I regard vaccines as an important clinical tool that can have both beneficial and detrimental effects. In general, I only recommend vaccinating against serious, potentially life-threatening viral diseases such as distemper, parvo, adeno virus, and rabies. With the exception of rabies these tend to be pediatric diseases. I do not recommend lepto, lymes, corona, giardia, feline leukemia, feline infectious peritonitis vaccines. Bordetella vaccination is recommended only for dogs that are boarded. Whenever possible I use vaccines with the fewest combinations of viral components. Sick animals should not be vaccinated. Vaccines should not be administered when other procedures such as surgery will stress the immune system. Pregnant and lactating animals should not be vaccinated. If older animals must be vaccinated their immune system function must be optimized.
I recommend vaccinating puppies and kittens at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age with the appropriate vaccine. Initial rabies vaccine is given 2 to 4 weeks later. I recommend titer checks begining 1 year after completion of the pediatric series of vaccines. My recommendation to those who do not wish to vaccinate their puppies or kittens is to keep them strictly at home until they are at least 4 months old and their immune systems are fully active. Rabies vaccination is required by public health law, and rabies titers are not regarded as fulfilling that requirement.
If one chooses not to vaccinate, I recommend strictly isolating puppies and kittens until at least four months of age. At 4 months the immune system has matureed ( that is why the last dose of vaccine is given at 4 months of age). At that point one is trusting the innate ability of the immune system to protect the dog or cat. From a functional point of view, it is possible to maximize the efficiency of the immune system with nutritional supplements. Vitamins A, C, D, and E are important along with zinc and selenium. Vitamin D appears to be particularly important in providing protection against viruses. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that adequate levels of vitamin D protect against influenza. It appears that the majority of the human population does not have adequate serum Vitamin D. Vitamin D can be measrured by blood test and appears to be of value in pets. It is of special importance if one chooses not to vaccinate or measure vaccine titers. With all the controversy surrounding vaccines, it should be kept in mind that the purpose of vaccination is to produce immunity against infectious agents. There is a growing body of evidence that indicates that vaccines are not the only means of ensuring immunity. The immune system can be optimzed using nutritional supplements. Vitamin D is of particular importance. If the decision is made not to vaccinate, one has a duty to protect the animal by other means.
John B. Smith, DVM ♦ "The Dog Doctor" ♦ DrJohn@DogDoctor.us ♦ 734-434-9055 ♦ 2894 Washtenaw Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197