Limited Vaccine Protocols

There is an incredible amount of information out there about vaccines and their side effects. Often previously considered to be benign and harmless, now we are learning that we were wrong! Vaccines can have very many serious side effects, including autoimmune disorders, epilepsy, encephalitis, allergies, behavior problems, digestive disorders, cancer and death!

Here is the limited vaccine protocol I advocate

At Shephaven we typically do a 2 way (Parvo/Distemper) vaccine before the puppies head to their new homes. The vaccine we use and recommend is Nobivac Puppy DPv. We have had better effectiveness and less negative reastions to this one compared to others we have used in the past.

Timing of a second vaccine will typically be around 12-14 weeks old,  Again, we recommend a 2-way vaccine (Distemper/Parvo) for this preferably, but no more than a 3 way vaccine (Distemper/Adenovirus/Parvo) is to be given.

I Then around 12 months after the last puppy Vaccine I give the 5 in 1 (Canine distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Respiratory disease caused by Adenovirus Type 2, Canine Parainfluenza and Canine Parvoviral enteritis). Then no more Vaccinations I titre test 3 years after this last Vaccinations to check immunity.

I do not recommend routine vaccination for kennel cough - this is not a very effective vaccine. There are very many strains of bacterias and viruses that can cause "kennel cough", and the kennel cough vaccines cover only 3 strains! (bordetella, adenovirus and parainfluenza). And most often, the strains going around are NOT the forms we have vaccines for! Also, the kennel cough vaccine is not a long-lasting vaccine, at least not for the bordetella portion - this is a bacterial vaccine, and does not usually confer long-lasting immunity - often only 3-6 months! Because of the lack of efficacy and short duration of immunity, I would only recommend giving this vaccine if you can't avoid it. As more people become educated, it is becoming easier to find groomers, daycares, classes and boarding kennels that do not require this vaccine.

As kennel cough tends to be highly contagious and airborne, it is easily passed around in places where there is a high concentration of dogs - like dog shows, training classes, doggie daycares, dog parks, groomers and vet clinics! Like the human version of a cold, kennel cough is usually mild and although they might not feel great for a few days, a normal healthy dog will get better on its own very quickly.

Leptospirosis vaccine I do not recommend, unless you #1:live in an area with a lot of Lepto cases, and #2: the strains of Lepto occuring in your area are actually the same strains in the vaccine! There are many strains of Lepto, and the vaccine does not cross-protect against all strains, it only covers 4 of the most common strains. 

So absolutely, if there is Lepto in your area, and if it is of a strain covered by the vaccine, then there is justification to give this vaccine. But, this vaccine is one that is well known for causing reactions, and as it is a bacterial vaccine (not viral like a parvo or distemper  vaccine), it does not usually confer long-lasting immunity - often only 3-6 months! So please do some research before choosing to vaccinate your dog for Lepto.

For more information on vaccinations, how they work, and why I believe in limited vaccinations, please see my other vaccine page,  More Vaccine Info.