How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond by Cesar Millan & Melissa Jo Peltier

Author:Cesar Millan & Melissa Jo Peltier
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Tags: Dogs, Pets, General
ISBN: 9780307461292
Publisher: Harmony Books
Published: 2009-10-06T04:00:00+00:00

Core: Vaccines that should be given to every dog

Non-Core: Optional vaccines that should be considered only if an individual dog’s lifestyle or risk factors strongly warrant it

Not Recommended: Vaccines not recommended by the AAHA under any circumstances

Core Vaccines Distemper*

Hepatitis (adenovirus-2)*

Parvovirus*

Rabies

Non-Core Vaccines Leptospirosis†

Lyme†

Bordetella (kennel cough)

Parainfluenza

Not Recommended Adenovirus-1

Coronavirus

Giardia

Crotalus atrox toxoid (rattlesnake)

Porphyromonas (periodontal disease)

Since a thorough series of vaccines given in puppyhood has now been determined to provide most of a dog’s immunity for life, the AAHA recommends revaccination no more than once every three years. Many of my holistic veterinarian friends think that even three years is far too often to risk exposing your dog to the health risks of overvaccination, since multiple studies have shown that dogs properly immunized in puppyhood maintain lifetime immunity to hepatitis, distemper, and parvovirus.6 A great option for conscientious dog owners is to ask their veterinarian to provide antibody titer testing for distemper, parvo, or rabies, which shows approximately how much disease-fighting immunity is present in your dog’s system at the time the test is given. If your dog has plenty of antibodies, then the titer level will be high—proof that the vaccines have done their job and your dog is protected. With a high titer level, you can assume your dog doesn’t need a vaccine booster, though even a low blood titer doesn’t necessarily mean another vaccine is indicated. For more information about titer testing, contact www.hemopet.org.

There is a short period of about a week during which the puppy no longer has much immunity from its mother left but the new vaccines have not fully kicked in and started working. This window can allow even the best-cared-for puppies to get sick, but the potential danger can be exaggerated, to the point where dog owners will grow paranoid and keep their puppies inside and isolated for months, ultimately creating frustrated and antisocial dogs. “I tell my clients that ten days after the first vaccine, they should begin to get as much socialization for their puppy as they possibly can,” advises Dr. Charlie Rinehimer of Northampton Community College. “I counsel them to stay away from places like dog parks—where you have no idea of the vaccination or health status of the dogs—during that time, but going to visit friends with dogs, taking walks on a leash, or going for car rides are all great. After sixteen weeks, anything goes as far as I am concerned.”

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