Dear Dr. John,
I have read some articles about how we are over-vaccinating our pets. We have a mixed breed dog, and I don’t want to put him at risk by vaccinating him too much. Our dog is due for Bordetella and Leptospirosis vaccines soon. Both appear to be done annually, and I now question if this is necessary. I hear that I can do titers instead. What do you recommend and can I do so for all the things my dog is vaccinated for? I have also read that autism in dogs is caused by vaccines. — M.K.
Dear M.K.,
The internet must have a lot of this subject matter circulating now and most of it is false. Pets are living longer and healthier lives because of vaccines, as are humans. A friend told me her sister is also questioning vaccines in her pets and asked why a Chihuahua should get the same amount of vaccine as a Great Dane.
There are core vaccines and elective vaccines. I have seen the devastation of distemper, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and Lyme in unvaccinated dogs, some that suffered and died of these diseases. Rabies is a legally required vaccine because it is a huge public health risk and is deadly, killing 60,000 people around the world every year.
Can vaccines have side effects? Absolutely! These include lethargy, fever, and tenderness at the site of vaccine. Do they cause autism in dogs? No, and that misinformation comes from an old study that was proven false. Can you do titers? Yes, but they can be costly, are not a guarantee of immunity, and may not satisfy legal requirements. Titers make sense only if vaccines have led to life-threatening reactions.
Unlike certain drugs that are dose/weight dependent, vaccines are not so because vaccines introduce an antigen to elicit an antibody response thereby conferring immunity. Typically, DHPP and rabies vaccines are given every three years. Some vaccines such as Bordetella, Lyme, and Leptospirosis are given annually. I would work with your veterinarian.
Dr. John de Jong is President of the World Veterinary Association. He owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic and can be reached at 781-899-9994.
