Canine Health Concern
PO Box 7533, Rait, Perthshire PH2 1AD
Telephone 01821 670410
Email: [email protected]
Date
Dear (media contact)
We are writing in connection with a current marketing campaign by Intervet, a
veterinary vaccine manufacturer, supported by veterinarians throughout the UK. The
campaign – National Vaccination Month – promotes the vaccination of dogs, cats and
rabbits and is to run throughout June.
We are concerned that, within the promotion, animals can be given a full ‘restart’
vaccine series for the price of a booster. For example, dogs whose vaccines have
not been boosted within the last eighteen months are offered a full puppy series for
the price of a normal booster. This seems to imply that if a pet is six months
‘overdue’ on its annual booster, they have to start again.
We, the undersigned, query the science and safety of such a promotion, refute the
need for annual vaccination, and call for the proper education of vets in practice so
that animals are not needlessly subjected to potential vaccine reactions. We also call
for long-overdue legislation in this matter from the British government.
Pet vaccines are effective for at least seven years, and probably for life
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), the American Animal
Hospital Association (AAHA), and the American Veterinary Medical Association
(AVMA) have announced publicly that annual vaccination is neither necessary nor
without harm. These pronouncements are based upon the known and current
science, namely that dogs and cats, once immune to viral disease, are immune for
years or life. No added protection is conferred by re-vaccination. These statements
are supported by scientific duration of immunity studies.
We must point out that the veterinary associations named above, by publicly
announcing that annual vaccination is unnecessary, are potentially significantly
reducing the booster income of their members, and so they would not make these
pronouncements lightly.
These organisations recommend that “vaccines should not be given needlessly”.
The government fails to act
The British government, through the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and the
Veterinary Products Committee, has allowed veterinary vaccine manufacturers to
hide behind licenses that require only minimum duration of immunity studies. Thus,
for years, the manufacturers have been facilitated to sell unnecessary and potentially
harmful annual boosters simply because annual boosters haven’t been tested for
longer by manufacturers. This is despite the work that has been done internationally
by independent scientists, and despite correspondence with the VMD and successive
Defra Ministers to alert them to the known science. Latterly, a few of the veterinary
vaccine manufacturers have licensed their products for three years – but even this is
an arguable practice, since independent studies show that the MLV vaccines protect
for many years longer.
As a result, vets in practice routinely encourage clients to bring their pets for
unnecessary annual boosters. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, as well as
the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, appear to do nothing to educate their
members with regard to the known duration of immunity for viral vaccines.
Similarly, insurance companies and boarding kennels frequently demand that
animals are vaccinated yearly, despite the fact that this practice is neither necessary
nor safe. Kennels, in turn, are forced by local councils to demand proof of annual
vaccination from pet owners. Councils, who grant licenses to kennels, are
themselves advised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Pet owners are therefore forced from several directions, despite the known science,
to subject their pets to unnecessary vaccine risks.
The science
The WSAVA guidelines recommend: “We should aim to vaccinate every animal, and
to vaccinate each individual less frequently.” These international guidelines also
recommend that, “we should aim to reduce the ‘vaccine load’ on individual animals in
order to minimise the potential for adverse reactions to vaccine products”.
The WSAVA guidelines advise that dogs properly vaccinated with MLV core CDV,
CPV-2 and CAV-2 vaccines (distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus) “would have
98% protection from disease. Similarly we would expect a very high protection from
infection”. They recommend that dogs should not be vaccinated more frequently
than every three years, but that immunity to viral disease lasts for at least seven
years, but probably for life. This is based on direct challenge studies, and on
serology.
It should be noted that a small percentage of the dog population, notably amongst
the black and tan breeds, are unable to acquire immunity, whether or not they are
vaccinated. Neither does it matter how many times you vaccinate these dogs – they
just don’t acquire immunity.
The WSAVA guidelines also define non-core vaccines, which are “those that are
required by only those animals whose geographical location, local environment or
lifestyle places them at risk of contracting specific infections. For example, dogs
boarded at kennels may need additional vaccination for kennel cough. However,
given the possibility of adverse reaction to vaccination, pet owners should consult
with their veterinarian to assess risk-benefit ratios, and consider very carefully if their
pet actually needs any non-core vaccines.”
According to the Fact Sheets for the WSAVA Dog and Cat Vaccination Guidelines,
duration of immunity after vaccination with MLV core vaccines is 7 years or longer,
based on challenge and serological studies, for Canine Parvovirus Type 2 (CPV-2),
Canine Adenovirus (CAV-2) and Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) vaccines.
The WSAVA guidelines also note: “Most vaccinated dogs will have a persistence of
serum antibody (against core vaccine antigens) for many years. For core vaccines
there is excellent correlation between the presence of antibody and protective
immunity and there is long DOI (duration of immunity) for these products.”
Dr Ronald D Schultz, head of pathobiology at Wisconsin University, and the man
behind the DOI studies, has stated that, in his view, dogs can be considered safe if
vaccinated as puppies and then once after the age of six months of age, at which
time their immune systems are mature. They need not be vaccinated again. Dr
Schultz does not support the use of the Leptospirosis vaccine (deemed a non-core
vaccine), as it is known to be ineffective and comes with the most severe adverse
reactions.
When pet owners over-vaccinate their pets, they spend their money unnecessarily
and they are frequently then required to spend even more money dealing with the
after-effects of unnecessary vaccinations. Money, of course, is not the main point:
human beings are making dogs and cats ill, and promoting early death.
Vaccine damage
We attach an article which gives scientific references with regard to vaccine adverse
events.
Vaccines are known to cause vaccinated dogs (but not non-vaccinated dogs) to
develop autoantibodies to their own DNA (Larry Glickman et al, Purdue University).
This means that vaccines cause dogs to attack their own genetic blueprint. Each
time we vaccinate, we risk introducing further genetic defects into dogs, which are
passed down the line.
Vaccines are known to cause T cell immunodeficiencies, which are also inheritable
and associated with heart disease. Combine T cell immunodeficiencies with B cell
immunodeficiencies (which are also inheritable), then you have animals which are
predisposed to respond to vaccines with inflammatory/allergic and immune-mediated
conditions like dermatitis, arthritis, epilepsy, brain damage, digestive problems, and
cancer.
It is well known by the veterinary profession that cats are prone to vaccine-site
sarcomas, but few vets seem to be aware of the research which shows that dogs
also develop vaccine site sarcomas (Journal of Veterinary Medicine, August 2003).
Ferrets do, too.
Vaccines are also known, and accepted, to cause encephalitis – inflammation of the
brain (Merck Manual). Encephalitis is a spectrum disease. It can be mild and
invisible, all the way through to brain damage and death. It is a symptom of, or a
word used to describe, the inflammation that is a known sequel to vaccination.
Epilepsy is also a symptom of encephalitis, and around one in every hundred dogs
in the UK is epileptic.
Other studies show that vaccines can cause arthritis; others that vaccines can cause
diabetes; others that vaccines can cause autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Paresis
(paralysis of one or more limbs) is a sequel to encephalitis, which is an
acknowledged vaccine reaction.
Therefore, on two counts, unnecessary vaccination should not be promoted or legally
acceptable. Financially it is unjustified, and it is potentially harmful to the animals
who are needlessly vaccinated. Blood (titer) tests also exist to determine circulating
antibody, and these are a safer option for vets to offer.
Yours faithfully
Trevor E Adams BVSc CertBR MRCVS VetMFHom
Richard Allport BVetMed, VetMFHom, MRCVS
Ihor John Basko, DVM, CVA
Stephen Blake BS, DVM, CVA, CVH
Dr Kim Bloomer VND
Laurie S Coger DVM
Christopher Day VetFFHom, Cert IAVH, MRCVS
Rosario Delgado-Lecaroz,DVM
Michael Dym VMD, AVMA, AHVMA AVH
Jeffrey Feinman BA, VMD, CVH
Michael W Fox BVetMed, PhD, DSC, MRCVS
Jean Hofve DVM
Patricia Monahan Jordan DVM, CVA, CTCVH & Herbology
Nicholas Larkins BVSc DSc MRCVS
Roger S Meacock BVSc MRCVS
Clare Middle BVMS CVA CertIAVH
James Newns Bvet Med MRCVS
Barbara Noeldner DVM
Lynn S. Peck, DVM, MS
Richard Pitcairn DVM PhD
Susan Pollen DVM
Darla Rewers, DVM
Margo Roman DVM, AVMA, AVH, IVAS, AVAR, NCH
John Saxton B Vet Med, VetFFHom, IAVH, MRCVS
Cheryl Sears MVB VetMFHom MRCVS
Martin J Schor M.D. F.A.C.S., Diplomat, American Board Of Urology
Fellow, American College Of Surgeons
Charissa Smith BVSc DipAc, DipStrucBal, CertHom,
Suzannah Stacey MRCVS
Paula Terifaj DVM
Lyn Thomson BVSc DipHom
Keith Weingardt DVM, CVA, CTCVM (herbology), Member of AVMA, AHVMA, IVAS,
AAVA, Chi Institute
Douglas R. Yearout DVM
Erin Zamzow DVM
PO Box 7533, Rait, Perthshire PH2 1AD
Telephone 01821 670410
Email: [email protected]
Date
Dear (media contact)
We are writing in connection with a current marketing campaign by Intervet, a
veterinary vaccine manufacturer, supported by veterinarians throughout the UK. The
campaign – National Vaccination Month – promotes the vaccination of dogs, cats and
rabbits and is to run throughout June.
We are concerned that, within the promotion, animals can be given a full ‘restart’
vaccine series for the price of a booster. For example, dogs whose vaccines have
not been boosted within the last eighteen months are offered a full puppy series for
the price of a normal booster. This seems to imply that if a pet is six months
‘overdue’ on its annual booster, they have to start again.
We, the undersigned, query the science and safety of such a promotion, refute the
need for annual vaccination, and call for the proper education of vets in practice so
that animals are not needlessly subjected to potential vaccine reactions. We also call
for long-overdue legislation in this matter from the British government.
Pet vaccines are effective for at least seven years, and probably for life
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), the American Animal
Hospital Association (AAHA), and the American Veterinary Medical Association
(AVMA) have announced publicly that annual vaccination is neither necessary nor
without harm. These pronouncements are based upon the known and current
science, namely that dogs and cats, once immune to viral disease, are immune for
years or life. No added protection is conferred by re-vaccination. These statements
are supported by scientific duration of immunity studies.
We must point out that the veterinary associations named above, by publicly
announcing that annual vaccination is unnecessary, are potentially significantly
reducing the booster income of their members, and so they would not make these
pronouncements lightly.
These organisations recommend that “vaccines should not be given needlessly”.
The government fails to act
The British government, through the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and the
Veterinary Products Committee, has allowed veterinary vaccine manufacturers to
hide behind licenses that require only minimum duration of immunity studies. Thus,
for years, the manufacturers have been facilitated to sell unnecessary and potentially
harmful annual boosters simply because annual boosters haven’t been tested for
longer by manufacturers. This is despite the work that has been done internationally
by independent scientists, and despite correspondence with the VMD and successive
Defra Ministers to alert them to the known science. Latterly, a few of the veterinary
vaccine manufacturers have licensed their products for three years – but even this is
an arguable practice, since independent studies show that the MLV vaccines protect
for many years longer.
As a result, vets in practice routinely encourage clients to bring their pets for
unnecessary annual boosters. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, as well as
the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, appear to do nothing to educate their
members with regard to the known duration of immunity for viral vaccines.
Similarly, insurance companies and boarding kennels frequently demand that
animals are vaccinated yearly, despite the fact that this practice is neither necessary
nor safe. Kennels, in turn, are forced by local councils to demand proof of annual
vaccination from pet owners. Councils, who grant licenses to kennels, are
themselves advised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Pet owners are therefore forced from several directions, despite the known science,
to subject their pets to unnecessary vaccine risks.
The science
The WSAVA guidelines recommend: “We should aim to vaccinate every animal, and
to vaccinate each individual less frequently.” These international guidelines also
recommend that, “we should aim to reduce the ‘vaccine load’ on individual animals in
order to minimise the potential for adverse reactions to vaccine products”.
The WSAVA guidelines advise that dogs properly vaccinated with MLV core CDV,
CPV-2 and CAV-2 vaccines (distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus) “would have
98% protection from disease. Similarly we would expect a very high protection from
infection”. They recommend that dogs should not be vaccinated more frequently
than every three years, but that immunity to viral disease lasts for at least seven
years, but probably for life. This is based on direct challenge studies, and on
serology.
It should be noted that a small percentage of the dog population, notably amongst
the black and tan breeds, are unable to acquire immunity, whether or not they are
vaccinated. Neither does it matter how many times you vaccinate these dogs – they
just don’t acquire immunity.
The WSAVA guidelines also define non-core vaccines, which are “those that are
required by only those animals whose geographical location, local environment or
lifestyle places them at risk of contracting specific infections. For example, dogs
boarded at kennels may need additional vaccination for kennel cough. However,
given the possibility of adverse reaction to vaccination, pet owners should consult
with their veterinarian to assess risk-benefit ratios, and consider very carefully if their
pet actually needs any non-core vaccines.”
According to the Fact Sheets for the WSAVA Dog and Cat Vaccination Guidelines,
duration of immunity after vaccination with MLV core vaccines is 7 years or longer,
based on challenge and serological studies, for Canine Parvovirus Type 2 (CPV-2),
Canine Adenovirus (CAV-2) and Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) vaccines.
The WSAVA guidelines also note: “Most vaccinated dogs will have a persistence of
serum antibody (against core vaccine antigens) for many years. For core vaccines
there is excellent correlation between the presence of antibody and protective
immunity and there is long DOI (duration of immunity) for these products.”
Dr Ronald D Schultz, head of pathobiology at Wisconsin University, and the man
behind the DOI studies, has stated that, in his view, dogs can be considered safe if
vaccinated as puppies and then once after the age of six months of age, at which
time their immune systems are mature. They need not be vaccinated again. Dr
Schultz does not support the use of the Leptospirosis vaccine (deemed a non-core
vaccine), as it is known to be ineffective and comes with the most severe adverse
reactions.
When pet owners over-vaccinate their pets, they spend their money unnecessarily
and they are frequently then required to spend even more money dealing with the
after-effects of unnecessary vaccinations. Money, of course, is not the main point:
human beings are making dogs and cats ill, and promoting early death.
Vaccine damage
We attach an article which gives scientific references with regard to vaccine adverse
events.
Vaccines are known to cause vaccinated dogs (but not non-vaccinated dogs) to
develop autoantibodies to their own DNA (Larry Glickman et al, Purdue University).
This means that vaccines cause dogs to attack their own genetic blueprint. Each
time we vaccinate, we risk introducing further genetic defects into dogs, which are
passed down the line.
Vaccines are known to cause T cell immunodeficiencies, which are also inheritable
and associated with heart disease. Combine T cell immunodeficiencies with B cell
immunodeficiencies (which are also inheritable), then you have animals which are
predisposed to respond to vaccines with inflammatory/allergic and immune-mediated
conditions like dermatitis, arthritis, epilepsy, brain damage, digestive problems, and
cancer.
It is well known by the veterinary profession that cats are prone to vaccine-site
sarcomas, but few vets seem to be aware of the research which shows that dogs
also develop vaccine site sarcomas (Journal of Veterinary Medicine, August 2003).
Ferrets do, too.
Vaccines are also known, and accepted, to cause encephalitis – inflammation of the
brain (Merck Manual). Encephalitis is a spectrum disease. It can be mild and
invisible, all the way through to brain damage and death. It is a symptom of, or a
word used to describe, the inflammation that is a known sequel to vaccination.
Epilepsy is also a symptom of encephalitis, and around one in every hundred dogs
in the UK is epileptic.
Other studies show that vaccines can cause arthritis; others that vaccines can cause
diabetes; others that vaccines can cause autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Paresis
(paralysis of one or more limbs) is a sequel to encephalitis, which is an
acknowledged vaccine reaction.
Therefore, on two counts, unnecessary vaccination should not be promoted or legally
acceptable. Financially it is unjustified, and it is potentially harmful to the animals
who are needlessly vaccinated. Blood (titer) tests also exist to determine circulating
antibody, and these are a safer option for vets to offer.
Yours faithfully
Trevor E Adams BVSc CertBR MRCVS VetMFHom
Richard Allport BVetMed, VetMFHom, MRCVS
Ihor John Basko, DVM, CVA
Stephen Blake BS, DVM, CVA, CVH
Dr Kim Bloomer VND
Laurie S Coger DVM
Christopher Day VetFFHom, Cert IAVH, MRCVS
Rosario Delgado-Lecaroz,DVM
Michael Dym VMD, AVMA, AHVMA AVH
Jeffrey Feinman BA, VMD, CVH
Michael W Fox BVetMed, PhD, DSC, MRCVS
Jean Hofve DVM
Patricia Monahan Jordan DVM, CVA, CTCVH & Herbology
Nicholas Larkins BVSc DSc MRCVS
Roger S Meacock BVSc MRCVS
Clare Middle BVMS CVA CertIAVH
James Newns Bvet Med MRCVS
Barbara Noeldner DVM
Lynn S. Peck, DVM, MS
Richard Pitcairn DVM PhD
Susan Pollen DVM
Darla Rewers, DVM
Margo Roman DVM, AVMA, AVH, IVAS, AVAR, NCH
John Saxton B Vet Med, VetFFHom, IAVH, MRCVS
Cheryl Sears MVB VetMFHom MRCVS
Martin J Schor M.D. F.A.C.S., Diplomat, American Board Of Urology
Fellow, American College Of Surgeons
Charissa Smith BVSc DipAc, DipStrucBal, CertHom,
Suzannah Stacey MRCVS
Paula Terifaj DVM
Lyn Thomson BVSc DipHom
Keith Weingardt DVM, CVA, CTCVM (herbology), Member of AVMA, AHVMA, IVAS,
AAVA, Chi Institute
Douglas R. Yearout DVM
Erin Zamzow DVM