Question of the Week

Dr. Daniel W Dowling

Hope, Maine

I have a strong opinion on this question from having practiced veterinary medicine for nearly 38 years. Why do we hardly see any canine distemper, parvo or rabies these days in our dogs? It's because our dog population is well vaccinated from these infectious and serious diseases. There is still constant possible exposure to these diseases from wildlife, strays or even imported dogs from underdeveloped countries that help supply the “pet” market.

There are some legitimate reasons for cutting back on routine vaccinations, such as isolated geriatric dogs, rare immune deficiencies and serious allergic reactions. But the vast majority of healthy dogs should absolutely be maintained on a wise, conservative vaccination protocol tailor made for your dog's lifestyle, age, and where it lives or will possibly visit. These decisions should be the responsibility of a local and trusted veterinary doctor who truly understands and appreciates the value of your purebred dogs.  

Judy Manley

Saybrook, Ohio

I have several reasons to back away from vaccines. Most of all, they are not needed as often as the veterinarians are convincing people to do. It is dangerous, since the annual vaccine suppresses the immune system with each injection. We vaccinate our children for life, and these vaccines have been proven to be the same. Veterinarians should encourage titer testing. I don't understand if they studied science why they don't see the dangers of annual vaccines. Also, the rabies dosage for a tiny dog versus a large dog should be adjusted. The denial of reactions is further frustrating. Why not acknowledge the risks of some vaccines? Yes, vaccines save our pets' lives, but please don't abuse your patients by risking the dangers of over-vaccinating. 

Jane Bishop

Bridgeport, West Virginia

I have reduced the number of vaccines I give my dogs. If there is a question, titers can be checked. Vaccinating dogs and cats annually for common diseases, as well as one- to three-year increments for rabies vaccines, is excessive. I have had veterinarians admit to me that selling vaccines (at greatly marked-up prices, plus an office visit) are their bread and butter, in addition to selling whatever flea and heartworm meds the pharmaceutical reps have talked them into by telling them they’re "the best." I keep vaccinations up on puppies and dogs traveling to shows, etc. After the age of five, or when a dog is retired and not traveling, I back off almost completely. 
 

B. E. Jordan 

Parkton, Maryland 

IF they are having titers done to determine if the dog still has protection against an illness, I don’t have a problem with it.

IF they are arbitrarily not giving vaccines without KNOWING if their dog is protected, I DO have a problem with it!

Nancy Russell

Walsenburg, Colorado

Twenty years ago, I stopped giving vaccinations to my dogs once they were no longer attending activities away from home. And although younger dogs were going to events, and visitors brought dogs to our property for training, none of my older dogs ever got any contagious diseases. 

Recently a 13-year-old female needed dental work and the vet wanted to vaccinate her for rabies. I insisted on a titer instead, and it came back fine, so they proceeded with her dental work. It had been six years since she had received a rabies vaccination.

Years ago, I read that Dr. Jean Dodds, who was doing a great deal of research on vaccines and the length of time they lasted, wrote that if the first rabies vaccination did not produce a titer, then the animal/person would never get a titer no matter how many vaccinations were given. 

We recently had proof of this. My husband was a state-certified rabies officer for 10 years. He received the rabies vaccinations when he started. Every year when they did a titer, he had none, so they gave him the vaccinations again. After 10 vaccinations he still had no titer. However, his associates who received the same vaccinations had a titer with the first vaccination and never had to take the shots again.

Karen Irazabal RN

Talladega, Alabama

I do believe in fully vaccinating puppies. I do not believe Toy dogs should be getting the same doses as Great Danes! I agree with three-year rabies vaccines, but do not think routine vaccines are needed yearly. More study should be done to see how long each vaccine actually lasts in dogs.

Pat Boldt

Tryon, North Carolina

I only give my pets thimerasol (mercury) free vaccines. I can't tell you how many times over the years I've gone to a vet and they say all our vaccines have thimerasol. While I don't think the general-public pet owner may be as knowledgeable, I do think most dog breeders and show-dog owners do know that thimerasol is mercury and is not good for our beloved dogs, as it is a heavy metal and therefore cumulative in the body. Same with humans. I state in all puppy contracts that thimerasol-free vaccines are what I require, and I educate owners what it means. I've NEVER had pushback, and frankly most people just assume that their vet is looking out for the best possible solutions for their dogs.

With social media it is also far more common knowledge than in the past, and dog magazines have been discussing the topic for years. I have two vets in my area — one uses only thimerasol free, the other does not. But when I discussed moving most of my dogs to the other vet exclusively because of the vaccine ingredient issue, the other vet ordered the vaccines as requested.

Now, do they provide this option to all clients? I do not know. As responsible dog breeders, we need to push this issue, and if necessary find vets who do listen or have a more holistic approach.

While real-estate people always say location, location, location, I say with this issue EDUCATION! EDUCATION! EDUCATION!

I also think that post-COVID, people are more skeptical on all vaccine safety issues, both human and animal. There has NEVER, to my knowledge, been a good marketing campaign by veterinary pharma to clients on vaccine safety issues. They leave it up to the vets, and frankly that can run from excellent expertise to scoldings, treating pet owners as stupid if they don't do it. Just as with human vaccines — not all manufacturers make them equally or with the same additives or quality. 

As a side note, many, many years ago, I sold pharmaceutical packaging to big pharma, both human and animal divisions; "down time" due to quality-control issues was noticeably higher in some facilities. There are often big differences between manufacturers, and unfortunately some vets choose the path of greatest mark-up and profit margins!

Susan Kwiatkowski

Lebanon, New Jersey

Makes no sense to avoid vaccines. Less risky than the disease. But should be taken one at a time.

Lani Morris

Owensboro, Kentucky

I do not revaccinate every year. I do keep Bordetella and parvo up to date. If I have puppies, they get the full battery of vaccinations. My adult dogs get re-vaccinated every two years.
I don’t believe vaccinations are harmful in most cases, but I also don’t think yearly updates are necessary.  

What I find shocking is the markup on meds and vaccines! I don’t mind paying for a vet’s expertise, but I do mind 100 percent or higher markups on routine stuff.

Wyoma Clouss

Meridian, Idaho

We’ve “backed away” from over-vaccinating our dogs for a very long time. Three-year rabies required by our state is the one exception, legal liability the reason. Over the years, I’ve discussed minimizing vaccinations with my veterinarian(s), about the harm of overloading the immune system of puppies and dogs, and we’ve agreed on protocol. 

I’m terrified seeing the vaccination schedule for human babies — dozens and dozens and dozens of injections in their first year of life, including three before the baby even leaves the hospital: What newborn needs a hep vaccine?

Both friends and family have children who were significantly harmed, life changed, by vaccine reaction. And if you aren’t aware of the serious issues surrounding the RNA vaccines, you haven’t been paying attention.  

Anne Marie Kubacz

Jackson, New Jersey

I am grateful that there is evidence-based medicine that allows you to evaluate each litter based on when maternal immunity will wane and therefore when puppies can respond to vaccinations. I send blood for a nomograph on the dam; this tells you exactly when vaccines should be given to that specific litter.

Cost is $50 at the University of Wisconsin lab, and the blood sample, which is in a red-top tube, does not need to be on ice; it can go in a two-day USPS Priority Mail box for about $8. Results are sent to you and to your veterinarian.

www.vetmed.wisc.edu/lab/cavids/titer-testing-service/

I keep all our puppies until they titer "protected," getting a blood sample from each two weeks after the second vaccine.   

All the puppies are sent home with this evidence-based report indicating they are protected for distemper and parvo.  

Pups get Bordetella at three and five weeks.

We titer test our older dogs for distemper and parvo at one year of age, then every three years and re-vaccinate as needed, give Bordetella and bivalent canine influenza yearly. We also live in a high tick-infested area and give Lyme.

There's a great free webinar on the Irish Setter Club of America website from a seminar sponsored by the ISCA Foundation, given by Dr. Laurie Larson from Wisconsin.

Also, articles are available about titer testing:

https://irishsetterclub.org/references-for-breeders/

Click on the plus sign next to videos for Dr. Larson's seminar on 2022 and Dr. Schultz's seminar on 2014. (He was a pioneer for evidence-based titer testing.)

Iva Kimmelman 

Stow, Massachusetts 

I have been careful about excessive vaccination for many decades. 

This caution came after an entire litter came down with demodex mange, and several died after the mange was treated and retracted, and DHLPP boosters were given when they were a year old. 

In those days, the early ’70s, puppies were vaccinated beginning at five weeks. 

This continued at six, seven and eight weeks. And more. 

That was the protocol at the time. 

Vaccines have improved and are safer, and not recommend as frequently as they once were.

However, modern science is what I follow, not the whims of rumors and innuendo of conspiracy theories about vaccines being unsafe.

I use Jean Dodds’ vaccine protocol.

Mark Jaeger

Mason, Michigan

While I do yearly DHLP vaccinations myself, I still take all my dogs in every three years for their rabies booster. This year I started vaccinating the dogs I am actively showing for canine influenza. I also regularly test for brucellosis, and annually for heartworm infestation (and prophylactically treat using Simparica TRIO).