The Lowdown on Dog Vaccinations

Over the last 20 years, vaccinations have generally been started in puppies at about 6-8 weeks of age, when the natural immunity inherited from the mother may start wearing off. A series of shots will then be given every three to four weeks, and boosters are administered every year after that.

On one hand, in the last 20 years few could deny that vaccinations as they are administered now have been quite effective. I mean, when was the last time anyone's seen Old Yeller limping down the street, foaming at the mouth, requiring the talents of the local sharp-shooter, Atticus Finch, to protect the panicking townspeople? I'm mixing my movie metaphors, but the point is these films with rabid dog scenes are set in decades past, and since then, rabies, and other diseases like parvovirus and distemper, have been successfully prevented in vaccinated American pets.

Vaccination Concerns Leading to New Trends

In recent years, the current trends in canine immunization and boosters have come under much scrutiny. With new vaccines becoming available with increasing frequency, and with more and more vaccines being given in combination within a single injection, many pet owners and veterinary professionals are becoming concerned over the possibility of over-vaccination, particularly with regard to annual boosters, a problem with potential negative outcomes of its own.

To address this issue, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), in 2003 issued recommendations using available scientific evidence, as well as the clinical experience and expert opinions of a wide variety of animal health professionals. While not a protocol to be followed exclusively, these recommendations offer guidelines for veterinarians setting up individualized vaccination schedules for pets on a case-by-case basis.

New AAHA Recommendations

Basically, the AAHA recommends that vets follow all previous recommendations for puppy vaccinations, but to place vaccines for adult dog boosters into two categories: core (recommended) and noncore (optional).

Core vaccines would be administered every three years. (There is some evidence that suggests core diseases could be covered for 5 years or more with these vaccines, so three years was given as a compromise, a "better safe than sorry" approach). They cover the most severe and common illnesses.

1. Rabies
2. Canine parvovirus
3. Canine parainfluenza virus (in combination with other kennel cough- causing viruses)
4. Distemper

Noncore vaccines cover diseases which are not as common or severe, and may have at one time been given to most dogs, perhaps unnecessarily. The new guidelines suggest that noncore vaccines should be given on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration factors like the age and health of the dog, or his likely exposure to the infectious agent. For instance, you may not have to give a vaccine or boosters for Lyme Disease if your pet stays in your apartment and ventures out only for walks on concrete city sidewalks. Or, if ol' Max is of advanced age, the risks of some vaccinations may outweigh the benefits. Under these recommendations dogs would receive appropriate noncore boosters annually.

Finally, the AAHA listed three vaccines that it feels should not be administered at all.

1. Giardia- the vaccine for this disease does not prevent infection

2. Canine adenovirus type 1(hepatitis)- the vaccine for this disease can cause visual impairment in dogs, and type 1 of this disease is covered with the type 2 vaccine, which is usually given in combination with the vaccine for parainfluenza.

3. Corona virus- according to the AAHA, corona virus does not commonly occur, and when seen is self-limiting.

Since these recommendations are not intended to be "set in stone", and since canine vaccination is obviously a nuanced issue (read: confusing and complex!), it is wise to discuss with your vet the rationale behind your dog's vaccination schedule and follow his or her recommendations based on your dog, his health, and his environment.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Dina Giolitto is a copywriting consultant and ghostwriter with 10 years of experience writing corporate print materials and web content. Trust her with your next e-book, article series or web project, and make a lasting impression on your audience of information-hungry prospects. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for more information.

NBC13.com
Pets weather Gustav well
Detroit Free Press, United States - 21 hours ago
Early reconnaissance by rescuers allowed into storm-damaged areas indicates the vast majority of pets were evacuated with their owners, and thousands of ...
When storms threaten, consider pets' safety, too Gulf Breeze News
Woman helps pets lost during evacuation News Courier
Evacuated Pets, Owners To Be Reunited After Gustav WDSU
National Geographic - ConnieTalkall 350 news articles

Retail's next big thing - pets
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 2 hours ago
The imminent opening of pet superstore Pets at Home at Melbourne's retail mecca, Chadstone shopping centre, is a significant milestone in the life of the ...

Foreclosure Pets in the Crossfire How shelter philosophies affect ...
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 21 hours ago
And if they're one of the 60 percent of US households with pets, they may well find themselves unable to muster up the emotional energy to know what to do ...
Alameda shelter population on the rise San Jose Mercury News
Pet-A-Palooza offers photo contest Vineland Daily Journal
all 3 news articles

Electronic House
New iRobot Roombas Take on Pets, Maid Services
PC Magazine - Sep 3, 2008
by Mark Hachman Pet lovers who might not want to break out the vacuum cleaner on every occasion may want to check out the two new models in the iRobot ...
House Pets Can Finally Let Their Hair Down eFluxMedia
iRobot adds Roombas to clean up after pets, pros Electronista
New Roomba Vacuums Tackle Pet-Hair Woes Xconomy
Mass High Tech - ElectricPig.tvall 30 news articles

San Francisco Chronicle
Remembering childhood pets
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 12 hours ago
As I drove my children and Simba home, I remembered the pets from my childhood. There was Lollipop, a gray and white tabby; Hammy the hamster, who bit holes ...

UCF asks fans to leave pets at home on game day
Orlando Sentinel, FL - 8 hours ago
UCF officials are reminding fans to leave their pets at home on game day. Fans are not allowed to bring dogs to tailgate parties on campus, no matter how ...

Vancouver Sun
Prozac for pets may be panacea for owners
Vancouver Sun,  Canada - 20 hours ago
The argument that pet owners humanize their animal companions, and would resort to drug use before -- or instead of -- using behaviour training has been ...

Information for safeguarding pets during hurricanes
WECT-TV6, NC - 9 hours ago
As you prepare for disasters, don't forget your pets. Never leave your animals behind to fend for themselves. Never tie animals up or leave them confined in ...

Pomeranian - The Fluffy Pets
Oneindia, India - 18 hours ago
They get along well with other household pets if given a slow and proper introduction. Poms can live upto 12- 19 years. Research states that some healthy ...

Doctors Foster and Smith and Midwest Airlines Join Forces to Make ...
MarketWatch - 16 hours ago
RHINELANDER, Wis., Sept 04, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- When equipped with the right information and tools, airline travel with pets can be as simple as ...
Flying with Pets? Here’sa Link You’ll Love Cheapflights.com
Consumer Shopping Engines Become Profitable Medium for Drs. Foster ... PR.com (press release)
all 7 news articles

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Protecting Yourself From Online Pet Classifieds Scams!