VACCINATION NEWS

Dr. Jean Dodds protocol is now being adopted by ALL 27 North American veterinary schools.  I highly recommend that you read this. Copy and save it to your files.  Print it and pass it out at cat show, feline magazines, and club meetings, give a copy to your veterinarian and groomer, etc…. Get the word out.

 I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats.  Some of this information will present an ethical & economic challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics.  Some organizations have come up with political compromise suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs. those concerned about potential side effects.  Politics, traditions, or the doctor’s economic well being should not be a factor in medical decision.

 NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY

 “Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months, If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces an immunity which is good for the life of the pet (ie: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper).  If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect.  The titers is not “boosted” nor are more memory cells induced.”  Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.  “There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines.” Puppies received antibodies through their mother milk.  This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks.  vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks and the  Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced.  Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine.  Vaccination given 2 weeks apart suppresses rather than stimulate the immune system. 

A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age.  Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1 year 4 months) will provide lifetime immunity.

 NEW RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CATS

 Feline vaccine related Fibrosarcoma is a type of terminal cancer related in inflammation cased by rabies & leukemia vaccines.  This cancer is thought to affect 1 in 10,000 cats vaccinated.

 Vaccines with aluminum adjuvant, an ingredient included to stimulate the immune system, have been implicated as a higher risk.  We now recommend a non-adjuvant rabies vaccine for cats.  Testing by Dr. Macy, Colorado State has shown this vaccine to have the lowest tissue reaction and although there is no guarantee that a vaccine induced sarcoma will not develop, the risk will be much lower than with other vaccines.

 Program injectable 6 month flea prevention for cats has been shown to be very tissue reactive and therefore has the potential of inducing an injections site Fibrosarcoma.  If your cats develop a lump at the site of a vaccination, we recommend that it be removed ASAP, within 3-12 weeks.

 FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS VACCINE

 This virus is the leading viral killer of cats.  The individuals most at risk of infection are young outdoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats and cats exposed to such individuals.  Indoor only cats with no exposure to potentially infected cats are unlikely to become infected.  All cats should be tested prior to vaccination.

 cats over one year of age are naturally immune to FelV whether they are vaccinated or not, so annual vaccination of adult cats is NOT necessary.  The incubation period of Feline Leukemia can be over 3 years, so if your cat is in the incubation state of the disease prior to vaccination, the vaccine will not prevent the disease.

FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA VIRUS VACCINE

Also called feline distemper is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease of kittens.  It’s extremely hardy and is resistant to extremes in temperature and to most available disinfectants.

Although an effective treatment protocol is available, it is expensive to treat because of the serious nature of the disease and the continued presence of virus in the environment, vaccination is highly recommended for all kittens.  Cats vaccinated at 6 months or older with either killed or MLV vaccine will produce immunity good for life.  Adult cats do NOT need this vaccine.

FELINE CALICI VIR5US/HERPES VIRUS VACCINE

Responsible for 80-90% of infectious feline upper respiratory tract diseases.  The currently available injectable vaccines will minimize the severity of upper respiratory infections, all though none will prevent disease in all situations.  Intranasal vaccines are more effective at preventing the disease entirely.  Don’t worry about normal sneezing for a couple of days.  Because intranasal vaccines produce an immunity of shorter durations, annual vaccination is recommended.

VACCINES NOT RECOMMENDED

Chlamydia or Pneumonitis

The vaccine produces on a short (2 month) duration of immunity and accounts for less than 5% of upper respiratory infections in cats.  The risks outweigh the benefits.

BORDETELLA

A new vaccine for Feline Bordetella has been introduced.  Dr.  Wolfe of Texas A&M says that Bordetella is a normal flora and does not cause disease in adult cats.  Dr. Lappin of Colorado State says that a review of the Colorado State medical records reveals not one case diagnosed in 10 years.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Giardia is the most common intestinal parasite of human in North America, 30% or more of all dogs and cats are infected with Giardia.  It has now been demonstrated that humans can transmit Giardia to dogs and cats and vice versa.

Heartworm preventative must be given year round in Houston.

VACCINES BADLY NEEDED

New vaccines in development include: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and cat scratch fever vaccine for cats and Ehrlichia (one of the other tick diseases, much worse than Lymes) for dogs.

CONCLUSION

Dogs & cats no longer need to be vaccinated against distemper, parvo, & feline leukemia every year.  Once the initial series of puppy or kitten vaccinations and first annual vaccinations are completed, immunity from MLV vaccines persists for life.  It has been shown that cats over 1 year of age are immune to Feline Leukemia whether they have been vaccinated or not.  Imagine the money you will save, not to mention fewer risks from side effects.  PCR rabies vaccine, because it is not adjuvant, will mean less risk of mediated hemolytic anemia and allergic reactions are reduced by less frequent use of vaccines as well as by avoiding unnecessary vaccines such as K-9 Corona virus and Chlamydia for cats, as well as ineffective vaccines such as Leptospirosis and FIP, Intranasal vaccine for Rhinotracheitis and Calici virus, two upper respiratory viruses of cats provide more complete protection than injectable vaccines with less risk of serious reaction.

The AAHA and all 27 veterinary schools of North America are our biggest endorsement for these new protocols.

Dr. Bob Rogers

Please consider as current on all vaccinations for boarding purposes.

                CATS’ Initial kitten series

1. Distemper (PLP)< Rhino Calici virus, Feline Leukemia Vaccine – 3 sets given one month apart concluding at 16 weeks.
2. Rabies at 16 weeks First Annual (usually at 1 year and 4 months of age)

 

1. Distemper (PLP), Rhino Calici virus, Rabies 2 years of older

 

1. Rabies within the last year
2. Rhino Calici virus within last year
3. Distemper and FeLV given anytime after 6 months of age, but not necessarily with the last year

Recommended: 

1. Physical exam
2. FeLV/FIV  testing  
3. fecal exam for Giardia.

Article reproduced  from:

            “CAT TRACKS” A magazine for the Serious Breeder

                        Spring 2006 issues, Page 16 thru 17

June 2006

It is important to note that we can no longer think in terms of a standard vaccination protocol for all cats.

We must assess the relative risks for each cat, taking into account both individual and environmental factors, to make appropriate decisions. This means having knowledge not only of infectious diseases, but also of immunology. The individual health status of each cat or kitten or cat  being vaccinated must also be taken into account. Vaccination is truly a medical procedure with attendant risks and benefits, so considerable thought should go into these decisions.

Discuss these issues, including the AAFP Guidelines, with your veterinarian in order to reach decisions that are right for your individual circumstances. What is right for  my cattery may not be right for another cattery, and what is right for one individual cat may not be right for another cat.

Being a cattery my vaccinations, will differ from what will be appropriate for your cat's individual  needs