RESEARCH

Less Frequent Vaccinations Safer for Dogs

PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Miller, UW-Madison University Communications
PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Miller, UW-Madison University Communications

Once a year, Dr. Ronald Schultz checks the antibody levels in his dogs’ blood. Why? He says for proof that most annual vaccines are unnecessary.

Last year, more than 30 years of research paid off for Dr. Schultz, a professor and researcher at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, when the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) released its dog vaccination guidelines.

This year, he is especially pleased to see the veterinary biological companies show their core products have three or more years duration of immunity (something he demonstrated many years ago).

“Giving a vaccine that’s not needed creates an unnecessary risk to the animal,” Dr. Schultz explains. Side effects include pain, stiffness, lethargy, swelling at injection sites, skin problems, allergic reactions and autoimmune disease. In cats, tumors have been reported at the site of vaccine injections.

As a result, AAHA still agrees that core vaccinations (such as distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis) are essential. But after the initial vaccination, they propose future vaccinations be given as necessary, rather than annually. Most core vaccines maintain immunity for at least seven years. Rabies requires renewed protection every three years.

Non-core vaccinations, such as for Lyme disease or kennel cough, should be given only if the veterinarian determines that a dog is at risk for these diseases. Because many of these vaccines have a shorter duration of immunity, they may be needed annually.

Dr. Schultz hopes that veterinarians not certain of the immune status of the dog will use a new product that is available to test a dog’s antibody titer against certain diseases. If the titer is still high, why vaccinate and risk adverse effects in the animal?

Dr. Schultz stresses that fewer vaccinations doesn’t mean owners should decrease the number of visits they make to their veterinarian.

“Checking for heartworm, tumors, dermatological problems and tooth decay should be done on a yearly basis,” he says. “Plus, some dogs, depending on their risk, may need certain vaccines annually or more often.”

excerpted from a story by Emily Carlson, writer, UW University Communications

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