Is Pet Vaccine Hesitancy a thing? 40% of Dog Owners are worried about Canine vaccine safety
A recent study from Boston University highlights that 40% of dog owners are hesitant to vaccinate their pets, attributing this hesitancy to the spillover of mistrust from the COVID-19 vaccine. However, I see this issue from a different perspective. Many pet owners, including myself, are growing increasingly skeptical about the frequent and seemingly excessive vaccination schedules for dogs. Common vaccines for ailments like distemper, parvo, rabies, and others are being questioned, especially when research suggests that the immunity provided by canine vaccines lasts longer than the standard vaccination timeline suggests.
Many dog owners are hesitant to vaccinate their dogs
The core of this skepticism lies in the observation that despite the prolonged immunity, dogs are still routinely vaccinated every three years. This practice has led many, including me, to draw connections between these vaccinations and the rise in various diseases among dogs, such as autoimmune disorders, allergies, and thyroid diseases. The idea of titer testing, which involves measuring a dog’s level of antibodies to determine the necessity of a vaccine, is an excellent one. However, it’s not widely accessible due to availability issues or the prohibitive costs associated with it.
Vaccine hesitation among dog owners can be a positive thing
So, is there a growing trend of vaccine hesitancy among dog owners? Absolutely, and I count myself among them. But it’s crucial to note that this hesitancy doesn’t stem from the same roots as the COVID-19 vaccine mistrust. It’s born from a growing awareness and concern about the potentially unnecessary and frequent vaccinations that our dogs are subjected to, which may not only be redundant but also harmful to our pets. Choosing to be cautious and selective about your dog’s vaccinations, in light of these considerations, isn’t just understandable — it’s commendable.
Follow Veterinary Secrets:
Blog: https://veterinarysecrets.com/
Podcast: http://vetsecrets.podbean.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veterinarysecrets
Instagram: http://instagram.com/veterinarysecrets
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dogandcatdoc
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/andrewjonesdvm/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@veterinarysecrets
Hi dr Jones!
I had commented on a post of yours about cat vaccines and asked about your advice on dog vaccines you said read this. I did however I do have a hard time understanding things as I am autistic and this didn’t really elaborate too much for me. I’m wondering what your opinion is if I need to be vaccinating my dog Waylon who’s 3 almost 4 in May. He has been getting his yearly shots since I got him as a puppy. But he doesn’t go to dog parks I have a select few “friends” of his that he says a few times a week and walks everyday. He is quite the catch. Aside from that he doesn’t really see many other dogs or people (just friends and family and quite often so he’s not not being socialized) i would greatly appreciate if you could give me some advice on whether or not I need him vaccinated he absolutely hates it and the vets we go to and all vets around here are terrified of him because he “looks like a scary dog” but he’s really just a social and happy go lucky kind of doggo. Thanks in advance! Sincerely Tamika & Waylon ?
Here’s an article we have that you can check.
Should you vaccinate or not?
Are these *really* lifesaving inventions, or have they done more harm than good to our dogs and cats?
Well it turns out that it’s somewhere in the middle… as in they have clearly helped millions of animals, but also caused a bunch of harm.
In the vein of helping your pets STAY healthy, I do encourage you to get them on a good quality complete Dog or Cat supplement.
And ensure it includes immune supportive ingredients (ie essential fatty acids, antioxidants, probiotics, colostrum, and now 95% Curcumin.)
All of these (and more!) are in our here…
For dogs: Dr Jones Ultimate Canine ADVANCED PLUS Health Formula
For cats: Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula
The VACCINE Question
Well in the world of our dogs and cats, it’s very different.
The 1st Dog and Cat Vaccines were developed and used to prevent serious infectious disease, such a rabies, canine parvovirus, feline distemper (Panleukopenia).
But… they turned out to be a great way from Drug companies to make a lot of $, and for veterinarians to use them as a practice growth tool. Clients were coming back to the clinic to ‘Get the Shot’.
They developed vaccines for just about everything… FIP, FIV, Coronavirus, Feline Leukemia, Giardia, Lyme Disease, Adenovirus, Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Ringworm, Chlamydia and my personal favorite… The Rattle Snake Vaccine.
To the point where clients were told to vaccinate their dogs/cats yearly… with multiple vaccines.
Unfortunately this is what has caused harm to some pets, and really not done a good job of creating confidence in the people/organizations suggesting multiple vaccines yearly.
In the last 10 years many veterinarians, and most veterinary colleges have now recognized that far too many vaccines were given far to frequently, and are now advising a very modified vaccine protocol – and this is what I will be giving to my next puppy/kitten.
For puppies: Distemper/Parvovirus vaccine at 8, 12 weeks, rabies vaccines at 6 months, titer test in a year. And then your pet may not need any further vaccines.
For kittens: FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) vaccine at 8, 12 weeks, rabies vaccines at 6 months, titer test in a year and then no further vaccines.
Vaccine Side Effects
As far as how some of these vaccines have affected our dogs and cats, consider this information from Dr Jean Dodds.
Adjuvants and Additives… what’s is your dog and cat’s vaccines?
Adjuvants
An adjuvant is a pharmacological or immunological agent that modifies the effect of other agents. Adjuvants may be added to a vaccine to boost the immune response to produce more antibodies and longer-lasting immunity, thus minimizing the dose of antigen needed.
The most commonly used adjuvants include aluminum hydroxide and paraffin oil.
Additives
Additives found in the vaccines include preservatives like thimerosol (mercury), stabilizers to prolong shelf life.
The vaccines also contain small amounts of the culture materials used to make the vaccine in the 1st place… ie fetal calf serum, human serum albumin, along with other less desirable ingredients such as formaldehyde (prevent toxin contamination), and even antibiotics.
Side Effects
According to Dr Jean Dodds, that while adjuvants boost immune response, they increase the risk of autoimmune and anti-inflammatory events following vaccines.
Younger dogs and cats are at increased risk because they are given more vaccines- more vaccine means more adjuvants/additives and potentially more side effects.
Surprisingly, adjuvants can affects how genes are expressed- affecting the nervous system. Dr Dodds says that “adjuvants are now known to affect the nervous system-immune axis, which plays a key role in brain development and immune function.”
AISIA Syndrome
Auto-inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants was 1st recorded as a clinical disease in 2011.
According to Dr Dodds it included four conditions sharing signs and symptoms which can be secondary to vaccines. The triggering effect of the adjuvants, in combination with other factors (ie environment, genetic predisposition). The unfortunate result is the development of autoimmune disease: your pet’s immune system is literally attacking them.
Specifically heavy metals like mercury and aluminum are directly involved- such as what is commonly found in rabies vaccines.
The reaction can happen anywhere from three till 45 days post vaccine. Signs can include skin disease (allergy), seizures, aggression, liver disease, polyarthritis, hemolytic anemia, immune mediated thrombocytopenia, even phobias.
Cat vaccine issues- autoantibodies based on HOW the vaccines are grown
Many, if not all, Panleukopenia (“Distemper”) vaccine products use a virus grown on feline kidney cell cultures, the Crandall-Rees Feline Kidney (CRFK) cell line. Cats who receive a vaccine grown on this cell line develop antibodies to renal proteins and can develop interstitial nephritis. Chronic interstitial nephritis (whether caused by vaccines or other issues) leads to chronic kidney disease in the cat. Many researchers now believe that the current nearly universal epidemic of chronic renal disease in the senior pet cat population is related to, if not a direct result of, what is, in effect, repetitive vaccinations against feline kidney cells.
The current epidemic of inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal lymphosarcoma, pancreatitis, diabetes, arthritis, inflammatory hepatitis, and hyperthyroidism, as well as chronic renal failure, are now thought by many to be strongly influenced by overvaccination.
The solution
Less vaccines, less often
Only giving what is necessary, based on your area (I would stick with the core vaccines)
Titer testing at one year
Ask you veterinarian about non-adjuvanted vaccines (ie Purevax)
NOT vaccinating cats with vaccines grown on Feline Kidney Cell cultures
Source: Dr Jean Dodds
Adjuvants and Additives in Vaccines: http://www.journals.ke-i.org/index.php/mra/article/view/537