Outing the Vaccine-crazy Vets

[Pug-Mummy]

I feel the need to defend the professionals I work with everyday, please don't hurt me!

The Great Vaccine Debate - I won't bore you with all the details but suffice to say that yes; annual vaccines are likely unwarranted and most veterinarians would probably agree with this statement.  However, despite the AAHA and the CVMA recommendations, there have been few if any studies on the duration of efficacy of vaccines.  The majority of evidence available is impericle at best.  Further more, impericle evidence emerging from the USA has shown an increase in the number of distemper cases in areas where it hasn't been seen in years; the same areas where there has been a move away from  annual vaccination protocols.

As for titres... recent evidence suggests that we cannot rely upon these results, they may not provide a clear picture regarding immunity.  Having called into question the validity of vaccine titres, where does this leave us?

Talk to your vet, do your research and make a decision that is appropriate for you and your pet.  No two dogs live the same life; what is right for one may not be right for another.  If your dog is continually in contact with other dogs with questionable vaccine histories... you may want to think twice.

Finally, if you disregard everything else I have offered here please take this to heart.  This most important aspect of a vaccine appointment is not the vaccine at all. It is actually the physical exam including the taking of a full history.  Annual vaccines and wellness blood work are invaluable tools for the early detection of disease.  Should you choose to forgo vaccines, please ensure your dog sees their veterinarian annually at minimum; bi-annually if they are seniors.  The earlier a problem is detected often increases the success of treatment.

I will step down from my wee soap box now!  

[blanche]

Well said, Vicki.

I think that Vicki made three (at least) important points:
Annual or bi-annual exams are crucial for your animals health--with fecal and full blood work.

Vaccinating, just like what you feed your dog, are personal decisions that should be based on (1) having done your research and (2) taking into consideration the needs of your dog.  What works for one dog (as Vicki said) will not necessarily work for another.  I prefer not to vaccinate alot, but I also have dogs that have health issues that are exascerbated by vaccines.  But I'm careful to make sure that they are vaccinated because I DO have alot of dogs with questionable vaccine histories through my house and I don't want to imperil my dogs health--but I'm extremely cautious about how, when and what type of vaccine they are given.

RESEARCH!  I can't emphasize enough that you need to research and ask questions.  Don't take the word of a post on a pug forum or in an article or even the word of your vet.  YOU are the advocate for your dog and you need to make an informed and considered opinion that you can live with and that your animal can live with.

Vaccines and canine nutrition are two topics that I have seen discussed with more heat and anger than the death penalty and abortion.  I appreciate this open discussion and that it has happened with out anyone being flamed.

And Vicki--it took some guts to post about this.  Thank you.  You have a perspective many of us don't and it is useful to get input from folks in the field.

[RockysMom]

I am having an extremely hard time finding a vet who will give Rocky a 3 year Rabies vacccine.  Our vet refuses stating that their protocol is to give them two consecutive yearly Rabies vaccine before giving them a 3 year Rabies vaccine.  They offer no explanation other than it is their protocol.  Some just flat out refuse quoting provincial legislation which isn't true either.

I am extremely frustrated.  Rocky was due for his Rabies vaccine a month ago.......but he is late as I cannot find a vet who will consider the 3 year vaccine.  Can anyone explain this to me?  Am I in the wrong?  If I am....I will gladly take him for the one year vaccine again.

My priority is his health.  I have reviewed the research and as a nurse and advocate for minimizing vaccines I am not terribly excited about the one year vaccination for rabies for him......

Any advice??

[blanche]

I find that remarkable, Angela.  My vet, whom I love, not only gets three year stuff for all my dogs, but for my cats as well.  Now my vet does know that I do my research, and she isn't a vaccine fiend so that helps.

I wonder if any of our Ottawa or Kingston folks could be helpful.  You might also contact Genevieve Boucher who runs Under My Wing Pug Rescue in Ottawa and ask her who she might recommend as a vet and if she has encountered the same resistance to 3 year vaccines.

[blanche]

www.vancouveranimalwellness.com/vaccines-michael.html

This is a long, but I think, well written article about vaccinations, titre testing and general animal wellness.  Admittedly, it is written by a vet who practices in a more holistic vet practice.

[Milo]

I definitely do agree with what Vicki said regarding examinations and that choosing whether to vaccinate or not is a personal choice.  Milo and Izzie get annual wellness tests and it was my vet who explained titre testing to me.  I hope that no one thought that I was saying that what I chose to do this year was right and to do otherwise would be wrong.  Although I do not always agree with my vet, I respect him very much and rely on him a great deal.  I was just happy to have an option wherein I could determine that they did not need the vaccine this year; otherwise I may have chosen to vaccinate to be “on the safe side”.  I am just trying to do what is best for my little ones and since Izzie had a horrible reaction to her first set of vaccinations as an adult pug I decided I had to ask more questions and do more research.

[lmcpug]

Vicki,
you did well and we appreciate such an honest and informative
posting

Angela,
look around and outside the area! I cannot believe that there isn't one vet who is doing the 3 yr vacc; as it is pretty much standard in London now, as far as I know most are doing it!

This is an invigorating posting and if for nothing else;
will make most sit up and take notice