In 2003, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) revised vaccination guidelines and recommended that veterinarians vaccinate adult dogs every three years instead of annually, and many veterinarians changed their protocols in light of the new guidelines. The change was implemented after experts agreed with overwhelming evidence showing that annual vaccinations for canine diseases were unnecessary and harmful. It is up to the pet owner to avoid veterinary service providers who recommend, and even require, annual vaccinations. There are many veterinarians who choose to ignore the guidelines because they don’t want to lose the revenue that these booster shots generate each year. Another veterinary service that pet owners should avoid are those provided in a parking lot or pet supply store where you and your pet meet without the benefit of a relationship with the veterinarian who provides the affordable service. Your pet may pay the price for inappropriate or unnecessary veterinary care. Vaccinations are a major stress on your pet’s immune system and can cause side effects and allergic reactions, as well as long-term chronic illnesses such as skin allergies, arthritis, leukemia, upper respiratory infections, bowel syndrome irritable, and neurological conditions such as aggressive behavior, epilepsy, autoimmune disease, and cancer. Today, it is common for veterinarians to see sicker dogs and cats at a much younger age. Pets as young as 5 years old are being diagnosed with cancer, and autoimmune diseases are also on the rise. Combine over-vaccination with poor nutrition, poor breeding practices and environmental stress and you are left with generations of pets that are susceptible to chronic diseases and congenital disorders. Annual veterinary checkups are a must for your pet, as this gives them a solid foundation of health, helps pet owners recognize subtle changes in their pets over time, and builds a relationship between your veterinarian, you, and your pet.

It’s best to prepare for your dog’s annual veterinary visit. Be prepared to discuss the best vaccination strategy for your pet by bringing along veterinary records of your pet’s vaccination history. Do not assume that the clinic will have the latest information at hand and this is more imperative if you have changed veterinary clinics. Include all test results, such as heartworm, antibody titer, blood, and/or urinalysis. Have a clear idea of ​​whether you want or need your pet to receive vaccinations for which diseases, and ask your veterinarian if any particular vaccinations are necessary due to conditions in the area where he lives. Consider the risk. If your pet is only indoors and is never exposed to unvaccinated animals, then the risk of infection is low. Educate yourself so you can have an intelligent conversation with your vet about the pros and cons of vaccinating your pet. Know the health of your pet; if you have any health or behavioral issues that your vet should be aware of and bring a list of any medications or supplements your pet is taking along with dosage, strength and frequency. The decision whether or not to vaccinate your pet is highly individual and should be based on extensive research before going to your veterinarian. If you’re seeing a vet for the first time, it’s a good idea to make an appointment to see him without your pet to discuss his philosophy regarding vaccinations and other tests, such as antibody titer testing. A “titer” is a measure of the amount of antibodies to a certain antigen circulating in the blood at that time. A dog that shows a positive antibody titer test result is considered protected against the disease for which the vaccine is intended and does not need vaccinations at that time. Never vaccinate a pet whose immune system is compromised with an infection, as the vaccine could distract the immune system from handling the infection and create the likelihood that the vaccine will not produce protective immunity.

If you decide to vaccinate your pet, consider asking your veterinarian to perform a health exam and other tests first, and then wait for the results. If your pet is in good health, schedule a follow-up vaccination visit. Avoid multiple vaccinations in one or combined vaccinations; if this is the only option available, look elsewhere. Do not vaccinate your pet more than every three years. Some vaccines, such as Lepto, Bordetella or Lyme, do not last more than a year; however, consider whether these diseases are on the rise in your area before vaccinating your pet. Schedule these vaccinations separately from the rabies vaccine if your pet needs them and administer them elsewhere on the body. Vaccination programs must be designed for the specific needs of each animal, not for the masses. You need to factor the dog’s age, environment, activities, lifestyle, and pre-vaccine adverse reactions, if any, into the equation. Do not vaccinate puppies and kittens under 12 weeks of age as their immune systems are highly vulnerable to the stress of the vaccine. Keep puppies and kittens safe from exposure by avoiding public areas like parks and pet stores. Vaccinate puppies between 12 and 15 weeks of age against parvovirus and distemper and wait until they are 6 months old before vaccinating against rabies. For kittens, a combination of panleukopenia (FRCP) and, if available, administer the vaccine separately at an interval of three to four weeks. Consider your cat’s lifestyle and environment; if he goes out and you have rabies in your area, vaccinate him at 6 months of age. Vaccines against feline leukemia and FIP may not be necessary for your cat. Please note that legal requirements vary from state to state. Studies show that a single vaccine against parvovirus, distemper and panleukopenia provides long-term protection and a simple blood test will reveal if antibody levels remain high enough to resist infection, so it is not needed a “booster”. Vaccines do not need a “booster.” Unless the diseases are locally endemic or a specific kennel has Bordetella, Corona Virus, Leptospirosis or Lyme, veterinarians do not recommend vaccinations. The leptospirosis vaccine is generally not useful because the currently licensed leptospiral bacterins do not have the serovars that currently cause leptospirosis. An alternative homeopathic method used by pet owners who choose not to vaccinate is Nosodes, which can be used on animals less than three months of age if the animal is at risk. These homeopathic medicines help protect pets against parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough, panleukopenia, and FIP. Although some nosodes work more effectively than others, they are not vaccines and do not produce titers against these diseases, but they do appear to offer some protection in disease severity if the pet has been exposed, even if they do not prevent disease.

When it comes to vaccinating your pet, educate yourself. You are your pet’s guardian and the decision is yours, not your veterinarians, nor should it be. You are responsible for the care of your companion; give them the best by carefully researching and weighing decisions about their health care.