Dog Vaccination - Current Recommendations : Part One.

The custom of yearly vaccination took hold back in the 1950's. It wasn't based on scientific research and, at the time, it was believed there were no risks.

But there are risks with vaccines. In fact there can be serious adverse reactions. Every Veterinary school in North America as well US and World industry associations have updated their recommendations based on more current science.

Current recommendations for re-vaccination range from "3 or more years" to "7 or more years" to never...

Dr Ronald Schultz, expert in immunology and member of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group and American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Force: If a puppy is immunized for parvovirus, distemper virus and adenovirus "there is every reason to believe the vaccinated animal will have up to life-long immunity".

Adverse Reactions To Vaccines

Vets generally only see immediate reactions while the dog is still in their office. The range of symptoms that develop later - perhaps an hour, a week, or even years are often not linked to the vaccine.

Ideally, the vaccine virus is destroyed by the pets' immune response. That doesn't always happen - particularly with repeated vaccines. These toxins and foreign substances can remain and accumulate in organs, muscle and joints, creating low-grade inflammation and weakened immune system.

Reactions can be immediate, or they may not be obvious for some time. They can be minor, but they can also be a severe as death.

Reactions include:

Allergies, chronic skin problems, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, pancreatitis, kidney failure, liver failure, arthritis, thyroid disease, epilepsy, seizures, paralysis, auto-immune disease, cancer.

Also behavior problems such as aggression, suspiciousness, restlessness, aloofness, separation anxiety, excessive barking, destructive behavior, tail chewing.

Vaccine Protocol

A vaccine protocol should be individualized for each dog and include:
-Which vaccines
-How often