Vaccinations

Annual Examinations & Vaccinations

Documented research shows vaccinations are important to prevent illness and the spread of disease, but over-vaccinating has the potential to cause serious future health concerns for our animal friends. While there is no question that vaccinations have saved millions of lives over the years, animals of certain susceptible breeds or families appear to be at increased risk for severe and lingering adverse reactions to vaccines. In cats, while adverse vaccine reactions may be less common, aggressive tumors (fibrosarcomas) can occasionally arise at the site of vaccination. We are not talking about minor and temporary "flu" like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, and sleepiness that we often associate following a vaccination. We are talking about more serious symptoms, such as developing or escalating tumors/cancer, seizures, thyroid/kidney disease, or worse...complete immune system failure and/or death. All of these symptoms/illnesses have been well documented throughout the years in various veterinary literature and over the past few years veterinarians are starting to see a trend..."Over-vaccinating has the potential to cause more future health problems; therefore, we need to reevaluate our current vaccination protocol." While the incidence is low, only a few per thousand—do we really want to take a chance? Mind you...we are not trying to scare you, but to inform you of the all the risks and possibilities before giving a vaccination. We must remember that core vaccinations are needed/required as young animals both for their individual health and the health of the population. However, each animal is unique and thus healthcare needs a more personalized approach in treatment as well as vaccinations.

In the past and even currently, vaccine use has become so widespread that most veterinary practices send reminder cards to clients to schedule appointments for their pets based solely on their vaccination schedule. However, recent research shows that vaccine manufacturer's recommendations may have been arbitrary and not based on duration of immunity studies at all. The studies now being conducted to find out how long an immune response can last in a vaccinated animal have revealed that many of the common vaccines confer "immunity" for several years if properly administered. In some cases, a titer test may be taken instead of giving a booster vaccine. A titer is a blood test that will reveal the level of antibodies found in the blood, which functions as a measure of the immune response. For more information on titer testing, you can visit W. Jean Dodds, DVM website. (We also offer titer testing here at the clinic and we use hemopet because we trust their method/results and contribution to and use of their database. Hemopet also quantifies the titer level beyond a positive or negative more ambiguous answer.)

We strongly recommend pet parents to keep up on their pet companion's annual comprehensive examinations. We cannot express enough how preventative medicine is the very key to a long and healthy life for people and their pets. For consideration, our pets' life passes more quickly than ours. One calendar year we experience is equivalent to 4-7 years in both cats and dogs, therefore, it is essential that medical conditions are found early, so treatments can start a.s.a.p. to stay ahead of the illness and hopefully restore optimal health.

We also strongly recommend you stay up-to-date on your pet companion's vaccinations—become informed on current vaccination data/laws and know all your possible vaccination options. A good place to start is visiting the IVC Journal website. IVC Journal has several current articles on vaccinations and other subject matter you may find interesting. The articles also provide the direct links to current studies. If you have questions after reading about vaccinations, this is good because questions open the door for sharing information and for the development of trust; which we strive for here at Universally Holistic Veterinary Services. "We want to give you the most current information on vaccines, so you can make the best and informed decisions to fit your goals and lifestyle concerning your animal companion's health during their annual comprehensive exam."

Dr. Backus and Vaccinations

Vaccinations are necessary but over-vaccinating serves no purpose: here is an awesome 2023 article overview from Dr. Becker:

Dr. Becker's article

Here at Universally Holistic Veterinary Services, we understand that vaccinations ARE necessary and some are required by law. There are in fact, several ongoing studies that show that many of the common vaccines confer "duration of immunity" for several years if properly given. This is why Dr. Backus spends much of her personal time researching, studying, and attending conferences to stay up-to-date on current healthcare data; be it veterinary, human, traditional or holistic. While she believes vaccinations are necessary...over-vaccinating serves no purpose, except creating possible future health complications for our animal friends.

In Dr. Backus' veterinary experience, she has seen many animals develop various side effects from vaccinations. Most of the time she sees the common "flu" like symptoms; however, she has also seen more serious side effects, such as developing or escalating tumors, seizures, thyroid/kidney disease, complete immune system failure and/or death. This is why she is committed to sharing her knowledge, while still following AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) guidelines and only using core vaccines.

When it comes to vaccines, at Universally Holistic Veterinary Services we use a product called PureVax; which is a Merial manufactured product. PureVax is classified as a recombinant viral vector vaccine and contains no unnecessary proteins, adjuvants, or mercury; thus, making it a safer product than a "modified-live" vaccine. Merial's product also has studies to show that it produces protective immunity more quickly in the face of maternal antibodies that can block the vaccine "lesson". We frequently and concurrently administer a homeopathic product depending on the situation and health of the animal. In addition, Dr. Backus may recommend ozonated SQ fluids to process the vaccine through the system at a faster rate. Another frequent recommendation is to space vaccinations out over a month(s) and to only give vaccinations when our pet friends are deemed to appear completely healthy upon physical examination and complete health history.

Learn more about Merial/BI products

Learn more about PureVax (no adjuvant)

View the complete AAHA vaccine protocol

For older animals, vaccinations may not be needed or recommended instead doing a titer. A titer is a blood test that will reveal the level of antibodies found in the blood, which functions as a measure of the immune response. For more information on titer testing, visit W. Jean Dodds', DVM website. We do offer titer testing here at the clinic and will send into hemopet. Typically, we see results in 4-7 days after they receive the sample.

All of this information will be discussed in more detail during your animal's first vaccine appointment and annual comprehensive exams thereafter. Remember, vaccinations are important and more information is being discovered every day. The more knowledge that is shared about vaccinations the more we can work together in preventing illness and/or disease for a longer and healthy life; both for our beloved animal family members and the populations of animals that we cherish in our world.

Kitten Vaccinations

Feline Vaccination Protocol by: Jean Dodds, DVM

The following vaccine protocol is offered for those cats where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one Dr. Dodds recommends and should not interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.

PLEASE NOTE: We modify this protocol, choosing to use Merial vaccines for the purity and efficacy that Dr. Backus has over 20 years of clinical experience with in some of the harshest conditions of shelter high density exposures.

10-11 Weeks Old:
Panleukopenia (feline parvovirus), Calicivirus, Rhinopneumonitits Virus (feline herpesvirus-1)
(FVRCP)

14-16 Weeks Old:
Same as above

24 Weeks or Older (if required by law):
Rabies (e.g. Merial Purevax™, recombinant)

1 Year:
FVRCP booster (optional = titer)

1+ Year:
Rabies, same as above but separated by 2-3 weeks from FVRCP

Perform vaccine antibody titers for panleukopenia virus every three years thereafter, or more often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request. Visit Rabies Challenge Fund.

For more information regarding kitten/feline vaccinations, please visit Dr. Jean Dodds website, Hemopet.

Kitten/Feline Vaccination Package Options are Available:

5% discount for cash up front for the entire package

Puppy Vaccinations

Puppy/Canine Vaccination Protocol by: Jean Dodds, DVM

The following vaccine protocol is offered for those dogs where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one I recommend and should not be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.

9 - 10 weeks of age:
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
e.g. Merck Nobivac (Intervet Progard) Puppy DPV

14 – 15 weeks of age:
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV

18 weeks of age:
Parvovirus only, MLV
Note: New research states that last puppy parvovirus vaccine should be at 18 weeks old.

20 weeks or older, if allowable by law:
Rabies – give 3-4 weeks apart from other vaccines
Mercury-free (thimerosol-free, TF)

1 year old:
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
This is an optional booster or titer. If the client intends not to booster after this optional booster or intends to retest titers in another three years, this optional booster at puberty is wise.

1 year old:
Rabies – give 3-4 weeks apart from other vaccines
3-year product if allowable by law; mercury-free (TF)

Perform vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus every three years thereafter, or more often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request. Visit The Rabies Challenge Fund for more information.

For more information regarding puppy/canine vaccinations, please visit Dr. Jean Dodds website, Hemopet.

Puppy/Canine Vaccination Package Options are Available:

5% discount for cash payment up front, full package for all puppy vaccines and exams.

Horse Vaccinations

Similar to small animals, horses benefit from an individualized approach

There are more variables with horses with regards to the decision making process in giving vaccinations. Herd immunity and use, lifestyle, travel, living environment, medical history and current health status are all considerations. Thus the collaboration/consultation with Dr. Backus is the key and valued aspect of the information exchange and creating an action plan. That being said, the best resource for the recommendations for horse vaccination is found at the Americian Association of Equine Practioners.

It is possible to do titers on horses as well. We offer this service through hemopet. Titer testing in a horse can be much more expensive because there are more viruses of the core vaccines than small animals.

We also utilize homeopathics, ozone when administering vaccinations to horses and have an extensive access to the most current and best resources of information to help you make the best decision for your horse.

Equine Vaccination and Titer Protocol by: Jean Dodds, DVM

For more information regarding Equine vaccinations and titers, please read Dr. Jean Dodds Equine Vaccines & Titer Testing recommendations.