Dr. W. Jean Dodds DVM, is founder of HEMOPET, the non-profit animal blood bank where blood can be tested to check for vaccine antibodies instead of unnecessarily re-vaccinating our companion animals. She consults in clinical pathology nationally and internationally and is considered to be a leading expert in hematology and blood banking, immunology, endocrinology, nutrition and holistic medicine. She is also the Editor of Advances in Veterinary Science and Comparative Medicine for Academic Press.
Dr. Dodds was born in Shanghai, China on January 4, 1941. She received her D.V.M. in 1964 from the Ontario Veterinary College. She has received numerous awards in Veterinary Medicine and is a member of numerous professional societies. She practices in Santa Monica, CA.
All 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats.
The immune systems of dogs and cats are fully mature at 6 months of age. If a vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces immunity which is good for the life of the pet. Subsequent vaccines neutralize the second vaccine and provide no effect.
Annual boosters are not only unnecessary, they may cause allergic reactions.
The first vaccination should be given at not less than 8 weeks of age and given 3 to 4 weeks apart. If the vaccinations are given only 2 weeks apart, they may actually suppress the immune system.
A booster given at either 6 months or 1 year will provide a lifetime of immunity.
After 1 year, measure serum antibody titers against specific canine infectious agents.
Use only killed 3 year rabies vaccine for adults and give it separated from other vaccines by 3-4 weeks. In some states, they may be able to give titer test result in lieu of booster.
Do NOT use Bordetella, corona virus, leptospirosis or Lyme vaccines unless these diseases are endemic in the local area pr specific kennel. Furthermore, the currently licensed leptospira bacterins do not contain the serovars causing the majority of clinical leptospirosis today.
It is NOT recommend to vaccinate bitches during estrus, pregnancy or lactation.
