How to Understand If Dog Vaccination is Safe

While it sounds like you're doing a good thing for your dog when you vaccinate, there's some concern about the potential health effects of dog vaccines. Are you putting your dog at risk?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Most people want the best for their dogs. As most dog owners will attest, their companionship and canine loyalty make them an important part of the family. When it comes to health, most dog lovers will go the extra mile to insure the health of their companions in the desire to maximize the limited lifespan of their four legged friends. One issue that has come to the forefront recently are dog vaccinations. Some experts believe that vaccinations to dogs are being given unnecessarily and may be having negative effects on canine health. Are dog vaccinations unhealthy?

2. While it’s important to protect dogs from serious diseases such as rabies and distemper, the excessive use of dog vaccines s thought to be responsible for a variety of health problems in dogs ranging from autoimmune problems, neurological problems, transient infections, and even local tumors at the injection site. Even more disturbing is the fact that the use of some dog vaccines is unnecessary for health and may be detrimental.

3. One concern relating to the use of dog vaccines is the possibility that giving vaccinations to dogs can induce an autoimmune response which could develop into a full blown autoimmune reaction as the antibodies created by the vaccine react against the blood cells and tissues of the dog’s own body. Some studies have demonstrated that this autoimmune state does exist after the use of dog vaccines. In addition, no long-term safety of vaccination for dogs has been conducted. Despite this, veterinarians continue to prescribe the regular use of vaccination for dogs without taking these factors into account.

4. Another issue relating to the use of dog vaccines is the use of booster shots. Each dog’s immune system is different and the way they react to a particular dose of vaccine is variable. Some dogs may develop longer term immunity from a single vaccine and not require booster shots to be given. To determine if a dog still has immunity, it’s a simple process to perform a blood test to check for antibodies to see if immunity is still present. If there are sufficient antibodies, the use of booster dog vaccines would be unnecessary and might only put a dog at risk of health problems.

5. If you’re concerned about the overuse of dog vaccines, what should you do to protect the health of your dog? Don’t blindly accept your veterinarian’s recommendation to give a particular dog vaccination. If it’s a vaccine your dog has had in the past, ask that your dog be given a blood test to see if he still has immunity. It’s possible that your dog may have developed long term immunity from a single vaccine and not require re-immunization.

6. Do research of your own to better understand the safety issues surrounding the use of dog vaccines. Keep in mind that some vaccines may have a higher risk of side effects than others. One example is the Lyme’s vaccine which has been associated with a higher incidence of autoimmune side effects in dogs. Plus, the tick that carries Lyme disease is only found in particular areas of the United States.

7. The bottom line? Vaccinate with caution and only after knowing your dog’s immune status. Even the American Veterinary
   Medical Association recommends a customized approach to the use of dog vaccines. Keep this in mind when planning your dog’s health care.

[goodselfme]

on 3/17/2009 Thank you for this information about vaccines for dogs. I will pass this on to my family member who has dogs. 5*