Vaccinating Your Diabetic Dog
Today we talk about a highly controversial topic that I have very strong feelings about so my goal is to remain objective here. I will do my best, but make no promises. LOL
Every month or so in our group ( CDSI) the question is asked, “It’s time for my dogs shots, should I give them?” And immediately a lively debate ensues. We have some members that are very passionate and very vocal about this topic and usually it gets a little “soap box” like. I will start this off by saying that whether to vaccinate or not is an individual, personal choice. I will suggest that you do your own research on this topic and be prepared to discuss with your veterinarian before making a decision.
I have struggled on how to present this topic, knowing that it needs to be addressed, so I have decided to provide several informative links for you each to educate yourselves so that you can make an informed decision.
The difficult aspect of vaccinations for me is that it is a “one dose fits all” medication. The only one that I am aware of that isn’t calculated by the weight of the dog. So that means that a 120 pound Great Dane gets the same dose as a 6 pound Yorkie. How is that possible and how is that appropriate for the Yorkie?!? No matter how much research I do, I can’t find an explanation of this dosing protocol that makes sense to me.
Most all of the research that I can find on this topic seems to have a common thread, that if your pup has been immunized as a pup, no further vaccinations are needed with the exception of the rabies vaccine that is required by law. Unless there is an epidemic in your area, I myself, would not vaccinate an immunocompromised dog for the optional “boosters”.
I looked up the leading manufacturers of canine rabies vaccines and see that this is the common “prescribed use”: "Approved for the vaccination of healthy dogs, cats and ferrets as an aid in preventing rabies. Recommended for use in healthy dogs , cats and ferrets 3 months of age or older." I’m not sure that I would describe an immunocompromised dog as “healthy”, just sayin’. Oops, my opinion is sneaking out there.
The rabies vaccine is required by law in all 50 states in the US, there are 18 states however that accept titer tests as proof that sufficient antibodies are present and the dog can be exempted from the vaccine. Those states are: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin. The other states do have an exception waiver in place (see links below), and accompanied by a letter from your veterinarian, your pup may be granted a waiver for this vaccine.
If you don’t want to have your pups re-vaccinated and have exhausted all options, please opt for the 3 year (NO mercury) vaccine. Merial makes a thimerosal-free rabies vaccine called IMRAB 3 TF (the 3 designates a 3-year vaccine, and TF stands for “thimerosal-free”). That will at least cut down on your pup's exposure. If your vet only has the 1 year option or the vaccine with mercury in it, please ask them to special order the 3 year, no mercury type for your dog described above.
As I said at the beginning of this post, vaccination is a very personal and individual decision. Read, research and make an informed decision on what is best for you and your pup. I am hopeful that in the future, more research will be done on this topic and further revisions will be made to vaccination protocols. Here is a wonderful guide for you to print and read and discuss with your veterinarian.
Here is some of the best research that I can find from sources that I trust.
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2019/05/18/over-vaccinating-pets.aspx
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/reduced-vaccination-schedule/
https://holistichound.com/latest-vaccination-guidelines-for-dogs-aaha-dr-jean-dodd/
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/thimerosal-in-rabies-vaccines/
Waiver Form:
https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/resources/Resolution_2_rabies_vaccination_attch.pdf
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/annual-rabies-vaccination-waiver
https://www.rabieschallengefund.org/states-with-medical-exemptions/
http://www.kittyhealth.org/vaccine-exemption-form-sample-letter-for-veterinarian/
You’ll notice that for most of the products or groups that I mention, the text is linked to a website that you can purchase that item or a link to join the group mentioned. Just click on the colored text (red or blue, depending what device you are on) and it should take you right to the item or group. If you have any thoughts or ideas for topics that you’d like to see covered here, please feel free to comment below or send me an email at NancyForPetTest@PharmaSupply.com. As always, please “like” this blog post or any of the others that have helped you or just refreshed your memory. Look for new posts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday!
Until next time…