Hurricane Katrina

Vaccine Newsflash: Dogs, Cats

Dr. Bob Rogers, DVM, Pharm.D.
Provost, Texas A&M School of Vet. Medicine

At all 27 North American veterinary schools, new vaccination protocols are underway for dogs and cats. This presents an ethical and economic challenge to vets. Some have devised a political compromise that suggests vaccines every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs. those concerned about side effects. Politics, traditions, or a doctor's economic well being should not influence medical decisions.

New Principles Of Immunology: Dog and cat immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months, it produces an immunity good for the life of the pet (ie: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize antigens of the second vaccine for little or no effect. The titer is not boosted nor are more memory cells induced. Not only are annual parvo or distemper boosters unnecessary, they place pets at risk for allergic reaction and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. No scientific documentation backs label claims for annual MLV vaccines. Puppies receive antibodies via mothers milk, with natural protection for 8-14 weeks. Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated at less than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity neutralizes the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) is produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks delays timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. A series should start at 8 weeks, given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks. Another vaccination given after 6 months (usually at 1 year 4 mo) provides lifetime immunity.

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Recommendations For Dogs

• Distemper & Parvo: According to Dr. Schultz, (AVMA, 8-15-95) puppy and kitten program memory cells survive for life, so a vaccination series at 2, 3 and 4-month intervals, then again at 1 year with a MLV, gives lifelong immunity. Dr. Carmichael (Cornell) and Dr. Schultz cite studies that show immunity against challenge at 2-10 years for canine distemper and 4 years for parvovirus. Studies for longer duration are pending. There are no new strains of parvovirus. Parvovirus vaccination provides cross immunity for all types. Hepatitis (Adenovirus) is one of the agents known to cause kennel cough. Only vaccines with CAV-2 should be used as CAV-1 vaccines carry risk for "hepatitis blue-eye"reactions and kidney damage.


• Bordetella Parainfluenza (kennel cough): Advised only for dogs boarded, groomed, taken to dog shows, or otherwise exposed to a lot of dogs. The intranasal vaccine provides more complete and rapid onset of immunity with less risk of reaction. Immunity requires 72 hours and does not protect from every cause of kennel cough. Immunity is of short duration (6 months).


• Rabies: There have been no reported cases of rabid dogs or cats in Harris, Montogomery, or Ft. Bend Counties (Texas). Rabid skunks and bats have been found, so the potential exists. It is a killed vaccine and must be given every year.


• Lyme Disease is a tick born disease that may cause lameness, kidney failure and heart disease in dogs. Ticks also transmit the disease to humans. The original Ft. Dodge killed bacteria has proven the most effective vaccine. Lyme disease prevention should emphasize early tick removal. Amitraz collars are more effective than Top Spot, as Amitraz paralyzes the tick's mouth parts to prevent disease transmission.

Vaccinations Not Recommended For Dogs
Multiple components in vaccines compete for the immune system and result in lesser immunity for each individual disease as well as increased risk of reaction.

• Canine Corona Virus is only a disease of puppies. It is rare and self-limiting (dogs recover in 3 days without treatment). Cornell and Texas A&M have only diagnosed one case each in the last 7 years. Corona virus does not cause disease in adult dogs.

Leptospirosis vaccine commonly causes adverse reactions in dogs. Most clinical cases of lepto in U.S. dogs are caused by serovaars (or types( grippotyphosa and bratsilvia. The vaccines contain different serovaars eanicola and ictohemorrhagica. They do not cross protect and immunity is short-lived. Lepto vaccine is immuno-supressive to puppies under 16 weeks.

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New Recommendations For Cats

• Feline vaccine related Fibrosarcoma is a type of terminal cancer related in inflammation caused by rabies and leukemia vaccines. This cancer is thought to affect 1 in 10,000 cats vaccinated. Vaccines with aluminum adjuvant, an ingredient included to stimulate the immune system, have been implicated as a higher risk. We now recommend a non-adjuvanted rabies vaccine for cats. Testing by Dr. Macy, Colorado State, has shown this vaccine to have the lowest tissue reaction and although there is no guarantee that a vaccine induced sarcoma will not develop, the risk will be much lower than with other vaccines.


• Injectable 6-mo flea prevention for cats is very tissue reactive and thus has potential to induce fiborsarcoma at injection site. If your cat develops a lump at a vaccination site, we recommend it be removed ASAP, within 3-12 weeks.


• Feline Leukemia Virus is the leading viral cat killer. Most at risk are young outdoor cats, in/out cats, and cats exposed to such individuals. Indoor only cats with no exposure are unlikely to get Fel.V. Cats should be tested before vaccination. Cats over 1 year are naturally immune to Fel.V, so annual adult vaccination is needless. Vaccinating a cat in incubation stage (can last 3+ years) does not prevent Fel.V.


• Feline Panleukopenia Virus (feline distemper) is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease of kittens. It's extremely hardy and resistant to temperature extremes and most disinfectants. Although an effective treatment protocol is available, it is expensive to treat because of the serious nature of the disease and continued presence of virus in the environment. Vaccination is highly recommended for all kittens. Cats vaccinated at 6 months or older with either killed or MLV vaccine will produce an immunity good for life. Adult cats do not need this vaccine.


• Feline Calicivirus/Herpesvirus is responsible for 80-90% of infectious feline upper respiratory tract diseases. Current injectable vaccines minimize the severity of upper respiratory infections, though none prevent disease in all cases. Intranasal vaccines are more effective at preventing the disease entirely. Don't worry about normal sneezing for a couple of days. Because intranasal vaccines produce an immunity of shorter durations, annual vaccination is recommended.

Vaccines Not Recommended For Cats

• Chlamydia or Pneumonitis: The vaccine produces a short (2 month) duration of immunity and accounts for less than 5% of upper respiratory infections in cats. Risks outweigh benefits.


• Feline Infectious Peritonitis: A controversial vaccine. Most FIP kittens are infected in the first 3 months of life. The vaccine is labeled for use at 16 weeks. All 27 vet schools do not advise the vaccine.


• Bordetella: A new vaccine for feline bordetella has been introduced. Dr. Wolfe of Texas A&M says that bordetella is a normal flora and does not cause disease in adult cats. Dr. Lappin of Colorado State says that a review of Colorado State medical records reveals not one case diagnosed in 10 years.

New Developments – Giardia, the most common intestinal parasite of humans in North America, infects 30% or more of all dogs and cats. It has now been demonstrated that humans can transmit giardia to dogs and cats and vice-versa. Heartworm preventative must be given year round in Houston.

Vaccines Badly Needed – New vaccines in development include Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, cat scratch fever vaccine for felines, and Ehrlichia (another tick disease, much worse than Lymes) for dogs.

View From The Trenches, Business Aspects – Most vets advise annual boosters and kennel operators require them. For years veterinary pricing has misled clients to view "the shots" as crucial reason for a yearly office visit. They failed to stress physical exams for early detection of treatable diseases.

Conclusion – Dogs and cats no longer need yearly vaccines for distemper, parvo, and feline leukemia. Once the initial series of puppy or kitten vaccinations and first annual vaccinations are completed, immunity from MLV vaccines persists for life. It has been shown that cats over 1 year are immune to Feline Leukemia whether they have been vaccinated or not. Imagine the money saved, not to mention fewer risks from side effects. PCR rabies vaccine, because it is not adjuvanted, will mean less risk of mediated hemolytic anemia. Less frequest vaccine usage reduces allergic reactions. Avoidance of unnecessary vaccines such as K-9 Corona virus and Chlamydia for cats, plus ineffective vaccines such as Leptospirosis and FIP, also lessens potential adverse reactions. Intranasal vaccine for Rhiotracheitis and Calici virus, two upper respiratory viruses of cats, provide more complete protection than injectable vaccines with less risk of serious reactions. AAHA and all 27 veterinary schools of North America are our biggest endorsement for new protocols.

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Dogs: Initial Puppy Series

1. Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Parinfluenze: 3 sets one month apart, concluding at 16 weeks
2. Rabies: At 16 weeks of age (later is better)
3. Bordetella within 6 months. First annual

Dogs: First Annual (1 year/4 mos)

1. DHP, Parvo, Rabies
2. Bordetella within last 6 months

Dogs: Age 2 Years Or Older

1. Rabies within last year (or 3 yrs, depending on your state)
2. Bordetella within last 6 months
3. DHP and Parvo given anytime over 6 mos. of age, but not necessarily within the last year.
4. Recommended: Physical exam for transmissible diseases and health risks.

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Cats: Initial Kitten Series

1. Distemper (PLP), Rhino Calicivirus, Feline Leukemia: 3 sets 1 mo apart concluding at 16 wks
2. Rabies at 16 weeks
3. Bordetella within 6 months

Cats: First Annual (1 year/4 mos)

1. Distemper (PLP), Rhino, Calicivirus, Rabies

Cats: Age 2 Years Or Older

1. Rabies within last year
2. Rhino Calicivirus within last year
3. Distemper and FelV given any time after 6 mos, but not necessarily within last yr.
4. Recommended: Physical exam, FeLV/FIV testing, fecal exam for giardia.

Free Spay/Neuter In St. Bernard Parish

When: July 9 to July 13, 2006
Where: Big Fix Rig at Chalmette High School, St. Bernard Parish
Contact: Ceily Trog, 504-401-0709 or sbpanimal@aol.com

We need volunteers to spay companion or feral cats for free. You may sign-up for shifts in morning, afternoon, or both. From Sun 7/9 through Thu 7/13/06, the Spay Louisiana sponsored Big Fix Rig comes to Chalmette High School in St. Bernard Parish. The Rig, owned by North Carolina Humane Alliance, is an 18-wheeler trailer equipped for high-volume, quality spay/neuter. It fixes cats and kittens (caregiven, neighborhood, feral) for free. Spay Louisiana funds surgeries and Friends of the Animal Shelter pays the $10 co-pay per animal so there is no cost to pet [guardians] or people with cats from the neighborhood. This great chance to spay/neuter numerous cats in St. Bernard will help us stay a "No Kill Community." The Rig can fix between 20-40 cats per day. There will be two veterinarians plus aides to perform surgeries and animal care. At least five volunteers per shift are needed for pet drop-off and pick-up times.

Volunteer Shifts:
7/9: 6:45 - 8:15am ■ 3:00 - 5:00pm*
7/10: 6:45 - 8:15am ■ 3:00 - 5:00pm*
7/11: 6:45 - 8:15am ■ 3:00 - 5:00pm*
7/12: 6:45 - 8:15am ■ 3:00 - 5:00pm*
7/13: 6:45 - 8:15am ■ 3:00 - 5:00pm*

*Evening time slot flexible based on surgery/recovery times. Volunteers assist [guardians] with paperwork, plus provide information and flyers. Contact Ceily Trog: 504-401-0709, sbpanimal@aol.com

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Katrina Dogs Need Homes, St. Mary

St. Mary Parish Animal Shelter
10905 Hwy 182 Building B
Franklin, LA 70538
337-828-4646
Reply To: Rachel cajunangelrescues@zoomshare.com or call Liz, 337-578-0037

Donations
St. Mary Humane Society
P.O. Box 452
Franklin, LA 70538

7/5/06  ~  My name is Rachel. I am trying to find these animals good homes. They are now located at the St. Mary Humane Society, that isn/t fully running at the time. They were either rescued from last year's hurricanes, a kill shelter or just dumped here, tied to the fence. I do not work for the humane society, I am doing this to help. If I find a good home for one animal they can rescue one more from a kill shelter as soon as they're fully established. At the moment there is limited space so they can't rescue any more animals. St. Mary Humane Society also accepts donations of any type. A bag of dog food, a bottle of bleach, or even a few dollars are greatly appreciated. Every animal is current on vaccines before released. Many are spayed or neutered also. I can provide brief descriptions and photos of each animal.