Colorado State Univ. Vaccine Protocol

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
SMALL ANIMAL VACCINATION PROTOCOL

A recent survey by one of the largest vaccine manufacturers (Pfizer) of small animal vaccination practices found 1,700 different vaccination recommendations for dogs and cats from veterinarians across the United States. In January 1998, the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital will be offering its clients one additional vaccination program (1701). We are making this change after years of concern about the lack of scientific evidence to support the current practice of annual vaccination and the increasing documentation that overvaccinating has been associated with harmful side effects. Continue reading Colorado State Univ. Vaccine Protocol

2004 AVMA guidelines vaccines

September 15, 2004
Controversy, confusion continue to surround vaccine guideline. sIn recent years, the release of vaccine guidelines for dogs and cats has stirred up controversy in the veterinary profession and confused some veterinarians and pet owners.”Veterinary medicine is truly going through some unprecedented changes. I think the vaccination environment is one of them,” comments Dr. Richard Ford, a professor of small animal internal medicine at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Ford was on the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Force, which released its vaccination guidelines in spring 2003. These guidelines recommended three-year booster intervals in adult dogs for distemper virus, parvovirus, adenovirus-2, and parainfluenza virus. Continue reading 2004 AVMA guidelines vaccines

1997 vet. vaccine conference

As early as 1997 a limit in the frequency and amount of vaccines given was noted in the veterinary community:
FIRST INTERNATIONAL VETERINARY VACCINES AND DIAGNOSTICS CONFERENCE, Madison, WI, July, 1997 http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/vac.html

Recommendations:
*Avoid vaccinations before six weeks of age. Give two to four doses of vaccine spaced three to four weeks apart.
*Give annual booster vaccine at one year of age. Thereafter give boosters every three years, unless required more often by law.
*Vaccinate puppies and kittens against the clinically important infectious agents such as distemper virus, parvovirus, panleukopenia and rabies.
*Monitor serum antibody levels annually between boosters. ( This means that your dog or cat should have a blood test done to measure the level of “immune memory” to a disease.)
*Geriatric animals generally do not need booster vaccinations. Monitor serum antibody titers instead.

Core vaccines

“Core” Vaccines

Canine vaccines which are considered essential, and should be given to every dog, are termed “core vaccines”. All other vaccines are regarded as “non-core” and should be used in dogs considered at high risk on an as needed basis. Core vaccines are considered essential because they are designed to prevent important diseases that pose serious health threats to susceptible dogs, irrespective of geographic location or the life style of a dog. Some “non-core” vaccines also may be considered “core” because they are designed to prevent a disease that is a potential public health threat…. Continue reading Core vaccines

Other vaccines

Crotalus atrox Toxoid (Rattlesnake vaccine) two doses given one month apart with annual boosters.
The Task Force takes no position on the use of this vaccine, due to lack of experience. A reasonable expectationof efficacy does exist.

Porphyromonas sp. (Periodontal disease vaccine) see manufacturers labeled directions. The Task Force takes no position on the use of this vaccine, due to lack of experience. A reasonable expectationof efficacy does exist.
Non-Core : Read more on theseĀ  before deciding to administer.
Distemper-Measles (NEVER indicated in animals older than 12 wks)
Parainfluenza
Bordetella live and killed
Lyme Borreliosis
Leptospira interrogans

Not Recommended : Read more on these
Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) (killed)
Canine Adenovirus-1 (MLV & killed)
Canine Adenovirus-2 (CAV-2)(killed or MLV topical)
Canine Coronavirus (CCV)(killed and MLV)
Giardia lamblia (killed)

*MLV = modified live virus
**note: Canine Adenovirus-1 (MLV & killed) not recommended due to risk of hepatitis blue-eye reactions.
Canine Adenovirus-2 (CAV-2)(killed or MLV topical) not recommended as less effective than CAV-2 MLV parenteral<

Rattlesnake vaccine

Rattlesnake Vaccine

It is manufactured from inactivated venom components of the Crotalus atrox ( western diamondback rattlesnake ). The vaccine is for prophylactic use in healthy dogs to help reduce morbidity and mortality from rattlesnake toxin. There is some cross-protection against the venoms of other types of rattlesnakes. Continue reading Rattlesnake vaccine