Vaccines that are required by law

Rabies is the only shot that is required by law. Listed below are the other vaccines recommended by your allopathic veterinarian and their schedule (but keep in mind that these are not required by law).

The vaccination schedule is as follows:

DOGS
Canine Distemper and Infectious Canine Hepatitis - first inoculation is usually given at 6 weeks of age, and then at intervals of 3-4 weeks until pups are 16 weeks of age. Then annual booster is recommended.

Parvovirus - three standard doses of vaccine between 6 - 16 weeks of age, an optional forth at approximately 18 - 20 weeks of age. Then annual booster is recommended.

Kennel Cough - should be given 1 week before potential exposure (e.g., boarding, showing,etc.). Then annual booster is recommended.

Canine Coronavirus - Vaccination against canine coronavirus is considered optional at the present time. Research suggests that vaccination is best reserved for large kennel operations.

Leptospirosis - This vaccine is often included in combination with distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, and some others and immunity generally lasts for only 3 to 6 months.

Lyme Borreliosis - This vaccine is usually suggested for those dogs living in areas of the country where Lyme borreliosis among their human companions is prevalent. Annual booster is recommended if given.

Rabies - first inoculation at the age of 3 months, 1 year after that, then every three years. Some states require an annual vaccine or every two years.

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CATS
Panleukopenia (parvovirus), Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus - These are given all in one shot, around the age of 6 to 8 weeks. Then in intervals every 3 weeks until kitten is 16 weeks of age.

Feline Leukemia - Follow same schedule as above.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) - First inoculation is give at 16 weeks then boostered again in three weeks. Annual booster is recommended.

Chlamydia - This vaccine may be needed depending on the prevalence of this organism in your area.

Rabies - First inoculation should be given at age 3 months. Then an annual booster is required.

There is no evidence or research that supports the need for annual boosters. Pharmaceutical companies dictate to the Veterinarian Assoc. that boosters are needed annually.

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What You Should Know Before You Revaccinate You Pet(s)
In Veterinary Medicine, there is evidence implicating vaccines in the triggering of immune-mediated and other chronic disorders (vaccinosis) are growing. There is a heightened awareness of the potential for adverse effects from vaccination. In human and veterinary medicine an increasing frequency of immunological disorders, acute and chronic, has been recognized in association with a recent viral infection or vaccination.

These adverse reactions to vaccines can appear 24 to 72 hours afterward, in contrast to an acute hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reaction, which occurs immediately; 10 to 30 days later in a more delayed immunological response.
Typical signs of adverse vaccine reactions include fever, stiffness, sore joints, abdominal tenderness, and susceptibility to infections, neurologic disorders, encephalitis, and feline injection-site fibrosarcoma. The following is a quote from Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats:

"Based on experience of over 17 years of homeopathic practice, it is my opinion that most animal skin allergies (and similar skin diseases) are the result of repeated annual vaccinations. I also suspect that the widespread increase in diseases caused by immune system disorders (such as hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus and pemphigus) is a result of increased use of vaccinations, especially of combination formulas. These vaccinations are highly unnatural to the body. Under natural conditions an animal is exposed to pathogens, by its body has ways to defend itself at the normal points of entry (the nose, mouth or other mucous membranes). When a combination vaccine is given, a massive invasion of several potent pathogens charges quickly into the bloodstream, bypassing the frontline defenses. Is it any wonder that the immune system gets confused, "panics" and begins attacking the body itself?"

If you must vaccinate your pet(s), keep the following suggestions in mind:

Only healthy animals should be vaccinated.

It is not advised to vaccinate animals who are very old, or any animal that may have a health problem, such as: allergies, seizures, ear infections, teeth problems, skin problems, diabetes, liver ailments, kidney disease, fever or even if the animal has had a trauma or stressful event (i.e. a recently weaned puppy going to a new home, spay or neuter "cosmetic" procedures) and during hormonal changes.

The interval between boosters must be lengthened (e.g., every 3 years for healthy adults) or having a titer test done to see if a booster is needed at all.

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Titer Check vs. Vaccination

Tests known as "antibody titers" have become available to determine the strength of an animal's immune system to particular disease. These tests are seen by many veterinarians as a promising way to assess the need for additional vaccinations. "Practically speaking, dogs should have antibody titers against canine distemper and canine parvovirus evaluated annually until we know how long the vaccination-induced antibodies actually last in the blood," says Susan Wynn, DVM, of Marietta, Georgia. "These annual tests will provide some peace of mind, while at the same time help to establish just how long vaccinations actually protect the average animal. This is critical knowledge that will guide us how to more safely and judiciously vaccinate our pets and at the same time save many pets the ordeal of iatrogenic illnesses (medical condition caused by treatment)."

Titers can be determined for distemper virus and parvovirus, as well as rabies.

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Vaccines being Re-evaluated
The need for annual vaccinations is being re-evaluated by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) due to concerns that vaccine products are not as benign as originally thought and also controversy over the duration of immunity and frequency of administration. Veterinarians are being encouraged to regard vaccinations as a medical procedure, rather than a traditional calendar event, and to encourage client’s input, to best meet the needs of each individual pet. This would provide flexibility but would allow deviations from recommendations without risk to the pet and liability or censure. It is very important that each of your pets have an annul check up, whether they need inoculations of not. At that check up, ask you Veterinarian questions regarding inoculations. Ask about doing a titer test (blood test to check level of immunities) to see if your cat is really in need of more protection. If you have a totally indoor cat that is not in contact with outside cats, ask your Vet if it really needs to be inoculated for Feline Leukemia, etc. Vaccine administration ultimately needs to be based on the most current and reliable information rather then what has been tradition. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, your Vet is your friend, as well as your pets.

Resources for further Information:

Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy
6400 E. Independence Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28218
Ph (305) 652-1590
www.theavh.org

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