Annual or 6-month boosters are given to dogs in high risk environments such as doggy daycare, boarding facilities, and public pet parks. Kennel cough is not usually a serious condition, but can be dangerous in young puppies.
The bordetella vaccine only protects against one strain of the illness, and there are many others. In addition, several organizations consider this vaccine ineffective at preventing the disease. If you must give the vaccine, choose the "nasal spray" version, rather than the injection, as the injection poses a much greater shock to the immune system.
Canine influenza (CIV)...
Feeding a balanced diet, providing enough exercise, giving lots of love, and reducing your dog’s environmental toxic load are the best ways to increase your dog's natural defenses and prevent the flu. Adding turmeric, oregano, and fresh garlic to your dog’s diet will also boost natural immune defenses - all three of which are widely recommended by Naturopathic vets.
Similar to humans, a natural approach is always better than a vaccinated approach when it comes to flu prevention. Learn more about why vitamin D is more effective than the highly controversial flu vaccine.
Vitamin D vs. the flu vaccine...
For those administering the CIV vaccine to prevent the human H1N1 flu, these two strains are completely unrelated and one vaccine will not protect against the other. More importantly, dogs do not contract the swine flu.(2)
The CIV vaccine is administered in two doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart, in dogs older than 6 weeks. It is then renewed annually.
Heartworm Prevention
Depending on the region you live in, your dog may require a monthly heartworm pill during the summer months, or as a year round preventative. Before the medication is prescribed, a simple heartworm test is administered to make sure your pet does not already have heartworm. Giving heartworm medication to a pet that already has heartworm can be fatal, so this test is very important.
Over-vaccination
Over-vaccination is a serious issue when it comes to pet (and human) vaccinations. Many vaccines given to pets are completely unnecessary on the schedule recommended. Veterinarians are encouraged to give these injections too often either because they are misinformed, or to increase profit.
When your dog or cat is given a vaccine, it produces antibodies that prevent your pet from contracting the disease they are being vaccinated for. We are often told that our pets need yearly shots, or shots every 3 years, to protect them against core diseases such as distemper, parvo, and hepatitis because the antibodies from the vaccine only last a short time. Many pet owners dutifully return to their vet every 1 or 3 years for a booster shot, when clinical studies show that these vaccines last 5-7 years or longer.
Vaccines Last 5-7 years
The AAHA Vaccination Task Force updated their vaccination guidelines for 2011 to state that the core vaccines are only necessary every 3 years, not every year as previously recommended.
But the task force also 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. |
Titer Tests
"You should avoid vaccinating animals that are already protected, and titer testing can determine if adequate, effective immunity is still present."
Dr. Ronald Schultz, DMV University of Wisconsin |
A titer test is a simple and accurate blood test that can be done at your vet's office to measure how many antibodies are still present in your dog or cat from the previous vaccine they received. Depending on the antibodies present, your vet can then determine if a booster is necessary. If the titer test shows that your pet has sufficient antibodies from a prior vaccine, no booster should be given.
How Accurate Is Titer Testing?
Very accurate. Research has shown that once an animal’s titer levels stabilize, it is likely to
remain constant for many years. Over the past 10 years, published studies in peer journals show that 92–98% of dogs and cats that have been properly vaccinated develop good measurable antibody titers to the "core" diseases for at least 7–9 years, and likely for life.
This means that in most cases, giving
booster shots every 3 years is unnecessary
The only reason antibody levels are likely to suddenly fall is if an animal develops a severe medical condition or has significant immune dysfunction.
A Positive Titer Result (high antibody level)
A positive titer result means that there is a sufficiently high level of antibodies present. A vaccine booster is unnecessary.
A Negative Titer Result (low antibody level)
A negative titer result means that the level of antibodies is considered too low to protect against the disease. A vaccine booster is necessary.
Many vets, especially traditional vets who integrate natural healthcare methods at their practice, offer titer shots. Titer shot recommendations are also standard procedure for Naturopathic vets. The only reason a vet would be biased against titering is:
- Some vets are misinformed on the subject of titers, and incorrectly believe that measuring an animal’s serum antibody titers is not a valid method of determining immunity to diseases. It is.
- Some vets feel the testing is too costly (it is more expensive than booster shots, roughly ranging from $50-$100). It may be more expensive, but the cost is offset by the reduced need to re-vaccinate your pet, and titers are done every 2-3 years. The benefit of preventing over-vaccination to your pet is, however, immeasurable.
- Profit.
All animals can have serum antibody titers measured instead of having to receive vaccine boosters. The only exception is for the rabies booster, as no state accepts a titer in place of the rabies vaccine. Luckily, this shot is only required every 3 years.
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