New Puppy Vaccination Guidelines 18th Nov 2007

Yesterday, together with Yvonne Odell, I attended the KC/BSAVA HEALTH symposium held at the RVC.

This is the 4th such  programme I have  attended since 2002. The  lectures are ALWAYs  informative  & relevant to anyone involved in dog keeping so where I would ask are the AFGHAN HOUND BREEDERS & at least ONE  representative from our  many regional breed clubs?

I have never met any other Afghan person at these  lectures apart from Yvonne.

Amongst the content of this latest  symposium, some of which I will write up later for my breed column, Michael Day, from Bristol Vet School gave  a most informative & update on  VACCINATION & given the number of litters in the pipeline at this time ,this will be relevant to the puppies & their vaccination programme, so I am posting here for information.

Michael Day is the professor of veterinary pathology at Bristol Vet School & is one of the leading experts worldwide. He is the Chairman of the BSAVA Scientific committee & Chairman for WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Assoc) & a member of the panel responsible for advising the profession on the NEW recommendations for vaccinating dogs.

I will later be submitting the whole content of Michael’s lecture on the Health Pages. We are indeed very lucky to have him here in the UK & vets in general practice have access to his independent expertise & wisdom, particularly in regard to vaccines issues with  any dogs & a health  problem.

Briefly as from SEPT 2007 the following are the recommended guidelines for the vaccination programme for all new puppies.

Most dog breeders will understand why it is necessary to revaccinate puppies to avoid interference from maternally derived  immunity .

Recent data has suggested that these maternal antibodies may persist in puppies for longer than previously thought and even at 12 weeks of age, some pups may have levels that may interfere with the effect of most currently available vaccines

.For this reason the recommendation NOW is a return to the administration of THREE doses of vaccine to puppies.

8 weeks.12 weeks. 16 weeks.

More however it is suggested that the adolescent  “booster” given at 12mths AFTER the initial series is NOW considered to be a full part of the PUPPY VACCINE  regime.

Michael anticipated that this is NEW & there may  be veterinary practices that  have not as yet read this LATEST DATA so YOU may have to discuss such with your  vets

THE WSAVA guidelines are available at  http://www.wsava.org/SAC.htm

I have XTra info here regarding adult vac's & comments from THE expert here for anyone interested. Vaccination now is going to be targeted v much at the INDIVIDUAL DOG  in discussion with  the dog owner' & the  vet practice on current situations but is geared v much toward the CORE vaccines. He gave  a very interesting over view on LEPTO shots which as you know are ANNUAL!!! & how they may or may NOT be applicable to individual dogs & their life style, viz exposure. Are they  necessary?????

We are reverting BACK to the original ideas on shots

Let us try  and get this reaction & side effects into some perspective, it is v easy to go OTT. Yes some dogs will have  localised reactions, others may well go on later to develop immune related disorders that have been "triggered" but who can say if this is the vaccine or other  environmental influences & for sure they have to be genetically susceptible. Some breeds   are vulnerable, viz the Rottweiller .

In answer to a question from the floor Are vaccinations a contributory factor in AI disease,  Michael Day said AI bleeding disorders probably but difficult to prove!.

Some 225 adverse reactions in 2.24 million have been reported (Vet Medicine Directorate) so that equates at 1.1 per 10.000 chance, that is of the worse scenario.

The overall view now is that we should AIM to  vaccinate EVERY animal and vaccinate each individual LESS FREQUENTLY.

One of the best methods of reducing the risk of adverse consequences of vaccination is simply to reduce the frequency of administering a vaccine. There are now good reliable data which supports registering canine vaccines for the core diseases( distemper Parvo hepatitis) non core include lepto, KC & Lyme disease. for at least a 3 year period of protection. 

Another interesting point raised.

IF the bitch is vaccinated as a "booster" pre mating, theoretically the maternal antibodies  will be higher & circulating & last longer in the pup which might well interfere with the  8 & 12 week shots. 

As Michael Day said in his lecture this is the very latest guidelines for all vets and there may be possible confusion out there with some practices but if you meet with any  problems get your vets to look at the  WSAVA guidelines on their web site or any vet in general practice can communicate directly with Michael at Bristol.

Sylvia Evans sylvia@amshura.fsnet.co.uk