UPDATE on the DA2PP over vaccine

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Update

I emailed the vet so they had my complaint in writing, they called me tuesday. They said they understood my concerns but that Cooper was not over vaccinated and there will be no side effects. The receptionist said she assumed I was aware it would be the multi vaccine as they dont carry the single lepto as their clients have the lepto with the rest of their puppy shots. She said they cant order in lepto only as it comes in flats of 12, and they would only use 1. I told them that in the future they need to let their clients know this so they can make an informed decision. I told her that I would have gone to another vet who did have the lepto only, such as the vet right next door to them.  

They did say they would give Cooper her booster shot (lepto only) at no cost.

Im torn - I did really like the vet, but this has really put me off. 

Previous post

Cooper went to the vet for her lepto shot today. It was a new vet as we recently moved. I am particular when it comes to vets, but I liked this one. He didnt pretend to know about food and push the prescrition food. Infact he didnt ask what we feed at all. I liked that, as I have previously been told I was killing my dog and cats by feeding raw and that Cooper would grow deformed. He gave her a really good check up, and I asked about her drippy nose (as long as its clear its ok) and the black spot on her nose (its just pigmentation). He cleaned her ears at no extra cost. They get dirty really quick and I was concerned she had an infection but shes ok.

Cooper never had a lepto shot before. But is up to date on all her other vaccines. The vet took the dates she last had them. After we paid and got Cooper in the car etc, I noticed the receipt we got said DA2PP/Lepto. Does that mean she had the DA2PP shot too? (It was one shot but maybe it was combined). She had that in September so Im concerned she was over vaccinated. She has since had diarrhea (she also went to DHs work, a pet store) and got spoiled with treats) and is sleeping now. But did have a play with the inlaws dog, so seems to be feeling fine.

the lepto shot is the 2 stage one - she needs a booster in 4 weeks

I called and confirmed she did have the multi vaccine. i told them I wasnt happy.

DA2PP, also known as DHPP, is a multivalent vaccine for dogs that protects against canine distemper, adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza, canine parvovirus, and canine coronavirus.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The problem with too many pets not being vaccinated is that it also lowers herd immunity. That is it is more unlikely to have contagious illnesses spread if more individuals are vaccinated. This is problematic in people nowadays and has led to outbreaks such as whooping cough. We're on the 3 year DA2PP schedule now and I think I will continue with that.

Here is Dr. Becker's, the holistic vet, take on the whole thing. The last sentence about homeopathy is vital too, though.

"

Re-vaccination Should NOT Be a Reason for Regular Vet Checkups!

It’s discouraging to learn from this study that pet owners are now seeking out other sources for re-vaccinations, like pet stores and mobile clinics.

And it’s certainly not the other sources that concern me. It’s the re-vaccinations.

Yearly re-vaccinations are unnecessary and dangerous for too many pets. These immunizations should not be used to promote annual veterinary visits.

It’s really tragic so many pet owners have been led to believe their pet’s health is all about those yearly vaccinations. Nothing could be further from the truth.

At my clinic, Natural Pet Animal Hospital, I tailor vaccine protocols to minimize risk and maximize protection, taking into account the breed, background, nutritional status and overall vitality of the pet.

With healthy puppies, for example, I generally follow the protocol set by Dr. Ron Schultz, professor and chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin Veterinary School and an expert on vaccine effectiveness.

Per Dr. Shultz’s protocol, we provide a single parvo and distemper vaccine at or before 12 weeks of age, and a second set after 14 weeks. We then titer two weeks after the last set and if the dog has been successfully immunized, she’s protected for life.

If titer tests on any pet no matter the age indicate vaccine levels are low, we recommend a booster for only the specific virus or viruses that titered low, and only for those to which the animal has a real risk of exposure.

We do not use or recommend combination vaccines (six to eight viruses in one shot), which is the traditional yearly booster.

For those pet owners adamantly opposed to any vaccine or for animals that have had past reactions to vaccines, we also offer the option to boost a pet’s immunity naturally with homeopathic nosodes rather than traditional vaccination. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of treatment with nosodes cannot be guaranteed and will not result in a measurable titer."

[Pat and Traveler]

One time when I had Trav in for vaccination, the vet asked if I wanted both of the vaccines at the same time.  (One wasn't due for another month or so.)  I said sure.  After seeing on DK how dangerous this might be, I understand why the vet asked!  Fortunately, Trav had no side-effects.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Humans are not necessarily immune for life. Some vaccines, like tetanus, are required to have boosters. Many childhood vaccines aregiven in a series. And sometimes people prove not to be immune even when one shot is thought to be sufficient.  All vaccines differ.

[Jennifer and Jack]

And you can be the freak like me that never makes titers against most things no matter how any times they give me the vaccine!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sure you are forgetting about smallpox, a scourge if ever there was one. Vaccination helped to eliminate this viral killer. We have rabies, in bats and right now raccoons.  Our dogs need to be licensed and have to have a rabies vaccine. I am absolutely certain that human vaccines have saved millions of live and saved others from disability. Then again I had an aunt who was retarded from measles encephalitis. I also went to medical school. So I not only believe in vaccination, I know there is hard science supporting it.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

If you like them otherwise, consider yourself blessed! I would give them another shot! Glad they responded to you so well!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

I'm trying to make sense of this for Olive's next vaccines - at 12 wk visit, our vet recommends: DA2PP (her 2nd), lepto, and bordatella. Should I accept them all? I'm thinking of delaying the bordatella as we won't board her and 3 vaccines seem like a lot for one day, but maybe I'm being overprotective? Any advice doodle friends? Thx!

[Amy and Annabelle]

When Annabelle got her second set of shots, she also received her rabies. She had a systemic reaction to it. It lasted almost 2 days. She didn't want me anywhere near her. She wanted to be left alone. She pretty much just slept on her bed the whole time and not much else. She wouldn't eat.  I'm not sure which one it was that caused the reaction. But it never happened again.

[c zoomer]

Dinah is due for her second rabies shot.  16 months old.  I have a few questions....how many of you are doing a titer instead (I've seen some studies that determined immunity not just titer.). So i get that.

2.  Those of you who are doing shots....are you in favor of the one year vaccine or the 3 year?  Same shot is given no matter the weight....and Dinah is 17 lbs.  heard there were more issues amongst the small dogs.

thank you for your advice.  Especially how the legal system will view it if I titer.  Direct experience stories would help too.

3. Is anyone following will falconer, DVM and his "course " on rabies and how to get around yearly/3year shots?

there is one happening online in one day's time. It ,ay cost money, dunno.

i live in northern Virginia .

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

IF you opt for the shot rather than titering, absolutely go with the 3 year shot. There is no reason to ever get the 1 year version. 

I titered Jack for years, and there were absolutely no legal ramifications. I don't think there are any legal requirements for DAP (that extra "P" is for parainfluenza, and that would not be included in a 3 year vaccine, as it is typically given annually.) I think the legal system is only concerned with rabies. 

I always did the three year rabies for Jack, and felt very comfortable doing so.