David Lock

We have two dogs at the moment, both past the first flush of youth.

They have been summoned for their annual booster jab.

But just wonder if they really need this every year as a reputable breeder once said that she only has her dogs done every odd year.

So do you have your pooch done annually to "be on the safe side" or do you prefer to keep them jab free for a year? dl

Spoon

David, after lots of discussions with fellow dog owners and vets, the debate goes on and on.

Research by Dr. Ron Schultz of the University of Wisconsin-Madison has shown the initial vaccination can last between 6-9 years. The annual booster is just not necessary at all.

As I'm sure you know when a vaccine is given to your dog the body acts like it has been infected with the disease of the vaccine and it produces antibodies. It is the antibodies that protect against an actual infection. As long as the antibodies are in the dogs body the dog will be protected.

The antibodies for the diseases of Distemper, Parvo and Hepatitis stay in the dogs body between 6 and 9 years. Which means that a dog is protected against those diseases after proper vaccination for that long of a time period. In fact some of the research indicated that a few dogs are actually protected longer than that. The 6 to 9 years is only an average, which means some dogs are protected longer and some dogs less than that as well.

So now comes the problem. You see annual vaccination has side effects. Really bad side effects. In studies it has been implicated that annual vaccination causes an overstimulation of the immune system which in turn causes diseases such as allergies, autoimmune diseases (the body attacking itself such as in AutoImmune Hemolytic Anemia), and even cancer. In fact in cats it has been proven that annual vaccination causes a specific type of cancer. Anecdotal evidence by Dr. Ron Schultz and many many other veterinarians is showing that if you have a dog with allergies giving them a vaccination will stimulate an allergic episode and that if you do not vaccinate the dog anymore the allergic episodes reduce in frequency and severity. Dr. Ron Schultz personally has had dogs with horrible skin allergies make a complete recovery by changing their diet and no longer giving vaccines.

Dr. Ron Schultz vaccination recommendations now - complete series of puppy vaccines then a booster a year later, then titers (a blood test to determine the level of antibodies in the dog) every three years to determine if the dog still has antibodies in their system. If they do then they are protected against the disease and do not require a booster. If the antibody level is low then the dog receives a vaccine of that disease.

It has been difficult to change a procedure that has been pushed hard for so many years, even many veterinarians are fighting the change to the new vaccine protocols, so Dr. Ron Schultz can only imagine what it does to owners. The insurance companies will discontinue their requirements of annual vaccinations when it becomes pretty much common knowledge that annual vaccination will cost them more money in the long run by treating for allergies, autoimmune diseases and cancer. They will require puppy vaccines and then boosters every three years. Dr. Ron Schultz still does not like that protocol but it is better than annual vaccinations.

Unfortunately trying to kennel a dog without up to date vaccinations isn't possible in the UK so its a difficult one if you need to kennel a dog.

Then there is the kennel cough vaccination that is separate to the boosters and also required before you put a dog into kennels, but shouldn't really be necessary for low risk dog areas. That said, kennel cough does appear more common than it once did and vets charges do appear to be dropping for all vaccinations, possibly reflecting owners reluctance to 'boost' annually, through knowledge gained or maybe just apathy.

On the other hand I do know people that would blame themselves if their dogs got sick and they hadn't 'boosted' their dogs immune system annually, thinking it was the right thing to do and couldn't face finger pointing for being a bad dog owner.

Personally I think the term 'boosters' are the vets equivalent to 'bubbly at the shareholders annual meeting'.

David Lock

Thank you so much for that comprehensive commentary. Certainly of interest to me and I would think other dog owners on this board.

It completely confirms what I had been told although in much more detail. In fact I lost my darling Golden to the big C when she was 9 and she had terrible skin problems most of her life. A vet specialising in allergies advised against boosters.

Our two Cavaliers are sadly getting on a bit so a booster seems entirely superfluous. I rather suspect our vet might agree but you can't get past the dragon on the desk to discuss it with him!

We don't plan to put them in kennels so that is one thing we won't have to worry about.

Thanks again, David

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al4x1

David that nearly sums it up but the reason why there are so many differing views is that it is unknown. My brother is a rep for Pfizer animal health who are one of the bigger vaccine retailers and do a lot of research into it. Basically every dog is different and they have found levels of antibody retention that vary massively some dogs 5 years some struggle to retain enough a year. So to cover all eventualities and play safe (as well as keeping an eye on their profits) they recommend yearly boosters. Much like humans the risk of an adverse reaction to the vaccine is far lower than the risk of catching parvo virus or Leptospirosis.
What to do depends on a few things do your dogs mix with others a lot or get walked in areas where they encounter a lot of dogs or doggie turds?
If they do then its better to play it safe and if the dogs are a few years old then probably vaccinate every other year. My dog is just coming up to her first booster and will be done then it will be every other year. Whats criminal in it all is the vets buy the vacine below the £5 mark yet like to call it a yearly medical or whatever to justify the £45 bill

David Lock

OK - thanks al4x1, points well taken and noted.

Cavaliers don't require long treks through the woods and our older girl can't manage them anymore so they have limited exposure to risk areas.

Our vet wants £20 for a booster per dog and double that if we are overdue by 3 months when they would get the fully Monty.

One is reminded of vaccines for humans but I don't know enough about the subject to make any sensible comparisons. MMR for kids seems to be for life (?) but when I travelled overseas I was told to get a yellow fever jab every year or so. And I think medics reckon 10 years for Tetanus to remain effective.

dl

shep ppp

I was told that they only really need the boosters to keep up the paperwork if the dogs are going in kennels etc. apart from that the vet said its not really necessary.

PaulC72

Our dog has hers as she sometimes goes into kennels, however we look at it from this point of view, if it was one of our children would we let them have their jabs, of course we would as we are responsible for their wellbeing, if you think about dogs as family you would get it done after all £20 isn't alot of money to know it is protected {ok you could argue the evidence above but what would you do if it got ill?}
Sometimes it is better to take a possible precaution than play the odds.

Just my view of course and we are happy with what we do.

Devildog

Some excellent and comprehensive views on here.

I would agree with al4x1 some breeds are significantly better at retaining antibodies than others.

My own breed, for example, are quite bad for the puppy vaccinations having no effect, and our male was tested as a pup to ensure this was not the case.

Personally, I'll be asking the vet for a blood test first this year, and then only having them "boosted" if necessary.

OllyK

If you kennel your dog or it is in regular contact with other dogs or it's a requirement of your pet insurance then absolutely.

fatherpierre

So they're just an annual cash generator for vets then?

Mine charge £40 a pop.

I wouldn't be able to live with myself if they were ill or died due to not having them, though.

I guess this is what they rely when they send you the 'reminder'.