Kenton Taylor, D.V.M.
effectiveness and safety and your pet’s age, breed and risk of exposure. The
effectiveness of several vaccines has yet to be proven and has resulted in a “false
sense of security” when prevention from exposure to the disease is a more
effective approach. Lyme disease vaccine is unproven against the many strains of
the organism that may cause the disease. Therefore, preventing ticks from
attaching to your dog by using Frontline, Revolution and a Preventic collar or
pyrethrin-based flea spray is the effective method to prevent Lyme’s disease. The
safety and effectiveness of the FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) vaccine for cats is
uncertain. A Cornell study found that vaccinated cats may be more susceptible to
FIP than non-vaccinated cats. Also, rabies and feline leukemia vaccines in a very
small number of cats have been found to produce sarcomas (a malignant tumor).
The adjuvants in these vaccines are thought to be the culprits. Considering this
risk, we only vaccinate with adjuvant-free rabies and feline leukemia vaccines
manufactured only by Merial. With cats in particular, the risk of exposure is
important in determining which vaccines are indicated. Indoor only cats, with no
exposure to indoor/ outdoor cats, are not at risk for feline leukemia or rabies viral
infections.
Age and breed should be considered in the timing of vaccination and the type of
vaccine given. Antibodies given to a puppy by its mother in her colostrum can
prevent effective immunization to a parvovirus vaccine when given under 3-5
months of age. Also, veterinarians feel certain breeds of dogs respond poorly to
parvoviral vaccines and need puppy booster vaccines up to 5-6 months of age.
These are a few of the many controversial vaccine issues. To prevent needless
and perhaps harmful over-vaccination your veterinarian can advise you in choosing
the vaccines and immunization frequency appropriate for your pet. Vaccine
brands do vary in effectiveness and safety. Of greatest concern is the difference in
ability to overcome maternal antibodies and therefore provide protective
immunization at an earlier age. With an adult, checking the vaccine titer (the
antibody concentration produced by a vaccine) may be more desirable than
booster immunization especially if the pet has had vaccine reactions in the past.
More important than annual vaccinations is annual physical examinations. A year
is a long time in our pets’ lifetime and many health problems such as dental
disease and early kidney failure do not have obvious symptoms. While your
veterinarian is evaluating your pet you can use them as a resource for your pet’s
nutritional, behavioral and health care questions.
