home | Cyd's story: part 1 or part 2 | index of holistic health issues | Daisy 'n' Seven | email

NEW VACCINATION IMMUNOLOGY: NEW PROTOCOLS | This information originates from the website of the Critter Fixer Pet Hospital which was established in 1996 by Robert L Rogers DVM. The hospital is in Spring, Texas, USA. I have included a “user friendly” summary of the main findings listed on the site but for the entire texts please visit http://critterfixer.com/.

Because of dogs like "Katy"…Katy developed immune mediated hemolytic anemia (a disease where the body rejects its own blood) after her annual vaccinations. This syndrome has been shown to be associated with annual vaccinations. After 6 weeks of care the total bill was over $3000. Katy was lucky to survive. Less than 50% of dogs with immune mediated hemolytic anemia survive.

Because of cats like "Maria"... Maria developed a fibrosarcoma from her annual rabies & leukemia vaccinations. This is a terminal type of cancer. Even with surgery, chemotherapy & radiation therapy, the average survival time for cats with vaccination induced fibrosarcomas is less than 3 years. Because aluminum adjuvants have been incriminated the team at Critter Fixer have avoided aluminum adjuvants for over 12 years.

The AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents (COBTA) presented their consensus at the July 2000 137th Annual AVMA Convention. They focused on the following points. I have included some of Dr Rogers’ information here too.

• When an annual booster vaccination with a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine such as distemper, parvovirus or feline distemper is given to a previously vaccinated adult animal no added protection is provided. Modified live virus vaccines depend on the replication of the virus for a response. Antibodies from previous vaccines do not allow the new virus to replicate. Antibody titers are not boosted significantly, memory cell populations are not expanded. No additional protection is provided.

• Immunity is not controlled entirely by antibody levels as we once thought. Immunity is controlled by memory cells. These are white blood cells which stand ready in the body to respond with protective antibodies when challenged by a disease agent. Memory cells, once programmed, persist for the lifetime of the animal. Therefore it is possible to have low antibody levels (or titer) and still have protective immunity. Although memory cells cannot be measured, their presence can be demonstrated by challenge studies.

• A series of vaccinations is recommended starting at 8 weeks and given 3 to 4 weeks  apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another MLV vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 16 months) will provide lifetime immunity. According to Dr Schultz in the Journal of the AVMA 15 Aug 1995, a vaccination series given at 2, 3, and 4 months and again at 1 year with an MLV vaccine, enables puppies and kittens to develop memory cells that survive for life, providing lifelong immunity for diseases like parvovirus and distemper. Dogs' and cats' immune systems mature fully at six months therefore an MLV vaccine given after 6 months of age produces an immunity which is good for the life of the pet.

• Puppies receive antibodies through their mother's milk (colostrum) the very first time they nurse. This natural protection can last up to 8 to 14 weeks. Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated at less than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and only a few babies (0 -35%) will be protected.

• Dogs will not get parvo from the vaccine, but when the vaccine is administered at a vet clinic to 6 week old puppies only about 30% will respond to the vaccine with any protection while all will likely be exposed therefore it is likely some of them will come down with parvo which they caught at  the Vet Clinic. For this reason do not start the initial series of vaccinations until the puppies are 8 weeks old and are better able to respond to the vaccine. Where breeders have a problem with parvovirus they can vaccinate puppies at home with parvo, but not distemper, and only at 6 weeks and no younger, to aid in cutting losses.

• Vaccination of dogs for distemper at too young an age has been shown to cause hypertropic osteodystrophy, especially in Weimaraners. Vaccinations given two weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system.

• The duration of immunity for MLV vaccines like distemper and parvovirus have been proven to be 7 years by challenge and 15 and 7 years respectively by serology. Memory cells probably persist for life.

• There is no justification for annual vaccination of adult cats for Feline Leukemia. Cats over one year of age are immune to FeLV whether they are vaccinated or not. This is age related immunity. There is no justification for vaccination of dogs for corona virus.

• There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines. The USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics has agreed that label claims on biologics must be backed up by scientific data.

• Vaccinations are important for the prevention of diseases. Currently 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". Vets have failed to emphasize the importance of a physical exam for early detection of treatable diseases.

• Vaccines are not harmless. Unnecessary side effects and adverse events can be minimized by avoiding unnecessary vaccinations. Adverse events from canine distemper vaccine include vaccine induced distemper, vaccine induced folliculitis, and HOD (hypertropic osteodystrophy). These occur primarily when the vaccine is given too early, eg. when the animal is less than 6 to 8 weeks old.

• Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to the potential risk of adverse reactions like allergic reactions, immune mediated hemolytic anemia (a disease where the dog rejects its' own blood) and injection site fibrosarcomas in cats. The risk for side effects outweigh the possible benefits for diseases like feline chlamydia and canine leptospirosis. Owners should be accurately informed of efficacy, risk vs. benefit, prevalence of disease, and potential side effects of each vaccine.

• The vaccine for bordetella, commonly called "kennel cough," is 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 rapid onset of immunity with less chance of reaction. Immunity requires 72 hours and does not protect from every cause of "kennel cough." Dogs kept at home are at very low risk for these diseases, so vaccination is not necessary.

• Virus drift is small. There are no new parvovirus strains, and the virus in the vaccine has remained essentially the same. Parvovirus vaccination provides cross immunity for all types.

• Vaccines should not be marketed in areas of the country where the diseases are very rare.

• Veterinarians need a standard procedure to report adverse events from vaccinations.

Dr Bob Rogers writes, “I would like to make you aware that the American Association of Feline Practitioners, The Academy of Veterinary Internal Medicine, The American Animal Hospital Association, The American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, and 22 Veterinary Schools in North America have changed their recommended protocols for vaccinating cats & dogs. Our knowledge about immunity and the quality of available vaccines has improved greatly over the past seven years. 

“This new information has presented an ethical and economic challenge to veterinarians. There are sceptics, and there are those who remain un-informed. I think you will agree with me that in the practice of medicine, the emphasis should be on safety, and that no medicine should be given more frequently, longer, or at a higher dose than is necessary. 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 decisions.

“IN CONCLUSION Dogs and cats no longer need to be vaccinated against distemper, parvovirus and 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 less risks from side effects.

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

 Dr. Bob Rogers

Core Vaccines Recommended For All Dogs in the USA (http://critterfixer.com/pages/canine.asp)

Vaccine

Initial

> 12 weeks

1st Annual

Re-administration Interval

Comments

Rabies (Killed)

16 weeks

1 vaccination

1 year after intial vaccination

Every 3 years

Due to age & maternal antibodies, closer to 4 months is better

Distemper (MLV)

8, 12 and 16 weeks

2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart

Yes, provides lifetime immunity

Every 3 years (AAHA Compromise)

Recombinant vaccine for breeds like Weimaraners may prevent HOD

Parvovirus (MLV)

8, 12 and 16 weeks

2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart

Yes, DOI 7+ years, probably lasts a lifetime

None needed. Duration of immunity 7.5 years by studies. Probably lifetime. Longer studies pending.

At 6 weeks of age, only 30% of puppies are protected but 100% are exposed to the virus at the vet clinic.

Non-Core Vaccines Recommended Only if Chance of Exposure

Bordatella  (Intranasal Killed)

IntraNasal 4 days prior to boarding

.

Injection 3 weeks prior to Boarding.

.

Injection followed by Intranasal demonstrated better protection

Manufacturer recommends one dose 

Yes, immune response is faster with boosters

Annually
(Para influenza every 3 years?)

Para influenza only protects against 1 of 8+ causes of Kennel Cough

Intranasal Bordetella takes effect in 72 hrs to take effect vs. injectable requires 2 weeks to take effect. Recommended 3 days prior to boarding, grooming & dog shows.
Protects against 2 of the possible 8 causes of kennel cough. Duration of immunity 6 months.

Leptospirosis

There are an average of 12 cases of Lepto annually in Texas. Side effects are common.
The most commonly used vaccine contains the wrong serovars. (There is no cross-protection of serovars) There is a new vaccine with 2 new serovars. Two vaccinations twice per year would be required for protection.) The risk of side effects outweighs benefits.

Lyme

Vector tick/reservoir relationship not in Texas
 85% of cases are in 9 New England area States, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
There is a possible side effect of polyarthritis from the vaccine.

Vaccines Not Recommended For Dogs

Distemper & Parvo @ 6 weeks or younger

Not recommended.
At this age, maternal antibodies form the mothers milk (colostrum) will neutralize the vaccine and only 30% for puppies will be protected. 100% will be exposed to the virus at the vet clinic.

Corona

Not recommended.
1. Disease only affects dogs < 8 weeks of age.
2. Corona is a rare disease, only 1 case reported in 7 yrs at each of these Vet Schools: TAMU, Cornell, CSU., UCLA Davis
3. Efficacy of vaccine questionable, IgA Mucosal antibodies needed

Giardia

Not recommended.
1. Efficacy of Vaccine unsubstantiated by independent studies.
2. IgA mucosal antibodies? Immunity against a complex organism?
3. Natural infection does not provide immunity.

These are the recommendations of Dr Bob Rogers and Critter Fixer Pet Hospital based on 1) peer reviewed journal publications and the recommendations of, 2) The American Veterinary Medical Association, 3) Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, 4) Texas A&M University, 5) Cornell University, 6) Colorado State University and 7) The American Animal Hospital Association.

.

home | Cyd's story: part 1 or part 2 | index of holistic health issues | | Daisy 'n' Seven | email