Does my pet really need... all these vaccines? Part 3

Not if you employ natural rearing practices and want to keep your animal, your home, and the environment healthy!

Fair warning - this is a long post, but worth your time. I promise.

In my last post — Does My Pet Need All These Things My Vet Recommends, Part 2 — I made some comments on vaccinations and on what many vets and pet parents alike have come to feel are the over-use of veterinary vaccines.

Because this topic is complex, simple generalizations aren’t accurate. They don’t adequately address the many questions regarding vaccination guidelines, mandates, public health concerns, and societal norms that have led to what I believe is an abundance of poor vaccinology information and the abuse of this generally-accepted practice.

And if the folks who are very pro-every-sort-of-vaccine are already dismissing me as an anti-vaxer — please, by all means, go right ahead. I would much, much rather be called that than to be contributing to misinformation, misuse, and the ongoing chronic health problems now plaguing our pets and other animals in our care. Read my article Are we vaccine addicted? for more information.

As The Heretical Vet I will continue to educate anyone that wants a ‘different’ perspective on these polemic issues. Actually, they shouldn’t be controversial at all! We need to have sane, calm discussions that welcome all scientific perspectives; and then to make informed choices based on a wide range of gathered data. But, nooooooo, we can’t do that in this country. I believe it’s because powerful pro-vaccine messaging has created a culture of staunch proponents that resembles a religious affiliation. And as I’m sure you know, talking about politics and religion ruins any party!

So, let’s you and I consider the following questions…

• Why do I have to vaccinate so often?

• Why do I now have to vaccinate to kennel, groom, or train my dog?

• Why is the rabies vaccine required every 3 years and not longer?

• Why do we jab them so young?

• What are titers and should I get them?

We’ll delve into these questions; but hopefully my answers will raise others for you. They have for me for over the 35 years I’ve studied them!

Why do I have to vaccinate so often?

The short answer: you don’t.

First a definition

Core vaccines are vaccines, decided by vet organizations, to be the most vital to our pets and humans. In dogs, these include: distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus (hepatitis), and rabies. In cats: panleukopenia and rabies.

Non-core vaccines are considered optional, depending on exposure. For dogs: Lyme, Leptospira, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Influenza, Western Rattlesnake. For cats: FeLV, Chlamydia felis, Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Studies in the US and elsewhere have shown that protection from the core vaccines can last a lifetime. Dr. Ron Schultz, one of the world’s foremost authorities on veterinary vaccines, started educating vets on this matter around 1993. According to Schultz, modified live vaccines — which all core (and almost all non-core) vaccines now are — can give a lifetime of protection, even if only given once after 14-16 weeks of age; and that the repeated use of these vaccines have no scientific validity.

This is the ‘one and done’ practice that Dr. Schultz recommends. And believe me, he wouldn’t have put his long career and illustrious reputation at risk if his recommendations weren’t absolutely supported with long-term, replicated research.

It’s certainly been my experience that adult dogs don’t need puppy vaccines for puppy diseases. I hope you would agree, right? Same thing for kittens and cats. But even without age or size differences, or susceptibility considerations, there’s still no known immunological reason to repeat these vaccinations. Dr. Schultz’s research has shown this. None!

How about that?

My Keira story

Just 3 days ago I adopted a wonderful 1-2 year old dog from a shelter that a dear vet friend of mine manages. The dog was surrendered by the owners (their loss, our big win!) 2 months ago and vaccinated 4 times (2 distemper/parvo, 1 kennel cough, 1 rabies). My friend tells me that most people don’t vaccinate in my home town; so they have to assume the animals aren’t vaccinated. Fair call! But this girl is an adult dog, not a puppy. So based on my research after 35 years of studying vaccines, she didn’t need the distemper/parvo combination.

I realize in a shelter situation that all rules change. But for those of you wondering if you need to revaccinate, or first-time vaccinate, an adult dog that has been out in the world, exposed to all sorts of things, the answer is: no. It isn’t helpful. In fact, it can be harmful due to the toxicants in the vaccines. Yes, adult dogs can get bloody diarrhea and vomiting, which might test as parvo. But it’s rare — super rare — to see them die, as can definitely happen with really young dogs.

And now our Keira girl, along with training her to not chase the cats, is on a detox path from her mom The Heretical Vet, aka Dr. Dee-tox.

Bottom line!

The only vaccination required by law is rabies. Again: the only vaccination required by law is rabies. The ONLY VACCINATION REQUIRED BY LAW IS RABIES. I’ve repeated this fact three times, not because I think you are dense or illiterate; but because the conventional message is that you must take your dear animal companion in yearly, or every few years, for their ‘required’ vaccines. Your dog or cat does NOT need those frequent vaccinations. Neither are they legally required. But if you’re feeling either pressured or fearful, you will spend money for things that aren’t needed and are full of toxic ingredients- leaving you a victim of the agreed-upon vaccine messaging.

The ONLY vaccination required by law is rabies. Sorry to harp on that! The rest are completely optional.

If your dog has had a combination vaccine (distemper/parvo/adenovirus/parainfluenza) as a puppy, or your cat a combination panleukopenia/rhinotracheitis/calicivirus vaccine as a kitten given at around 14-16 weeks, they need nothing else for the rest of their lives! Except in the most rare situations, waiting until their mama’s antibodies have worn off (somewhere around 14-16 weeks) before administering the core vaccinations, insures that antibody production that will last a lifetime. This again is the "one-and-done" method. But if you’re an adult reading this blog, and want to know the whole truth and nothing but the truth: vaccines sometimes fail to insure immunity. We just saw this in living technicolor during the Covid pandemic.

And for even more transparency: just because your animal has been vaccinated doesn’t mean they’re immune. Antibody production doesn’t always insure immunity. Confusing? Yes, but we vets tend to stick with the most commonly accepted collection of vaccinology rules, and assume that vaccination equals immunity.

And yet every vet has experienced a patient who comes down with the disease they vaccinated for; or has a patient who isn’t protected by a vaccine. I know I have.

What about vaccines for grooming, kenneling, classes?

Once again, the conventional mindset prevails as it has become almost impossible to take your dogs to any class, get their hair cut, or put them in a kennel for safe keeping without all of of the core vaccines and some of the non-core ones.

These kinds of rigid policies put undue pressure on pet parents (especially of dogs) to comply and vaccinate unnecessarily — just to be able to get their dog groomed! Remember as I mentioned above: adult animals don’t get puppy or kitten diseases. Pressure to start those puppy classes very early remind me of sending young kids to pre-kindergarten or we might miss out on the development of a brilliant mind! I would suggest you take a deep breath and think about priorities and find your support system for puppy classes, groomers, etc. that are aligned with your wishes about raising your naturally-reared animals.

What are Duration of Immunity (DOI) studies?

Well, it’s simple. DOI studies test for two things: the duration that a vaccine creates antibodies (called serology tests because they measure what is in the serum); and challenge tests, which measure how long animals are actually protected if exposed to the virus. The serology tests only tell us what is circulating currently in the moment; not what is in the immune system’s memory. But let’s not go down that road right now.

The challenge studies are only done in research facilities, but any vet can draw blood and run titer tests for you.

Even the American Animal Hospital Association and it’s Canine Vaccine Task Force said measuring antibody titers gives a reasonable idea of protective immunity against canine distemper, parvo and adenovirus:

“Measuring antibody levels (quantitative or qualitative) provides a reasonable assessment of protective immunity against CDV, CPV, and CA.”

They say this after they admitted in 2011 that all core vaccines will induce a sustained [get that - sustained!] protective immune response lasting at least 5 years thereafter.

And yet, almost all major associations continue to recommend revaccinations for the core vaccines every 3 years or more. They never say they are effective for 5 years, or even a lifetime, which Dr. Schultz and others have repeatedly shown.

Current serology studies show the same results — but only in the US, not in Europe where the results are much longer. Hmm? Same vaccine companies, same vaccines.

What about rabies yearly, or every 3 years?

European studies have shown the DOI for rabies is anywhere from 5-9 years; but most animals show antibodies long after those years. I’ve seen it in many animals I have tested, including my own dogs.

If by chance a titer test shows there are no, or very few, circulating antibodies, there can still be protective antibodies hanging out in the quiet recesses of the immune system. They’re there, just waiting for a reason to become active, to propagate, and to annihilate rabies particles introduced by the marauding, starving, dying animal. BTW: that’s when you see rabies — in starving, depleted, stressed animals — not in healthy ones.

Why do we jab them so young?

They’re babies — just 6-8 weeks old! Still the pressure to immunize all young dogs and cats is enormous. Pet parents and breeders want to get their dogs out in the world. And yes those animals are at high risk. But now it’s become beyond ridiculous! The first vaccinations are now started at 6 weeks, not even allowing the animals to be weaned.

Early in life, when mama’s antibodies from her placenta and milk are still present, your animal is protected. For those dear stressed, starving, stray animals, the mama protection antibodies might be compromised. They’re the animals at risk for disease.

Vaccinating when mama’s antibodies are circulating in the little bodies does not elicit more protection. Thinking that you can increase protection by vaccinating early is another misconception that has become mainstream. Every person with a DVM degree knows this. Most breeders and folks selling dogs don’t know this; but it’s basic Vaccinology 101.

Here’s a dirty little secret…

The real reason vaccines are started so early is because we don’t know exactly how long mama’s antibodies will be transferred to the babies, or how long they will stay in the body for protection. For some animals those antibodies could ‘run out’ at 8 weeks, for others, at 16 weeks. Without doing a titer test, one simply doesn’t know. So it’s really a crap shoot as to when those antibodies have run their course. Until this happens, vaccination won’t actually stimulate antibody production. Not a moment sooner.

For example: if the mama’s antibodies in puppy A are still present at 15 weeks, and she or he had vaccines starting at 6 weeks, that puppy will have received up to 5 vaccinations (eek!) that likely did nothing except fill her or his body with toxicants!

Here’s another example. If mama’s antibodies in Kitty A wore off at 10 weeks, but was given 3 vaccinations starting at 6 weeks, then at least two of them are doing nothing but overloading the detox mechanisms that aren’t fully developed yet — not to mention the immune system which also isn’t fully developed. Additionally, toxicants in the vaccines can cross the blood brain barrier into an immature immune system (yes, the brain has an immune system) and inflame the brain. Oy vey! This is what I call Brain On Fire, and it shows up as many behavioral and physical issues.

If you want to know more about what’s in your pet’s vaccines, read my article here.

The take-away from this dirty little secret is this: if you must vaccinate, do everything you can to wait until about 16 weeks. Then give one vaccination and be done. One and done!

If you can work with a homeopathic vet, we have homeopathic preparations (called nosodes) that can provide very good protection for those weeks prior to vaccination. They also provide very good protection long term, without any vaccinations. More on homeopathic nosodes and their effectiveness during worldwide epidemics in another blog.

All vaccinations come with mind-boggling consequences. The toxicants presented in all vaccines (for humans and animals alike) come with a laundry list of frightening health risks. But rarely are you ever informed of these risks. This all-too-frequent medical procedure is approached with a care-free attitude that you would never, never have with regard to any other serious medical procedure!

Do elder pets and chronically sick ones need vaccines?

The short answer: no!

Do titers for your elder pets and fa get aboot it! For your animals with any, any sort of medical issue, from skin to digestion, from ears to thyroid, etc., do not vaccinate! Those conditions will only worsen.

Should you get antibody titers instead of vaccinations???

The short answer is: yes!

The medium answer is: yes — but for the reasons we briefly discussed above, don’t think the resulting antibodies always mean full protection from disease.

The long answer is: get titers done for rabies and anything else if you want to know if your adult dog or cat, who isn’t susceptible to those baby diseases, really has the appropriate antibodies — especially if you have to prove it to someone else.

I’m hoping that more and more cities, states, and businesses will accept titers in the near future, instead of blindly vaccinating our animals. And if this happens, I am 100% positive we will see a huge decrease in chronic disease caused by vaccinations (aka vaccinosis). We will eliminate so much suffering and financial strain that the animal will dance with joy! I have seen this in my client’s animals; and know that you can experience it too.

But, you have to push for these tests instead of just going along with convention. You will pay more up front for the titer tests; but less for everything else.

And by the way - even if the titers don’t always tell us if there is complete protection from the baby diseases, they do tell us one thing: they tell us the immune system is turned on, active and alert. And that’s very important to know, which is why I recommend titers testing.

What about cats?

Let’s never, ever forget about our beloved kitties and cats! I know my life would be very empty without my cats. But I also know the vaccinations are pushed just as much on cats as dogs, with the exception of completely indoor cats. Although I think all animals and people should be free to access the Mother Earth, if you have an indoor cat you do NOT need any vaccinations at all! None. Ever. Period. Full stop. That is, unless you bring in a sick cat into your home at which point there might be some exchange of bugs, but if your cat is super healthy, on a fresh food diet then your adult can is very likely able to be resistant to the commonly spread illnesses.

It is my opinion, again, from The Heretical Vet, that if you have a super healthy cat and you bring one into your home with FIV or FeLeuk the chances of cross ‘infection’ is unlikely. Those diseases are signs of chronic disease, poor immune health, stress, etc. which can be supported and helped with your natural rearing practices. It’s like sharing a home with someone that has diabetes and you are a very vital person who takes great care of themselves. Their diabetes is their diabetes, not yours.

Some options for you, Jane, pet parent

What can you do?

• Don’t panic when you get the notices to take your animal in for vaccinations. Get your facts straight. Remember; your vet is working for you so have the difficult convos and hold your ground! Get a wellness check and lab work if you have an older kid who needs a full evaluation.

• Know you are only legally required to give the rabies vaccine.

• Get titer testing for rabies.

• Don’t repeat the core vaccines if your dog or cat has been vaccinated any number of times after 14-16 weeks.

• Get titers for other vaccinations if your groomer, kennel, etc. demand vaccinations for services. Or better yet, find another business and support folks who have educated themselves!

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References:

Schultz, RD. Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and What We Don’t Know, Proceedings – Canine Infectious Diseases: From Clinics to Molecular Pathogenesis. 1999:22.

Smith CA. Are we vaccinating too much? J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1995 Aug 15;207(4):421-5. 

Tizard I, Ni Y. Use of serologic testing to assess immune status of companion animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1998 Jul 1;213(1):54-60. 

Schultz RD. Duration of immunity for canine and feline vaccines: A review. Veterinary Microbiology. 2006;117(1):75-9.

[Presentation to veterinarians ] Schultz RD. What everyone needs to know about canine and feline vaccination programs. 2008 Conference of the AHVMA. 2008.

[Article] Schultz RD. Dog vaccines may not be necessary. University of Wisconsin-Madison News. 2003 March 14.