Vaccinating Dogs, A Controversy With Options

The topic of vaccinating dogs and cats is so controversial that veterinarians and veterinary organizations throughout the US and Canada cannot agree on what is best. The lack of agreement makes it difficult for pet families to make decisions; the following is to help clarify the controversial issues and discuss the vaccine options available for pets.

Vaccine options developed out of necessicity. We’ve made animals sick with traditional vaccine methods, and now that we’re aware of this, we’re looking for ways to customize vaccines to individual pets.

Bad vaccine practices
Traditionally, we veterinarians have given several vaccines on the same day. We have given vaccines when pets are stressed by surgery or other hospital procedures. We have given the same amount of vaccine to a Chow as to a Chihuahua. There is no doubt among holistic veterinarians that these practices can destabilize the immune system rather than strengthen it. The amount of destabilization and damage that vaccines do ranges from inconsequential and transient to significant and permanent.

To increase the probability that vaccines will be a blessing rather than a harm, pet families should be aware of vaccine options, then decide—with the veterinarian’s support—which would be best for your pet.

Vaccine Options
These are vaccine options veterinarians have begun to offer:
1. which diseases are vaccinated for
2. how many diseases at one time
3. how often vaccines are repeated
4. how much is injected
5. when vaccines are given—with surgery or not
6. the age at which vaccines start

Over the next few days, let’s discuss these options in greater detail, beginning with the first. We'll begin by clarify which vaccines are essential or core vaccines, and which are not necessary or are "noncore".