VACCINATING YOUR PET: WHAT'S AN OWNER TO DO?

By Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.

Recently, there has been a paradigm shift in veterinary medicine. Over the last few years, new research has determined that most pets do not require annual immunizations, as their immune systems maintain the ability to fight off infections for several years following immunization. This article will discuss the new recommendations for your pet, and present my own holistic recommendation as well.

New vaccination protocols have been established by a variety of medical organizations (AVMA, AAHA, Association of Feline Practitioners) and the veterinary schools as well. These protocols were developed in response to the increasing occurrence of cancers developing in some cats following repeated injections, most commonly with vaccines (especially rabies vaccine and feline leukemia vaccine.) The standard of immunization was an annual set of "shots" (determined by each individual practitioner) following the initial puppy and kitten vaccination series. While manufacturers of vaccines recommended annual immunization based upon testing of the vaccines to fulfill labeling requirements, no one really knew how "long a shot lasted" in the pet. We only knew that the immunization would protect the pet for at least 1 year.

Since the discovery of an increasing incidence of sarcoma tumors in some cats who received repeated immunization, researchers decided to begin testing cats to see just how long immunity from a vaccine might last. The goal was to try to minimize vaccinations, so that the chance of a cat developing an injection-site sarcoma would also be minimized. While we still don't know the exact maximum duration of immunity for the various vaccines (from a variety of manufacturers) for cats and dogs, preliminary research suggested that most pets maintained immunity for at least 3 years for the vaccines tested. As a result, the veterinary community has been slowly adopting a 3 year vaccination protocol. Each year, your pet will receive an annual physical examination, necessary laboratory testing for degenerative diseases, and only 1 vaccine. The following year, the pet would receive a different vaccine. This cycling of vaccines would ensure that your pet only receives each vaccine every 3 years, but would receive some immunization during each visit.

While this new approach is certainly preferred to the former standard, holistic veterinarians like myself prefer an even more personalized approach. As I mention in my book 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog (Rodale, 2003,) using a blood antibody test called a vaccine titer allows the doctor to determine each pet's own level of immunity to various diseases. In simple terms, antibodies are proteins made by the pet's white blood cells (specifically B lymhocytes.) These antibodies are made whenever a pet contacts an infectious organism (virus or bacteria, as a result of a natural infection) or is vaccinated (the vaccine uses low doses of infectious organisms, tricking the immune system to form protective antibodies without causing disease as might occur in a natural infection.) Using a titer test reveals each pet's antibody status. These results are then interpreted in an attempt to determine if the pet is currently protected against a specific infectious disease or if the pet may require immunization. This way your pet is only immunized when its body shows a need for immunization, rather than an arbitrary 3 years. After all, if your pet only needs 1 immunization every 5 years, even vaccinating every 3 years for everything is too much!

The benefits of the titer approach are as follows:

Decreased minor side effects (fever, stiffness, joint soreness, lethargy, decreased appetite) and serious side effects (injection site sarcomas, collapse with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (decreased red blood cell count) or thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count,) liver failure, kidney failure, bone marrow suppression, immune suppression, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, food allergy, atopic dermatitis, glomerulonephritis/renal amyloidosis (different types of immune kidney diseases,) seizures, bloating, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism) from immunization.
True holistic approach to patient care.
No wasted vaccination.
Focus on true preventive health rather than simply preventing only infectious diseases.
Pets are only vaccinated with whatever is necessary based upon titer testing (no more 7-in-1 shots for every pet every year!)

While titer testing is preferred by many holistic veterinarians, it is not a perfect approach either.

Here are the pros and cons of titer testing:

Pros:
Easy to perform.
Inexpensive (usually under $50.)
Gives us specific information about each individual patient, allowing the doctor and owner to make a rational and informed decision.
Replaces the current recommendation for annual vaccination for every pet regardless of actual need.

Cons:

While inexpensive, the extra cost may prohibit some owners from taking advantage of the testing.
Some diseases will not be titered; rather, automatic immunization will still be given. This is the case for the rabies vaccine. The 3 year rabies vaccine (used by most if not all practitioners) only needs to be given every 3 years. Some states require more frequent immunization regardless of the 3 year duration of immunity. These states may not accept titer information and would still require immunization, regardless of titer status.
Not all diseases produce a measurable titer. For example, antibody levels have been shown to correlate with protection against canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, canine adenovirus, feline panleukopenia virus, and Lyme' disease. Serum titers do not correlate with protection for the following diseases: kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza,) canine coronavirus, feline enteric coronavirus, and feline chlamydial infection. Cellular immunity (rather than antibodies) provide protection against feline rhinotracheitis virus and feline infectious peritonitis virus, making titers inaccurate in interpreting protection for these diseases. Antibody levels (IgG titers) do provide information about protection against canine leptospirosis, although immunity against this disease following vaccination with inactivated leptospirosis organisms is generally believed to be short-lived (6-12 months).
There is still adequate protection due to the cellular immunity the vaccines for these diseases produce.
Titers, like vaccines, are not perfect. There is no guarantee that a pet with an adequate titer (or an annual vaccination) will not become infected or become ill with a disease. The titer only tells us that the pet should have adequate antibodies to fight off the infectious organism and that the pet possesses the ability to mount a secondary antibody response (and fight off the disease).
There is no agreed upon correct titer level for determining protective titers; the "correct" level varies with the laboratory used and the type of testing done.
While not perfect, I believe it is a better option than simply vaccinating all pets every 1-3 years whether or not they truly need immunization.

Talk with your doctor about this more natural approach. By using vaccine titers, you'll truly be personalizing the care you give your pet!

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Shawn Messonnier,D.V.M., is a holistic veterinarian and nationally recognized expert on integrative medicine for animals. A graduate of Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine, he has served as Editor-In-Chief of DVM Management Consultant Reports as well as The Practical Veterinarian Series. His holistic medicine columns have appeared in such journals as MSLO’s own, The Dallas Morning News, Veterinary Forum, Alternative Medicine, Animal Wellness, Pet Business Magazine, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, and Cats Magazine. Martha Stewart Omnimedia (MSO) has selected Dr. Shawn Messonnier as the pet care expert for her new radio network. The Natural Vet show airs live each Tuesday at 7 PM CST on Martha Stewart Radio Sirius channel 112.

Dr. Shawn is the author of several books, including the award-winning Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats, The Allergy Solution for Dogs and The Arthritis Solution for Dogs. He owns the Paws & Claws Animal Hospital in Plano, Texas. You can find out more about Shawn Messonier by logging on to his website: www.petcarenaturally.com