Over-vaccination of pets - an unethical practice

Many dog owners are still not being advised that there is no scientific evidence to support annual OR triennial revaccination with core modified live virus (MLV) vaccines for parvovirus, distemper virus and adenovirus.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats note that duration of immunity after core MLV vaccination is “many years and may be up to the lifetime of the pet”.[1]   It is misleading for veterinarians to demand that already immune pets have bogus ‘booster’ shots every year or every three years.  (Core MLV vaccines for dogs can be compared to the live Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) jab for children – adults are not revaccinated with the MMR jab every year or every three years as these vaccines are likely to provide lifetime immunity.)  

Many pet owners remain unaware of the option to have titre-testing to verify their pet has responded to core MLV vaccination.  Non-core vaccines of questionable benefit and safety for diseases such as Bordetella bronchiseptica (often referred to as ‘kennel cough’) continue to be prescribed indiscriminately.

In Australia, pet owners Bea Mies and Elizabeth Hart have been campaigning for ethical and evidence-based vaccination of companion animals.  As a result of their persistence, change is slowly happening in companion animal vaccination practice.

It is a disgrace that members of the public have to be the leaders for change due to the failure of self-interested experts/professionals in the veterinary vaccine industry.

Elizabeth Hart’s essay “Over-vaccination of pets – an unethical practice” provides some background on this subject.  The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) announced a new reduced vaccination policy[2] soon after Elizabeth’s essay was widely circulated in June 2009.  (After demands from dissenting AVA members, the AVA’s vaccination policy was subsequently downgraded to a position statement in July 2011).[3]

In January 2010, the government regulator of veterinary vaccines, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), issued a position statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats, acknowledging matters of concern in regard to re-vaccination intervals.  State veterinary boards in Australia subsequently blatantly disregarded the APVMA’s request for the APVMA’s Position Statement to be circulated to veterinarians in Australia.

In August 2010, CHOICE, Australia’s consumer watchdog, published its report on over-vaccination of pets i.e.

“Pet vaccination: Over-vaccinating your pet could be harmful to their health as well as your own hip pocket”.  The ABC also reported on this story i.e. Questions raised over pet vaccination, broadcast in October 2010.

In May 2011, specialist dog breeder magazine, National Dog, published Elizabeth’s article  “Vaccination failure!” which warns there is a potential for maternally derived antibodies (MDA) to interfere with a puppy’s response to core vaccination, and calls upon the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) Vaccination Guidelines Group to provide clear and objective advice on optimal puppy vaccination, and an optional titre test confirmation protocol.

In February 2012, Bea Mies addressed the industry sponsored WSAVA Guidelines for the Owners and Breeders of Dogs and Cats, arguing that advice to pet owners contradicts scientific findings published elsewhere.

Bea’s latest email to Professor Michael Day, Chairperson of the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group, and Sarah Mitchell of Pfizer Animal Health, provides critical analysis of their Canvac vaccine study paper, recently published in the December 2012 edition of the Australian Veterinary Journal[4].  Bea argues their paper is the latest instalment of willfully misleading and ethically dubious veterinary education on canine vaccination.

Elizabeth supported Bea’s recent email to Michael Day and Pfizer Animal Health (January 2013)  with a call to the industry-funded WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group to publicly provide an objective, simple and effective message on vaccination to pet owners.

For more information contact:

Elizabeth Hart: eliz.hart25@gmail.com

Bea Mies beatemies@gmail.com

For more background re over-vaccination of pets see below articles, some correspondence, submissions etc:

Recent correspondence:

• 
  Email to Michael Day, World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group and others re the Canvac vaccine study and label update / Summary of Over-vax of pets (16 January 2013)


• 
  Email to Michael Day, World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group and the Pfizer Team re the Canvac vaccine study and label update (14 January 2013)

Key documents:

• 
  Critique of the WSAVA VGG Vaccination Guidelines for Owners and Breeders of Dogs and Cats (6 February 2012)


• 
  Over-vaccination of pets – an unethical practice (16 June 2009).  This essay summarises the issue of over-vaccination of pets.


• 
  Is over-vaccination harming our pets? Are vets making our pets sick? (13 April 2009).  This detailed and fully-referenced report was tabled at a special meeting convened by the APVMA on 15 April 2009 to discuss the problem of unnecessary vaccination of pets.

Articles and summaries re over-vaccination of pets:

• 
  The Australian campaign for ethical and evidence-based vaccination of companion animals (February 2012)


• 
  Vaccination failure!  There is a potential for maternally derived antibodies (MDA) to interfere with a puppy’s response to core vaccination. (Article published in the May 2011 edition of National Dog).


• 
  Important Information for Dog Owners – Vaccination Update July 2010 (an earlier version of this article was also published in National Dog Volume 13, No. 6).


• 
  Letter to the Editor of The Veterinarian magazine (8 June 2010), response to Aine Seavers’ article “Three-year vaccination intervals: a different view from the parvo trenches of practice-land”.


• 
  Letter to the Editor of The Veterinarian magazine (7 June 2010): ‘A pet owner’s perspective of the vaccination controversy’.


• 
  Too many needles !  Unnecessary vaccination exposed (February 2010, article published in National Dog in April 2010).


• 
  The over-vaccination controversy continues (article published in National Dog in December 2009).


• 
  Over-vaccination: Are vets making our pets sick? (June 2009, article published in National Dog in July 2009).

Correspondence – Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), and others

• 
  Email to James Suter, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (20 April 2011) with further questions re the APVMA’s responses to adverse experience reports being marked ‘COMMERCIAL-IN-CONFIDENCE’.


• 
  Email to Australian Veterinary Boards (19 May 2011) enquiring if the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats had been circulated to veterinarians, as requested by the APVMA in September 2010.


• 
  Open letter to Barry Smyth, President of the Australian Veterinary Association ; Peter Punch, Chair of the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council; Eva Bennet-Jenkins, CEO, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (26 March 2011): A formal complaint re the continuing calls for already immune animals to be needlessly, and possibly harmfully, revaccinated.


• 
  Email to James Suter, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (6 March 2011) “Request for information re adverse experience reporting / possible conflicts of interest”.


• 
  Email to Allen Bryce, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (31 January 2011) re adverse experiences after vaccination


• 
  Open letter to the veterinary profession and industry (9 August 2010) re use of the media to promote over-servicing in the veterinary profession- unnecessary, and possibly harmful, vaccination of companion animals.


• 
  Response to Allen Bryce (23 June 2010), Program Manager, Veterinary Medicines, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority re unnecessary, and possibly harmful, vaccination of companion animals, and the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats.


• 
  Open letter to Allen Bryce (17 June 2010), Program Manager, Veterinary Medicines, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority re unnecessary, and possibly harmful vaccination of companion animals, and the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats.


• 
  Open letter to Mark Lawrie (May 2010) (Immediate Past) President of the Australian Veterinary Association re over-servicing in the veterinary profession – unnecessary, and possibly harmful, vaccination of companion animals  (6 May 2010, with an update added on pages 3-4 on 23 May 2010).


• 
  Open letter to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (24 January 2010), Australian Veterinary Association, Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, and Competition and Consumer Policy Division, The Treasury re unnecessary vaccination of pets and the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats.


• 
  Open letter to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (8 January 2010), Australian Veterinary Association and Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association re unnecessary vaccination of pets and the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats.


• 
  Open letter to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (22 December 2009), Australian Veterinary Association and Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association re over-vaccination of pets / APVMA Position Statement / vaccine product labelling issues.

Correspondence – UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)

• 
  Email to Anna-Maria Brady, UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (23 June 2011) requesting evidence to support the veterinary industry’s call for revaccination of pets.


• 
  Email to Anna-Maria Brady, UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (15 May 2011) with questions re core vaccine product labelling in regards to duration of immunity.


• 
  Email to Anna-Maria Brady, UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (1 April 2011) providing a pet owner’s perspective on pet vaccination.


• More emails on this topic are accessible on the VMD website: http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/public/vaccines_letters.aspx#hart
  

Correspondence – Virbac Animal Health (Disease WatchDog)

• 
  Email to Mark Kelman, Virbac / Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association (7 February 2011) re further questions about the Virbac Disease WatchDog


• 
  Email to Mark Kelman, Virbac / Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association (26 January 2011) re alarming statistics regarding parvovirus and the Virbac Disease WatchDog.


• 
  Email to Mark Kelman, Virbac / Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association (31 July 2010), re canine vaccination protocols.

Submissions:

• 
  A Submission to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (24 June 2011), on the Draft Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons.


• 
  A Submission on the National Scheme for Assessment, Registration and Control of Use of Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Discussion Paper in relation to “Unnecessary, and Possibly Harmful, Use of Companion Animal Vaccines” (10 February 2010).


• 
  Submission to Craig Emerson MP (17 July 2009), Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, on the Consumer Voices Issues Paper: “Request for consumer protection for consumers of veterinary services in Australia”.

Correspondence –  Members of Parliament:

• 
  Email to Senator Joe Ludwig, Minister responsible for the APVMA (26 November 2011), complaining about the failure of ‘self-regulation’ of veterinarians.


• 
  Letter to Craig Emerson MP (4 July 2010), Federal Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs re submission on the Consumer Voices Issues Paper: “Request for consumer protection for consumers of veterinary services in Australia”.


• 
  Letter to Tony Burke MP (17 June 2010), Federal Minister responsible for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, re unnecessary, and possibly harmful, vaccination of companion animals, and the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats (17 June 2010).

Media reports

• Media reports re over-vaccination of pets in Australia August –October 2010


• 
  Examples of reports in the Australian media about parvovirus outbreaks during the period Dec 2009 to March 2011.

___________________________________

[1] MJ Day, MC Horzinek, RD Schultz. World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice. Vol.51. June 2010.

[2] The Australian Veterinary Association’s policy on vaccination of dogs and cats was ratified by the AVA Board on 26 June 2009.

[3] “Position Statement are chosen when the AVA membership has conflicting views on the topic which is particularly the case with duration of immunity and there was lack of agreeance with the document produced.” E-ructations, AVA NSW Division Newsletter, Issue 26 May 2011.

[4] SA Mitchell, RJ Zwijnenberg, J Huang, A Hodge and MJ Day. Duration of serological response to canine parvovirus-type 2, canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 1 and canine parainfluenza virus in client-owned dogs in Australia. AVJ Vol. 90, No. 12, December 2012.

It"s Crucial To Keep Your Pet"s Vaccinations Up To Date

Animal Hospital of Sullivan County Newsletter May, 2013  www.ahofsc.com It’s Crucial To Keep Your Pet’s Vaccinations Up To Date   Your pet should have a wellness plan that includes not only vaccinations, but also encompasses disease prevention through yearly physical examinations  Dr. Barbara Bodolosky by Barbara J. Bodolosky, D.V.M. Remember those booster shots we used to get as school children?  Most of us still have a little scar or two on our arm from those vaccinations that were given to keep us healthy and immune from terrible diseases.   Like humans, it’s extremely important that pets too receive a number of vaccinations throughout their lifetimes-including booster shots too.  Some of these shots are actually mandated by law.   Vaccinations not only boost a pet’s health, but also prevent the spread of Zoonotic diseases, which lead to the infection of humans by animals. Why are pet vaccinations so important? It’s like the old adage says: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s important to stick to a pet vaccination protocol to insure that both you and your pet stay healthy and live longer-and pets die from diseases too. Vaccines are substances used in the practice of medicine to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases. Basically, they help the body fight an invasion of a disease causing organism. They contain antigens, which mirror a disease causing organism, but don’t actually cause the disease.  Once a body is vaccinated, these antigens cause the body to be either immune or prepared to fight off and reduce the severity of an illness. For dogs and cats, there are two types of vaccinations. First there are core vaccinations, which are those vaccines which all dogs and cats, regardless of circumstances, should receive without question. These vaccines protect pets from severe, life-threatening diseases which have global distribution, such as rabies. Then there are non-core vaccines.  Factors to be considered for these types of vaccines are the pet’s geographical location, its local residential living environment and both the owner’s /pet’s lifestyle and the corresponding risk to contract specific infections. For example, there are dogs and cats that spend most of their time outdoors or that spend a lot of time in boarding or grooming facilities – these pets need non-core vaccines to guard against specific diseases that an indoor dog or cat may not ever be exposed to in their limited environments. So how often do dogs and cats need to receive vaccinations? That depends on the pet’s age, its health, and its lifestyle.  Other considerations which Veterinarians use to determine a vaccine regime include the pet’s size, its breed, whether it was spayed or neutered, and its past vaccination history. Generally speaking, most dogs and cats start receiving vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age and continue through 16 weeks of age and then receive certain vaccinations annually and others once every three years. At the Animal Hospital of Sullivan County, we spend time with our patients to determine which core and non-core vaccines are necessary to keep a pet healthy and vibrant and then offer the appropriate vaccination package at very affordable prices. We determine a vaccination regime that will provide the best and safest medical protection for your dog or cat. Each pet receives a custom regime of vaccinations and other medical treatments.  We establish a schedule throughout the pet’s life-from infancy to old age and also monitor our patients for any adverse reactions to such vaccinations. Generally speaking, from early on in their lives, your pet should have a wellness plan that includes not only vaccinations, but also encompasses disease prevention through yearly physical examinations by a veterinarian from tip of nose to tip of tail, nutrition counseling to enhance your pet’s immune system and body condition, heartworm/ flea and tick control products to prevent mosquito/flea and tick born diseases, and early detect lab tests as a precaution to reduce the potential for various illnesses and diseases through all the life stages. AHSC provides each of our clients with a pet wellness care regime which includes an individualized program that provides vaccinations, monitoring behavior and nutrition, regular veterinarian checkups, and taking preventative measures to protect your canine or feline friend against diseases and other health risks. Our ultimate goal is a longer, healthier and comfortable life for our patients so our clients can have their cherished pets as long as possible. Reply to this email or call us at (845) 292-6711 and find out more about the very affordable AHSC Wellness Care Plan, which includes a customized vaccination regime for your dog and cat.  We will schedule a free consultation to review your pet’s vaccination and wellness plan. I look forward to seeing you soon. Barbara The Only Animal Hospital Accredited by the AAHA in Sullivan County. Our practice has met the high standards of AAHA which pertain to facilities, equipment, practice methods, & management, for over 25 years Letter of Accreditation From AAHA The Animal Hospital of Sullivan County, which has been in business for 60 years, offers a traditional, individualized approach to pet care that combines a state of the art, animal clinic providing a broad range of specialized services and care with a commitment to deliver exhaustive care on a one-to-one basis that both pets and their owners expect and deserve. Dr. Bodolosky and her staff of highly motivated and devoted employees do their utmost to the best service and experience to our clients and their companions. Appointment Hours Hours by Appointment Mon-Thur 7:30am – 6pm Friday 7:30am – 5pm Saturday 7:30am – 2pm  In the unfortunate event an emergency occurs, please contact us by phone immediately. 845-292-6711 We also offer convenient early morning admittance hours six days a week Contact Us Today! Animal Hospital of Sullivan County 667 Harris Road Ferndale, NY 12734 Phone (845) 292-6711 Email: info@ahofsc.com Pet To The Vet Service From Monticello! We Have Joined Yellow Cab of Monticello To Provide A Pet To The Vet Service. For more Information Call  (845) 292-6711 Join Our Mailing List! Care to Share: Refer a Friend A Referral Is The Best Compliment A Client Can Give.  If You Refer A New Client to AHSC, We Will Give $ 15 Off Their First Exam and Give You $ 15 Credit Toward Any Service.  Both Names Must Appear On This Coupon. ___________________  _____________________ Offer Expires: 6/30/13

 Bazzo 05/15/13

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are rabies vaccines bad for your pet"s health?

am now thinking that Cici’s itchies may be due to the rabies vaccination she was given by the SPCA Easter Sunday…  I was reading about how rabies vaccinations are a big scam, unnecessary and yet still mandatory although they stay in the pet’s system for years.

http://www.belladogmagazine.com/health-wellness/485-the-big-scam-rabies-vaccination

then tonight it suddenly occurred to me that it is not the food but the rabies vaccination that has made her itchies worse. and I found this online…

http://www.squidoo.com/rabiesvaccine

• The rabies vaccine is the ONLY shot required by law for dogs and cats in the United States. This is primarily to protect humans from getting rabies from their pets.

• The Center for Disease Control declared in 2007 that canine rabies no longer exists in the United States. Your dog will not contract rabies from another dog, but only from wild animals such as bats, coyotes, skunks, raccoons and foxes…

Cici is not going to run into any of those any time soon. Ok, she did get skunked a couple of months ago. But does getting skunked mean she could get rabies from the skunk?  The skunk, I found out later, is a neighbor’s pet skunk not a wild skunk.

My polka dot princess had been a little itchy before, but never had reactions from food and changing her food does not seem to be doing anything to stop the itchies.

http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2010/12/02/what-to-do-when-your-dog-has-a-vaccine-reaction/

How prevalent are reactions?   The USDA/CVB 2008 Report states that “Rabies vaccines are the most common group of biological products identified in adverse event reports received by the CVB.”  In 2007, 6500 reactions were reported for the canine rabies vaccine alone…. Small and medium-sized dogs are the most likely…

K9Author  Jan Rasmusen

Do you Know What to Do When Your Dog Has a Vaccine Reaction? Go to http://www.truth4dogs.com Also see articles on preventing reactions.

http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2010/12/15/over-vaccination-of-pets-an-international-scam/

Consequences for not vaccinating against rabies depend on the Animal Control laws in your area. At the very least, you won’t be able to board your pet, participate in training classes or shows, or use a professional groomer. Many vets will insist on vaccination before boarding or treating your pet. And if your dog or cat bites or scratches anyone, or is picked up by Animal Control, there will surely be a stiff fine and your pet will be impounded and vaccinated (or worse).

http://www.kingdomcavaliers.com/vaccinosis.html

there are some homeopathic remedies to give your pet afterwards but most of what I am reading says that you cannot just give any and that you have to bring your pet to a holistic vet… one that I know of is really expensive and i will call the other one, also not cheap.

right now, Cici is acting a little weird and am getting upset.  She also threw up a treat the other morning but she gobbles up stuff all the time without chewing it and eats regularly at the doggie buffet (garbage left on the ground by people).

so now not only did the SPCA charge me $ 103 to get her back, for not feeding, watering, walking nor tending to her two scratches that could have gotten infected, but also caused the itchies by giving her the vaccine???

please pray for my love bug… thanks.  And if anyone has had experience with this, please let me know too.

send this girl to polka dot princess/diva camp

Dog Vaccination Schedule WisconsinNext Day Pets

Dog vaccination schedule is needed by the dog owners in order to ensure that their pet dogs will have the vaccines needed on time. Just like how human always wish to stay as healthy as possible, the pet owners will also Continue reading →

Posted in Dog | Tagged dog vaccination schedule, dog vaccination schedule dhpp, dog vaccination schedule wisconsin | Leave a reply

Over-vaccination of pets - an unethical practice

UPDATE!  The WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group has recently (May 2013) published Vaccination Guidelines for New Puppy Owners*.   Dog and puppy owners need to read these guidelines very carefully.  I have highlighted important points in this copy of the new Vaccination Guidelines.

*Published on the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines webpage

_____________________________________________________________________________

Over-vaccination of companion animals, and exploitation of pet owners, is a massive international scandal.

Many dog owners are still not being advised that there is no scientific evidence to support annual OR triennial revaccination with core modified live virus (MLV) vaccines for parvovirus, distemper virus and adenovirus.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats note that duration of immunity after core MLV vaccination is “many years and may be up to the lifetime of the pet”.[1]   

It is misleading for veterinarians to demand that already immune pets have bogus ‘booster’ shots every year or every three years.  (Core MLV vaccines for dogs can be compared to the live Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) vaccine for children – adults are not revaccinated with the MMR vaccine every year or every three years as these vaccines are likely to provide lifetime immunity.)  

Many pet owners remain unaware of the option to have titre-testing to verify their pet has responded to core MLV vaccination, despite the fact that the WSAVA Guidelines say “…the principles of ‘evidence-based veterinary medicine’ would dictate that testing for antibody status (for either pups or adult dogs) is a better practice than simply administering a vaccine booster on the basis that this should be ‘safe and cost less’”.[1]  

Non-core vaccines of questionable benefit and safety for diseases such as Bordetella bronchiseptica (often referred to as ‘kennel cough’) continue to be prescribed indiscriminately.

In Australia, I and fellow pet owner Bea Mies have been campaigning for ethical and evidence-based vaccination of companion animals.  As a result of our persistence, change is slowly happening in companion animal vaccination practice.

Internationally other pet owners are also raising awareness about over-vaccination of pets.  For example, in the United States, Jan Rasmusen has  established an excellent website truth4pets which provides much useful information about vaccination of pets.  In the United Kingdom, Catherine O’Driscoll of Canine Health Concern is the co-ordinator of the international Pet Welfare Alliance.  Catherine has been at the forefront of demands for better healthcare for pets for many years.  Online publications Dogs Naturally and National Dog have also been instrumental in warning pet owners about over-vaccination of pets.

It is a disgrace that members of the public have to be the leaders for change due to the failure of self-interested experts/professionals in the veterinary vaccine industry.  While some veterinarians (e.g. Jean Dodds, Patricia Jordan and others) have been active in raising concern about vaccination of pets, their warnings have often been ignored.  The veterinary profession risks losing credibility when pet owners discover crucial information about revaccination has been withheld from them for years.  There are serious questions about professional responsibility and competence, transparency and accountability, ethical conduct, abuse of authority, and betrayal of trust that must be answered.

My essay “Over-vaccination of pets – an unethical practice” provides some background on this subject.  The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) announced a new reduced vaccination policy[2] soon after my essay was widely circulated in June 2009.  (After demands from dissenting AVA members, the AVA’s vaccination policy was subsequently downgraded to a position statement in July 2011).[3]

In January 2010, the government regulator of veterinary vaccines, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), issued a position statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats, acknowledging matters of concern in regard to re-vaccination intervals.  State veterinary boards in Australia subsequently blatantly disregarded the APVMA’s request for the APVMA’s Position Statement to be circulated to veterinarians in Australia.  It is astonishing that veterinary boards ignored advice from the Federal regulator of veterinary vaccines, and that they can do so without penalty.

In August 2010, CHOICE, Australia’s consumer watchdog, published its report on over-vaccination of pets i.e. “Pet vaccination: Over-vaccinating your pet could be harmful to their health as well as your own hip pocket”.  The ABC also reported on this story i.e. Questions raised over pet vaccination, broadcast in October 2010.

In May 2011, specialist dog breeder magazine, National Dog, published my article  “Vaccination failure!” which warns there is a potential for maternally derived antibodies (MDA) to interfere with a puppy’s response to core vaccination, and calls upon the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) Vaccination Guidelines Group to provide clear and objective advice on optimal puppy vaccination, and an optional titre test confirmation protocol.

In February 2012, Bea Mies addressed the industry sponsored WSAVA Guidelines for the Owners and Breeders of Dogs and Cats, arguing that advice to pet owners contradicts scientific findings published elsewhere.

Bea’s latest email to Professor Michael Day, Chairperson of the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group, and Sarah Mitchell of Pfizer Animal Health, provides critical analysis of their Canvac vaccine study paper, recently published in the December 2012 edition of the Australian Veterinary Journal[4].  Bea argues their paper is the latest instalment of willfully misleading and ethically dubious veterinary education on canine vaccination.

I supported Bea’s recent email to Michael Day and Pfizer Animal Health (January 2013)  with a call to the industry-funded WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group to publicly provide an objective, simple and effective message on vaccination to pet owners.

For more information contact:

Elizabeth Hart: eliz.hart25@gmail.com             Bea Mies beatemies@gmail.com

See below links to my correspondence, submissions and articles on over-vaccination of pets:

Key documents:

• 
  Over-vaccination of pets – an unethical practice (16 June 2009).  My essay summarises the issue of over-vaccination of pets.


• 
  Is over-vaccination harming our pets? Are vets making our pets sick? (13 April 2009).  My detailed and fully-referenced report was tabled at a special meeting convened by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority on 15 April 2009 to discuss the problem of unnecessary vaccination of pets.

Correspondence with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), and others:

• 
  Email to James Suter, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (20 April 2011) with further questions re the APVMA’s responses to adverse experience reports being marked ‘COMMERCIAL-IN-CONFIDENCE’.


• 
  Email to Australian Veterinary Boards (19 May 2011) enquiring if the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats had been circulated to veterinarians, as requested by the APVMA in September 2010.


• 
  Open letter to Barry Smyth, President of the Australian Veterinary Association; Peter Punch, Chair of the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council; Eva Bennet-Jenkins, CEO, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (26 March 2011): A formal complaint re the continuing calls for already immune animals to be needlessly, and possibly harmfully, revaccinated.


• 
  Email to James Suter, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (6 March 2011) “Request for information re adverse experience reporting / possible conflicts of interest”.


• 
  Email to Allen Bryce, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (31 January 2011) re adverse experiences after vaccination


• 
  Open letter to the veterinary profession and industry (9 August 2010) re use of the media to promote over-servicing in the veterinary profession- unnecessary, and possibly harmful, vaccination of companion animals.


• 
  Response to Allen Bryce (23 June 2010), Program Manager, Veterinary Medicines, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority re unnecessary, and possibly harmful, vaccination of companion animals, and the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats.


• 
  Open letter to Allen Bryce (17 June 2010), Program Manager, Veterinary Medicines, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority re unnecessary, and possibly harmful vaccination of companion animals, and the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats.


• 
  Open letter to Mark Lawrie (May 2010) (Immediate Past) President of the Australian Veterinary Association re over-servicing in the veterinary profession – unnecessary, and possibly harmful, vaccination of companion animals  (6 May 2010, with an update added on pages 3-4 on 23 May 2010).


• 
  Open letter to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (24 January 2010), Australian Veterinary Association, Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, and Competition and Consumer Policy Division, The Treasury re unnecessary vaccination of pets and the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats.


• 
  Open letter to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (8 January 2010), Australian Veterinary Association and Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association re unnecessary vaccination of pets and the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats.


• 
  Open letter to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (22 December 2009), Australian Veterinary Association and Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association re over-vaccination of pets / APVMA Position Statement / vaccine product labelling issues.


• 
  Is over-vaccination harming our pets? Are vets making our pets sick? (13 April 2009).  This detailed and fully-referenced report was tabled at a special meeting convened by the APVMA on 15 April 2009 to discuss the problem of unnecessary vaccination of pets.

Correspondence with the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD):

• 
  Email to Anna-Maria Brady, UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (23 June 2011) requesting evidence to support the veterinary industry’s call for revaccination of pets.


• 
  Email to Anna-Maria Brady, UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (15 May 2011) with questions re core vaccine product labelling in regards to duration of immunity.


• 
  Email to Anna-Maria Brady, UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (1 April 2011) providing a pet owner’s perspective on pet vaccination.


• More emails on this topic are accessible on the VMD website: http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/public/vaccines_letters.aspx#hart
  

Correspondence with Virbac Animal Health (Disease WatchDog):

• 
  Email to Mark Kelman, Virbac / Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association (7 February 2011) re further questions about the Virbac Disease WatchDog


• 
  Email to Mark Kelman, Virbac / Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association (26 January 2011) re alarming statistics regarding parvovirus and the Virbac Disease WatchDog.


• 
  Email to Mark Kelman, Virbac / Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association (31 July 2010), re canine vaccination protocols.

Submissions on the subject of unnecessary vaccination of pets:

• 
  A Submission to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (24 June 2011), on the Draft Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons.


• 
  A Submission on the National Scheme for Assessment, Registration and Control of Use of Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Discussion Paper in relation to “Unnecessary, and Possibly Harmful, Use of Companion Animal Vaccines” (10 February 2010).


• 
  Submission to Craig Emerson MP (17 July 2009), Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, on the Consumer Voices Issues Paper: “Request for consumer protection for consumers of veterinary services in Australia”.

Correspondence to Members of Parliament:

• 
  Email to Senator Joe Ludwig, Minister responsible for the APVMA (26 November 2011), complaining about the failure of ‘self-regulation’ of veterinarians.


• 
  Letter to Craig Emerson MP (4 July 2010), Federal Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs re submission on the Consumer Voices Issues Paper: “Request for consumer protection for consumers of veterinary services in Australia”.


• 
  Letter to Tony Burke MP (17 June 2010), Federal Minister responsible for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, re unnecessary, and possibly harmful, vaccination of companion animals, and the APVMA’s Position Statement on Vaccination Protocols for Dogs and Cats (17 June 2010).

Articles and summaries re over-vaccination of pets:

• 
  The Australian campaign for ethical and evidence-based vaccination of companion animals (February 2012)


• 
  Vaccination failure!  There is a potential for maternally derived antibodies (MDA) to interfere with a puppy’s response to core vaccination. (Article published in the May 2011 edition of National Dog).


• 
  Important Information for Dog Owners – Vaccination Update July 2010 (An earlier version of this article was also published in National Dog Volume 13, No. 6).


• 
  Letter to the Editor of The Veterinarian magazine (8 June 2010) Response to Aine Seavers’ article “Three-year vaccination intervals: a different view from the parvo trenches of practice-land”.


• 
  Letter to the Editor of The Veterinarian magazine (7 June 2010): ‘A pet owner’s perspective of the vaccination controversy’.


• 
  Too many needles !  Unnecessary vaccination exposed (February 2010. Article published in National Dog in April 2010).


• 
  The over-vaccination controversy continues (Article published in National Dog in December 2009).


• 
  Over-vaccination: Are vets making our pets sick? (June 2009. Article published in National Dog in July 2009).


• 
  Over-vaccination of pets – an unethical practice (16 June 2009).  This essay summarises the issue of over-vaccination of pets.

Media reports re over-vaccination of pets:

• Media reports re over-vaccination of pets in Australia August –October 2010


• 
  Examples of reports in the Australian media about parvovirus outbreaks during the period Dec 2009 to March 2011.

___________________________________

[1] MJ Day, MC Horzinek, RD Schultz. World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice. Vol.51. June 2010.

[2] The Australian Veterinary Association’s policy on vaccination of dogs and cats was ratified by the AVA Board on 26 June 2009.

[3] “Position Statement are chosen when the AVA membership has conflicting views on the topic which is particularly the case with duration of immunity and there was lack of agreeance with the document produced.” E-ructations, AVA NSW Division Newsletter, Issue 26 May 2011.

[4] SA Mitchell, RJ Zwijnenberg, J Huang, A Hodge and MJ Day. Duration of serological response to canine parvovirus-type 2, canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 1 and canine parainfluenza virus in client-owned dogs in Australia. AVJ Vol. 90, No. 12, December 2012.

Vaccinations | TOTALLY PETS

I recently gave my dogs their KC vaccine. The KC vaccine is important if you want to board your dogs in the pet hotel or if your dogs spend time playing with other dogs around.

I would suggest you give your dog KC vaccine annually if you leave your dog at a boarding facility regularly when traveling.

The reason I do it annually is because the boarding facility will request proof of this vaccine minimum 5 days before the date of boarding. I do it annually in case of an unexpected or unplanned trip. instead of worrying about the vaccine days before my trip, I would be certain that my dogs are already vaccinated, safe and ready for boarding.

Here are some information I got from http://www.aspca.org about Kennel Cough.

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is a term used to describe a complex of infections—both viral and bacterial—that causes inflammation of a dog’s voice box and windpipe. It’s a form of bronchitis and is similar to a chest cold in humans. Though it usually clears up on its own, kennel cough is highly contagious to other dogs.

What Are the General Symptoms of Kennel Cough?

A persistent dry cough with a “honking” sound is the main clue your dog’s caught kennel cough. In most cases, he’ll appear healthy except for the cough. his appetite and activity level usually won’t change, but don’t be alarmed if he gags and coughs up a white, foamy phlegm—these signs are often worse after exercise, or if he’s excited or pulls against his collar. Some dogs may also develop a fever and nasal discharge.

What Should I Do if I Think My Dog Has Kennel Cough?

If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, immediately isolate him from all other dogs and call your veterinarian.

How Did My Dog Catch Kennel Cough?

Dogs can catch kennel cough in several ways. It can spread through aerosols in the air, directly from dog to dog, or through germs on contaminated objects. Kennel cough is often spread in enclosed areas with poor air circulation—while boarding in a kennel or an animal shelter, for example, or through direct contact while sitting in a vaccination clinic, training class or dog-grooming facility.

Kennel cough is so contagious that your pet might even catch it from sharing a water dish at the dog park or by simply greeting another dog. Most kennels will not board your pet without proof of a recent vaccination against parainfluenza and bordetella, two of the main causes of kennel cough.

Which Dogs Are Prone to Kennel Cough?

Most often, dogs that have frequent contact with other dogs, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas, are most prone to becoming infected. Young and unvaccinated dogs are also at higher risk.

How Is Kennel Cough Prevented?

The best way to prevent kennel cough is to prevent exposure. Vaccinations are also available in all veterinarian in Kuwait —but please keep in mind that vaccinations aren’t useful if a dog has already caught the virus.

How Is Kennel Cough Treated?

It’s smart to see your veterinarian if your dog develops a cough. In some cases, you may be advised to simply let kennel cough run its course and heed the following:

• Dogs with kennel cough should be isolated from other dogs.


• A humidifier or vaporizer can provide some relief. You can also allow your dog into the bathroom while you shower. The steam will help soothe his irritated breathing passages.


• Avoid exposing him to cigarette smoke or other noxious, irritating fumes.


• A cough suppressant or antimicrobial may be prescribed. Your vet can be able to determine if they would be helpful to your dog.


• If your dog pulls against his collar while being walked, replace it with a harness until the coughing subsides.


• Supportive care is very important—be sure your dog is eating, drinking and in a stress-free environment.

How Long Does Kennel Cough Last?

In most cases, the signs of kennel cough gradually decrease and disappear after three weeks. Young puppies, elderly dogs and other immunocompromised animals may take up to six weeks or more to recover. In some cases, animals may remain infectious for long periods of time even after the symptoms have cleared up.

When Is It Time To See The Vet Again?

You should see some improvement in your dog’s condition within one week of treatment, but be alert to how long the symptoms last. If your dog has nasal discharge, is breathing rapidly, refuses to eat or seems lethargic, take her to the veterinarian right away. Serious cases of kennel cough can lead to pneumonia if left untreated.

Rabies Vaccination for our Pets

Vaccinations (immunizations, “shots”)

have saved the lives of millions of dogs. Before the days of effective vaccines, dogs routinely died from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis,parvovirus and complications of upper respiratory infections. Current vaccination programs protect our dogs (and us) from thethreat of rabies. Newer vaccines, including those administered through the nostrils, have been developed to protect against a variety of infections. 
Despite the well-known benefits of vaccination, the practice of annual vaccination of mature dogs is a matter of healthy debate. Some veterinarians believe that annual revaccination is an important and critical part of preventative health care. Others suggest that there is little scientific information to suggest that annual revaccination of older dogs is necessary for some diseases. There is growing evidence that the duration of immunity of properly vaccinated adult dogs extends beyond a year. Of course, some vaccines (rabies) are required by law and must be administered on a regular basis.
Certainly routine vaccinations are essential for prevention of infectious diseases in puppies. Puppies receive immunity against infectious disease in their mother’s milk; however, this protection begins to disappear between 6 and 20 weeks of age. The exact sequence cannot be predicted without specialized blood tests. 
To protect puppies during this critical time, a well-researched approach is taken: a series of vaccines is given every 3-4 weeks until the chance of contracting an infectious disease is very low. The typical vaccine is a “combination” that protects against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, parainfluenza, and canine parvovirus (the four viruses are commonly abbreviated DHPP). Many veterinarians also recommend incorporating leptospirosis in the vaccination series. 

Rabies vaccines are given between 16 and 26 weeks of age in most states (governed by law). All vaccines require booster immunizations (“shots”) that are given one year later. Thereafter, the issue becomes cloudier. 
The protective effect of vaccinations for bacterial infections (e.g. bordetella and leptospirosis) typically does not persist for more than a year making yearly (and occasionally more frequent) booster vaccines advisable. If your adult dog has an adverse reaction to the vaccine (fever, vomiting, shaking, facial swelling or hives) discuss the risk of annual revaccination with your veterinarian.

Recommendations
The foremost recommendation is to discuss the vaccination program with your veterinarian. Don’t be hesitant to ask questions about the pros and cons of vaccinations. 

Puppies 4 to 20 weeks of age: In puppies, a series of vaccines is recommended. These should begin between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Typically the last vaccination is given between 14 and 16 weeks of age. The vaccine should protect against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, parainfluenza and canine parvovirus. If the risk of kennel cough is great, a vaccine against bordetella is recommended. Rabies vaccine should be given in accordance with individual state laws usually between 16 and 26 weeks of age. Newer vaccines effective against specific forms of the bacteria leptospirosis may be important in some areas. 

Dogs 20 weeks to 2 years: It is important to booster the puppy vaccines in young adult dogs to ensure adequate lifelong immunity against deadly viral diseases. Your veterinarian will likely “booster” your dog one year after the “puppy” vaccine series to protect against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, parainfluenza and canine parvovirus. If the risk of kennel cough is great, a vaccine against bordetella is recommended. The rabies vaccines should be given as recommended by local law. Newer vaccines effective against specific forms of the bacteria leptospirosis may be important in some areas. 

Dogs older than 2 years: Annual revaccination (boosters) is recommended for the first year after the “puppy vaccines”; thereafter, you should discuss the benefits and risks of annual vaccination with your vet. In the past, the DHLP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus) vaccine was typically given each year. These recommendations are changing. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) came out with new guidelines in 2006 that suggests that adult dog vaccines boosters may be adequate if given every 3 years. Specific vaccine requirements for individual dogs should be discussed with your veterinarian. The most appropriate vaccination program for your pet should be followed.
Again, if the risk of kennel cough is great, a vaccine against bordetella is recommended. The bordetella vaccine needs to be given at least yearly, and each year you and your veterinarian should assess whether it is required. The rabies vaccine should be given as recommended by local law. Newer vaccines effective against specific forms of the bacteria leptospirosis may be important in some areas. The need for the vaccine should be determined based on the area of the country your dog lives in and his or her life-style. If given, they should be administered once to twice a year.

Other vaccinations that are sometimes given by your veterinarian include coronavirus, Lyme and giardia. These are not routinely given to every animal, and their use should be discussed with your veterinarian. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) came out with new guidelines in 2006 that suggests that coronavirus and giardia vaccines are not recommended for dogs at any age. The Borreliosis/Lyme disease vaccine is recommended for dogs that live in an endemic area where risk of exposure to the tick vector is high or dogs that travel to endemic areas. 

There is currently a vaccination available for canine influenza virus. The benefits of this vaccine are similar to the benefits of other “flu” vaccines – including human vaccines. The vaccine is intended to help control virus infection and spread. The vaccine may not totally prevent infection in all dogs. What it will do is reduce the severity of disease, reduce the duration of clinical illness, and reduce lung damage. The vaccine has also been shown to reduce the amounts of virus shed and the duration of virus shedding. 
Vaccinated dogs develop less severe illness and are less likely to spread the virus to other dogs. The vaccine is recommended for dogs “at risk”. Dogs that frequently interact with other dogs, participate in activities with other dogs or are boarded are considered at risk and can benefit from vaccination. Dogs that benefit from the kennel cough vaccine (Bordetella/parainfluenza) vaccine will also benefit from the canine influenza vaccine.