Vaccinations

Havanese Vaccination Protocol ​ You will want to discuss minimal vaccination and titer testing with you vet. If your vet is not willing to treat your Havanese with minimal vaccinations followed by titer testing, find a new vet. Rabies is the only vaccination required by law. When you go to your vet you need to know that. All the rest of the vaccines they offer are OPTIONAL. What this means is, it is OKAY if you opt out of any particular vaccination. It is OKAY to follow a minimal vaccination schedule. You are not breaking the law and you are not harming your puppy. You are helping your puppy to not get sick from a vaccine while still protecting from the most deadly canine diseases.

This is the schedule we use for our own dogs and recommend for our puppies: (following Dr. Dodd's protocol as a baseline) 8-10 weeks: DP or DPA2PP(Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvo, Parainfluenza)- puppy will go home having had this vaccine (NO Lepto) - your puppy will have this vaccine BEFORE they go home - DO NOT repeat this vaccine at your vet. 12-14 weeks: DA2PP or DP (NO Lepto) 4 weeks after first vaccine 16-18 weeks: DA2PP (NO Lepto) or titer test for Parvo/Distemper immunity 4 weeks after second vaccine 1 year 4 months: TITER (blood test) for checking parvo and distemper immunity, Vaccinate only if lacking immunity. Every 3 years: TITER for immunity of Distemper and Parvo, Vaccinate only if lacking immunity. Rabies: as late as allowable by law; at least one month separated from any other vaccination or procedure. We personally only use the MERCURY FREE RABIES VACCINE such as the Merial IMRAB TF. After the initial Rabies vaccine, titer test for Rabies if allowable by law. The schedule for Rabies vaccine according to law is first vaccine as an older puppy, second vaccine a year later. Remaining vaccines every three years. ** we always give a dose of benadryl an hour before any vaccine to help reduce any possible reactions. Check with your vet for proper dosing. We also use Thusia (all vaccines) and Lyssin (for rabies) homeopathic remedies following vaccination.

I personally combine the Rabies appointment with the titer testing appointment. This makes it easy to remember and fewer trips in to see the vet. In my county Rabies titers are sadly not allowed, so my dogs are re-vaccinated with Rabies and we draw a wellness blood panel and titers for distemper and parvo. This just makes it easier for me to remember and we do it all at one appointment. However, it does add up in expense, and it could be divided between appointments also, getting the titer and one and the Rabies at another The blood panel is optional, but, I feel it's worth knowing how my dogs is doing on the inside. If we know how he is doing when he is healthy, then when he becomes sick we can compare. I generally do not argue with veterinarians, as I respect their education and their profession. I also realize we desperately need their expertise. However, when it comes to vaccinations many veterinarians simply are not utilizing the benefits of titer testing. Old school re-vaccination is still very real in the veterinary community. Many veterinarians are vaccinating for everything, and some do it yearly. Perhaps it is because some clients simply will not pay the extra cost for a titer, or perhaps they feel the client will not make return visits to the office to give vaccines individually or to follow up on a titer test. I have no idea why some vets give so many vaccines and even give them all at once, leaving the poor dogs body overloaded trying to fight off so many diseases at once. Please find a vet who thinks outside the old school box and will titer test your dog and give vaccines individually and never at one appointment.

Either way, in my opinion, all veterinarians should educate their clients on the risks and benefits of vaccinations and also the benefits of titer testing. The research, since 1998, is clear that titer testing can and does determine if a dog has immunity to a specific disease and if the dog has immunity, it will be able to fight off any exposure to the disease. The research is also clear, dogs can and do have vaccine reactions. Vaccination once immunity is reached does not provide any benefit to the dog, but does put the dog at risk of vaccine reactions. The goal of vaccination is to provide immunity from deadly diseases such as parvo and distemper. Titer testing provides us with the ability, through a blood test, to determine if a dog (or human) has immunity. If they have immunity, then no vaccination is necessary.

Titer testing is more expensive, however, it is also healthier for your dog. A few extra dollars every three years (Turns out to be between ($30-$50 extra per year depending on your vet.) As for my dogs, they are worth that small amount per year. It is well worth the knowledge of knowing your dog has immunity and the ability to avoid any possibility of vaccine reactions. I realize, not all pet owners will be willing to spend a few extra dollars on titer testing, however, if you have a well-bred, pure bred dog or any dog you truly love, it only makes sense to do everything you can to maintain the health and longevity of your precious companion. While titers may not be 'standard procedure' at every veterinary practice, all veterinarians should offer this option to their clients for the health and well being of their clients. So... I highly recommend that if your vet will not do titer testing instead of simple re-vaccination (the quick easy fix) then I would find a new vet who is willing to care about the longevity and total health of your dog. Titer testing may be a fairly new tool, however, it is well researched and proven to provide accurate results regarding the immunity to specific diseases in humans and canines. Non-core vaccinations: We do NOT give the lepto, corona virus, lyme, giardia or heartworm vaccine. Kennel cough is only given if our dog is going to be in a high risk situation (oral or nasal only, NOT injection). We only give the flu vaccine if our dog is going to be in a high-risk situation. Be aware, often bordatella and flu vaccine may give the dog a stuffy nose or cough similar to the disease it is protecting from. We do not give the lepto vaccine because Havanese tend to be vaccine sensitive as it is and many Havanese have had very severe and life threatening reactions to the lepto vaccine. However, if you and your vet determine your pet is at high risk and administer the lepto vaccine, we would personally make certain to give it separately, at least one month apart from all other vaccinations and give benadryl prior to vaccination and keep a close eye on your dog for reactions so they can be treated promptly. Reactions to any vaccination can happen immediately, or sometimes they can take days or up to a month, or even up to three months to develop a reaction.

Articles that may be of interest regarding vaccines: Dr. Dodd's 2016 vaccine recommendation - our vaccine schedule is based very closely on Dr. Dodd's protocol. Limited Vaccination protocol - for those who prefer an even more limited vaccine protocol, this is another option. I personally see nothing wrong with this schedule, if your vet is willing to work with this. The Purdue Vaccination Studies and Auto-Antibodies - scientific proof by a reputable study at a reputable research university proving vaccinations are not without risk, thus providing even more reason why minimal vaccinations should be used and titer testing should be the gold standard and norm rather than requiring special request. If you have a Selah puppy, for the health of your puppy, please use minimal vaccinations and always use benadryl prior to all vaccines. Please always use titers after the puppy vaccines are complete. Can half dose vaccines reduce the risk of vaccine reactions in your dog? An interesting article about the recent research on giving dogs under 12 pounds half dose vaccines and still achieving the goal of immunity. Definitely talk with your veterinarian about giving half dose vaccines to your puppy. Of course, then titer after puppy vaccines are complete. This is encouraging news, as our puppies are so tiny and are given the exact same amount of vaccine they give a 120 pound Newfie!! This has just always seemed wrong to me. I am so happy there is new research to prove the smaller dogs only need half the dose, which will be much healthier for them and hopefully reduce the risk of reactions. Leptospirosis in dogs.... what to do... an article by Dr. Dodd's. We do not give the Lepto vaccine to our dogs/puppies. The vaccine is known for many reactions, and the disease is treatable with antibiotics. If you and your vet determine it is necessary for your Havanese to be vaccinated for Lepto, make sure to vaccinate separately, and always use benadryl and all allergy precautions. Many Havanese have had serious reactions to this vaccine. 3 critical problems with the kennel cough vaccine - we personally give the kennel cough vaccine, however, if you MUST use it to kennel your dog, for doggie day care, obedience training, to go to the groomer, we would personally only use the ORAL vaccine. The dangers of vaccine overdosing - vaccine overdose is a very real risk. Before you allow your dog to be vaccinated yearly, or even every three years, know the risks and choose titer testing instead. Does your dog need these vaccines? Not all vaccines are necessary, and some add risk without much benefit. In our opinion, the Distemper and Parvo vaccine are necessary as puppies, and maintaining titer testing to assure immunity is important. We do not personally vaccinate for additional diseases, as the risk outweighs the benefits in our opinion. Rabies titer test receiving national support - great news in helping to change the rabies laws for dogs to increase dog health. Duration of Immunity: Immunity after vaccination has been proven, sometimes lifetime. Thus far, our dogs have proven to maintain antibodies well into old age. Thus, we always use titer testing instead of re-vaccination. We titer test every 3 years to check for retained immunity. We do this at the same time as the Rabies vaccine (required by law) as it is a good reminder, and we also run wellness blood panels at the same time. While the in-house Titer tests are less expensive, they are also less accurate. An in-house test may show lack of immunity, but sending a sample to the lab will likely show they actually do retain adequate immunity, thus, I now always send all samples in to the lab so we only have to run one test. Since it is only once every three years, it's not that much more expensive to assure adequate results. I wouldn't want to vaccinate my dog if they do not require it. Having had a dog show ZERO immunity on the in-house test, I decided to run a test in-lab (mail out to MSU) and to our amazement, the test came back showing the dog had more than adequate immunity. I am now only run Titer testing mailed out to the MSU lab. Vaccine induced autoimmunity in dogs - A study by Purdue University Healthy Dog Workshop - The Trouble with Titers - Explaining the purpose of a titer, what the results mean, and when re-vaccination is actually necessary. According to this veterinary article, even titering every three years is unnecessary, since once the body has establish an immune response, there are memory cells in the body which will build antibodies should there ever be a need. Thus, once a positive titer is established, there is actually no need to ever titer again. This being said, I do titer every three years, yes, I may be wasting my money, but I also just want to 'know' they still have immunity. Unless the titer comes back as zero, I would not personally re-vaccinate as I feel if the dog has any antibodies, indeed the body will fight the fight off immunity if necessary. However, if it comes back zero, I just can't wrap my head around taking any chances and waiting for those memory cells, I'm certain it's true, but my cautious side kicks in and wants some form of proof of antibodies. However, after age 10 I do not titer because no matter what it comes back, I will not vaccinate an older dog.

All comments are my personal thoughts based on my experiences, articles referred to above and speaking with my personal veterinarian in order to come up with the safest plan possible for vaccinating my dogs. She knows I will pay the extra for the titer and will follow the plan. She knows I will not spare the expense of extra visits if necessary to return to get a vaccine if a titer comes back negative. Yes, minimal vaccine protocol including titer testing does cost more for the titer and a return visit if necessary. However, my dogs are worth this minimal amount of care. (FYI: Toy dogs require a bit of extra care when vaccinating as they tend to have more reactions. The same amount of vaccine is given to a 2lb puppy as a 150lb dog. Think about that for a minute.)

No comment is intended as professional veterinary advice. Read the articles, educate yourself, then go speak with your vet and see if they are willing to treat your puppy as an individual and come up with a plan for your specific puppy. If the vet uses fear tactics I personally would walk away and find a new vet. There is nothing to fear, we are all trying to work together to protect our dogs from the most common deadly diseases and also protect our dogs from vaccine damage/limit the possibility of vaccine reactions.