Download Clarifying the Vaccine Controversy

Clarifying the Vaccine Controversy
Since the introduction of routine vaccinations in the early 1960s, there has been a drastic decrease in cases of sick
and dying pets from viral illnesses. However, there are countless questions being asked as to whether or not the risk of
vaccinating our pets outweighs the potential side effects of the vaccines. Although vaccinations are proven to lessen the
risk of certain illnesses, both cats and dogs are susceptible to the possibility of varied side effects that could even result
in death. With the staggering research presented on this topic, the controversial question arises: Should my pet be
vaccinated?
Vaccinations help prevent illnesses in both dogs and cats. There are a number of different types of vaccinations
that are available for a variety of diseases. Vaccines work by stimulating a pet's immune system to aid in fighting
infections from disease causing microorganisms. Certain vaccines contain a killed part of the microorganism which helps
the pets body produce antibodies that will fight off the actual live virus if ever it is encountered (Vaccines and Sarcomas,
AVMA). Vaccines can be administered as a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, or intranasal. There are
vaccinations called "core vaccines" that are recommended for the safety of your cat or dog regardless of their lifestyle.
The rabies vaccine is commonly required by state law on a yearly or triennial basis for all cats and dogs due to the
severity of the disease. Animal task forces such as the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task
Force (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) constantly review the widely accepted
vaccination guidelines to ensure vaccine safety and minimize vaccine risks (WSAVA, 3). In addition, the WSAVA
Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) convened three times between 2009-2010 to prepare a new set of internationally
accepted vaccination guidelines (WSAVA, 2). After much research and testing, the newly adopted vaccination
guidelines altered the frequency of core vaccines from every 1 year to every 3 years in adult animals. Also, the locations
for administration of vaccines became unified, with the hopes to increase documentation and reduce risks of vaccine
reactions and sarcomas (AAHA).
Although there are countless benefits to getting your pet vaccinated, there are still numerous controversies
surrounding the adverse side effects to vaccines. There are a number of side effects caused by vaccinations that can range
anywhere from soreness at the injection site, hair loss, facial swelling, anaphylactic shock, sarcomas, and although
uncommon, even death (AAHA pg 20). Most rabies vaccines along with other core vaccines carry a 3 year duration of
immunity (DOI). Other non core vaccines commonly need to be boosted on a yearly basis. Dr. Jean Dodds, D.V.M,
veterinarian and chief research scientist of Wadsworth Center in New York, states that: "when an adequate immune
memory has already been established, there is little reason to introduce unnecessary antigen, adjuvant, and preservatives
by administering booster vaccines" (Dodds, Changing Vaccine Protocols, 3). Dodds believes that pet parents should be
taking an alternate route from vaccinating their pets. Dodds suggests a serum antibody titer which is a simple blood test
that tells us if the pet still has that particular antibody in their immune system. Titers will allow you to determine if the
pet is still protected against the disease. By testing positive, one knows that there are still antibodies for that virus in the
pets system. Titers also allow for us to understand more of how the pets immune system responds to vaccines and if the
vaccine is effectively immunizing the pet (Dodds, Changing Vaccine Protocols, 2). With the use of titers, we have been
able to determine that although core vaccines are recommended to be boosted every 3 years, "in general, serum antibody
titers to the “core” vaccines along with any natural exposures last a minimum of 7-9 years, and likely are present for life"
(Dodds, Changing Vaccine Protocols, 4). In addition to the potential for over frequency of vaccinating our pets, there are
other risks as well. In cats especially, there is much research on vaccine associated sarcomas. The intent of vaccinating
pets distally and on the rear leg (towards the stifle) is to potentially allow for surgical removal of a cancerous tumor if
one were to arise. According to an article in the CVMA journal, "these tumors are deceptively invasive and have an
extremely high risk of postoperative recurrence even when both the surgeon and the pathologist agree that the initial
excision appeared to be curative" (pg 431 CVJ vol 53). The article also states that these tumors can arise anywhere
between 4 months to 15 years after the initial injection, although most occur between 1 and 3 years (pg 430 CVJ vol 53).
Once a vaccine associated sarcoma is diagnosed, it is unfortunately, most often, a fatal adverse effect of feline
vaccination.
These potential side effects of vaccinations are extremely unsettling and worth understanding before choosing to
booster a vaccine in a pet. The idea of performing antibody titers to avoid too frequent repetition of vaccines is highly
advantageous to the pet. If a pet is found to still have the antibody in their system, that verifies that they are still
protected against the disease and do not need to be revaccinated. Based on the research provided, it is not beneficial and
can be detrimental to the pets health to over vaccinate, therefore, I feel this is an excellent option worth discussing with
the veterinarian. However, I feel that leaving a pet entirely unvaccinated cannot be an option. This allows for the pet and
the people around it to be at risk of contracting serious and even fatal diseases. No matter what the controversy may be,
vaccinations do decrease the chances of a pet contracting the disease. Keeping pets vaccinated also keeps the pets' family
members and others around it safe and protected against the deadly rabies virus. We do not face many rabies, or other
infectious disease outbreaks in the United States; however, I feel that may be attributed to the preventative use of
vaccines over the last few decades. Based on the information presented, I feel that it is extremely important for
veterinarians and pet owners to proceed with caution when vaccinating pets. It is vital to take into consideration the
potential for vaccine reactions based on proven factors such as dog breeds, age, size of the dog, and the amount of
vaccines being administered. These are all numerous factors that can potentially cause a pet to be predisposed to having a
vaccine reaction (AAHA pg 20). It is also crucial to keep current medical histories and not to allow a pet to be
vaccinated more than necessary. Also, it is the veterinarian's responsibility to discuss with the pet owner the necessity for
certain vaccines and their option to decline them. That said, it is imperative to recognize that the use of vaccinations in
pets has saved countless lives and helps to keep the fight against infectious disease at bay.
References
2011 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines (2011, September). Veterinary Practice Guidelines.
http://www.aahanet.org/publicdocuments/caninevaccineguidelines.pdf
Day, WSAVA Global Veterinary Development, M. J., Horzinek, M. C., & Schultz, R. D. (2010). Guidelines for the
Vaccination of Dogs and Cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 51, 1-32.
Dodds, DVM, W. J. Changing Vaccine Protocols. Hemopet, 1-7.
https://my.imatrixbase.com/clients/14145/documents/Dodds_Bio_pdfs/Changing_Vaccine_Protocols.pdf
Vaccines and Sarcomas: A Concern for Cat Owners. http://www.avma.org Wilcock, B., & Bottoms, K. (2012).
Feline Postvaccinal Sarcoma: 20 Years Later. CVJ, 53, 430-434.