pathology, and lectures worldwide."
What we use to vaccinate our
French Bulldogs. No Lyme - No Lepto and No Coronavirus shots should be
given to Frenchies, ever. They can kill your dog. I do not force or tell anyone what
protocol to use. If you want my personal opinion, I believe the protocols
from Dr. Ronald D. Schultz & Dr Dodds, the experts are best and I do
what I can with the Vets I have. We vaccinate our puppies and give a booster
at a year old. If you test titers 2 weeks after a parvo and/or distemper
vaccine, you will know if the puppy/dog had an immunizing response. You
don't need to guess. As Dr Dodds recommends we: "Perform vaccine antibody
titers for distemper and parvovirus every three years thereafter, or more
often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except
where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained
from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody
titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request."
Any
info obtained on this page is not to be construed as medical or legal advice. ***The
decision to vaccinate or not is yours and yours alone***
What
we use to vaccinate OUR French Bulldogs. What you do with YOURS is
up to YOU. Note: Unfortunately
most Vets use COMBO vaccines and not just the "Parvo/Distemper" vaccine.
The 5 way shot is usually what is given... it has Parvo, Distemper,
Adenovirus, Hepatitis and Parainfluenza. Only 3 of these are "CORE" vaccines,
but most Conventional Vets just do not carry any vaccines with less than
this. We suggest you NEVER give more than
a "5 way shot". DO not ever let them give your puppy a 7 or
8 way vaccine and tell you that you HAVE TO... NOT TRUE. Those 7-8 way
shots contain even more non-core vaccines like Lepto and Corona, which
are NOT needed and they can be lethal as mentioned, to the more sensitive
brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs. Ask to see the vial
of the vaccine if necessarty.... TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT AS SOON
AS YOU WALK IN... MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT EXACTLY IS BEING INJECTED. They
will tell you it's a booster, but that can mean MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.......
Do not vaccinate SICK DOGS... do not vaccinate dogs about to have surgery,
this will just further surpress the immune system. I never understand when
I hear someone took a dog with a problem to the Vet, whether minor such
as a skin hotspot or skin allergy or something severe as the dog being
actually sick and hear that they vaccinated this dog... this is just cruel.
Dogs also about to go into surgery should not be vaccinated, this is absurd,
they are about to be put under general anesthesia, which can be lethal,
why inject them with a vaccine first? It's all about common sense people.
Puppy Shots:
[1st puppy shot] Distemper/Parvo 8-9
wks old]
[2nd puppy shot] Distemper/Parvo 3
wks later (11-12 wks old]
[3rd puppy shot] Distemper/Parvo 4
wks later (15-16 wks old)
[1st Rabies Shot] [KILLED Vaccine]
at 5-6 months old
NOTE:
Always give the Rabies Vaccine about
1-2 MONTHS AFTER
any distemper/parvovirus booster. I can't stress that enough. Most Vets
we have come in contact with do NOT suggest this. My "frenchie families"
get pressured when the last puppy booster is given they also want to give
the rabies... NO... DO NOT DO THIS.
Stand your ground, it's your CHOICE what your puppy gets. Most Vets
will vaccinate your puppy with every vaccine under the sun on the
SAME
DAY... this is NOT what you want done.
If you give multiple vaccines the SAME DAY and your puppy/dog has a reaction
you will no idea what they had a reaction to.... COMMON SENSE.
Most Vets will get upset if you tell them NOT
to do this or they'll give you that "who
do you think you are look" or they
will tell you they do it all the time and it doesn't matter, but
it does... Many Vet Offices, not just Vets, but Vet Techs also and
even the front desk ladies who answer the telephones, use scare tactics
on pet owners... they mandate early spay/neuter before a puppy is even
grown, they mandate unnecessary shots or multiple shots on the same day...
Pet owners not knowing any better feel pressured or like bad owners if
they go against the Vet Office... PEOPLE PLEASE... I have nothing to gain
by writing and suggesting these things, I only have the dogs best interest
in mind. Do your research and use some common sense. No one is saying NOT
to vaccinate, just space them out and do not OVER-VACCINATE. What you do
with your dogs is YOUR CHOICE... please do not feel pressured. There are
great Vets around who will work with you.... If you feel pressured or your
Vet gets mad GO TO ANOTHER ONE... It's YOUR dog, it's YOUR decision what
goes into their body. BE THEIR VOICE!!!!
Parvo/Distemper "YEARLY" Boosters: There
is not such thing needed... "yearly" boosters are a THING OF THE PAST.
Read above, protocols have changed, even if most Vets do not inform owners
of this.
1st Booster for Parvo/Distemper is
given1 year after last puppy shot- Approx 15-16 months old.
Again no YEARLY shots are needed. I
will run "blood titers" on the dogs to check for immunity at around 18
months old to make sure they are covered. A titer is the blood level that
shows what immunity is still in your dogs body for that certain vaccine.
As humans we do not get yearly shots, neither should our dogs.
At 5 years old I may vaccinate with
Parvo/Distemper or a "5 way shot" and they are done for life. This means
in total if I have a dog live to be 14 years old, that dog received maybe
5 vaccines in it's entire life. 3 puppy shots and possible 2 boosters...
that's it. I do not vaccinate my dogs after 5-6 years old at the latest.
I just had blood titers run on a 12.5 year old dog that had not had a Parvo/Dsitemper
vaccine in almost 8 years and guess what? The dog was still immune, go
figure, all the studies are true :)
Rabies Boosters: Also
no such thing as a YEARLY shot needed for this. The vaccines are
the same, nothing has changed, just the law is finaly realizing that yearly
vaccines are not needed. The 1 year and 3 year vaccines are EXACTLY the
same, it's just what certificate/tag the Vet decides to issue and again,
the owner needs to be educated on this and demand what they want.
We give the Rabies booster 1 year after
first rabies shot and then every 3 years """According to Law in your County""""
which as far as I know it's now every 3 years everywhere...NOT YEARLY!!!
Hopefully even the 3 year law will change soon because the vaccine lasts
longer in the body: www.rabieschallengefund.org/
***WE DO NOT EVER GIVE LEPTOSPIROSIS
VACCINE, LYME OR CORONA VACCINE TO OUR DOGS. BORDATELLA VACCINE IS ALSO
UNNECESSARY*. These are not core vaccines, they
are not needed, the risks definitely outweigh the benefits. There are so
many strains to the diseases that the vaccines do not cover anyway....
Please do your research. Again... most Vets do not tell you this
and again, nothing personal against any Vet, I am just stating facts and
what I deal with over and over again, with my Vets and the Vets my "frenchie
families" take their puppies to. You have more of a chance of your dog
having a reaction and dying from a Lepto, Lyme or Corona Vaccine than the
dog actually contracting the disease. I have not vaccinated my dogs for
these since I almost lost 2 dogs to anaphalectic shock due to these vaccines
and that was over 12 years ago. My dogs have never contracted any disease
I have not vaccinated for. *Bordetella is optional. Vets give it
to puppies not being boarded, they insist they HAVE TO in order to give
you a Health Certificate and why our puppies get it when they go in to
get their Health Certs. The Vets will NOT issue a Health Certificate without
one. In 20 years of owning dogs I have dealth with kennel cough ONCE
and it was because one of my males, who was out on the road with a handler
SHOWING for his AKC Championship, brought the virus back with him from
the show and infected my others. It's not fun to hear your dogs coughing,
but it's a cold, like us himans get and must run it's course. I will continue
to NOT vaccinate for kennel cough though.... no sense on continuing to
vaccinate for this disease that has so many strains that the vaccines do
not cover anyway. I can go on and on... Just do your reseach, I can't stress
that enough.
By: All Star
As I said there are great Vets around... this Dr. Becker is just one
of them, see her Videos Below:
*Dog and Cat Vaccines are Not Harmless
Preventive Medicine*
*The Truth About Pet Vaccines*
s
By:
Dr. Jean Dodds'
CANINE VACCINATION PROTOCOL MINIMAL VACCINE USE
W. Jean Dodds, DVM
HEMOPET - reprinted from: http://www.itsfortheanimals.com
Note: The following 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.
Perform
vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus every three years
thereafter, or more often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according
to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs
to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case,
a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request.
See www.rabieschallengefund.org
W Jean Dodds DVM.
A thought-provoking article by
Dr.. Jean Dodds, provides valuable information regarding making informed
decisions about vaccinating your animal companion and is listed at the
link below: ****CHANGING VACCINE PROTOCOLS**** The
challenge to produce effective and safe vaccines for the prevalent infectious
diseases of humans and animals has become increasingly difficult. In veterinary
medicine, evidence implicating vaccines in triggering immune-mediated and
other chronic disorders (vaccinosis) is compelling. While some of
these problems have been traced to contaminated or poorly attenuated batches
of vaccine that revert to virulence, others apparently reflect the host’s
genetic predisposition to react adversely upon receiving the single (monovalent)
or multiple antigen “combo” (polyvalent) products given routinely to animals.
Animals of certain susceptible breeds or families appear to be at increased
risk for severe and lingering adverse reactions to vaccines.
The
onset of adverse reactions to conventional vaccinations (or other inciting
drugs, chemicals, or infectious agents) can be an immediate hypersensitivity
or anaphylactic reaction, or can occur acutely (24-48 hours afterwards),
or later on (10-45 days) in a delayed type immune response often caused
by immune-complex formation. Typical signs of adverse immune reactions
include fever, stiffness, sore joints and abdominal tenderness, susceptibility
to infections, central and peripheral nervous system disorders or inflammation,
collapse with autoagglutinated red blood cells and jaundice, or generalized
pinpoint hemorrhages or bruises. Liver enzymes may be markedly elevated,
and liver or kidney failure may accompany bone marrow suppression.
1. To determine that animal is
protected (suggested by a positive test result).
2. To identify a susceptible
animal (suggested by a negative test result).
3. To determine whether an individual
animal has responded to a vaccine.
4. To determine whether an individual
vaccine is effectively immunizing animals.
* from: Schultz RD, Ford
RB, Olsen J, Scott F. Titer testing and vaccination: a new look at traditional
practices. Vet Med, 97: 1-13, 2002 (insert).
ss
8
Dr Ronald Schultz
Once
a year, Ronald Schultz checks the antibody levels in his dogs' blood. Why?
He says for proof that most annual vaccines are unnecessary.
Schultz,
professor and chair of pathobiological sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
School of Veterinary Medicine, has been
studying the effectiveness of canine vaccines since the 1970s;
he's learned that immunity can last as long as a dog's lifetime, which
suggests that our "best friends" are being over-vaccinated.
Based
on his findings, a community of canine vaccine experts has developed new
veterinary recommendations that could eliminate a dog's need for annual
shots. The guidelines appear in the March/April issue of Trends, the journal
of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
Every
year, when we take our dogs to the veterinarian's office, they could receive
up to 16 different vaccines, many of which are combined into a single shot.
Four of these products protect against life-threatening diseases, including
rabies, canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), canine distemper virus (CDV)
and canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2); the rest protect against milder diseases
to which only some dogs are exposed, including Lyme disease. But, as many
veterinarians are realizing, over-vaccination can actually jeopardize a
dog's health and even life. Side effects can cause skin problems, allergic
reactions and autoimmune disease. Though the case in cats, not dogs, tumors
have been reported at the site of vaccine injections. "These adverse reactions
have caused many veterinarians to rethink the issue of vaccination," says
Schultz. "The idea that unnecessary vaccines can cause serious side effects
is in direct conflict with sound medical practices."
For
30 years, Schultz has been examining the need to vaccinate animals so often
and for so many diseases. "In the 1970s,
I started thinking about our immune response to pathogens and how similar
it is in other animals," says Schultz. "That's when I started to question
veterinary vaccination practices." Just like ours, a canine's immune system
fires up when a pathogen,like a virus, enters the body. The pathogen releases
a protein called an antigen, which calls into action the immune system's
special disease-fighting cells. Called B and T lymphocytes, these cells
not only destroy the virus, but they remember what it looked like so they
can fend it off in the future. It's this immunological memory that enables
vaccines, which purposely contain live, weakened or dead pathogens, to
protect against future disease. But, as Schultz points out, vaccines can
keep people immune for a lifetime: we're usually inoculated for measles,
mumps and rubella as children but never as adults. So, can dogs be vaccinated
as pups and then never again?
While
evidence from Schultz's studies on both his own dogs and many other dogs
from controlled studies suggests the answer is yes, Schultz recommends
a more conservative plan based on duration of immunity and individual risk.
Schultz says that core vaccines, or the ones that protect against life-threatening
disease, are essential for all dogs, yet he does not recommend dogs receive
these shots yearly. "With the exception of rabies, the vaccines for CDV,
CPV-2 and CAV trigger an immunological memory of at least seven years,"
he explains. (Studies testing the duration of immunity for rabies shots
show it lasts about three years.) For these reasons, Schultz suggests that
dogs receive rabies shots every three years (as is required by law in most
states) and the other core vaccines no more frequently than every three
years. Some non-core vaccines, on the other hand, have a much shorter duration
of immunity, lasting around one year. But, as Schultz points out, not every
dog should get these types of vaccines, because not every dog is at risk
for exposure.
Today,
many vaccinated dogs receive a shot for Lyme disease. However, Schultz
says that the ticks carrying the Lyme disease pathogen can be found in
only a few regions of the United States. More importantly, Schultz adds,
"The vaccine can cause adverse effects such as mild arthritis, allergy
or other immune diseases. Like all vaccines, it should only be used when
the animal is at significant risk." He notes that the Veterinary Medical
Teaching Hospital at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine rarely
administers the Lyme disease vaccine.
Another
common vaccine that Schultz says is unnecessary protects against "kennel
cough," an often mild and transient disease contracted during boarding
or dog shows. "Most pet dogs that do not live in breeding kennels, are
not boarded, do not go to dog shows and have only occasional contact with
dogs outside their immediate family," Schultz recommends, "rarely need
to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated for kennel cough." Schultz says that
it's important for veterinarians to recognize an individual dog's risk
for developing a particular disease when considering the benefits of a
vaccine. "Vaccines have many exceptional benefits, but, like any drug,
they also have the potential to cause significant harm." Giving a vaccine
that's not needed, he explains, creates an unnecessary risk to the animal.
Recommending
that dogs receive fewer vaccines, Schultz admits, may spark controversy,
especially when veterinarians rely on annual vaccines to bring in clients,
along with income. But, as he mentions, annual visits are important for
many reasons other than shots. "Checking for heartworm, tumors, dermatological
problems and tooth decay should be done on a yearly basis," he says. "Plus,
some dogs, depending on their risk, may need certain vaccines annually."
Rather than vaccinating on each visit, veterinarians can use a recently
developed test which checks dogs' immunity against certain diseases. Schultz
adds that veterinarians who have switched to the three-year, instead of
annual, vaccination program have found no increase in the number of dogs
with vaccine-preventable diseases. "Everyday, more and more people in the
profession are embracing the change," notes Schultz. And, that the new
vaccination guidelines supported by the AAHA, along with the task force
members representing the American Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine,
Veterinary Microbiology and the American Association of Veterinary Immunologists,
is evidence of just that.
ss
**Rabies
Vaccine Challenge Fund***
New
studies coming out show that the rabies vaccine is proving to be good for
up to 7 years . Hopefully this will be approved soon and cities and counties
will adapt this protocol rather than try to make money off the dogs with
the license fees and tags by forcing owners to vaccinate every year. Luckily
in most places now they accept the 3 year tag and hopefully soon the 7
year one. It's not about the money for us owners, I rather pay $100 more
for each vaccine , it's about not re-vaccinating a dog who is already immune
to the diseases.
About the Rabies
Challenge Fund: www.rabieschallengefund.org/ USDA Forces Dog
Lovers to Foot the Bill of Rabies Study
http://www.naturalnews.com/022525.html
*Summary
of New AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines for 2011* The
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccination Task Force
has updated their vaccination guidelines for 2011. According to AAHAnet.org:
Developed
in a manner consistent with best vaccination practices, the 2011 Guidelines
include expert opinions supported by scientific study, published and unpublished
documents, and encompass all canine vaccines currently licensed in the
U.S. and Canada. The task force that developed the guidelines included
experts in immunology, infectious diseases, internal medicine, law, and
clinical practice. I'm encouraged by, if not blissful about the new guidelines.
The absolute highlight is that all core vaccines with the exception of
the 1-year rabies are now recommended at 3-year or greater intervals. Even
more exciting is the task force has acknowledged that in the case of the
non-rabies core vaccines, immunity lasts at least 5 years for distemper
and parvo, and at least 7 years for adenovirus. Hopefully these new guidelines
will help more dog owners understand the long-lasting effect of those puppy
shots! And hopefully, more dog owners will now request titers rather than
automatically revaccinating their canine companions for distemper, parvo
and adenovirus.
CORE
VACCINES (necessary total of 4, that's it) Opinions
By: Dr Becker, info from AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines
PDF form.
Canine
Distemper (CDV) Initial
vaccination in puppies < 16 weeks of age
•Starting
at 6-8 weeks, vaccinate every 3 to 4 weeks (6, 10, 14 or 8, 12, 16 weeks)
up to 14 or 16 weeks; final shot should be given between 14 and 16 weeks
to minimize risk of maternal antibody interference
Initial
vaccination in dogs > 16 weeks of age
•One
dose
Revaccination
•For puppies
who received initial vaccination series by 16 weeks, a booster no later
than 1 year after completion of initial series, then ? 3 years thereafter
•For dogs
who received initial vaccination after 16 weeks of age, every ? 3 years
thereafter
Notes:
Among healthy dogs, distemper vaccines are expected to induce immunity
for at least 5 years.
Canine
Parvo (CPV-2) Initial
vaccination in puppies < 16 weeks of age
•Starting
at 6-8 weeks, vaccinate every 3 to 4 weeks (6, 10, 14 or 8, 12, 16 weeks)
up to 14 or 16 weeks; final shot should be given between 14 and 16 weeks
to minimize risk of maternal antibody interference
Initial
vaccination in dogs > 16 weeks of age
•One
dose
Revaccination
•For
puppies who received initial vaccination series by 16 weeks, a booster
no later than 1 year after completion of initial series, then ? 3 years
thereafter
•For dogs
who received initial vaccination after 16 weeks of age, every ? 3 years
thereafter
Notes:
Among healthy dogs, distemper vaccines are expected to induce immunity
for at least 5 years.
Canine
Adenovirus (CAV-2)
Initial
vaccination in puppies < 16 weeks of age
•Starting
at 6-8 weeks, vaccinate every 3 to 4 weeks (6, 10, 14 or 8, 12, 16 weeks)
up to 14 or 16 weeks; final shot should be given between 14 and 16 weeks
to minimize risk of maternal antibody interference
Initial
vaccination in dogs > 16 weeks of age
•One
dose
Revaccination
•For
puppies who received initial vaccination series by 16 weeks, a booster
no later than 1 year after completion of initial series, then ? 3 years
thereafter
•For dogs
who received initial vaccination after 16 weeks of age, every ? 3 years
thereafter
Notes:
Among healthy dogs, distemper vaccines are expected to induce immunity
for at least 7 years.
Rabies
1-year
Initial
vaccination in puppies < 16 weeks of age
•One
dose not earlier than 12 weeks or as required by law
Initial
vaccination in dogs > 16 weeks of age
•One
dose
Revaccination
•For
all dogs: annually as required by law
Rabies
3-year
Initial
vaccination in puppies < 16 weeks of age
•One
dose not earlier than 12 weeks or as required by law
Initial
vaccination in dogs > 16 weeks of age
•One
dose
Revaccination
•For
all dogs: within 1 year of initial dose regardless of age at time of initial
dose, then every 3 years thereafter as required by law
Non-CORE
VACCINES (not needed)
Measles
Vaccine (MV)
This
vaccine is supposed to provide temporary immunization of young puppies
against distemper by 'cross-protecting' them against the disease in the
event there are still maternally derived antibodies present. It is always
given in combination with other vaccines – distemper plus measles, or a
4-way combination of distemper plus measles plus adenovirus plus parainfluenza.
It
is only recommended for healthy dogs between 6 and 12 weeks of age.
Canine
Parainfluenza (CPiV)
There
are two delivery systems for this vaccine – intranasal and parenteral (injected).
This
is a flu vaccine. The intranasal form prevents clinical signs of illness,
infection and shedding. The injected form prevents clinical illness, but
not infection or shedding. It is used for dogs that aggressively resist
intranasal delivery.
The
parenteral vaccine is always given in combination with certain core vaccines;
the intranasal form is always given in combination with the bordetella
vaccine alone, or with bordetella plus adenovirus.
It
is always given in a single dose. Revaccination recommendations, depending
on the form of the vaccine (intranasal or parenteral), are per the combined
core vaccine schedule, annually, or more frequently for 'high risk' animals.
Bordetella
(Bb) Vaccine
The
bordetella vaccine can also be delivered intranasally or by injection.
Parenteral
administration requires two doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart. For the initial
vaccination, it is recommended the second dose be given at least a week
before the dog is boarded, attends a dog show, etc. Revaccination is recommended
annually
The
intranasal vaccine is single dose, with revaccination recommended annually
or more often for 'high risk' dogs. Some dogs experience side effects for
3 to 10 days after vaccination, including coughing, sneezing and nasal
discharge.
Canine
Adenovirus (CAV-2) – Intranasal
The
intranasal form of the adenovirus vaccine is a non-core vaccine.
It's
recommended for dogs at risk for respiratory infection caused by the adenovirus,
and it may not provide immunity against canine hepatitis. It should not
be considered a replacement for the injectable form of the vaccine.
This
vaccine is available only in combination with the intranasal bordetella
and parainfluenza vaccines.
Canine
Influenza
Vaccine
is given in two doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart, in dogs older than 6 weeks.
Annual revaccination is recommended.
Borrelia
burgdorferi (Lyme disease)
Vaccine
is given in two doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart, in dogs older than 12 weeks
of age. Revaccination is recommended annually and/or at the beginning of
tick season as determined regionally.
Notes:
Recommended only for use in dogs with known risk of exposure, living in
or visiting regions where exposure risk is high or where Lyme disease is
endemic. Tick control products are required in addition to the vaccine.
Leptospira
interrogans (Lepto or Leptospirosis)
This
refers to the 4-way killed whole cell or subunit bacterin. The 2-way killed
bacterin form of this vaccine is not recommended.
Vaccine
is given in two doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart, in dogs older than 12 weeks
of age. Revaccination is recommended annually, but only for dogs
with reasonable risk of exposure.
Notes:
Vaccination should be based on known geographic occurrence/prevalence and
exposure risk of the individual dog.
Canine
Oral Melanoma
This
vaccine is only available for treatment of dogs with malignant melanoma.
It is not intended for the prevention of oral melanoma.
Field
efficacy and experimental challenge data in dogs are not available at this
time. (Vaccine efficacy and dose recommendations are based on toxin neutralization
studies conducted in mice.)
Canine Coronavirus (CCov) (often just called Corona)
This
vaccine is not recommended. Neither the modified live nor the killed CCov
vaccine has proved effective against combination coronavirus/parvo disease.
Only the parvo vaccine is protective against dual viruses.
Dr.
Schultz is one of the preeminent experts in the field of veterinary vaccines.
If you read the full
AAHA vaccination guidelines report, you'll see his work referenced
throughout.
Dr.
Schultz recommends not starting a puppy or kitten core vaccination program
before 6 to 8 weeks of age, with revaccinations no more frequent than every
4 weeks. So for example, if you start the program at 8 weeks, you would
give another dose of the core vaccines at 12 weeks, and the third dose
at 16 weeks.
Dr.
Schultz's core vaccine protocol for his own family's pets differs in that
he actually runs antibody titers on the mother to know exactly when the
best time is to effectively immunize the puppy or kitten for the 3 core
viruses. Then he titers the little ones 2 or more weeks after the vaccine,
and as long as the response is adequate, he doesn't in most cases revaccinate
for the rest of the pet's life.
When
it comes to rabies vaccines, Dr. Schultz gives the first vaccine after
4 months of age, revaccinates in a year, and then again in 3 years and
every 3 years thereafter. In other words, he follows the law for 3-year
rabies vaccines, even though he doesn't believe a vaccination every 3 years
is necessary for immunization.
Currently
Dr. Schultz is in year 4 of a 7-year study of the rabies vaccine. You can
read more about the study at the Rabies
Challenge Fund. His goal is to be able to recommend that after an animal
is vaccinated at from 12 to 24 weeks for rabies, there's no need for re-vaccination
every 3 years.
All this info is nothing new... this has been around for years.... just
one article from years ago and from another Country:
Vets in UK speak against annual
shots - Veterinary Times, UK - late January 2004
In JAVMA
in 1995, Smith notes that 'there is evidence that some vaccines provide
immunity beyond one year. In fact, according to research there is no proof
that many of the yearly vaccinations are necessary and that protection
in many instances may be life long'; also, 'Vaccination is a potent medical
procedure with both benefits and risks for the patient'; further that,
'Revaccination of patients with sufficient immunity does not add measurably
to their disease resistance, and may increase their risk of adverse post-vaccination
events.'
Finally,
he states that: 'Adverse events may be associated with the antigen, adjuvant,
carrier, preservative or combination thereof. Possible adverse events include
failure to immunise, anaphylaxis,immunosuppression, autoimmune disorders,
transient infections and/or long-term infected carrier states.'
The report
of the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Taskforce in
JAAHA (39 March/April 2003) is also interesting reading: 'Current knowledgte
supports the statement that no vaccine is always safe, no vaccine is always
protective and no vaccine is always indicated'; 'Misunderstanding, misinformation
and the conservative nature of our profession have largely slowed adoption
of protocols advocating decreased frequency of vaccination'; 'Immunological
memory provides durations of immunity for core infectious diseases that
far exceed the traditional recommendations for annual vaccination. This
is supported by a growing body of veterinary information as well as well-developed
epidemiological vigilance in human medicine that indicates immunity induced
by vaccination is extremely long lasting and, in most cases, lifelong.'
Further,
the evidence shows that the duration of immunity for rabies vaccine, canine
distemper vaccine, canine parvovirus vaccine, feline panleukopaenia vaccine,
feline rhinotracheitis and feline calicivurus have all been demonstrated
to be a minimum of seven years, by serology for rabies and challenge studies
for all others.
The veterinary
surgeons below fully accept that no single achievement has had greater
impact on the lives and well-being of our patients, our clients and our
ability to prevent infectious diseases than the developments in annual
vaccines. We, however, fully support the recommendations and guidelines
of the American Animal Hospitals Association Taskforce, to reduce vaccine
protocols for dogs and cats such that booster vaccinations are only given
every three years, and only for core vaccines unless otherwise scientifically
justified.
We further
suggest that the evidence currently available will soon lead to the following
facts being accepted:
* The
immune systems of dogs and cats mature fully at six months and any modified
live virus (MLV) vaccine given after that age produces immunity that is
good for the life of that pet.
* If
another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first
vaccine neutralise the antigens from the subsequent so there is little
or no effect; the pet is not 'boosted', nor are more memory cells induced.
* Not
only are annual boosters for canine parvovirus and distemper unnecessary,
they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated
haemolytic anaemia.
* There
is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration
of MLV vaccines.
* Puppies
and kittens receive antibodies through their mothers' milk. This natural
protection can last eight to 14 weeks.
* Puppies
and kittens should NOT be vaccinated at less than eight weeks. Maternal
immunity will neutralise the vaccine and little protection will be produced.
* Vaccination
at six weeks will, however, DELAY the timing of the first effective vaccine.
* Vaccines
given two weeks apart SUPPRESS rather than stimulate the immune system.
This would
give possible new guidelines as follows:
1. A
series of vaccinations is given starting at eight weeks of age (or preferably
later) and given three to four weeks apart, up to 16 weeks of age.
2. One
further booster is given sometime after six months of age and will then
provide life-long immunity.
In light
of data now available showing the needless use and potential harm of annual
vaccination, we call on our profession to cease the policy of annual vaccination.
Can we
wonder that clients are losing faith in vaccination and researching the
issue themselves? We think they are right to do so. Politics, tradition
or the economic well-being of veterinary surgeons and pharmaceutical companies
should not be a factor in making medical decisions.
It is
accepted that the annual examination of a pet is advisable. We undervalue
ourselves, however, if we hang this essential service on the back of vaccination
and will ultimately suffer the consequences. Do we need to wait until we
see actions against vets, such as those launched in the state of Texas
by Dr Robert Rogers? He asserts that the present practice of marketing
vaccinations for companion animals constitutes fraud by misrepresentation,
fraud by silence and theft by deception.
The oath
we take as newly-qualified veterinary surgeons is 'to help, or at least
do no harm'. We wish to maintain our position within society, and be deserving
of the trust placed in us as a profession. It is therefore our contention
that those who continue to give annual vaccinations in the light of new
evidence may well be acting contrary to the wefare of the animals committed
to their care.
Yours
faithfully,
Richard
Allport, BVetMed, MRCVS
Sue
Armstrong, MA BVetMed, MRCVS
Mark
Carpenter, BVetMed, MRCVS
Sarah
Fox-Chapman, MS, DVM, MRCVS
Nichola
Cornish, BVetMed, MRCVS
Tim
Couzens, BVetMed, MRCVS
Chris
Day, MA, VetMB, MRCVS
Claire
Davies, BVSc, MRCVS
Mark
Elliott, BVSc, MRCVS
Peter
Gregory, BVSc, MRCVS
Lise
Hansen, DVM, MRCVS
John
Hoare, BVSc, MRCVS
Graham
Hines, BVSc, MRCVS
Megan
Kearney, BVSc, MRCVS
Michelle
L'oste Brown, BVetMed, MRCVS
Suzi
McIntyre, BVSc, MRCVS
Siobhan
Menzies, BVM&S, MRCVS
Nazrene
Moosa, BVSc, MRCVS
Mike
Nolan, BVSc, MRCVS
Richard
Allport, BVetMed, MRCVS
Sue
Armstrong, MA BVetMed, MRCVS
Mark
Carpenter, BVetMed, MRCVS
Sarah
Fox-Chapman, MS, DVM, MRCVS
Nichola
Cornish, BVetMed, MRCVS
Tim
Couzens, BVetMed, MRCVS
Chris
Day, MA, VetMB, MRCVS
Claire
Davies, BVSc, MRCVS
Mark
Elliott, BVSc, MRCVS
Peter
Gregory, BVSc, MRCVS
Lise
Hansen, DVM, MRCVS
John
Hoare, BVSc, MRCVS
Graham
Hines, BVSc, MRCVS
Megan
Kearney, BVSc, MRCVS
Michelle
L'oste Brown, BVetMed, MRCVS
Suzi
McIntyre, BVSc, MRCVS
Siobhan
Menzies, BVM&S, MRCVS
Nazrene
Moosa, BVSc, MRCVS
Mike
Nolan, BVSc, MRCVS
Ilse
Pedler, MA, VetMB, BSc, MRCVS
John
Saxton, BVetMed, MRCVS
Cheryl
Sears, MVB, MRCVS
Jane
Seymour, BVSc, MRCVS
Christine
Shields, BVSc, MRCVS
Suzannah
Stacey, BVSc, MRCVS
Phillip
Stimpson, MA, VetMB, MRCVS
Nick
Thompson, BSc, BVM&S, MRCVS
Lyn
Thompson, BVSc, MRCVS
Wendy
Vere, VetMB, MA, MRCVS
Anuska
Viljoen, BVSc, MRCVS, and
Wendy
Vink, BVSc, MRCVS
Vaccination Protocol - Are Vaccines safe for my french bulldogs?
French Bulldog Vaccination Schedule
All
Star Disclaimer: We do not claim to be veterinarians & by listing any
information on this page we are not giving medical advice. We do not claim
that the information herein will guarantee that this correct with anyone
else's French Bulldog. Please do not use these links to attempt
to diagnose or treat your pet. A licensed veterinarian is the best source
of health advice for an individual pet. Remember that different veterinarians
often disagree about the best treatments for pets. There are often several
perfectly acceptable ways to treat the same condition. Just find the right
Vet and ask a lot of questions!!!! We place these articles here for the
public to read, as information, not FACTS. We found this information online,
through web sites and other sources of information and list it here to
inform others what we have read and what we think is important regarding
French
Bulldog Health concerns. If we state certain methods we have used or
use on or have experienced with our own dogs, we do not wish to infringe
these methods on anyone else, it is solely our opinion and nothing else.
By reading, and/or using the material contained herein, reader or
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utilize this information at your own risk.