Vaccine Protocols of Veterinary Schools

Most pet owners want to ensure a healthy life for their cat or dog. Regular veterinary check ups, along with a consistent vaccination schedule, are a vital part of this goal. Yet a growing concern in veterinary medicine suggests that many vaccination practices actually contribute to several health problems. Veterinary schools have established new protocols regarding vaccination practices in order to minimize risk associated with over-vaccinating.

  1. Growing Health Concerns

    • According to Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM, there has been compelling research to suggest that over-vaccinating pets can be harmful. Some side effects are immediate and include sore joints, jaundice, allergic reactions, inflammation, nervous system disorders and bruising. Other problems that can develop over time are various autoimmune diseases affecting the blood, liver, kidney, bowels, joints, nervous system, muscles or endocrine organs.

    New Protocols

    • Veterinary medical schools now recommend an alternating vaccination schedule. Although vaccines remain critical for preventing several life-threatening diseases, they are not required as often. Factors for determining vaccination frequency include the pet's risk of exposure, age, breed and overall health. Annual blood titers are recommended after the first year to evaluate immunity levels. Typically, geriatric animals have developed sufficient immunity after years of vaccinations so that continuing to give them booster shots is unnecessary, or even harmful.

    Necessary Feline Vaccines

    • According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine, kittens should be vaccinated against panleukopenia, calicivirus and feline herpesvirus 1. Initially, as kittens, vaccines would be administered every 3 to 4 weeks, beginning after the kitten is 6-weeks old. At 1 year of age, the adult cat should be re-vaccinated. Subsequent vaccinations may alternate every 2 to 3 years depending upon annual veterinary check-ups. Rabies shots are required every 1 to 3 years depending upon the local regulations.

    Optional Feline Vaccines

    • Many cat vaccines are considered optional by veterinary school protocol, and depend upon whether cats stay indoors or are allowed to go outdoors. Chlamydophyla felis, bordetella bronchiseptica, feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis and giardia vaccines rely on the cat's risk of exposure, and may not be necessary.

    Necessary Canine Vaccines

    • According to the American Animal Hospital Association, puppies should receive three initial rounds of vaccines guarding against distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus 2 and parainfluenza after they are 6-weeks old. They should be re-vaccinated at 1 year of age. After the first year, dogs should then be assessed annually by the veterinarian to evaluate immunity levels for subsequent vaccinations. Rabies should also be given every 1 to 3 years according to local regulations.

    Optional Canine Vaccines

    • Many vaccines are regional, or depend upon the amount of exposure a dog will have with other dogs. Optional vaccines include bordetella bronchiseptica, leptospira, borrelia burgdorferi, coronavirus, giardia and lyme disease. Dogs that are boarded in kennels, service dogs or dogs attending obedience classes may still be required to receive many of these vaccines according to individual guidelines for a particular organization.