Have you ever wondered why your dog requires annual vaccinations when we humans get our immunizations as a child and never have to be bothered again as adults?
The answer is that no one is certain of how long canine vaccinations last and that having dog owners schedule an annual visit was a good means of insuring that the dog gets a yearly examination that could aid the vet in diagnosing potential health problems early.
The tides are now turning and research is indicating that veterinarians are over-vaccinating. Although we have come to think of annual vaccinations for our dogs as “normal,” experts are realizing that vaccinations can be dangerous in that they can adversely affect health both short and long term.
Some veterinarians are leading the way in the new movement to reduce the number of shots our pets get. Others still insist that annual immunizations are necessary. The debate as to which school of thought is correct continues to rage on.
One must realize that canine immunizations are big business for veterinarians who charge $30 or $40 for a serum that costs less than $2. That’s why it is up to you, the owner, to take an active role in deciding what is right for your dog.
The first order of business is to choose a veterinarian that you trust. After all, the fate of your dog’s life is in their hands.
One should not assume that canine vaccinations are unnecessary. Immunizations have protected millions of dogs from serious diseases such as distemper, parvo and rabies. However, one should question the validity of annual booster shots.
Although research has not shown a definitive answer to the over vaccinating debate, many veterinary schools in the United States have begun recommending a reduction in the number and frequency of required vaccinations. In 2003, the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Force released new guidelines that recommend boosters every three years instead of every year for the parvovirus, distemper virus, parainfluenza virus and adenovirus-2.
Others are taking it a step further. A Chicago-based law firm is looking at a class action suit concerning the misrepresentation of the need for pet vaccinations. The jury is still out, but the lawsuit is certainly food for thought.
When it comes to medical practices that can help you determine whether or not your dog needs a booster shot, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that there is a titer test that can determine the need for vaccinations. The bad news is that it is costly.
A titer (this is pronounced “TIGHT-er”) test, which can be performed in a laboratory, is a means of measuring the existence and level of antibodies to disease that are present in the dog’s blood. The antibodies can come from natural exposure to a disease or as a result of being vaccinated.
The test is relatively easy for the veterinarian to perform. A blood sample is drawn and then diluted. Titer levels, which are shown as ratios, indicate how many times blood can be diluted before there are no antibodies that can be detected. For example, if the lab personnel can dilute a blood sample 1,000 times, the ratio is expressed as 1:1000. If the blood sample can only be diluted 100 times, the ration would be 1:100. The higher the second number of the ratio, the
“stronger” the titer.
Thus, it is not difficult to find out if your dog requires a booster shot. However, the cost of a titer test is the big factor. Many veterinarians are not equipped to do titer tests in their offices and blood samples must be sent out to other laboratories. A titer test can easily cost $100, a sum that is greater than the cost of vaccinations. However, one must keep in mind that the financial aspects of tittering can be a little deceiving. While the $100 test (this fee can vary depending on what antibodies a blood sample is being tested for) is more costly than the dog’s shots, it could be a bargain in the long run.
For example, you may be able to get away without ever having to give the dog booster shots again (with the exception of rabies that is required by law in many states). The test is definitely a bargain if your dog reacts negatively to the vaccines.
Many experts believe that strong titers are a more reliable means of determining a dog’s immunity than vaccinating. That is because the tests show the actual immune response.
If the titer test is too expensive, there are a few things you can do to minimize the number of vaccinations that are needed to protect your dog.
First, consider your dog’s lifestyle. Consider not vaccinating your furry friend for kennel cough if you never put him or her in a kennel and he or she isn’t exposed to dogs that have been in one. You may not want to vaccinate your dog for Lyme disease if you live in an area where there are few ticks. A dog that spends most of its time indoors is less likely to contact a disease carried by wild animals than is a dog that lives outdoors.
Check the American Hospital Association’s Canine Vaccine Task Force’s report at http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf. The report offers some basic guidelines that you may want to review.
Some experts recommend that dog owners say “no” to combination vaccinations that include five to seven vaccines in one. Combination vaccines are thought to be linked to autoimmune disease and other serious health issues.
Research has shown that several types of canine vaccinations provide five to seven years of immunity. Having your dog’s vet run a titer test can save you money in the long run while minimizing the dangers of over-vaccinating.
Never allow your vet to vaccinate your dog if he or she is showing signs of illness.
Experts continue to debate on the proper time to start a puppy’s vaccinations. Some suggest waiting until a puppy is at least eight weeks of age. Others say that it is best to keep your puppy away from health threats and wait until he or she reaches the age of three to four months before starting the series of vaccinations.
It is a good idea to maintain copies of your dog’s veterinary care file. Without these records, you could have to revaccinate sooner than necessary.
Take an active stance in your dog’s health care. Don’t be afraid to question the veterinarian. After all, it is your dog and your money. It is up to you to seek the best for your canine friend.
Related posts:
- Can You Vaccinate Your Puppy At Home?
- To Allow Your Dog to Sleep With You or Not? That Is the Question.
