Written by: Dr Sanchez-Emden • January 18, 2021• Pet Health

The Truth about Vaccines for Pets

It is well known that trends seen in human medicine are also seen in animal medicine. The human movements towards green medicine, for example, rapidly influenced the veterinary world, leading to the introduction of more natural products, from nutritional supplements to flea control products. Another such trend is the anti-vaccination movement that has led to the resurgence of diseases that were once nearly eradicated in this country. This trend has also made its way into veterinary markets.

The current American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) vaccine recommendations call for an individualized vaccine protocol based on the individual animal risk factors. In other words, the vaccines required by each pet will vary depending on the geographical area where the pet lives, the degree of exposure to diseases, and the physical condition of the pet. This latest recommendation, together with the development of vaccines that offer longer protection (three years), has allowed pets to be successfully protected from infectious disease, while minimizing not only the number of vaccines administered, but also the vaccination frequency. Measurement of vaccine titers in the blood stream (antibodies for a particular pathogen present in circulation), once used as the sole basis for measuring protection from infectious disease, does not take other important factors for protection into consideration. The “cell mediated immunity” process is also required; this process cannot be measured by a blood test. For this reason, an adequate level of antibodies towards a specific pathogen may not guarantee protection from that pathogen. Like many trends, there are those who take it to an extreme. In the case of animal vaccination, there are a number of pet owners declining vaccines altogether, with the misconception that vaccines are detrimental to their pet, or that the pet is not exposed to diseases at all. This way of thinking is not only dangerous, but it places the life of the pet and other animals in danger, as well as represents a hazard to public health such as with rabies or leptospirosis.

Let’s demystify the most basic and popular vaccine myths.

Vaccines make pets sick: Although occasionally vaccines can have adverse reactions, newer vaccines (from the last 15 years) are very safe biological products with minimal incidence of adverse effects.
My pet is not exposed to diseases at all: Every pet that goes outside to eliminate, to the groomer, or to the vet is exposed to diseases. Even if no other animal is around, some infectious diseases can be transmitted just through direct contact with a contaminated surface like a sidewalk, a puddle, or a water bowl.
Vaccine protection lasts longer than three years: Vaccine manufacturing companies have invested in biological products scientifically proven to last three years for effective disease protection. Vaccinating less than every three years would be using a biological product off-label, which is not in the best interest of our pets.
All vaccines are equal: There are different types and brands of vaccine in the market for the same pathogens (ex. there are about eight brands of rabies vaccines). Even though all are effective, they can differ in formulation, components, level of support from the manufacturing company, and price. For this reason always seek vaccinations from a trusted and licensed veterinarian that uses only the best quality vaccines to protect your pet.
Vaccines are money makers for veterinarians: The truth is that vaccination is the most monotonous and boring task that veterinarians have; however, it is also one of the most important since they prevent deadly diseases and public health crises. In addition, with the current evidence-based guidelines for vaccines, further understanding of infectious diseases processes, and availability of long-duration vaccines, veterinarians can now vaccinate less often.
Vaccines cause autism in dogs: Autism is not a condition recognized in non-human animals. You might see on an internet search that a veterinary researcher and professor named Dr Dodman suggested, based on a study in 2015 with slightly over one hundred “tail-chasing” Bull Terriers, that the behavior can be compared to the steinreotypic behavior seen in humans in the autistic spectrum. This is an opinion and is not necessarily shared by the veterinary community. What’s more, the study never suggested a relation between autism and vaccines in animals.

The truth about vaccines is that individual animals require individual vaccine protocols that should be developed in conversation with their veterinarian, always maintaining the best interest and safety of the pet and public in mind. Not vaccinating at all is not a smart option.

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