2007 AKC CHF ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SYNOPSIS OF THE CANINE HEALTH FOUNDATION VACCINATION TALK GIVEN BY DR. RONALD SCHULTZ, ONE OF THE FOREMOST AUTHORITIES ON THE TOPIC
Dr. Ron Schultz, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Which vaccines?
The core vaccines, which every puppy should receive, are:
Parvo (CPV-2)
Distemper (CDV)
Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2)
Rabies (RV)
At minimum, a puppy should get one dose of these at age 16 weeks or older. Better, they should be given one dose at 6-9 weeks, another dose at least 2-4 weeks later, and then a third at 14-16 weeks. After that, revaccination should follow one year later.
Revaccination following that should be done at most every three years (except for places which by law require annual rabies. Note, however, that there is no medical reason to annual rabies vaccination. The one and three year vaccines are usually the same.)
The minimum duration of immunity for core vaccines (except rabies) is at least 7 years based on current challenge/titer studies. Revaccination before then will not improve immunity, given that immunity was accomplished with the initial vaccination.
The dog's immune system is like a person's, so why are they given annual boosters when people only need one or two vaccinations for a disease and then receive lifetime immunity? Dogs are the same.
Immunological memory is very long, in some cases life-long, for modified live viruses (MLV) vaccines. It is usually shorter for killed viruses and bacterial vaccines.
Non-core vaccinations:
Leptosporosis: only if dog is in high-risk area. Vaccination's duration of immunity is less than one year, so boosters may be needed every 6-9 months. Use the vaccine with four serovars.
Bordatella: Kennel cough is caused by several organisms. CAV-2 immunity lasts at least 7 years; CPI at least 3 years; bordatella may be less than 1 year. If used, intranasal vaccine preferable.
Lyme disease: Only for use in endemic areas. In these areas, many cases of Lyme disease are seen in both vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs. Tick prevention and antibiotic therapy must also be used. Vaccination lasts for up to 1 year.
Giardia: May be of benefit in certain cases, but not advised as a widespread preventative.
Coronavirus: To date, nobody has demonstrated a benefit of using it.
Which vaccines?
The core vaccines, which every puppy should receive, are:
Parvo (CPV-2)
Distemper (CDV)
Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2)
Rabies (RV)
At minimum, a puppy should get one dose of these at age 16 weeks or older. Better, they should be given one dose at 6-9 weeks, another dose at least 2-4 weeks later, and then a third at 14-16 weeks. After that, revaccination should follow one year later.
Revaccination following that should be done at most every three years (except for places which by law require annual rabies. Note, however, that there is no medical reason to annual rabies vaccination. The one and three year vaccines are usually the same.)
The minimum duration of immunity for core vaccines (except rabies) is at least 7 years based on current challenge/titer studies. Revaccination before then will not improve immunity, given that immunity was accomplished with the initial vaccination.
The dog's immune system is like a person's, so why are they given annual boosters when people only need one or two vaccinations for a disease and then receive lifetime immunity? Dogs are the same.
Immunological memory is very long, in some cases life-long, for modified live viruses (MLV) vaccines. It is usually shorter for killed viruses and bacterial vaccines.
Non-core vaccinations:
Leptosporosis: only if dog is in high-risk area. Vaccination's duration of immunity is less than one year, so boosters may be needed every 6-9 months. Use the vaccine with four serovars.
Bordatella: Kennel cough is caused by several organisms. CAV-2 immunity lasts at least 7 years; CPI at least 3 years; bordatella may be less than 1 year. If used, intranasal vaccine preferable.
Lyme disease: Only for use in endemic areas. In these areas, many cases of Lyme disease are seen in both vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs. Tick prevention and antibiotic therapy must also be used. Vaccination lasts for up to 1 year.
Giardia: May be of benefit in certain cases, but not advised as a widespread preventative.
Coronavirus: To date, nobody has demonstrated a benefit of using it.