QUESTION & ANSWER DOCUMENT – VACCINATIONS & IMMUNOLOGY
December 31, 2012
Copyright Dec 2012 W. Jean Dodds, DVM
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1: What is your opinion on the Lyme vaccine--effectiveness, side-effects and timing (if you are a proponent)
Generally I do not use Lyme vaccine, except in high risk exposure settings. Prefer to run quarterly PCR or C6 Lyme antibody checks for those dogs living in tick-infested areas. The safest Lyme vaccines are those newer ones against the opsonic protein. Duration of immunity is relatively short and so annual boosters are needed.
2: Your opinion on running titers for parvo/distemper instead of just giving additional shots on the regular vaccination schedule?
Without a doubt, running parvo + distemper titers every three years for properly vaccinated adults is much preferred and safer than routinely giving boosters.
3: Vaccination doses; are there some that are based on weight?
No.
If not, why not?
I believe that doses should be adjusted by weight, especially for killed, inactivated vaccines like rabies, as the huge disparity in weight between a toy breed and giant breed warrants this consideration. The controversy over this issue continues and will unlikely abate any time soon. Experts like Dr. Ron Schultz insist that the antigenic mass in every vaccine is correct for each dog regardless of their body size ! This still makes little sense to me.
4: What is the minimum weight for a puppy in order to receive its first vaccinations (toy breed)?
None.
Medium size breed, and Large breed?
None
Or is it strictly an age determination?
Yes (don’t ask)
5: Would it be worth while to titer a couple of puppies before they leave to their forever homes at 8 weeks, instead of giving vaccines?
No, that’s unwise - as these puppies, if not orphaned at birth, will have residual maternal immunity that will give a false sense of active protection against diseases, as it will wear off around 10-16 weeks of age.
If you do this could you then give their first Parvo at 16 weeks?
You would be foolish to do this - too risky. .
6: Does giving young puppies, 5 weeks, the Neopar parvo vaccine help? It can elicit partial protection (because maternal immunity will neutralize some of most of it) ; I prefer to wait until 6 weeks of age to give monovalent parvo vaccine \, and only in the face of outbreaks. I hear of too many losing litters at 5, 6 and 7 weeks of age before we would begin to give any vaccinations. Yes , because these young pups are vulnerable at that age upon virulent parvo virus exposure.
7: I have a specific question on Herpes vaccines, I am from Europe where we can get the vaccine. I know as many breeders who advise doing it, as I know breeders who are totally against it.
Correct.
They tell me that chances are as high that females aren't getting pregnant with the vaccine as without the vaccines (due to the vaccine's intervention in the female's immune system). Could you please share any experiences or statistics, pro's and contra's about this?
There are insufficient data in North America from people that have brought the vaccine into the country (surreptitiously). My guess is that it could be harmful, unless the risk of contracting herpes is so high that it warrants trying it.
8: Here in Denmark the vets totally disagree on when to vaccinate puppies. Some say 8, 12, and 16 weeks, and others say vaccination before 12 weeks is unnecessary, as the puppies will have received their immunity from their mum, so we should vaccinate only at 12 and 16 weeks. Provided that the mother is fully vaccinated, what is your advice on this?
We prefer one dose of a two-way (distemper + parvo ) vaccine at 9-10 weeks and again at 14-16 weeks (bracketing the 12 week age on either side). With the virulent parvo 2-c strain around now, we prefer not to wait beyond 14 weeks for the second dose.
9: I am wondering though what "fully vaccinated" means??
Nor do I.
And isn't that what we are leaning to get away from? Also was reading on other sites that it takes possibly 5 generations of unvaccinated dogs to produce a litter w/o actual maternal coverage, is that true?
I have no idea where that number came from!
10: Many vets are still pushing the Lepto shot. Is a vaccine for this shot still necessary?
Not in my opinion; too many side effects, in high exposure risk areas, Lepto Titers can be run or dogs can simply be treated with antibiotics – leptopira spp are very susceptible to antibiotics, Lepto vaccines are short lived requiring annual boosters.
11: If I vaccinate at 12 and 16 weeks is that all that is needed for the rest of the life of the dog?
Probably, but not always. A vaccine titer test should be run at a year of age (a year after the last puppy booster) to assure that immunity is present. I have always done 8.12.16 and then a rabies months later...but I got a dog that the breeder was very specific about not having a shot until 12 weeks and then no more except a rabies. I followed her rule but still did the rabies months later, now I am not sure which protocol is best?
Inadequate to protect against virulent parvo-2c; the last puppy dose has to be at 14 weeks or later, based on published data from Dr. Ron Schultz and colleague). Your protocol is safer.
12: Part 1. If a dog has a severe or moderately severe reaction to a distemper/parvo vaccine as a puppy, would you do the one year booster?
No, but I’d titer the dog instead.
Part 2. Same question with rabies?
No, but I’d titer the dog instead
Part 3. If the dog had reactions and you chose to do titers, how often would you do them?
A year leter and then every three years (remember that titers measure vaccine-induced immunity, and the effects of ongoing natural exposure)
13: Part 1. What is the titer test you can give the bitch the week before birth of after to tell the exact day the moms immunization wears off?
A normograph.
Part 2 - Does it have to be those weeks or will the test be off and why are those weeks the most important for the test? (I understand it is a great test so that puppies only need 1 vaccine and titers after but wondering about the dates mom can have the test, and what is the most effective.)
There really is no set-in-stone protocol; most breeders do not run normograph titers on their bitches –likely because it’s costly --- about 3-4 times the simple titer cost.
14: Does the length of time a bitch lets the puppies nurse effect the date of immunity or is it something that comes in the first weeks only?
Not at all, as passive immunity from the dam is only transferred during the first 36 hrs of puppy life in the colostrum milk.
15: My question is two-fold: Does Dr. Dodds recommend a specific brand of vaccines
{Nobivac , formerly Intervet, or Merial)
And conversely, is there a brand or brands she recommends AGAINST-
Yes, but I prefer not to put these names in print.
16: I have another question on the Lymes vaccine. I'm in Virginia, and had a dog have a severe case this summer. Most vets say don’t get the vaccine... but Lymes is really bad! What do you recommend?
See answer #1, above
17: My questions are: is safe to give Lepto vaccines to pups at 12 weeks (keeping in mind there is no Lepto in my area)? I wouldn’t – see answer # 10, above.
Also just recently had a vet say that the 1st and 2nd series of shots were not done 3 weeks apart so they MUST start all over again in order for the pup to be correctly inoculated? Is that true?
Not really, but they shouldn’t be spaced apart much more than that.
18: Is there any way to link a specific dog's thyroiditis to vaccines?
Only if a rabies vaccine was given within 45 days of the thyroiditis positive test results, and it only may increase TgAA antibody levels, but only slightly. No other vaccines have been implicated.
19: What is Dr Dodd’s opinion on the very recent deaths of vaccinated 6 months or older dogs from parvo?
They were not effectively immunized against parvo, despite vaccinations. Possibly because their last vaccination was given before 14 weeks of age.
Then, what can we do to prevent it?
See answers # 8 and 11 above
20: How do you know if vaccines are good or potent enough?
By measuring vaccine titers 3 or more weeks afterwards.
21: I have seen four different dogs in three different areas get parvo, yet test negative for it on the Snap test (some of them multiple times).
So how do you know for sure that they had parvovirus disease? It could have been another GI tract virus. Negative Snap tests are highly unlikely to be false negative, except in the peracute phase of infection (1-7 days after infection, before clinical signs of disease begin)
Two of the puppies were over 16 wks, the others were younger puppies still with their mothers. What would be the best protocol to protect both young and older puppies from parvo?
See answers # 8 and 11 above
22: From my understanding on the vaccines is if a puppy is carrying the mothers immunization and hers is good according to titers until 17 weeks and you vaccinated at 15 weeks that pup can be at risk
Correct.
Or if moms’ wears off at 5 weeks even though they are still with her they are not covered
Correct.
That’s why the titer test for mom is so important as it helps narrow the window down for correct coverage.
Correct.
I just don't understand how it works and would love to know more about it.
The normograph titer on the dam (see answer # 23, above) tells you when her immunity wanes to a level that is insufficient to provide temporary protection to the puppies. The test measures the titer amount in serial dilutions of her serum, to see at which dilution her immunity becomes too low – and then results are plotted graphically to predict by logarithmic progression plot at which this would occur in the puppies.
23: OK here is a question if the pup gets immunity from colostrum and the pups have to be bottle fed where does that leave them?
No differently from those that continued to nurse after receiving her colstrum. See answer # 14 above.
And when should those pups be vaccinated?
Same as any other litter.
24: Have there been any case studies of rabies immunity in dogs that received a rabies vaccine as a puppy but were not vaccinated annually or every three years?
Yes.
Why are rabies titers not an acceptable substitute for a vaccine here in California and is there any push from vets or other groups for that sort of legislation?
It will never happen realistically, because rabies is a fatal disease of all mammals, including people. The perceived risk to the public health drives this issue, not what the adverse vaccine reaction risk is to the animals.
25: 1a. What is Dr. Dodds recommended protocol on puppy vaccination.
See answers, # 8 and11 above
1b. Adult booster vaccinations?
Not needed, unless vaccine titers are low or the vaccine is required by law (rabies).
Part 2. What does Dr. Dodds recommend to do when your bitch should receive a booster during the period of time she would be pregnant and or lactating?
Why would she – other than rabies. In the case of rabies, I’d give the booster during the anestrus period before breeding her – never during pregnancy and not during lactation.
Part 3. Is vaccination protocol different for the older dog?
Sure – we don’t recommend any vaccines after age 10, except for rabies, but only if the dog is healthy. Otherwise, a written rabies exemption could be sought (not all locations allow any exemptions) – then, you have to “fly under the radar” so to speak.
26: I would be interested in knowing the vaccination schedule for puppies, at what age to start and till what age it goes on See several other answers above. We stop after the first adult booster (or titer instead); re-titer every three years; and do not vaccinate after 10 years. Rabies excepted, of course.
27: I have a vet that insists on giving 3 puppy vaccinations despite the fact that I am insisting that they only need vacs at 9 and 16 weeks. Where can I find documentation to back me up?
There is lots of published information on this topic. You can read my Hemopet Blogs on vaccines on Facebook, and refer your vet to the 2011 AAHA Guidelines for Dog Vaccines (www.aahanet.org )
28: I'd love to hear Dr Dodds views about what she is seeing related to MHC homozygosity v heterozygosity.
Hmm – that’s a challenging topic. As we linebreed and inbreed purebred dogs even more over the years, the MHC more closely approaches homozygosity -- this portends badly for the increasing emergence of recessive diseases, and could shorten longevity. Selection for MCH heterozygosity among females can result in more hybrid vigor in the offspring.
29: The other big question I have is related to use of the FFP for puppies. I understand that after 48 hours or so that the components of FFP are no longer absorbed through the GI tract, but wondering if it remaining in the GI tract continues to provide benefits, since the GI system is a major component in the immune system, and many of the diseases puppies are most susceptible to have a GI component.
Not really; after 36-48 hours, FFP should be give Sub-Q, if pups are at risk for viral exposure and stress. The IgA in FFP would still coat the bowel of neonates after the colostral period is over. – see below.
I am hearing that only the colostrum provides immune benefits, whereas I had always thought that continuing to breast feed (in humans) also conferred some level of immune benefits
Only because breast milk is rich ion IgA (secrepry immunity) which coast the Gi tract of all newborns causing a mechanical barrier coating to help protect them against invasion by foreign substances,
And don't understand why that would be different with dogs.
It’s not really.
30: I would like to have information from Doctor Dodds about the best method for immunizations if we do it at home.
See the answers above.
Location of the injection and best choice between IM injections or SQ injections if there is a difference in effectiveness based on either IM or SQ?
Always prefer Sub-Q, even most rabies vaccines can now be given Sub-Q. If you give vaccines intended for Sub-Q by IM route, there’s a higher risk that you could hit a blood vessel and end up giving it IV – with risk of anaphylaxis.
31: I would like to know about the vaccination schedule to follow for new puppies.
See the answers above.
I have friends who give only parvo vaccine to their puppies as early as 6 weeks and then the combo vaccines again at 10 weeks.
OK, but a final combo vaccine would still be needed at 14 weeks.
I would like your opinion on their protocol.
Its’ fine, as long as the last vaccine is given at 14 weeks, not before.
Next, I would be interested also to know absorption rates from different injection sites too.
Absorption rates are irrelevant. Sub-Q is the correct method. IM and IV are not recommended. Intranasal is similar to Sub-Q.
32: I would be interested in hearing Dr. Dodd's thoughts on how those of us who work in a 'dog profession' (my wife and I own a dog daycare) such as myself or a vet tech, etc. who are exposed to many different dogs can protect our own litters of puppies at home. We take precautions (wash hands, leave shoes at the door, change clothes, don't take any of our own dogs to work with us 3 weeks before whelping through the pups being 3 weeks old).
That ‘s generally fine; I wouldn’t take the adult dogs to work with you until the pups are at least 6 weeks old and have had at least one monovalent parvo vaccine. Ideally, socialize pups at home and your back yard with friends, neighbors etc. until 3 days after their 10 week vaccine, if possible.
33: I would like to know more about (1) splitting the vaccines, (1/2 for small breeds or pups?)
The vaccine label tells you to give a full 1 cc dose regardless of puppy size. That being said (see answer # 3, above), I prefer giving a half dose (not less) of vaccine to pups whose se parents as adults weight less than 12 pounds.
(2) About using the combo distemper/parvo vs just the single dose,
There is only one source today for monovalent distemper vaccine - NeoVac-D by Neotech. There are several monovalent parvo vaccines on the market. If toy chose to give single dose antigens and rotate each ine every 2-3 weeks, start with parvo.
(3) Live vs killed vaccines.
There are no killed vaccines for distemper, parvo or hepatitis, so you have no choice. Most other vaccines except for the intranasal ones are killed products.
34: I would also like Dr. Dodd’s opinion on how to help puppies GI to prevent leaky gut when the pups need to be cropped at a young age and antibiotics are given, is a probiotic all they need or is there anything else that can be given and when to start it?
Probiotic is OK. My reference, of course, is not to crop them at all ! We really don’t have to do that anymore just because we always chose to, and many European countries regularly show and breed uncropped dogs – I know that this answer may be annoying – but I’m being candid.
35: I have a CHV bitch that has never developed immunity. We have to go to extreme measures to get a live litter out of her if we breed her. I was told by ISU that I had nothing to worry about with her infecting the other dogs at my home because they had already been exposed to it from my show dogs. I had titer testing done on ALL dogs on my property and she was the only one with no protection from CHV. Can you help me understand how the other dogs do not get infected and how she became infected in the first place as she was infected when I got her.
She presumably is a CHV non-responder immunologically, which means that she would remain susceptible forever. Her singleton puppy presumably inherited normal CHV status from his sire.
Thank you so much for any information you can give me. PS we have 1 pup out of her and he has immunity.
36: a) If you have one dog/bitch in your kennel that brings in CHV does that mean they will infect all your dogs in the kennel?
Probably.
I just wonder if you can have non-herpes dogs in with herpes dogs in your kennel?
Not likely for long.
Wouldn't they pass it on to the non-herpes bitches and therefore affect their future litters. Would love to know you opinion on that
Potentially, but not all CHV positive dogs will became infectious, as some mount a vigorous immune response and it becomes dormant or latent, until such time that they become immunocompromised and the virus resurfaces – like older people getting shingles.
And if CHV is like chicken pox - once you get it you can't get it again?
Not true; you can get it again.
b)- Should you know if any or all your dogs/bitches have CHV to protect losing future litters?
It’s almost impossible to keep titering bitches and dogs for CHV—costly and doesn’t preclude then from picking it up right way.
c) Do females with CHV get recurrences of it if she gets stressed during pregnancy and cause her to lose the litter?
Yes, they can.
d) Does the bitch that has had CHV pass on immunity to her pups and therefore protecting them from herpes as a newborn?
Only if she has a significant CHV titer (1:32 or higher)
e) How do you test and know for sure if your bitch/stud dog has CHV or has immunity to it?
With a CHV titer test.
f) - Also do stud dogs pass CHV on to non-herpes bitches when breeding either naturally or through A.I.? Yes. or vice versa?
Yes, both ways.
37. How reliable is FFP for giving puppies immunity to parvo and distemper if given at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of age?
Good.
If puppies are given FFP at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of age, is it safe to start socializing puppies in public before their first vaccinations?
Only among people you know and in your back yard or at puppy kindergarten with known friends etc.
38. What does parvo/distemper vaccination do for puppies that FFP doesn't?
Gives a much more long lasting protective effect. FFP only last for several weeks.
39: I would like Dr Dodd’s opinion on using Neopar, and when to use it,
See answer # 6, above.
I know so many breeders giving it at 4 or 5 wks and then a 5 way at 8 wks
Too early – 8.5 weeks is earliest in my view.
I am not comfortable with that plan, but I am not comfortable with only Neopar either. All Neopar comments and opinions would be helpful.
Why not, if you give it sat 6 weeks, and follow at 9-10 weeks with your first Combo (two-way preferred) .
40: I would like to know how young a puppy could be before the rabies vaccination
Never before 16 weeks; preferably 20-24 weeks, and never with any other vaccine at the same time.
And then how often or what frequency Dr. Dodd’s recommends?
By law, a second dose within 212 months of the first, and then every three years – unless the RCF (Rabies Challenge Fund - http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/) 5-yr study being completed this spring shows protection for 5 years and we eventually get a 5 yr licensed rabies vaccine.
41: Isn't the "law" on rabies vaccine that the puppy must be vaccinated with rabies by at least 6 mo of age?
Yes.
So you COULD wait until 5 mo and 30 days old?
Yes.
Then why are we doing another vaccine 1yr later?
Because not all dogs seroconvert and have fiull protection with just one dose, and we don’t know who they are, so all dogs must have 2 initial doses.
And isn’t the 1 yr the same as the 3yr vaccine?
Yes.
Most vets tell clients that they must come back for an additional 3yr at the 18 mo old age AND then another one a year later from then.
That’s incorrect – don’t know where you got this idea from. Sorry, a big misunderstanding here.
42: Here in New York state the age is 4 months old to have rabies by law.
Actually the current law says that you must apply for a license as soon as the pup has reached 4 months of age, and that issuing a license requires that he be vaccinated for rabies – unless given a written waiver exemption by a NUS licensed vet based on medical reasons.
My question would be for toy breeds how safe is that, and would it be better to wait till 6 months of age?
Yes, safer to wait.
43: Great information from Dr. Jean Dodds. "Clinical Approaches To Managing and Treating Adverse Vaccine Reactions"...halllaluya!!! I am SOOOO against 90 % of the vaccines that vets push. I do not do rabies shots, I don't and I won't! So what are the risks that I am running by not doing them?
Jail for you in some states, and quarantine for the dog for up to 6 months at a facility of their choice at your expense.
44: Is there anything that would be of benefit to give puppies after they have had their vaccinations?
You can pre-treat and post-treat with the oral homeopathics – Thuja for all vaccines and Lyssin for rabies.
45: I would like to support research to find a diagnosis, treatment, cure or cause for autoimmune disorders. Who is doing reputable research?
Currently, no one actively doing it, that I’m aware of. There are experts in veterinary immunology that periodically undertake a specific research project of interest, as do I from time to time. Getting adequate funding is a major obstacle in these days of fiscal constraints.
46: A mother and her sibling brother, have adverse vaccine reactions, how should any pups out of her be treated if/when vaccinated?
Cautiously
Is there a protocol for possible at risk puppies?
Yes, start by pretreating the puppies with the oral homeopathic, Thuja, then give a single parvo vaccine, If no adverse reaction in 2-3 weeks, give a single distemper vaccine. If no adverse reaction in another 2-3 weeks, then complete the dist + parvo series. If the adverse reaction in the family was to rabies, then this is problematic.
47: I would like to know if she believes the Neopar vaccine that claims it can override moms immunity can actually override mothers immunity prior to weaning ?
Unlikely.
Part 2- I don't believe that it "overrides Mothers immunity", I think that the immunity to parvo actually wanes earlier than the immunity to other illnesses does.
Not generally true.
That would explain why so many 5 week old puppies are victims of parvo shots because they are exposed, considered too young for vaccinations and their Mum's immunity, given to them with colostrum at birth, has worn off. Please comment on this. Thank you
Unlikely to have worn off, unless the dams were bnever truyuly immunized and protected versus vaccinated [the act of vaccination may not equate with actual immunization (protection), although it usually does].
48: I am wondering also though how much life style, diet, stress ( good and bad types ) and other stuff doesn't affect a lot of mum's immunity and puppies as well.
Sure, these factors can all be involved to some extent.
When I have kind of tracked parvo cases in this area...it always appears that puppies that have had at least 4 puppy vaccines come down with and die from parvo who live more in a kennel type life style...as well as poorer diet.......Just wondering...but for me it appears there is a significant marker for most cases, is this true?
Likely = contributing factors
49: Is this an old wives tale - the theory that when puppy breath ceases mom's immunity in the puppies stops too? I have heard this from several people lately.
Nope !!
50: I would like to know if any of the vaccines we give can trigger seizures in certain breeds, or all breeds?
Any breed or individual dog can seizure after vaccinations, especially after distemper and rabies vaccines.
As I have heard that over vaccination has caused seizures in young dogs as well as poor nutrition?
Yes, plus other congenital issues like liver shunts and hydrocephalus and hypoglycemia,
We do not give Rabies to our dogs if they are not travelling/competing abroad as we are a so called rabies-free country. Lucky you !
But is it then better to give the Nobivac 3 yr vaccine or Rabies in which is a 1 year vaccine.
Sorry – don’t understand the option / question here.
Our vaccination protocol is Parvo at 8-9 weeks, and then 4 weeks later Distemper & Hepatitis.
They need a second parvo along with the distemper + hepatitis.
After that it is a booster vaccine at 1 year and then distemper every 4 yrs if going to dog shows. So far we have not had any outbreaks of Parvo in the country where I live.
Lucky you ,again !
51: I had a mix breed that had seizures after any vaccine. She was MDR1 affected and I do wonder if the two things were related.
Could be.
I ended up getting an exemption for her vaccines so she legally did not have to have them.
Good
52: I would like to know if the vaccine response in orphaned/hand raised pups has been studied.
Yes. Since these pups don't have the immune effects of mother's milk to compete with the desired vaccine response do they need as many boosters?
Yrs, as they’re typically given FFP instead to convey passive immunity and simulate mother’s immunity.
Should vaccines be given at different times than is usually recommended to provide better protection?
No.
53: BTW, I have a child who had documented grand mal seizures from vaccinations. The brain has an immune response, just as does our resp system, our skin, our digestive system, etc. Does this translate to dogs?
Absolutely !
54: I wonder what Dr. Dodds thinks of Parvaid and related products?
They can be helpful.
I personally only give 2 vaccinations, 3 weeks apart of Parvo/ Distemper.
Be sure that the last parvo dose is at 14 -16 weeks, not earlier.
I prefer to have separate doses of each, but it is proving more difficult to find single doses of either available.
There is only one source of monovalent distemper today = NeoVac-D by NeoTech. They make NeoPar too,
I keep Parvaid and Vibactra on hand and use both as preventative treatment when there may have been exposure. What are her thoughts?
That’s fine.
55: Do you recommend Lepto in the combo shot and if so how often?
Never
And any specific manufacturer?
Nobivac, if you really want to use it.
56: I would like to further understand the side effects of Lepto vaccine of small to med dogs, and would you vaccinate small/med dog with Letpo in the vaccine series?
Never used Lepto, and if I did, never together with anything else.
57: Can Dr. Dodds explain to us the theory of Vaccinosis
Not a theory, but a fact. Genetically predisposed individual animal react adversely to one or more vaccines. This predisposition is heritable. Stress factors (emotional, physical, physiological) can aggravate the genetic predisposition, as can sex hormonal or other hormonal changes, and concurrent infectious diseases, and toxin or chemical or drug exposures. \
And why our adult dogs should not keep on getting yearly or 3 year vaccines other than rabies as they age.
Not needed if they have adequate titers, as it avoids the potential risk of adverse reactions (vaccinosis). Even the 2011 AAHA Guidelines for dog Vaccines recommends that unnecessary vaccines be avoided [www.aahanet.org] .
58: Is there a way we can get out of doing rabies at 12 weeks when shipping puppies?
Yes, don’t ever ship a puppy before it’s 16 weeks of age and can safely get a rabies vaccination, or, ship just before 12 weeks of age (not preferred) .
I would like to not give it at all. I have never had a dog with rabies in 50 years.
Good; nearly all of us haven’t, either.
59: I would like to know if she will be changing her vaccine protocol with all the info coming out about the longevity of the vaccinations these days. Some, I have heard are being proven to be giving immunity for 7+ years.
I recommend titers instead of adult boosters, so there’s no reason to change my preferred approach.
60: What is Dr. Dodds take on the hepatitis issues occurring in dogs??
What “hepatitis issues” in dogs? There are some small wildlife reservoirs of adenovirus -1 (infectious canine hepatitis) in Alaska and Yukon, and recentty at the US/Canadian border in the New England/Maritimes.
Vaccine? In exposure risk areas, Yes, but there have been no clinical outbreaks elsewhere in at least 15 years and when you immunize puppies with a combo vaccine containing MLV distemper + parvo + hepatitis (adenovirus-2), it causes tissue immune suppression for 10 days afterwards. If this same combo vaccine is given to adults, the immune suppression doesn’t occur [ Phillips and Schultz, Can Vet J , 1989]. To me, giving this vaccine only to adults, if desired, is immunologically safer. .
Copyright Dec 2012 W. Jean Dodds, DVM
NOTICE: Answers to questions from members of and for the benefit of The Canine Reproduction, Fertility and Neonatal Challenges Private Facebook Group administered Terri Taylor Easterbrooks and Susan Patterson
This article represents copyrighted material and may only be reproduced in whole. It may not be edited, altered, downloaded or otherwise modified, except with the express, written permission of the author, W. Jean Dodds, DVM. The author reserves the right to use this document for further educational or commercial purposes.
(Edited and distributed with permission for W. Jean Dodds and the benefit of Hemopet and NutriScan by Laura Simonson, The Doggess Marketing Group)
