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Is Your Vet Injecting
Unnecessary Vaccines into
Your Pet?
by Bev Storer

Taking Buster Kitty and Wyatt the Dog to get their shots suddenly requires more thought. Many pet lovers and veterinarians have become worried that routine vaccinations may be dangerous. 

Vaccines are an important part of our pet’s health and help prevent diseases but many veterinarians are moving away from annual vaccinations for many pets. 

Most everyone recognizes that virtually every medication can have side effects.  No one says every vaccinated pet will develop problems, but there are plenty of cautionary tales of autoimmune diseases, aggressive cancers, chronic illnesses and even deaths.

For many years, vaccines have been considered to be relatively free from unwanted effects.  But veterinarians are gaining an understanding, through modern research, that there is a potential for problems with vaccines.  For cats, the possibility exists that tumors may form at the site of vaccinations.  For dogs, over-stimulation may serve to confuse the immune system, initiating diseases where the immune system behaves abnormally.

Fortunately these vaccine consequences are very rare and vaccines are still considered an important part of the overall health and well being of your pet.

There is no one-size-fits-all vaccine protocol.  Each pet is an individual and may have different vaccine requirements.  But, as a basic guideline, research has shown that for dogs and cats, the respective “distemper combo” vaccine (FVRCP for cats; DHPP for dogs) should be given as follows:

1. A vaccination series of three for puppies to be completed by 16 weeks.

2. A vaccination series of two for kittens to be completed by 12-14 weeks

3. Then a booster for dogs and cats one year later on all their needed vaccines

4. After the first year, these vaccines will only be recommended every three years for the rest of the animal's life.

Rabies vaccine for both species should be given as an initial vaccine, boosted at one year, then given every three years. (Some states require yearly vaccinations.)   

For cats, the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccine should be given only to cats spending time outdoors.  It’s not recommended for strictly indoor cats. 

For dogs, the coronavirus (a mild gastrointestinal virus), has been shown to be of such low danger that vaccination is not recommended for adult dogs. The Bordetella (Kennel Cough) vaccine is appropriate for dogs going into an at-risk situation (e.g. boarding kennels).

Most veterinarians strive to do their best to help your pet stay healthy and happy.  If you feel confused about any of these changes, please talk it over with your pet’s veterinarian.

The most important point is that yearly physical exams and appropriate tests are still the most important preventative health care you can provide for your pets.