| You likely got a polio vaccine when you were a kid. | | | | risk. Of course they didn't do any testing either and |
| Do you get a "booster" every year? Yep, me neither. | | | | so the practice went on for decades. |
| Should your dog get vaccine boosters every year? | | | | Dr. Ron Schultz, a professor at University of |
| The short answer is NO. | | | | Wisconsin and veterinary immunologist published an |
| Yearly re-vaccination is no longer considered the | | | | article in 1992 with co-author Dr. Phillips in Current |
| standard of care due Vaccination guidelines now vary. | | | | Veterinary Therapy. They questioned yearly |
| Some organizations recommend a duration of 3 | | | | vaccinations arguing: |
| years, some recommend 7 years and some | | | | 1. antibodies result from vaccination; |
| recommend only once. | | | | 2. once present, antibodies interfere with any |
| The vaccination guidelines of The World Small Animal | | | | subsequent vaccines. |
| Veterinary Association (WSAVA) recommend 7 | | | | Dr. Schultz and numerous other Vets have published |
| years or longer. Additionally, all 27 US Vet Schools | | | | studies that show yearly re-vaccinations unnecessary. |
| have revised their recommendation, as have the | | | | More than just an "extra expense" they in fact are |
| American Veterinary Medical Association and | | | | responsible for a dramatic increase in diseases our |
| American Animal Hospital Association. | | | | pets suffer today including: |
| Why Are Pets Vaccinated Yearly? | | | | Allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, cancer, |
| Early pet vaccination - for Distemper and | | | | pancreatitis, colitis, thyroid disease, auto-immune |
| Leptospirosis - started with puppies. | | | | diseases, epilepsy, seizures, kidney failure, liver failure, |
| When they measured antibodies in a test group of | | | | chronic skin problems, paralysis. |
| puppies a year after vaccination, about one third of | | | | Also behavior problems such as aggression, |
| them didn't have measurable antibodies in their blood | | | | suspiciousness, restlessness, aloofness and |
| for distemper. This can be true for several reasons, | | | | unaffectionate, clingy and separation anxiety, |
| but the assumption made was the vaccine didn't | | | | excessive barking, destructive behavior, tail chewing. |
| take. | | | | The vaccination choices you make can dramatically |
| In 1959, based on the assumption the vaccine didn't | | | | effect you pets' health and behavior. Understanding |
| take the first time, it was recommended to do | | | | the risks and rewards for your pet will help you |
| yearly shots. At the time there weren't any known | | | | make the best decision. |