Over Vaccination

Many years ago, I read an interesting article written by a vet from NCSU that spoke at the World Organization for Animal Health about over vaccination in animals.  It prompted me to continue searching for other information about autoimmune reactions to overvaccinations.   We had two events where puppies we had bred were over vaccinated and then developed an autoimmune disease.  This led us to include a clause in our Purchase Agreement that specifies certain vaccines be spaced apart and  for multiple vaccinations not to be given at a single vet appointment.

Occasionally, we will hear from an owner that their vet did not recognize the vaccine(s) that were given by us.  It is understandable that a vet doesn’t want your puppy to have received a vaccine that was purchased at the local farm supply store that someone removed from the refrigerator, decided they were not going to buy it and laid it on a shelf.  It lays there a couple hours when an employee spots it and puts it back in the refrigerator.  In other words, when a vaccine is purchased in that environment, you do not know if it has been handled safely.  When your vet orders vaccine from their supply company, it is shipped over night, on ice, and immediately placed in the refrigerator when it arrives at their office.

This is exactly how WE handle vaccines.  We order them from a veterinarian supply company, ship them over night on ice (at a considerable expense), and have them delivered on a day that someone is here at the farm to receive the package and place it in the refrigerator.  It can not be done any more safely.  No Rx is required in NC to purchase a 5-way puppy vaccination.  It is given sub-q (under the skin) and not in the muscle.

Instead of just automatically repeating the series for core vaccinations for a puppy, it might be safer to ask that a titer test be given.  This will provide your vet with the information needed to know if the vaccines need to be repeated or that the puppy is safely protected with the vaccines already received.

Vaccines stimulate the immune system to build antibodies that will prevent your pet from contracting certain diseases.  Overly-stimulated immune systems can trigger immune mediated diseases.  All though all breeds of dogs can develop vaccinosis Poodles and Golden Retrievers are in the top 14 breeds that are most susceptible.   In an article written by W. Jean Dodds, DVM and republished by  Dr Judith Shoemaker, DVM of Always Helpful Veterinary Services, Dr. Dodds references a 2011 revision made by the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) which recommended revaccination every 3 years or more for dogs once the core vaccinations have been given.

If anyone would like a copy of the article written by Dr. Shoemaker, I will be happy to send it to you.  You might actually be able to find it on line under the title, “Vaccines:  When too Much of a Good Thing Turns Bad”.

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