*Yearly Vaccinations - are they really necessary

Next time you receive a reminder from your vet that it's time for Fido's wellness exam and shots you may want to read the vaccination guidelines that the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) has come out with in 2006.

https://secure.aahanet.org/eweb/dynamicpage.aspxsite=resources&...

These guidelines are based on new studies that have determined the initial core shots given to your pup has immunology for at least 3 yrs (although the studies by the companies that sell these vaccines were only for 3 yrs some others report it is longer possibly 6 to 9 yrs -- possibly the lifetime of our pets). Also the study recognizes that there can be adverse affects of these vaccinations in some dogs. I say 'some' although these would only be those pet owners who report it. There is so much information out there on the adverse reactions to canine, as well as feline vaccinations, that all you have to do is Google it.

We do not vaccinate our children every year, and into adulthood, so why are most vets still vaccinating dogs yearly. The following is an excerpt I pulled off of the internet which I think sums it up:

"Vets, however well-meaning, are educated in colleges that rely upon vaccine and pharmaceutical companies for funding in the form of sponsorship, research grants, scholarships and bursaries. Colleges are reliant upon big business for funding, and few people are willing to bite the hand that feeds them. Vets' education with regard to vaccines tends to stop beyond "do it". Our knowledge about immunity has improved greatly over the past five years. Some of the information coming to light about vaccines will present an ethical and economic challenge to veterinarians. But your pet deserves to come first, over and above any such challenges. If your vet says annual vaccination is necessary, ask him if he has heard of the research coming out of America, and the advice that annual vaccination is unnecessary. If he has heard of this research, he cannot dismiss your questions. If he has not heard of it, then he lacks the knowledge to advise."

and another great link:

http://www.spinoneus.com/forum/topic.asp?rand=9713705&TOPIC_ID=229


I met a woman in a vets office once who had her very old dog that clearly she loved beyond words. She was there because she had received a notice it was time for the dogs wellness exam and shots. I explained to her that at his age, it really didn't make sense for the reasons in some of the links above. She agreed. She came out of the vets office with a big smile thanking me. She had told the vet she did not want her best friend to receive vaccs anymore and the vet agreed (would the vet still have given them if she had not said anything, probably). She was very happy, and I think if dogs could talk so was he.

So please do your research to determine if your pet really needs these shots, particularly if they are immune compromised, i.e. elderly, diabetic, have kidney disease etc. and discuss with your vet. If you've laid out all the facts and he still believes in yearly shots, then I personally would find a new vet.

*Note: this does not include Rabies shots - that is a another discussion for another time but here is a link that is interesting:

http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/