To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate?
Prof. M. van Vuuren, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria : Courtesy of www.petjunction.co.za : www.petshealth.co.za
To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate?
Prof. M. van Vuuren, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria : Courtesy of www.petjunction.co.za : www.petshealth.co.za
The value and shortcomings of vaccines used for the control of infectious diseases of dogs
The control of viral infections of domestic dogs by means of vaccination started, with the exception of rabies vaccines, approximately 50 years ago. It can be said without fear of contradiction that this procedure was and still is of great benefit to the health and well-being of the domestic dog population globally, and have greatly reduced the incidence of infectious diseases of dogs. Yet, during the last decade, a school of thought has emerged that question the value of canine vaccination, and in extreme cases propagate a policy of zero vaccination. The antagonism of the anti-vaccine lobby is based on a perception that vaccines are more likely to lead to adverse effects than to the protection of dogs against serious infectious diseases. What are the facts?
Vaccines In True Perspective
No one has ever claimed that biological products such as vaccines are completely safe and efficacious. There will always be a small number of animals (and humans for that matter) that will not respond to vaccination and develop active immunity (protection) against a particular disease. These non-responding animals have a genetic basis for their lack of response. However, we see less of these dogs today as canine parvovirus has been responsible for natural selection of these dogs during the last few decades. There will also be a small number of animals that develop adverse reactions such as allergies (hypersensitivity reactions) following vaccination. These phenomena are part of the risk associated with administration of biological products, but are outweighed by the benefits that vaccines may have on vaccinated animals and the population in which they find themselves. Allergic reactions to vaccines can in most cases be successfully treated if attended to without delay.
New Generation Vaccines
The current generation of vaccines on the market for use in dogs have been improved considerably during the last decade in terms of safety and efficacy. The safety of the vaccines was improved by the inclusion of viral strains with a reduced tendency to cause post-vaccinal adverse effects. Today for example, we rarely see cases of canine distemper virus-induced post-vaccinal encephalitis, and no more cases of adenovirus-induced eye lesions. The efficacy was similarly improved and all the major producers of companion animal vaccines now claim extended durations of immunity of at least 3 years that will reduce the number of vaccinations required during the life-time of the dog, and with it the concerns about possible autoimmune responses in some breeds after multiple vaccinations.
Giving Pets A Head Start In Life
The pivotal issue that owners of dogs must understand in terms of canine vaccines is the importance of the foundation vaccinations given during the first few months of life. If this is done correctly, the animal has a good chance of being protected for a considerable period of its lifespan. The all-important foundation vaccination is accomplished with the aid of the so-called core vaccines. The latter are vaccines given to all dogs, as opposed to the non-core vaccines that are given strategically to some dogs when required and when based on a risk assessment by your veterinarian.
Getting To The Core
The core antigens in core vaccines are represented by canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, and canine adenovirus. These vaccines are given from the age of 6-8 weeks, followed by re-vaccination twice with 3-4 week intervals. The justification for this trivalent vaccination programme is the neutralising effect that maternally-derived antibodies (MDAs) in puppies may have on the efficacy of the vaccine. This phenomenon is far more important in animals than in humans and is particularly pronounced in the case of canine parvovirus. To overcome the suppressive effects of MDAs, most of the professional veterinary organisations now include in their vaccination guidelines a recommendation to complete the foundation vaccination programme for puppies with the third vaccination between the ages of 14-16 weeks. Re-vaccination is recommended one year later and thereafter, use is made of the new vaccines with claims of an extended duration of immunity.
Prof. M. van Vuuren, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria : Courtesy of www.petjunction.co.za : www.petshealth.co.za
The value and shortcomings of vaccines used for the control of infectious diseases of dogs
The control of viral infections of domestic dogs by means of vaccination started, with the exception of rabies vaccines, approximately 50 years ago. It can be said without fear of contradiction that this procedure was and still is of great benefit to the health and well-being of the domestic dog population globally, and have greatly reduced the incidence of infectious diseases of dogs. Yet, during the last decade, a school of thought has emerged that question the value of canine vaccination, and in extreme cases propagate a policy of zero vaccination. The antagonism of the anti-vaccine lobby is based on a perception that vaccines are more likely to lead to adverse effects than to the protection of dogs against serious infectious diseases. What are the facts?
Vaccines In True Perspective
No one has ever claimed that biological products such as vaccines are completely safe and efficacious. There will always be a small number of animals (and humans for that matter) that will not respond to vaccination and develop active immunity (protection) against a particular disease. These non-responding animals have a genetic basis for their lack of response. However, we see less of these dogs today as canine parvovirus has been responsible for natural selection of these dogs during the last few decades. There will also be a small number of animals that develop adverse reactions such as allergies (hypersensitivity reactions) following vaccination. These phenomena are part of the risk associated with administration of biological products, but are outweighed by the benefits that vaccines may have on vaccinated animals and the population in which they find themselves. Allergic reactions to vaccines can in most cases be successfully treated if attended to without delay.
New Generation Vaccines
The current generation of vaccines on the market for use in dogs have been improved considerably during the last decade in terms of safety and efficacy. The safety of the vaccines was improved by the inclusion of viral strains with a reduced tendency to cause post-vaccinal adverse effects. Today for example, we rarely see cases of canine distemper virus-induced post-vaccinal encephalitis, and no more cases of adenovirus-induced eye lesions. The efficacy was similarly improved and all the major producers of companion animal vaccines now claim extended durations of immunity of at least 3 years that will reduce the number of vaccinations required during the life-time of the dog, and with it the concerns about possible autoimmune responses in some breeds after multiple vaccinations.
Giving Pets A Head Start In Life
The pivotal issue that owners of dogs must understand in terms of canine vaccines is the importance of the foundation vaccinations given during the first few months of life. If this is done correctly, the animal has a good chance of being protected for a considerable period of its lifespan. The all-important foundation vaccination is accomplished with the aid of the so-called core vaccines. The latter are vaccines given to all dogs, as opposed to the non-core vaccines that are given strategically to some dogs when required and when based on a risk assessment by your veterinarian.
Getting To The Core
The core antigens in core vaccines are represented by canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, and canine adenovirus. These vaccines are given from the age of 6-8 weeks, followed by re-vaccination twice with 3-4 week intervals. The justification for this trivalent vaccination programme is the neutralising effect that maternally-derived antibodies (MDAs) in puppies may have on the efficacy of the vaccine. This phenomenon is far more important in animals than in humans and is particularly pronounced in the case of canine parvovirus. To overcome the suppressive effects of MDAs, most of the professional veterinary organisations now include in their vaccination guidelines a recommendation to complete the foundation vaccination programme for puppies with the third vaccination between the ages of 14-16 weeks. Re-vaccination is recommended one year later and thereafter, use is made of the new vaccines with claims of an extended duration of immunity.
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