Over Vaccination

Can Too Many Vaccines be Dangerous?

There is an interesting article that was written by a vet from NCSU about vacinosis.   He spoke at the World Organization for Animal Health about this subject in regards to animals.   Twice we heard of situations where puppies we had bred were over vaccinated.  Subsequently, they developed an autoimmune disease.  Our Purchase Agreement addresses specific vaccines that we feel should be spaced apart.  We recommend that multiple vaccinations not be given at a single vet appointment but be spaced apart

Handling Vaccines

There is a possibility that your vet will not recognize vaccine(s) that were not given by vet.  A recommended alternative to routine re-vaccination is the use of titer tests (simple blood tests) to measure a pet’s existing antibody levels and determine if they still have adequate immunity.  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 that they have already received.

It is understandable that a vet doesn’t want your puppy to receive a vaccine that was purchased at the local farm supply store. For instance, it may have been removed from refrigeration and then left laying on a shelf somewhere in the store.  A couple hours later, an employee spots it and puts it back in the refrigerator. When a vaccine is purchased in that environment, you do not know if was handled safely or not.

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 our  vaccines.

We order our vaccines from a veterinarian supply company and ship them over night on ice at a considerable expense.  They are then delivered when someone is here to receive the package and place it in the refrigerator.  It can not be done any more safely regardless of who ordered the vaccine.

We are able vaccinate our puppies because no Rx is required in NC to purchase a 5-way puppy vaccination.  It can given easily as it is administered sub-q (under the skin) and not in the muscle.

Over Vaccinating Certain Breeds

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.  Over vaccinating certain breeds can result in vaccinosis.  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.  Drug companies now make a vaccine that is given every three years.

If you would  like to read about the article written by Dr. Shoemaker  Here is a link that better explains over vaccinating:  https://www.friendsofthedog.co.za/vaccines-when-too-much-of-a-good-thing-turns-bad.html

Categorised in: GoldenDoodles

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