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Let me start by saying your Chin should always have a yearly check up. Your vet is
an expert, trained to detect potential health problems. Your vet also knows specific
disease risk in your state. It is important that you find a good veterinarian, whose
judgment you trust. I strongly recommend you discuss vaccination issues with your
vet, and follow their recommendations. I have done much research on vaccines, and
the content below is meant to be informational, and something to help you make an
informed decision about vaccinations.
We do not start vaccinations until 8 weeks of age. The immunity a puppy receives
from his mother can actually interfere with vaccines. The maternal antibodies identify
vaccine as an infectious organism, and destroy them before they can stimulate an
immune response. This means your puppy may not be completely vaccinated when
your receive him, and it is vital to finish his series of puppy vaccinations on time.
There is much controversy about vaccines. Many studies in veterinary schools and
by independent immunologists are showing that we are over vaccinating our pets.
Over vaccination is thought to cause cancer, liver damage, kidney damage, allergies,
skin disorders, and many other health problems. In addition, over vaccination is
thought to destroy the immune system. Most all veterinary experts, and some
schools of veterinary medicine are now recommending we vaccinate less, once
properly vaccinated.
Some vets recommend yearly combination vaccination against Distemper, Parvo,
Hepatitis, Corona Virus, Leptosprosis, Parainfluenza, Bordatella, Lyme disease in
addition to Rabies. Annually, this adds up to as many as 8 viruses PLUS Rabies. It
is similar to your doctor telling you to have measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria,
pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis shots every year of your life till you died instead of a few
doses as a child.
Please discuss a ‘minimal’ vaccination schedule with your vet. Many experts in
immunology believe the following schedule to be very adequate: Puppies should
receive Parvo, Distemper and Adenovirus vaccines at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age.
Depending on your state, they should get a Rabies vaccine at about 23 weeks. At
16 months, they should receive boosters for Parvo, Distemper and Adenovirus, and
at about 18 months, should receive their 3 year rabies vaccine. After this point, test
their antibody titers before giving any more vaccinations. NEVER vaccinate your
dog or puppy if he is not feeling well.
Recent studies by veterinary schools are showing that once properly vaccinated,
your dog has immunity for many, many years, and for life with some vaccines! It is
important to verify proper immunity. This can easily be done by having your vet
perform a titer. This is a blood test that measures your dogs antibodies, thus
immunity, from his previous vaccines. I personally recommend having a titer done,
and then determining if your dog needs revaccination. This will tell your vet
positively, if you can avoid the health risk of another vaccination. Once proper
immunity is established, your vet may recommend having a titer test repeated every
3 or 4 years.
Vaccines:
Rabies: Due to public health issues, this vaccine is regulated by your state.
However, a titer test can prove immunity, and in many states your vet can give you a
rabies waiver. I recommend having rabies vaccine given 4 weeks apart from any
other vaccination.
Distemper, Parvovirus & Adenovirus: These are serious diseases. These are
considered to be core vaccines for your dog, and titers should be checked. MLV
(modified live virus) is recommended for these vaccinations.
Bordetella: Kennel cough. Symptoms like having a cold. This disease is rarely life
threatening, and usually only seen in places multiple dogs are kept. Your boarding
kennel may require a bordetella prior to boarding. The vaccine used protects
against 2 of the possible 8 strains of kennel cough, and lasts only 6 months.
Leptospirosis: The Japanese Chin is known to be sensitive to this vaccine. The
associated adverse affects far outweigh the benefits. The most commonly used
vaccine also contains the wrong serovars. I strongly recommend you do not give
your Chin this vaccine.
Lyme Disease: Most all authors of veterinary articles on Lyme Disease do not
recommend vaccination for dogs in non-epidemic areas. This is transmitted by a tick.
Giardia: I am not aware of any veterinary schools or immunology or vaccine
researchers who recommend the use of this vaccine. If a dog is healthy, giardia will
be kept in check by dogs immune system.
Corona Virus: Corona Virus only effects young puppies, and therefore is your
breeders problem.
Remember the Japanese Chin is a small breed. Your puppy will weigh 4-12 lbs as
an adult. The same amount of vaccine is given to both a Chin, and a Great Dane. I
believe this is why the ‘Toy Breeds’ typically have more adverse reactions to
vaccine. It is much safer for your Chin to check antibody titers, and vaccinate less,
than over vaccinate.
More Information:
A few years ago, the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine
became the first veterinary college to issue a vaccination schedule that
recommended against annual vaccinations. In their new protocol they wrote, "We are
making this change after years of concern about the lack of scientific evidence to
support the current practice of annual vaccination and the increasing documentation
that over vaccinating has been associated with harmful side effects. Of particular
note in this regard has been the association of autoimmune hemolytic anemia with
vaccination in dogs and vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats...both of which are
often fatal." In dogs, there is a correlation between autoimmune hemolytic anemia
and vaccination (Dodds, 1985; Duval and Giger, 1996), and an ongoing study at
Purdue University has found that vaccinated dogs, but not unvaccinated controls,
have formed antibodies to their own cells (Larry T. Glickman, DVM, "Weighing the
Risks and Benefits of Vaccination," Advances in Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 41, 2001).
The 2003 report of the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force indicated that the DOI
following challenge studies in dogs was equal to or greater than 7 years for the three
canine "core" vaccines against distemper virus (CDV), parvovirus (CPV-2) and
adenovirus (hepatitis, CAV-1).
Challenge of immunity studies have shown that the minimum DOI of modified live
virus (MLV) CDV vaccines are 7 and 5 years for the Rockborn and Onderstepoort
strains of CDV, respectively. Challenge of immunity studies for CPV-2 vaccines have
shown the minimum DOI with MLV CPV-2 vaccines to be 7 years. Challenge of
immunity studies for CAV-1 have shown the minimum DOI with modified live CAV-2
vaccines to be 7 years. Based on serologic data for sterilizing immunity, the minimum
DOI for CDV is 12-15 and 9 years, respectively, for the Rockborn and Onderstepoort
strains of CDV; up to 10 years for CPV-2; and at least 9 years for CAV-1.
In 2002, the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents (COBTA) published
a landmark report on cat and dog vaccines. Some key features of that report were:
"vaccination is a potent medical procedure associated with benefits and risks for
animals; considerations of exposure probability, susceptibility, severity of the
disease, efficacy and safety of the vaccine, potential public health concerns, and
owners preferences are appropriate; individual animals will require different vaccines
and vaccination programs; revaccination recommendations should be designed to
create and maintain clinically relevant immunity, while minimizing adverse event
potential; the practice of revaccinating animals annually is largely based on historic
precedent supported by minimal scientific data; unnecessary stimulation of the
immune system does not result in enhanced disease resistance and may expose
animals to unnecessary risks; veterinarians should consider creating a core
vaccination program for most of the animals in their practice area; core vaccines are
defined as vaccines appropriate to provide protection in most animals against
diseases that pose a risk of severe disease because the pathogens are virulent,
highly infectious, and widely distributed in the region; current adverse event
reporting systems need substantial improvement in the capture, analysis, and
dissemination of information; practitioner commitment to reporting adverse events
and practitioner access to timely analyses of adverse event data are essential to
providing optimal animal care."
In 2004, the following statement was endorsed by all 23 members of the ACVIM
Infectious Disease Study Group and approved by the ACVIM Board: "The American
College of Veterinary Internal Medicine believes that all dogs should have a routine
health examination by a veterinarian at least yearly. At that time, vaccination needs
should be determined and only those antigens deemed necessary should be
administered. We currently endorse the use of the AAHA [American Animal Hospital
Association] 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines as an aid in determining the
vaccination needs of individual dogs."
Titer Testing and Vaccination *
“While difficult to prove, risks associated with overvaccination are an increasing
concern among veterinarians. These experts say antibody titer testing may prove to
be a valuable tool in determining your patients’ vaccination needs.”
* Veterinary Medicine, February, 2002.
an expert, trained to detect potential health problems. Your vet also knows specific
disease risk in your state. It is important that you find a good veterinarian, whose
judgment you trust. I strongly recommend you discuss vaccination issues with your
vet, and follow their recommendations. I have done much research on vaccines, and
the content below is meant to be informational, and something to help you make an
informed decision about vaccinations.
We do not start vaccinations until 8 weeks of age. The immunity a puppy receives
from his mother can actually interfere with vaccines. The maternal antibodies identify
vaccine as an infectious organism, and destroy them before they can stimulate an
immune response. This means your puppy may not be completely vaccinated when
your receive him, and it is vital to finish his series of puppy vaccinations on time.
There is much controversy about vaccines. Many studies in veterinary schools and
by independent immunologists are showing that we are over vaccinating our pets.
Over vaccination is thought to cause cancer, liver damage, kidney damage, allergies,
skin disorders, and many other health problems. In addition, over vaccination is
thought to destroy the immune system. Most all veterinary experts, and some
schools of veterinary medicine are now recommending we vaccinate less, once
properly vaccinated.
Some vets recommend yearly combination vaccination against Distemper, Parvo,
Hepatitis, Corona Virus, Leptosprosis, Parainfluenza, Bordatella, Lyme disease in
addition to Rabies. Annually, this adds up to as many as 8 viruses PLUS Rabies. It
is similar to your doctor telling you to have measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria,
pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis shots every year of your life till you died instead of a few
doses as a child.
Please discuss a ‘minimal’ vaccination schedule with your vet. Many experts in
immunology believe the following schedule to be very adequate: Puppies should
receive Parvo, Distemper and Adenovirus vaccines at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age.
Depending on your state, they should get a Rabies vaccine at about 23 weeks. At
16 months, they should receive boosters for Parvo, Distemper and Adenovirus, and
at about 18 months, should receive their 3 year rabies vaccine. After this point, test
their antibody titers before giving any more vaccinations. NEVER vaccinate your
dog or puppy if he is not feeling well.
Recent studies by veterinary schools are showing that once properly vaccinated,
your dog has immunity for many, many years, and for life with some vaccines! It is
important to verify proper immunity. This can easily be done by having your vet
perform a titer. This is a blood test that measures your dogs antibodies, thus
immunity, from his previous vaccines. I personally recommend having a titer done,
and then determining if your dog needs revaccination. This will tell your vet
positively, if you can avoid the health risk of another vaccination. Once proper
immunity is established, your vet may recommend having a titer test repeated every
3 or 4 years.
Vaccines:
Rabies: Due to public health issues, this vaccine is regulated by your state.
However, a titer test can prove immunity, and in many states your vet can give you a
rabies waiver. I recommend having rabies vaccine given 4 weeks apart from any
other vaccination.
Distemper, Parvovirus & Adenovirus: These are serious diseases. These are
considered to be core vaccines for your dog, and titers should be checked. MLV
(modified live virus) is recommended for these vaccinations.
Bordetella: Kennel cough. Symptoms like having a cold. This disease is rarely life
threatening, and usually only seen in places multiple dogs are kept. Your boarding
kennel may require a bordetella prior to boarding. The vaccine used protects
against 2 of the possible 8 strains of kennel cough, and lasts only 6 months.
Leptospirosis: The Japanese Chin is known to be sensitive to this vaccine. The
associated adverse affects far outweigh the benefits. The most commonly used
vaccine also contains the wrong serovars. I strongly recommend you do not give
your Chin this vaccine.
Lyme Disease: Most all authors of veterinary articles on Lyme Disease do not
recommend vaccination for dogs in non-epidemic areas. This is transmitted by a tick.
Giardia: I am not aware of any veterinary schools or immunology or vaccine
researchers who recommend the use of this vaccine. If a dog is healthy, giardia will
be kept in check by dogs immune system.
Corona Virus: Corona Virus only effects young puppies, and therefore is your
breeders problem.
Remember the Japanese Chin is a small breed. Your puppy will weigh 4-12 lbs as
an adult. The same amount of vaccine is given to both a Chin, and a Great Dane. I
believe this is why the ‘Toy Breeds’ typically have more adverse reactions to
vaccine. It is much safer for your Chin to check antibody titers, and vaccinate less,
than over vaccinate.
More Information:
A few years ago, the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine
became the first veterinary college to issue a vaccination schedule that
recommended against annual vaccinations. In their new protocol they wrote, "We are
making this change after years of concern about the lack of scientific evidence to
support the current practice of annual vaccination and the increasing documentation
that over vaccinating has been associated with harmful side effects. Of particular
note in this regard has been the association of autoimmune hemolytic anemia with
vaccination in dogs and vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats...both of which are
often fatal." In dogs, there is a correlation between autoimmune hemolytic anemia
and vaccination (Dodds, 1985; Duval and Giger, 1996), and an ongoing study at
Purdue University has found that vaccinated dogs, but not unvaccinated controls,
have formed antibodies to their own cells (Larry T. Glickman, DVM, "Weighing the
Risks and Benefits of Vaccination," Advances in Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 41, 2001).
The 2003 report of the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force indicated that the DOI
following challenge studies in dogs was equal to or greater than 7 years for the three
canine "core" vaccines against distemper virus (CDV), parvovirus (CPV-2) and
adenovirus (hepatitis, CAV-1).
Challenge of immunity studies have shown that the minimum DOI of modified live
virus (MLV) CDV vaccines are 7 and 5 years for the Rockborn and Onderstepoort
strains of CDV, respectively. Challenge of immunity studies for CPV-2 vaccines have
shown the minimum DOI with MLV CPV-2 vaccines to be 7 years. Challenge of
immunity studies for CAV-1 have shown the minimum DOI with modified live CAV-2
vaccines to be 7 years. Based on serologic data for sterilizing immunity, the minimum
DOI for CDV is 12-15 and 9 years, respectively, for the Rockborn and Onderstepoort
strains of CDV; up to 10 years for CPV-2; and at least 9 years for CAV-1.
In 2002, the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents (COBTA) published
a landmark report on cat and dog vaccines. Some key features of that report were:
"vaccination is a potent medical procedure associated with benefits and risks for
animals; considerations of exposure probability, susceptibility, severity of the
disease, efficacy and safety of the vaccine, potential public health concerns, and
owners preferences are appropriate; individual animals will require different vaccines
and vaccination programs; revaccination recommendations should be designed to
create and maintain clinically relevant immunity, while minimizing adverse event
potential; the practice of revaccinating animals annually is largely based on historic
precedent supported by minimal scientific data; unnecessary stimulation of the
immune system does not result in enhanced disease resistance and may expose
animals to unnecessary risks; veterinarians should consider creating a core
vaccination program for most of the animals in their practice area; core vaccines are
defined as vaccines appropriate to provide protection in most animals against
diseases that pose a risk of severe disease because the pathogens are virulent,
highly infectious, and widely distributed in the region; current adverse event
reporting systems need substantial improvement in the capture, analysis, and
dissemination of information; practitioner commitment to reporting adverse events
and practitioner access to timely analyses of adverse event data are essential to
providing optimal animal care."
In 2004, the following statement was endorsed by all 23 members of the ACVIM
Infectious Disease Study Group and approved by the ACVIM Board: "The American
College of Veterinary Internal Medicine believes that all dogs should have a routine
health examination by a veterinarian at least yearly. At that time, vaccination needs
should be determined and only those antigens deemed necessary should be
administered. We currently endorse the use of the AAHA [American Animal Hospital
Association] 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines as an aid in determining the
vaccination needs of individual dogs."
Titer Testing and Vaccination *
“While difficult to prove, risks associated with overvaccination are an increasing
concern among veterinarians. These experts say antibody titer testing may prove to
be a valuable tool in determining your patients’ vaccination needs.”
* Veterinary Medicine, February, 2002.
The controversy about over vaccination. This is long,
but important to read and discuss with your veterinarian.
but important to read and discuss with your veterinarian.
Vaccination Recommendations