The vaccine debate is a long running one and has certainly changed in recent years. There is absolutely no way at all I would "routinely" vaccine my pets anymore.
Let me explain. We were always told every year, yes? Whats changed? Its now every third year for Parvo, Distemper, Hardpad etc.. and only lepto and PPi (kennel cough) every year. The only reasaon lepto is yearly is because they cannot measure its length of immunity in a dog.
I have a Border that was vacced as a pup, then at 15mths should of had a
booster, I asked for a "titre test" which measured the dogs immunity and would tell me if the dog needed a
booster. She came back as low Parvo and borderline Distemper, they cannot test for Lepto as the disease does not illicit titres. OK she needed a
booster, which the Vet was ready to give. I rang the Uni that did the tests (Glasgow I think from memory) they said that a low titre count does NOT mean the dog has low immunity and does NOT mean it needs a
booster. It means only that the circulating antibodies had not been triggered by memory cells (the things that mount an immune response) to increase in the body, as the dog had had no contact with the diseases it was vaccinated against. They told me and it is still the case, memory cells cannot be measured. So, I would probably of over vaccinated my dog on the basis of a test that wasnt conclusive, yet the Vet was happy to do it and was happy to re vaccinate on its results. Over vaccination?
In recent years, pets have been massively over vaccinated, immune meditated diseases in dogs and cats are at an all time high, of course your vet would never ever say a vaccination was to blame, but as I said, question your vet when your pet is on meds and they are "happy" to vaccinate, they shouldnt, ALL vaccination protocol guidelines state that ONLY healthy animals should be vaccinated, who is right?
Vaccination and neutering is a Vets life, is it any wonder they drum it into pet owners?
When the vaccination length was changed, most vets were unwilling to say the least, however, most do it now but many do not, vaccinating against all diseases each year, ignoring guidelines, not all of course but we have checked with animals coming in and the relevant manufacturers guidlines, we KNOW many Vets still over vaccinate. Like I said, how many Vets charge for 2 vaccines two years running, then all of them for the third? I think you will find most charge the same price for 2 as they do the lot!! See pet owners wouldnt realise that!
I personally know many dogs and cats with immune meditated diseases that are still vaccinated just so an owner can go on holiday and they can board it, thats just selfish and wrong, but hey some folk HAVE to have a holiday, at any cost!
There is masses of evidence to support and unrefuted proof that pets are over vaccinated and that this does in fact cause diseases in them.
I do not vaccinate any of my pets after puppy/kitten vaccs any more.
