Vaccinations

[Wicket]

Since currently my dog has an adverse reaction to a recent vaccinations, I'm beginning to wonder if these boosters are needed. I know the old practice was give them yearly; fortunately some are now giving them every three years. Having worked for an animal hospital as a kennel worker/sometime vet assistant, I've seen many dogs have allergic reactions to the vaccines.

Perhaps a vet or vet tech can answer these questions:
1) If the original vaccine are supposed to boost immunity, why does the dog/cat's system need to be exposed again?
2) If you use titers, how do you the right number of white cells equals the dog is immune to the virus/disease?

Thanks for your replies.

[Mattie]

This is one for Duffy

I did have a talk with my vet about vaccinations and over vaccination, I was told that they vaccinate yearly but not for everything, some are find for 3 years, some 2 and some need to be done yearly, because they keep good records they can see at a glance what the dogs have had previously so only give them what is necessary.

Have a talk with your vet, you may be lucky like me and your vet keeps up to date.

[josie1918]

I think I may be able to help you, years ago, the vaccines used were made with a killed virus. They did only last about a year. Now we are using a modified live vaccine, which is superior in every way to the killed, which is why most of the immunology specialist are now saying vaccinate every 3-5 years (Now PLEASE realize, if you live in an area where the law states you MUST have a current rabies vaccine for your dog, obviously the 5 year stretch is not going to work)
As far as titers , I think what you are asking is how do we know if the animal is protected? We send blood work in to a lab that tests for the strength of the immunization for each particular animal. (Hope this is what you are asking )
It has been my personal, and professional experience that some BRANDS or makers of vaccines have a much higher rate of side effects than others. So your vaccine may be manufactured by Meriel, Fort dodge, schering plough or someone else. You need to note which maker's vaccine was used on your pet, document it, if your pet has a bad reaction, try another manufacturer's vaccine next time. While some pets do have a reaction to any, and all, the majority of them I have seen, had much better luck when we switched manufacturer's for them. Hope this helps, and I hope I understood your questions correctly.

[Wicket]

I think I may be able to help you, years ago, the vaccines used were made with a killed virus. They did only last about a year. Now we are using a modified live vaccine, which is superior in every way to the killed, which is why most of the immunology specialist are now saying vaccinate every 3-5 years (Now PLEASE realize, if you live in an area where the law states you MUST have a current rabies vaccine for your dog, obviously the 5 year stretch is not going to work)

According her vaccination card, she is scheduled to receive the DHPPCC and Bordetella annually, but the rabies vaccine is every 3 years. In fact, I cannot recall when I took her to the annual vet check and not receive a vaccine shot...

As far as titers , I think what you are asking is how do we know if the animal is protected? We send blood work in to a lab that tests for the strength of the immunization for each particular animal. (Hope this is what you are asking )

Yes, that's what I was asking. An argument I've heard against using titers is that you can never know the perfect number of white cells (or perhaps another type of cell) means the animal is protected and enough immunity. Even if the animal has a 500 count (just throwing out a number), his immune system may have vulnerable. Basically, even with titers, there is no way to know your dog is safe from the disease/virus and that it may be safer to take the risk and give the dog the shot since these viruses/diseases are deadly.

It has been my personal, and professional experience that some BRANDS or makers of vaccines have a much higher rate of side effects than others. So your vaccine may be manufactured by Meriel, Fort dodge, schering plough or someone else. You need to note which maker's vaccine was used on your pet, document it, if your pet has a bad reaction, try another manufacturer's vaccine next time. While some pets do have a reaction to any, and all, the majority of them I have seen, had much better luck when we switched manufacturer's for them. Hope this helps, and I hope I understood your questions correctly.

Having worked for them, I know (at least the last time I was there) that the vet uses Meriel and Fort Dodge products. I would've never guessed side effects would vary between each manufacturer. She had an adverse reaction (lethagy, shaking, no spunk, swelling of the injection site) the last time she got the shots and unfortunately, this time reaction was worse, but she's recovered a couple days later.

My dad, whom works for an animal health pharmaceutical company, says with cattle, they use the same vaccine dosage for cattle as the do calves. Is this true with dogs and cats?

[josie1918]

yes, it is true, the same dosage, "one size fits all" Also, since you brought up the issue of some dogs not being immune to a disease, I can tell you NO vaccine is 100%, not no how, not no way. They are certainly higly reliable, but the possibility still exists. I also have concerns for those in the ever increasing numbers of canines with compromised immune systems. Vaccinating your pets is still the best, and most reliable method of protecting them from disease, just wanted to let people know, it, like so many other things in life is not guaranteed

[Nettle]

For UK readers, interesting article in the newest Dogs Monthly magazine

For all readers, go to www.homeopathicvet.co.uk click on Resources and scroll down quite a way for a series of articles on vaccination.

Thanks for that detailed description Josie nice and easy to understand