New protocols for pet vaccinations

[BrklynLiberal]

Feel free to pass this on - and of course, feel free to do further investigation and research to verify this information on the internet. Also feel free to voice your own opinions and experiences on this subject. I got this in an email and felt compelled to post it here.

Dr. Jean Dodds protocol is now being adopted by ALL 27 North American veterinary schools.

I highly recommend that you read this.

Copy and save it to your files. Print it and pass it out at dog fairs, cat shows, kennel club meetings, dog parks, give a copy to your
veterinarian and groomer, etc., etc. Get the word out. ~~~~

Vaccination NEWSFLASH
I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary
schools in North America are in the process of changing their
protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats. Some of this information
will present an ethical & economic challenge to vets, and there
will be skeptics.

Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs. those concerned about potential side effects.

Politics, traditions, or the doctor's economic well being should not be a factor in medical decision.

NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY
"Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months.
If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it
produces an immunity which is good for the life of the pet (ie:
canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine
is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine
neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no
effect.

The titer is not "boosted" nor are more memory cells induced." Not
only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they
subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-
mediated hemolytic anemia.
"There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines." Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk. This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks.

Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8
weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little
protection (0-38%) will be produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks will,
however, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine.

Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the
immune system. A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8
weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another
vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1 year 4 mo) will provide lifetime immunity.

CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOGS
Distemper & Parvo
"According to Dr. Schultz, AVMA, 8-15-95, when a
vaccinations series given at 2, 3 & 4 months and again at 1 year
with a MLV, puppies and kitten program memory cells that survive for
life, providing lifelong immunity." Dr. Carmichael at Cornell and Dr.
Schultz have studies showing immunity against challenge at 2-10
years for canine distemper & 4 years for parvovirus. Studies for longer
duration are pending. "There are no new strains of parvovirus as
one mfg. would like to suggest. Parvovirus vaccination provides cross
immunity for all types." Hepatitis (Adenovirus) is one of the
agents known to be a cause of kennel cough. Only vaccines with CAV-2
should be used as CAV-1 vaccines carry the risk of "hepatitis blue-eye"
reactions & kidney damage.

Bordetella Parainfluenza: Commonly called "Kennel cough"
Recommended only for those dogs boarded, groomed, taken
to dog shows, or for any reason housed where exposed to a lot of
dogs. The intranasal vaccine provides more complete and more rapid
onset of immunity with less chance of reaction. Immunity requires
72 hours and does not protect from every cause of kennel cough.
Immunity is of short duration (4 to 6 months).

RABIES
There have been no reported cases of rabid dogs or cats
in Harris, Montogomery or Ft. Bend Counties , there have
been rabid skunks and bats so the potential exists. It is a killed
vaccine and must be given every year.

Lyme disease is a tick born disease which can cause
lameness, kidney failure and heart disease in dogs. Ticks can also
transmit the disease to humans. The original Ft. Dodge killed
bacteria has proven to be the most effective vaccine. Lyme disease
prevention should emphasize early removal of ticks. Amitraz collars
are more effective than Top Spot, as amitraz paralyzes the tick's
mouth parts preventing transmission of disease .

VACCINATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED
Multiple components in vaccines compete with each other
for the immune system and result in lesser immunity for each
individual disease as well as increasing the risk of a reaction.

Canine Corona Virus is only a disease of puppies. It is
rare, self limiting (dogs get well in 3 days without treatment).
Cornell &Texas A&M have only diagnosed one case each in the last 7
years. Corona virus does not cause disease in adult dogs.

Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse
reactions in dogs . Most of the clinical cases of lepto reported in
dogs in the US are caused by serovaars (or types) grippotyphosa and
bratsilvia. The vaccines contain different serovaars eanicola and
ictohemorrhagica. Cross protection is not provided and
protection is short lived. Lepto vaccine is immuno-supressive to
puppies less than 16 weeks.

NEW RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CATS
Feline vaccine related Fibrosarcoma is a type of
terminal cancer related in inflammation caused by rabies & leukemia
vaccines . This cancer is thought to affect 1 in 10,000 cats vaccinated.
Vaccines with aluminum adjuvant, an ingredient included to
stimulate the immune system, have been implicated as a higher risk. We now recommend a non-adjuvanted rabies vaccine for cats . Testing by Dr.
Macy, Colorado State, has shown this vaccine to have the lowest
tissue reaction and although there is no guarantee that a vaccine
induced sarcoma will not develop, the risk will be much lower than
with other vaccines.

Program injectable 6 mo flea prevention for cats has
been shown to be very tissue reactive & therefore has the potential of
inducing an injection site fiborsarcoma. If your cats develops a
lump at the site of a vaccination, we recommend that it be removed ASAP,
within 3-12 weeks.

Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine
This virus is the leading viral killer of cats. The
individuals most at risk of infection are young outdoor cats,
indoor/outdoor cats and cats exposed to such individuals. Indoor
only cats with no exposure to potentially infected cats are unlikely to
become infected. All cats should be tested prior to vaccination.
Cats over one year of age are naturally immune to Fel.V whether they are
vaccinated or not, so annual vaccination of adult cats is NOT
necessary. The incubation period of Feline leukemia can be over 3
years, so if your cat is in the incubation state of the disease
prior to vaccination, the vaccine will not prevent the disease.

Feline Panleukopenia Virus Vaccine
Also called feline distemper is a highly contagious and
deadly viral disease of kittens. It's extremely hardy and is
resistant to extremes in temperature and to most available
disinfectants. Although an effective treatment protocol is available,
it is expensive to treat because of the serious nature of the disease
and the continued presence of virus in the environment, vaccination
is highly recommended for all kittens . Cats vaccinated at 6 month
or older with either killed or MLV vaccine will produce an immunity
good for life. Adult cats do NOT need this vaccine.

Feline Calicivirus/Herpesvirus Vaccine
Responsible for 80-90% of infectious feline upper
respiratory tract diseases. The currently available injectable
vaccines will minimize the severity of upper respiratory
infections, although none will prevent disease in all situations .. Intranasal vaccines are more effective at preventing the disease entirely. Don't worry about normal sneezing for a couple of days. Because
intranasal vaccines produce an immunity of shorter durations, annual
vaccination is recommended.

VACCINES NOT RECOMMENDED
Chlamydia or pneumonitis
The vaccine produces on a short (2 month) duration of immunity and accounts for less than 5% of upper respiratory infections in cats. The risks outweigh the benefits.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis
A controversial vaccine. Most kittens that contract FIP become infected during the first 3 months of life. The vaccine is labeled for use at 16 weeks. All 27 vet schools do not recommend the vaccine.

Bordetella
A new vaccine for feline bordetella has been introduced.
Dr. Wolfe of Texas A&M says that bordetella is a normal flora and does not cause disease in adult cats. Dr. Lappin of Colorado State says that a review of the Colorado State medical records reveals not one case diagnosed in 10 years.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Giardia is the most common intestinal parasite of humans in North America, 30% or more of all dogs & cats are infected with giardia. It has now been demonstrated that humans can transmit giardia to dogs & cats & vice versa.
Heartworm preventative must be given year round in Houston .

VACCINES BADLY NEEDED
New vaccines in development include: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and cat scratch fever vaccine for cats and Ehrlichia for dogs.

THE VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES; BUSINESS ASPECTS
Most vets recommend annual boosters and most kennel operators require them. For years the pricing structure of vets has misled clients into thinking that the inherent value of an annual office visit was in the "shots" they failed to emphasize the importance of a physical exam for early detection of treatable diseases. It is my hope that you will continue to require rabies & Kennel cough and emphasize the importance of a recent vet exam.

I also hope you will accept the new protocols and honor these pets as currently vaccinated. Those in the boarding business who will honor the new vaccine protocols can gain new customers who were turned away from vet owned boarding facilities reluctant to change.

CONCLUSION
Dogs & cats no longer need to be vaccinated against distemper, parvo, & feline leukemia every year.
Once the initial series of puppy or kitten vaccinations and first annual vaccinations are completed, immunity from MLV vaccines persists for life.
It has been shown that cats over 1 year of age are immune to Feline Leukemia whether they have been vaccinated or not. Imagine the money you will save, not to mention fewer risks from side effects.
PCR rabies vaccine, because it is not adjuvanted, will mean less risk of mediated hemolytic anemia and allergic reactions are reduced by less frequent use of vaccines as well as by avoiding unnecessary vaccines such as K-9 Corona virus and chlamydia for cats, as well as ineffective vaccines such as Leptospirosis and FIP.

Intranasal vaccine for Rhiotracheitis and Calici virus, two upper respiratory viruses of cats provide more complete protection than injectable vaccines with less risk of serious reactions.

The AAHA and all 27 veterinary schools of North America are our biggest endorsement for these new protocols.

Dr. Bob Rogers

Please consider as current on all vaccinations for
boarding purposes .

DOGS Initial series of puppy vaccines
1. distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parinfluenze - 3 sets one month apart concluding at 16 weeks of age.
2. Rabies at 16 weeks of age (later is better)
3. Bordetella within last 4-6 months
First annual (usually at 1 year and 4 months of age)
1. DHP, Parvo, Rabies
2. Bordetella within last 4-6 months
2 years or older
1. Rabies with in last year
2. Bordetella within last 4-6 months
. DHP & Parvo given anytime over 6 months of age , but
not necessarily within the last year.
Recommended: Physical exam for transmissible diseases and
health risks.

CATS Initial kitten series
1. Distemper , Rhino Calicivirus, Feline Leukemia
Vaccine - 3 sets given one month apart concluding at 16 weeks.
2. Rabies at 16 weeks
First Annual
1. Distemper (PLP), Rhino Calicivirus, Rabies
2 years or older
1. Rabies within the last year
2. Rhino Calicivirus within last year
3. Distemper and FelV given anytime after 6 months of
age, but not necessarily with the last year.
Recommended: Physical exam, FeLV/FIV testing, fecal exam
for giardia.

Feel free to pass this on -

[kestrel91316]

1. Now you get to hear from DU's own cat vet:

There is nothing earthshakingly new about a lot of this protocol. I graduated from vet school 24 years ago, and they taught us to vaccinate puppies and kittens at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. Popular folklore notwithstanding, I have never wavered in my belief that this is THE appropriate schedule. And we knew in immunology (undergraduate, 30 yrs ago) that vaccination 2 weeks apart was utter BS and of no benefit, like giving a shot of water. Has to do with the peak production of interferon. To this day I tell my clients we DO NOT give any vaccinations within 3 weeks of another vaccination. Why waste their money and misled them into thinking it actually protects the animal???? That's just plain dishonest. And it's not news.

My kitten protocol is this:
8 weeks - FVRCP #1 (distemper and upper respiratory)
first parasite treatment (Revolution - gets fleas, ear mites, roundworms, hookworms, and heartworm - also some mange mites)
12 weeks - FVRCP #2
FeLV #1 (feline leukemia vaccine)
second parasite treatment (Revolution)
this is when we do the blood test for FeLV and FIV
16 weeks - FVRCP #3
FeLV #2
Rabies
This is basic for all well kittens. If they have medical issues, other tests/treatments may apply.

My core vaccination protocol for adult cats (their annual boosters) is the same for indoor and outdoor cats, believe it or not. We need to get rid of the bizarre notion that housecats cannot get exposed to infectious diseases. You can track stuff in on your shoes, or bring on your hands/clothes. If you have screen doors and windows, and use them, don't think for one minute that they will stop viruses, or that your cat will not stick its nose onto the screen of another cat outside comes along. Not to mention that cats who go to the vet are going here infectious diseases are found, and cats routinely get outside accidentally. People also have been known to bring sick cats into a home with existing cats. So don't fall for the nonsense that "housecats don't need vaccinations". Of course, we vets would get a lot richer from treating more sick cats if people stopped vaccinating, so I am shooting myself in the foot by pushing them, lol.

But here goes, for annual booster vaccinations I recommend:
FVRCP, FeLV, and Rabies - period

I do NOT recommend any of the others, except perhaps under very rare circumstances that wouldn't apply to the average pet owner. Just say no to:
FIP (not safe enough or effective enough)
FIV (causes cat to test positive; not effective enough?)
Bordetella (bacterial disease - responds to antibiotics - vaccine irrational)
Ringworm (fungal infection - used to treat, not prevent - off the market??)
Giardia (not sure if this is still available - no rationale for giving this to the average cat)

Because there is a MINISCULE but real risk of vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma from vaccinations (particularly adjuvanted vaccines)in cats it is VERY important which vaccines are used. In my practice I have used mostly nonadjuvanted vaccines for years, and a year ago I finally was able to swith 100% to nonadjuvanted (finally a company I trusted came out with the FeLV I wanted). In 24 years of practice I have seen exactly ONE case of vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma, and that cat is still alive and well 7 or 8 years later (had $6000 in cancer treatment)! I have seen one other possible, and one cat very prone to excessive reaction to everything that may have gone down the VaxSA road eventually. I can't begin to count the number of cats I have seen severely ill or dead because their owners FAILED to vaccinate them. So we know darned well which is riskier - failure to vaccinate is MUCH MUCH MUCH riskier than vaccinating on an appropriate schedule with the best vaccines.

For public health reasons, to keep myself and my staff and, yes, my clients safe, I am inflexible about rabies vaccination. There is no legal requirement here in Los Angeles (city), but in my clinic I am the law and I say if you want me to be your vet, you WILL vaccinate for rabies. You have to be a damned fool not to vaccinate for a disease that kills people in addition to pets.

I am almost as strict about FVRCP (distemper/panleukopenia and upper respiratory) vaccination. We are now seeing MUCH higher incidences of respiratory disease, and lots more distemper (formerly VERY VERY RARE) and I am convinced it is as a direct result of the declining vaccination rates in the general population. If people don't keep their cats current on this, they are not going to be able to have their cat admitted for elective procedures at my hospital (ie spay, neuter, dentistry, other surgery). If there is a bona fide emergency, this rule is waived. I think you also have to be a damned fool not to keep your cat current on this one.

Regarding FeLV vaccination - this is one that your cat can't give to me and kill me, and they are not ever going to catch it in my hospital, so if people really make a big fuss then they can do without it, but again I think they are FOOLS. Your cat can get out at any time (after the Northridge earthquake MANY did) and I guarantee the strays wandering around have a fairly high incidence of FeLV infection, and it spreads easily. Those same strays can come up to your screen door, pee on it, and then your cat comes and licks at the pee. Voila! FeLV can spread that easily. And there is no treatment. Persistently infected cats are ultimately doomed.

I advise my clients to take their cue from what I do with my own housecats: they get their vaccinations EVERY YEAR. yes, I know full well that in the grand bell curve of vaccines, some will respond with lifelong immunity from a single shot, and some will never mount much immunity, and most are somewhere in between. Titers can theoretically be tested for, but there is no proof that a titer correlates well with clinical protection in these diseases in the cat. So why play Russian Roulette with a beloved pet's life??? Just get the darned vaccinations. And get them at a REAL vet clinic or hospital that spends time on an exam and consultation every year, so you can do the other important thing: discussing all your cat's health and behavior issues. No low-cost shot clinics where they line 'em up, poke 'em, and let 'em go.

Be sure your vet is up to speed on the KNOWN importance of avoiding adjuvanted vaccines! If they don't even KNOW if theirs are adjuvanted, perhaps another vet would be better informed.

I use exclusively Merial vaccines, but there are other nonadjuvanted vaccines for cats (I don't keep track of the brands). I use the product line called Purevax, which was specifically developed to minimize the risk of VaxSA. The Rabies and FeLV are both genetically engineered live canarypox vector vaccines (way cool) and the FeLV is given via needle-free injection system (again designed to decrease the risk of VaxSA via dispersion dynamics and dose). The FVRCP is modified live and though nonadjuvanted, it has never been seen as a culprit in VaxSA because it has ALWAYS been nonadjuvanted.

This is my take on the whole vaccine thing. I listen to what the folks in the ivory towers say, but then I hve to take into account the facts as they are right here in the trenches, and I incorporate my knowledge as a microbiologist. I have come up with, and used for 15 years, a preventive health care plan for my patients that gives them the greatest chance of living a long, healthy life, and I am convinced it does just that! I have modified my protocol over the years as circumstances dictate, and as newer, safer vaccines have become available. I am just not willing to throw the baby out with the bath water and start telling people they really don't need to keep vaccinating their cats. I know better.

Re the OP statement that adult cats are "naturally immune" to FeLV. This is false, or at least seriously misleading. Adult cats are less likely to become infected when exposed to FeLV than kittens or elderly cats are, but their risk is FAR from zero! Because the newer Merial FeLV vaccine was 99% protective IIRC on testing, I think it is downright foolish to rely on natural resistance to protect a cat. Remember, this disease is a retrovirus. You get no second chances. Once infected, the cat is doomed. WHY play Russian Roulette with your cat's health?

Ok, off my soapbox now...........

P.S. No, Merial doesn't pay me one red cent to mention them. I just happen to like and trust their product.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Thanks so much for your input "from the trenches". I received this notice

in an email and posted specifically for reponses and reactions such as yours.

Can you go into more detail as to the difference between "adjuvanted" and "nonadjuvanted" vaccines?

Thanks very much for all your wonderful input, and taking the time to share your knowledge and experiences.

[kestrel91316]

3. Some vaccines contain a substance known as adjuvant

which serves the purpose of helping the antigen remain in the area and continute to stimulate immune response over time. This helps to prolong duration of immunity. When they (I forget which company) came out with a 3-yr rabies vaccine, it was the addition of adjuvant which made the vaccine produce the longer duration of immunity. That vaccine also could be given subcutaneously rather than intramuscularly, so it was accompanied by the development around the same time of sarcomas at the new injection site, which is how they figured out the whole thing.

Adjuvants are chemical substances, many of which are proprietary in nature (trade secrets), but we do know that some common adjuvants contain aluminum.

We don't want to put anything into cats that produces a prolonged local immune response because it is that long-term inflammation which, in certain predisposed cats (there are genetic facotrs involved), can lead to vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma. We also don't like to leave implants behind, like nonabsorbable suture, or inject Program (lufenuron) for flea control anymore. These also cause chronic inflammation and increase the risk of fibrosarcoma. And I think it's interesting that I have seen several cases of fibrosarcoma in the front paw of cats that I personally believe is due to some foreign material getting in(cactus thorn?? etc??)and once again setting up chronic inflammation and then the cancer. I have never seen it in the BACK paw.

Hope that helps.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Thanks for your response. Very helpful.

Interesting that it is also aluminum in the preservative thimerisol in childhood vaccinations that is the center of so much controversy right now.

[kestrel91316]

5. Nope. That's MERCURY in thimerisol, which is used as

a preservative (kills or inhibits bacteria) in the multi-dose tanks of vaccine. It's not found in the individual dose vials, BTW.

[BrklynLiberal]

6. DUH!!!!!!!! I'm a moron....

:blush: