Subject: all 27 NA vet schools adopt new vaccine
protocol
Feel free to pass this on -
Dr. Jean Dodds
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 NEWSFLASH
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 8-14
weeks.
Puppies & kittens 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 1 year 4
mo) 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 as
CAV-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).
RABIES
There have been no reported cases of rabid dogs or
cats in Harris, Montogomery or Ft. Bend Counties [Texas], there have been
rabid skunks and bats so the potential exists. It is a killed vaccine and
must be given every year. 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 mouth parts 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 Fibrosarcoma 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 a non-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 a 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 fewer 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
Please consider as current on all vaccinations for boarding purposes
.
DOGS Initial series of puppy vaccines
1. distemper, hepatitis,
parvo, parinfluenze - 3 sets one month apart concluding at 16 weeks of
age.
2. Rabies at 16 weeks of age (later is better)
3. Bordetella within
last 4-6 months
First annual (usually at 1 year and 4 months of age)
1. DHP, Parvo,
Rabies
2. Bordetella within last 4-6 months
2 years or older
1. Rabies with in last year
2.
Bordetella within last 4-6 months
3. DHP & Parvo given anytime over
6 months of age, but not necessarily within the last year.
Recommended: Physical exam for transmissible diseases and health
risks.
CATS Initial kitten series
1. Distemper [PLP], Rhino
Calicivirus, Feline Leukemia Vaccine - 3 sets given one month apart concluding
at 16 weeks.
2. Rabies at 16 weeks
First Annual [usually at 1 year and 4 months of age]
1. Distemper (PLP),
Rhino Calicivirus, Rabies
2 years or older
1. Rabies within the last year
2. Rhino Calicivirus
within last year
3. Distemper and FelV given anytime after 6 months of age,
but not necessarily with the last year.
Recommended: Physical exam, FeLV/FIV testing, fecal exam for
giardia.