The Vaccine Controversy: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Even vaccines that have been proven to be safe and effective in a majority of individuals may cause adverse reactions when administered to certain individuals. In most instances and from a historical perspective, however, when one examines the correlation between introduction of a particular vaccine and decline in incidence of the respective disease subsequent to initiation of inoculation, the benefits of immunization for preservation and protection of health are clearly evident. For example, in 1990 the number of laboratory confirmed cases of dogs infected with rabies were approximately 150 for the year. Prior to local government enforced vaccination of dogs against rabies, the reported confirmed cases of this disease were approximately 7000 cases/year. Since, on the average, modern-day canine vaccines pose only a 1:60,000 risk that an individual dog will develop an adverse reaction, the benefits of administering the rabies vaccine for protection against disease far outweigh the risks of occurrence of adverse reactions. However, some early modified live rabies vaccines posed a high risk for bringing about active disease in both the immunized host and other non-immune individuals exposed to virus shed by the vaccinated animal because the injected microorganisms reverted back to an infectious state. Under these circumstances, the risks associated with vaccinating for rabies were unacceptable. Therefore, whenever deciding whether or not to immunize it is important to take all of the following factors into consideration: the risk of infection, the consequences of the disease, the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, and the duration for which the vaccine will provide protective immunity.

Risks and Consequences of Canine Infectious Diseases
(Reprinted from R. Foster and M.R. Smith, The Doctors Foster & Smith Catalog)
Canine distemper is a widespread, often fatal viral disease in which the early symptoms are similar to those of an upper respiratory infection in man. Fever, cough and nasal discharge occur regularly. If left untreated, signs of neural involvement may appear, including localized muscle twitching (chorea) and convulsions. Distemper is often resistant to treatment, but can be prevented through vaccination.

Canine adenovirus type-1 and type-2 cause infectious hepatitis and respiratory infection, respectively. Hepatitis caused by adenovirus type-1 may cause severe kidney damage or death. Common signs of this disease include listlessness, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, excessive thirst, and discharges from the eyes and nose. Adenovirus type-2 is an important factor in kennel cough.

Canine bordetella may contribute to kennel cough. This bacterial infection can occur alone or in combination with distemper, adenovirus type-2 infection, parainfluenza, and other respiratory changes.

Canine leptospirosis is a bacterial infection which may lead to permanent kidney damage. The disease is easily spread to other pets and to humans. Depression, fever, and loss of appetite appear suddenly, and jaundice, vomiting, dehydration, excessive thirst, and excessive urination may indicate liver and kidney damage.

Canine parainfluenza is another cause of kennel cough. Although parainfluenza is often a mild respiratory infection in otherwise healthy dogs, it can be severe in puppies or debilitated dogs.

Canine parvovirus is a disease of widespread distribution which may cause severe dehydrating diarrhea in dogs of varying ages. Parvovirus infection is especially dangerous for puppies and very old dogs. In some instances, this disease leads to secondary heart disorders.

Canine coronavirus infection is highly contagious intestinal disease causing vomiting and diarrhea in dogs of all ages. Especially in young puppies, dehydration from coronavirus infection can be life-threatening.

Lyme disease, a bacterial disease caused by Borrelia Burgdorferi, may be spread by insects such as flies, fleas and ticks. Arthritic-like symptoms may occur.

Rabies, a disease which has reached epidemic proportions throughout the United States, is almost always fatal. Rabies virus attacks the brain and central nervous system, and is transmitted to humans chiefly through the bite of an infected animal.

Kennel Cough - There is no vaccine for complete protection against infectious canine cough. Thirteen different viruses and bacteria are implicated as its cause. Currently vaccines are available for 3 of the 13 known components of the disease complex. These three include Parainfluenza, Adenovirus Type 2, and Bordetella. By vaccinating for these 3 diseases, 90% of the cases of kennel cough can be eliminated. Canine cough is usually a mild, self-limiting disease, but it can develop into a severe bronchopneumonia, especially in younger dogs. The most common sign of this disease is a harsh unproductive cough that leads to gagging or even vomiting.