Vaccination Policy Revision in Australia

[whitedaisy]

Originally Posted by AussieGirl

Hmm, Ruby will be the first dog I do the reduced vaccination thing with so this is all a learning process for me. What are you planning on doing re their vaccinations? Do you plan on revaccinating at any time and if so when and why that particular time? With what I had read you do the titre and vaccinate according to the results, but that info has made things a little more confusing now.

After learning what I have, their vaccination should be good for their whole life or at LEAST 7 yrs, never a need to revaccinate. They now have "memory cells" that will protect them if they come in contact with the disease. So.... I don't know yet if I will NEVER vaccinate again, but I know I won't for many years... that give me many years to see what new info is available then.

As far as the titer results, most people AND Vets think that if the titer is low they need a vaccine. This is exactly what happened to Daisy. Her titer came low and the Vet documented that she had no immunity and needed revaccination. I then learned that her immunity was NOT gone, but because she hasn't been exposed recently to that disease, her titer level was low. The titer level does not equal immunity.

quote from link posted previously - A titer test does not and cannot measure immunity, because immunity to specific viruses is reliant not on antibodies, but on memory cells, which we have no way to measure. Memory cells are what prompt the immune system to create antibodies and dispatch them to an infection caused by the virus it "remembers." Memory cells don't need "reminders" in the form of re-vaccination to keep producing antibodies. (Science, 1999; "Immune system's memory does not need reminders.") If the animal recently encountered the virus, their level of antibody might be quite high, but that doesn't mean they are more immune than an animal with a lower titer.

Because of the Vet's documentation I was forced to vaccinate in order to get Daisy into obedience class, from now on I won't titer. I fully believe she is protected.

[daisy'smom]

Originally Posted by whitedaisy

After learning what I have, their vaccination should be good for their whole life or at LEAST 7 yrs, never a need to revaccinate. They now have "memory cells" that will protect them if they come in contact with the disease. So.... I don't know yet if I will NEVER vaccinate again, but I know I won't for many years... that give me many years to see what new info is available then.

As far as the titer results, most people AND Vets think that if the titer is low they need a vaccine. This is exactly what happened to Daisy. Her titer came low and the Vet documented that she had no immunity and needed revaccination. I then learned that her immunity was NOT gone, but because she hasn't been exposed recently to that disease, her titer level was low. The titer level does not equal immunity.

quote from link posted previously - A titer test does not and cannot measure immunity, because immunity to specific viruses is reliant not on antibodies, but on memory cells, which we have no way to measure. Memory cells are what prompt the immune system to create antibodies and dispatch them to an infection caused by the virus it "remembers." Memory cells don't need "reminders" in the form of re-vaccination to keep producing antibodies. (Science, 1999; "Immune system's memory does not need reminders.") If the animal recently encountered the virus, their level of antibody might be quite high, but that doesn't mean they are more immune than an animal with a lower titer.

Because of the Vet's documentation I was forced to vaccinate in order to get Daisy into obedience class, from now on I won't titer. I fully believe she is protected.

So it seems like the titer test is a big waste of money! I am with Lisa on vaccinations. I don't think I will vaccinate (except rabies) either of the dogs for at least 7 years.

[AussieGirl]

Yeah I was hoping after her 1 yr booster she should be good for at least 7 years, I have read it can sometimes be longer than that though. With the changes they have just made over here I was planning on getting her booster, leaving it for 3 yrs (just getting an annual check up) and doing the titre 4th year onwards (does that make sense?), but with this new info there really isn't any point (in the titre). I guess as you stated it will "buy me" a few years to research more and for new info to come to light.

[bruinsBoxers]

Even though titers are not a sure way to determine immunity . I would much rather titer than pump them full of vaccines every ( or every 3) years . Even if it does cost more .
I train , board and show , most places need proof of either vaccination or titers to board and train , and at many shows they ask for health papers . There is not much of a choice for those that need to board or want to train or compete .

[AussieGirl]

Originally Posted by JoeV

This is the first I've heard of vaccinations every three years. What vaccines does this cover? Lucky was vaccinated in September last year, and was just going to make a vet appt. for next month for checkup and all shots - should I not have her get all the shots? Does anyone have a good site where it explains this topic (US)?

See if these are of any help
Canine Vaccine Guidelines Revised :American Animal Hospital Association. Click on Canine Vaccines Revised at the top of the page, I noticed there is a table in the report

Dr Dodds - Changing Vacc Protocol

[JoeV]

Originally Posted by AussieGirl

See if these are of any help
Canine Vaccine Guidelines Revised :American Animal Hospital Association. Click on Canine Vaccines Revised at the top of the page, I noticed there is a table in the report

Dr Dodds - Changing Vacc Protocol

Thanks for these, going to take a look at them now

[whitedaisy]

Originally Posted by bruinsBoxers

Even though titers are not a sure way to determine immunity . I would much rather titer than pump them full of vaccines every ( or every 3) years . Even if it does cost more .
I train , board and show , most places need proof of either vaccination or titers to board and train , and at many shows they ask for health papers . There is not much of a choice for those that need to board or want to train or compete .

right, you need to titer.... but the average pet owner wouldn't need to and doing so (and getting a low titer) is what got Daisy into that forced vaccination

[Spyglass Sally]

Originally Posted by bruinsBoxers

Even though titers are not a sure way to determine immunity . I would much rather titer than pump them full of vaccines every ( or every 3) years . Even if it does cost more .
I train , board and show , most places need proof of either vaccination or titers to board and train , and at many shows they ask for health papers . There is not much of a choice for those that need to board or want to train or compete .

I'm curious, Missi, what vaccines do they require to show? I understand some places require Kennel Cough to board, but are there others?


In Michigan the only vaccine that is required (just to own a dog, I know nothing about showing or training dogs professionally) is the Rabies vaccine. It's also the only one Buddy has ever had. I looked into the others and was not able to get the only two I might even possibly consider (parvo & distemper) as separate shots. They were combined with others I knew I didn't want and I also wouldn't want to do a "cocktail" vaccine so we skipped them and kept him away from other dogs while he was really young.

I'm not convinced that vaccines are as safe or effective as some would say. Neither way is risk free, so I guess you have to decide what you think is riskier. I did a lot of reading on vaccines with humans and was very surprised at what I learned. It made me wary of them in pets as well.

[brindlebox]

I know most training facilites require all vaccines if you do not have them done every year they require titers. As for showing I think it is just rabies but maybe indoor shows you need more since there are lots of dogs around.

[bruinsBoxers]

I'm curious, Missi, what vaccines do they require to show? I understand some places require Kennel Cough to board, but are there others?

The only vaccs required by law here is rabies 3 year. But it is listed that all dog must be up to date on vaccs . If you get one person who has no idea about titers it is a real pain to explain .
But I will just carry a copy of my rabies & last Kc, titer report with me when I travel or show .

Most places will require rabies , parvo , distemper & kc to board . But more and more are acceptong titers for distemper and parvo.