Vaccines for Our Pets: Are They Really Needed?

Lately, there has been a lot of discussion in the mainstream media about vaccines, especially with a measles outbreak spreading across North America. As experts weigh in on vaccine safety, many are questioning the necessity of vaccinations—not just for humans, but for our pets as well.

In this video, I’ll share my thoughts on whether vaccines are truly needed for our dogs and cats, and what I’m currently thinking on the matter.

The Debate Over Vaccines for Pets

In recent times, there’s been a surge of concern about vaccines. Experts are discussing vaccine hesitancy and the potential rise of disease outbreaks. You may be wondering: should we be vaccinating our pets as often as we do? Many clients are convinced that vaccines are dangerous, while others argue that a lack of vaccines could result in widespread disease. So, where do we stand?

When you search online about the risks of vaccinating your pet, you’ll often find that the risks are described as minimal. Experts typically state that the chance of a side effect is just 0.001%, and that the benefits far outweigh the risks. The recommendation? Talk to your vet and get vaccinated.

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Are We Over-vaccinating Our Pets?

There are some vaccine protocols that require up to 8 or 9 different vaccines for your dog or cat, often administered on a yearly basis. Despite research showing that many vaccines provide long-lasting immunity, many veterinarians still recommend yearly boosters. In my opinion, this is excessive and increases the risk of side effects.

Not all vaccines provide long-term immunity, and many have been linked to increased side effects—both short-term and, more seriously, long-term. Let’s take a closer look at some vaccines that I believe are problematic.

Problematic Vaccines for Dogs

1. Lyme Disease Vaccine
   For the Lyme disease vaccine to be effective, it needs to be administered yearly. However, the vaccine is only protective against one strain of Borrelia bacteria, while there are over 100 strains in total. This makes the vaccine less effective, and it comes with a marked increase in side effects.

2. Leptospirosis Vaccine
   While there’s been a rise in leptospirosis cases across North America, the vaccine for leptospirosis only includes 4-5 strains out of more than 100, making it likely ineffective. Even more concerning, the vaccine is associated with a significant risk of side effects, yet some veterinarians have made it part of the core vaccine schedule for dogs.

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Problematic Vaccines for Cats

1. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Vaccine
   This vaccine has shown to be ineffective and, therefore, isn’t recommended for most cats.

2. Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine
   This vaccine also requires yearly administration. However, the evidence supporting its effectiveness is minimal, and the vaccine has been linked to an increased risk of side effects, including the development of vaccine-induced sarcomas.

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Longer Duration of Immunity: Why More Frequent Vaccines Aren’t Necessary

In many cases, the duration of immunity for several vaccines is far longer than what is published in the vaccine protocols. For example, the canine parvovirus vaccine has been shown to provide immunity for up to seven years. However, many veterinary practices still recommend revaccinating every year or every three years.

So why the discrepancy? If the vaccine offers long-lasting protection, why are we giving it so frequently?

The “One Size Fits All" Problem

One of the main issues with vaccines is that a single dose is given to all dogs, regardless of size. For example, the same 1 cc dose of rabies vaccine is given to both a 150-pound Great Dane and a tiny 3-pound toy poodle. This doesn’t make sense—if vaccines are tailored for human doses (as seen with COVID-19), why isn’t this approach considered for pets?

Vaccine Side Effects: Short-Term and Long-Term Risks

Vaccine side effects are real and happen more often than we’d like to admit. Some pets experience short-term side effects, such as:

• Post-injection discomfort
• Pain or swelling at the injection site
• Fever

More severe, acute reactions include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Breathing difficulty
• Collapse
• Pale gums

Long-term side effects can include:

• Immunosuppression – A weakened immune system, making your pet more susceptible to infections.
• Behavioral changes – I’ve seen many dogs become aggressive after receiving the rabies vaccine.
• Autoimmune diseases – Such as polyarthritis, where the immune system attacks the joints.
• Cancer – Certain vaccines, like the rabies and feline leukemia vaccines, have been linked to a higher risk of cancer, specifically fibrosarcoma, which is difficult to treat.

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A Minimal Vaccine Schedule: What You Should Do

I believe in a minimal vaccine schedule for pets. This should be based on three core principles:

1. Only administer the essential core vaccines.
   For most dogs and cats, this means only two to three vaccines: distemper and parvovirus for dogs, and FVRCP and rabies for cats.

2. Space out vaccines.
   Avoid administering multiple vaccines at once. Consider testing immunity levels through titer testing before giving additional boosters.

3. Consider titer testing.
   For most pets, testing immunity before administering boosters may be a more responsible and less invasive approach.

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The Vaccine Schedule I Recommend for Dogs and Cats

For dogs, I recommend the following schedule:

• 8 weeks: Canine distemper and parvovirus vaccines
• 12 weeks: Booster for distemper and parvovirus
• 6 months (if required): Rabies vaccine
• 1 year after the last distemper and parvovirus vaccine: Booster
• 1 year after the rabies vaccine: Booster
• After that, you can opt for titer testing instead of further vaccines.

For cats, here’s the minimal schedule I recommend:

• 8 weeks: FVRCP vaccine
• 12 weeks: Booster for FVRCP
• 6 months (if needed): Rabies vaccine
• 1 year after the FVRCP vaccine: Booster
• 1.5 years after the rabies vaccine: Another booster
• After that, no further vaccines are needed for strictly indoor cats.

Final Thoughts

In summary, I believe that vaccinating your pets with fewer vaccines, less often, and primarily in the first year of life will help them stay healthy without exposing them to unnecessary risks. For strictly indoor cats, vaccines may not be necessary at all, but for those that go outside, a minimal vaccine schedule should suffice.

Remember: you can’t always believe everything you read on Google or ChatGPT. Always consult with your veterinarian before making decisions regarding your pet’s health.

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