Are we over Vacinating our Dogs?

Question

Dogs have been around for hundreds of years, without vaccinations but a strong immune system. Wouldn't vaccinating them not be good to weeding out the weak and allowing the stronger to continue their genes?

This is just a theoretical question... Given that important diseases like rabies should be vaccinated against because its such a communal disease.

And how much is too much? Should we vaccinate our dogs against everything no matter the price?

Answer 1

You've had some good answers as to whether we are over-vaccinating or not. As to vaccination in humans being the cure for polio, etc., I can only suggest that some people do the research. Polio did not die out because of vaccination (nor did other diseases)......better sanitation, housing, food, etc. did that. The best cure for TB was isolation, and not vaccination. In actual fact, the only known cases of Polio now are found in vaccinated individuals, which is very, very sad. I personally believe that we are perpetuating disease by the very vaccines we give them.....and we are causing mutations of disease. We have dogs now that have arthritis, allergies, skin problems, etc., etc. which did not exist years ago. Over vaccination has it's insiduous side-effects. You also have dogs that have a pre-disposition to certain diseases, such as epilepsy. If you don't vaccinate, the immune system is not messed about, but if you vaccinate, the immune system goes into over-drive, and suddenly you have epilepsy. Auto-immune diseases in dogs are absolutely rampant, due to the concoction of diseases that are pumped into dogs, not only as puppies, but year after year. The rabies vaccine is also a farce. Look into your area in the USA and find out the figures for rabies. I think you might get a bit of a shock as to how small those numbers are. Do you really need to vaccinate against something that is quite literally not a threat?

I personally do not vaccinate AT ALL. I have not vaccinated my dogs for 13 years.......I raw feed, and make sure that their immune system is as strong as it can be. Despite being told (here in the UK) that Parvo is rampant, my dogs have never had even a touch of diarrhoea. I build up immunity naturally, by taking them to "safe" areas first and then building it up gradually. I believe, as Chris Day does, that the risk of vaccination is greater than the risk of the disease. Jmvho.

Answer 2

If you've ever watched a dog die from Parvo or Distemper, you know how important vaccination is. Dogs died from these diseases by the thousands every year before these vaccines were invented. A "strong immune system" wasn't always enough.

That said, I do believe that we over-vaccinate our pets. I don't believe in putting any more pathogens than absolutely necessary into my puppies/adult dogs.

It used to be a 5/7-way combo shot at 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks -- talk about overloading a puppy's system! And then, of course, annual boosters of the same huge combo every year. These boosters often include lepto (known to cause reactions), lyme (not necessary in all areas of the country), and corona (not really necessary, period) -- just loading up on all of this stuff that your dog doesn't really need, or isn't worth the risk.

Many vets in the USA are beginning to come around to a lighter, more reasonable vaccination schedule, one that includes titering dogs for various disease protection as necessary. Veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds has been a huge advocate of this change. More info:
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is now also recommending a new vaccination protocol to member vets:
http://www.aahanet.org/About_aaha/About_Guidelines_Canine06.html

Personally, I buy Parvo-only and Distemper only vaccines for my dogs/puppies, and vaccinate separately. Dogs over a certain age get titers only, and are not vaccinated unless it's required.

Another good summary of new vaccination protocol:
http://www.boxerunderground.com/bu2000/april2006/new_vaccination_protocol_in_a_nutshell.htm

Answer 3

I won't comment about your theories on the evolution of the immune system, but we are indeed over vaccinating our pets. AVMA and AAHA finally have redone their recommendations for not vaccinating yearly and most vets will do a 3 year for rabies and distemper/parvo no problem. Afterall, humans sure don't get yearly vaccinations. The idea of the "booster" shot is a total myth as that's not what happens at all.

I personally vaccinate every 3 years against rabies as by law. Once my dogs receive their final distemper/parvo at 1 year of age, they are titer tested every 3 years for the antibodies, but are otherwise not vaccinated. They are not vaccinated against lepto (a pretty pointless vaccination), bordatella (an even more pointless vaccination), Lyme, corona, etc etc. Even though at least half the dogs I foster for the local humane society have kennel cough, my dogs do not come down with it as they are fed a good raw diet and get ester vitamin C and vitamin E supplements. Stressed out dogs in shelters get kennel cough because glucocorticoids surpress the immune system and it passes quickly with stressed out dogs.

Answer 4

It's a very valid question. I'm all for vaccinations, I've seen too many puppies die of parvo, who could have been saved.

But this shot every year requirement is senseless. Maybe some diseases require a booster, but for the most part that one shot gives the dog immunity for life. It's a money grab.

I have the vet do a titer on my dogs, and they have always had enough antibodies in their system, that they don't require another shot. I give 3 year rabies shot, since they must have that.

I've heard too many horror stories of dogs dying or having had their immune systems compromised from over -vaccinating. Since Danes have sensitive immune systems, I won't give the "cocktail" shots either, with 5 serums in one, but have them given separately, with a few weeks in between each one.

Answer 5

Going from a 1 year protocol to a 3 year protocol just is not good enough for me. I've read the duration of immunity on all the vaccines. They are good for many, many years. So, to vaccinate every 3 years is still over vaccinating!
http://svmweb.vetmed.wisc.edu/articles/68/5/39 is the link to the Wisconsin University and Dr. Schultz's report on duration of immunity.

Answer 6

It is no longer recommended to vaccinate pets yearly..yes they are overvaccinated and it has been proven in many studies done by several universities and by Drs Such as Dr. Jean Dodds and Dr. Ron Schultz.

After the initial 3 series for puppies and 2 series for kittens a vaccination in one year is recommended then no more should be given for 3 years.
As for vaccinating for everything...absolutely not...most dogs do not need lepto, lymes, parainfluenza and bordatella (kennel cough).

Also no dog should get adenovirus-1, coronavirus and giardia vaccinations.

The only core vaccines needed for all dogs is distemper/parvo/canine hepatitis/adenovirus-2 and rabies.

Answer 7

Of course this lady should pay for the vet bills as long as you didn't purposely walk close to her dog. However, they may say that if both were leashed, accidents happen. Talk to the lady. Maybe she'll do the right thing or at least share the bills 50/50. If not, then I would suggest the police (they can't do much because they didn't witness the attack,) or call an attorney, or there is always small claims court.

Answer 8

Weren't you just asking whether Rabies vaccinations were a good idea? I guess you got your answer...

Would you hold the same true for humans? Would you like diseases like polio and small pox to come back and kill hundreds of thousands of people that weren't strong enough to survive it? There are reasons we get vaccinated against certain diseases, and there are reasons that our pets get vaccinated. They don't get vaccinated against everything, just as we don't. Just the ones that have the potential to kill them.

Answer 9

I think that back in the old days there weren't so many chemicals and air pollution and new strains of virus and bacteria. Plus veterinary medicine has come a very long way.
Plus I dont know of any study that can actually tell what the life age of the dogs were back then either. I do know that rabies ran rampart in some countries (and still does) and even in ours way back when.
I think all we can do is to trust our vets and make informed decisions for now.

Answer 10

Absolutely gret answers you've gotten! In addition, I'm following my vet's recommendation that no dog over the age of 10 needs any more boosters. It's devastating to see a healthy older dog die needlessly from auto immune caused by his booster shots.