Dr. Jean Dodds' Recommended Vaccination Schedule
Vaccine Initial 1st Annual Booster Re-Administration Interval Comments
Distemper (MLV)
(e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy) 9 weeks
12 weeks
16 - 20 weeks At 1 year MLV Distemper/ Parvovirus only
None needed.
Duration of immunity 7.5 / 15 years by studies. Probably lifetime. Longer
studies pending. Can have numerous side effects if given too young (< 8
weeks).
Parvovirus (MLV)
(e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy) 9 weeks
12 weeks
16 - 20 weeks At 1 year MLV Distemper/ Parvovirus only  None needed.
Duration of immunity 7.5 years by studies. Probably lifetime. Longer
studies pending. At 6 weeks of age, only 30% of puppies are protected but
100% are exposed to the virus at the vet clinic.
Rabies
(killed) 24 weeks or older At 1 year (give 3-4 weeks apart from Dist/Parvo
booster) Killed 3 year rabies vaccine 3 yr. vaccine given as required by law
in California (follow your state/provincial requirements) rabid animals may
infect dogs.  
Vaccines Not Recommended For Dogs
Distemper & Parvo @ 6 weeks or younger Not recommended.
At this age, maternal antibodies form the mothers milk (colostrum) will
neutralize the vaccine and only 30% for puppies will be protected. 100%
will be exposed to the virus at the vet clinic.
Corona Not recommended.
1.) Disease only affects dogs <6 weeks of age.
2.) Rare disease: TAMU has seen only one case in seven years.
3.) Mild self-limiting disease.
4.) Efficacy of the vaccine is questionable.
Leptospirosis Not recommended
1) There are an average of 12 cases reported annually in California.
2)  Side effects common.
3) Most commonly used vaccine contains the wrong serovars.  (There is
no cross-protection of serovars) There is a new vaccine with 2 new
serovars. Two vaccinations twice per year would  be required for
protection.).
4) Risk outweighs benefits.
Lyme Not recommended
1) Low risk in California.
2) 85% of cases are in 9 New England states and Wisconsin.
3) Possible side effect of polyarthritis from whole cell bacterin.
Boretella
(Intranasal)
(killed) Only recommended 3 days prior to boarding when required.
Protects against 2 of the possible 8 causes of kennel cough.
Duration of immunity 6 months.
Giardia Not recommended
Efficacy of vaccine unsubstantiated by independent studies


There are two types of vaccines currently available to veterinarians:
modified-live vaccines and inactivated ("killed") vaccines.

Immunization Schedules
There is a great deal of controversy and confusion surrounding the
appropriate immunization schedule, especially with the availability of
modified-live vaccines and breeders who have experienced postvaccinal
problems when using some of these vaccines. It is also important to not
begin a vaccination program while maternal antibodies are still active and
present in the puppy from the mother's colostrum. The maternal
antibodies identify the vaccines as infectious organisms and destroy them
before they can stimulate an immune response.

Many breeders and owners have sought a safer immunization program.

Modified Live Vaccines (MLV)
Modified-live vaccines contain a weakened strain of the disease causing
agent. Weakening of the agent is typically accomplished by chemical
means or by genetic engineering. These vaccines replicate within the host,
thus increasing the amount of material available for provoking an immune
response without inducing clinical illness. This provocation primes the
immune system to mount a vigorous response if the disease causing
agent is ever introduced to the animal. Further, the immunity provided by a
modified-live vaccine develops rather swiftly and since they mimic
infection with the actual disease agent, it provides the best immune
response.

Inactivated Vaccines (Killed)
Inactivated vaccines contain killed disease causing agents. Since the
agent is killed, it is much more stable and has a longer shelf life, there is no
possibility that they will revert to a virulent form, and they never spread
from the vaccinated host to other animals. They are also safe for use in
pregnant animals (a developing fetus may be susceptible to damage by
some of the disease agents, even though attenuated, present in
modified-live vaccines). Although more than a single dose of vaccine is
always required and the duration of immunity is generally shorter,
inactivated vaccines are regaining importance in this age of retrovirus and
herpesvirus infections and concern about the safety of genetically
modified microorganisms. Inactivated vaccines available for use in dogs
include rabies, canine parvovirus, canine coronavirus, etc.




W. Jean Dodds, DVM
HEMOPET
938 Stanford Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310/ 828-4804
fax: 310/ 828-8251

Note: This schedule is the one I recommend and should not be interpreted
to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be
less satisfactory. It's a matter of professional judgment and choice. For
breeds or families of dogs susceptible to or affected with immune
dysfunction, immune-mediated disease, immune-reactions associated
with vaccinations, or autoimmune endocrine disease (e.g., thyroiditis,
Addison's or Cushing's disease, diabetes, etc.) the above protocol is
recommended.

After 1 year, annually measure serum antibody titers against specific
canine infectious agents such as distemper and parvovirus. This is
especially recommended for animals previously experiencing adverse
vaccine reactions or breeds at higher risk for such reactions (e.g.,
Weimaraner, Akita, American Eskimo, Great Dane).

Another alternative to booster vaccinations is homeopathic nosodes. This
option is considered an unconventional treatment that has not been
scientifically proven to be efficacious. One controlled parvovirus nosode
study did not adequately protect puppies under challenged conditions.
However, data from Europe and clinical experience in North America
support its use. If veterinarians choose to use homeopathic nosodes, their
clients should be provided with an appropriate disclaimer and written
informed consent should be obtained.

I 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.

I 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.

I do NOT recommend vaccinating bitches during estrus, pregnancy or
lactation.

W. Jean Dodds, DVM
HEMOPET
VACCINE PROTOCAL
welcome to:
JACKNIC
PLEASE BE
INFORMED  AND
EDUCATE YOURSELF
ABOUT VACCINES