Why does Buffy need all those shots?
Why does Buffy need all those shots?
By: Frank J. Komin, DVM
Topics: pets, vaccines
Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 230 times
0 responses 0 comments One of the most common questions veterinarians get from clients is regarding the number of vaccinations their pet needs, why do they need them, how often do they need them, and do they even need any at all.
For years almost all veterinarians, breeders, and pet store owners recommended that dogs and cats get vaccinated against a whole variety of diseases every year come rain or shine, illness, or advanced age. Every year a reminder card would magically appear in an owner's mailbox stating it was time for Buffy to get vaccinated with the same set of vaccinations she received 10 years ago when she was a puppy, making no allowance for the fact that she is now an old gal with a completely different lifestyle, or for the fact some vaccines give immunity for well over a year. Veterinarians now realize that they may have been over-vaccinating many pets by protecting them from diseases they would never get exposed to, or administering some vaccinations more often than needed.
These issues have been being investigated for a number of years through veterinary colleges, vaccine manufacturers, and veterinary professional associations. Recently a number of these groups, including numerous universities, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association have come out with their recommendations, and many veterinarians have changed some of their policies to reflect this.
Veterinary hospitals now tailor-make vaccination protocols for individual pets based on a number of factors including age, individual health issues, and the pet's lifestyle instead of simply using the same vaccine protocol for every pet.
When a client brings a new pet in for his first visit with a veterinarian, many veterinarians now assess what protection that particular individual needs. Completely different protocols will be recommended for “Butch,” a young hunting dog, and for “Buffy,” an older poodle who sees her groomer weekly, and for “Rupert,” the fat pug who whiles his days away sleeping on a couch. As these pets age, or their lifestyles change, veterinarians are now changing their vaccination protocols accordingly by no longer administering vaccinations for diseases a pet will simply not get exposed to.
Another important change that many veterinarians have instituted is no longer recommending that every vaccination be given every year, as was the previous practice. Studies have convincingly shown that certain vaccines can impart three years of immunity towards specific diseases in mature pets, such as the vaccines for distemper, rabies, or canine parvovirus. Other vaccines such as those for kennel cough or feline leukemia still need annual boosters.
It is critical to provide protection for pets against numerous potentially fatal diseases that we veterinarians still see in our community on a fairly regular basis. However, this protection should be provided in the safest and most intelligent manner possible. As a pet owner, provide the protection that is right for your pet, and don't simply follow outdated advice that may be completely inappropriate for your situation.
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