This is to inform you of our vaccination protocols and issues that should be considered before pets are vaccinated. We have instituted vaccine protocol changes based on current research and recommendations from the Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force (Task Force) that is supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Veterinary Cancer Society. As veterinarians, we want my patients to stay as healthy as possible. We do not want to see infectious disease increas; however, we also want to reduce the negative effects of over-vaccination.

              Vaccines have provided us with great protection from specific infectious diseases. In the past, it was felt that dogs and cats had greater exposure to these infectious diseases so, to protect them, we vaccinated them annually. We have determined that many of our vaccinations are providing immunity for much longer than one year when strategically administered. Determining the length of immunity is a complex issue, one of which there is not a final answer. 

                Not all vaccines are created equal. There are many manufacturers, types of vaccines and preparation form.  Why not continue to vaccinate yearly? It is because at least some vaccinations have been implicated in various risks. A few pets react very strongly to vaccines. Some will spike fevers and/or have a reaction similar to humans who are allergic to bee stings, reactions strong enough to cause death. Additionally, a specific and uncommon cancer called "fibrosarcoma" is associated with the sites where vaccines have been administered. Most of these vaccine site cancers have been found in cats.    Again, these vaccine site cancers are rare to uncommon in cats, and even rarer in dogs. Vaccines may be implicated in immune mediated diseases.
              Core vaccines for dogs include Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and ParvoVirus (DHPP) for dogs. We currently use Pfizer and Intervet vaccines.  We recommend puppies have this vaccine at approximately 7-8 weeks old, then every 3 to 4 weeks until 4 to 5 months old for most breeds.  We currently repeat these vaccines yearly until the dog is over 2 years of age.