The AAHA, as Dogtor J notes, recommends giving canine core vaccines every three years (rabies as state requires).  But, if you look at the notes section of the recommendation they also state that efficacy has been proven to last five and seven years depending on the vaccine type.  Additionally I read, but did not confirm, that the tests were only performed seven years and efficacy could last longer. 

The AAHA recommendation chart starts on page four  http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf

Dr. Ronald Schultz was instrumental in bringing about the recommendation changes by the AAHA and other groups.  Dr. Schultz gives his own pets their puppy and one year shots.  He titres shortly after the one year shots to confirm immunity and titres every year thereafter.  He does not give yearly or every three year shots as a matter of routine.  He, at the time of the below quoted article, has never had to revaccinate his pets.

"Schultz, professor and chair of pathobiological sciences at School of Veterinary Medicine, has been studying the effectiveness of canine vaccines since the 1970s; he's learned that immunity can last as long as a dog's lifetime, which suggests that our "best friends" are being over-vaccinated. 

But, as Schultz points out, vaccines can keep people immune for a lifetime: we're usually inoculated for measles, mumps and rubella as children but never as adults. So, can dogs be vaccinated as pups and then never again?

While evidence from Schultz's studies on both his own dogs and many other dogs from controlled studies suggests the answer is yes, Schultz recommends a more conservative plan based on duration of immunity and individual risk."  http://www.news.wisc.edu/8413

"More recently, evidence has emerged that, along with the nutrient-poor processed commercial pet foods, over-vaccinating has been a major factor in the development of the epidemic increases in autoimmune diseases, seizures, hormonal disorders and cancer seen in younger pets. There’s even evidence that genetic changes have occurred due to over-vaccination over many generations."  http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog4dogs/2009/06/18/over-vaccinating-dogs/

cynrick,

Regarding Murphy's Oil Soap - I've read many posts on different sites from people whom use murphy's to bath their pets.  In fact, I had seen it so often that I decided to look up the ingredients.  You may want to use the product with caution - here's why.

One of the ingredients is Propylene Glycol.  "In the skin and hair, propylene glycol works as a humescent, which causes retention of moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage."  http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/propylene-glycol.html  There may not be enough in the soap to cause problems but I have to wonder if, over time, it could cause a problem.

Another ingredient is "fragrance" which potentially could include carcinogenic pthalates?  Sodium EDTA - apparently there has not been many studies done on this.  Additionally the ingredient panel lists "surfactants" but does not identify the exact surfactants.  SLS and SLES are both surfactants that are known to cause problems...

My family, including fur-kids, are exposed to enough toxins that I can't control like car exhaust.  When it comes to products I can control I try to stay away from any that are questionable.... 

Nicvanhan,

I was reading my "Truth4dogs" email newsletter today and the main article made me think of you.  FYI - the Truth4dogs newsletter is written by Jan Rassmussen, the author of Scared Poopless: The Straight Scoop on Dog Care.

Here's the quote and link -

"Is Your Dog’s Vet a Vaccination Expert?

Every day — almost hourly – I hear stories of careless, profit-driven or uninformed vets harming, even killing, dogs and cats by vaccinating unnecessarily or inappropriately.  How can you tell if your vet vaccinates safely?  Would you know if he or she didn’t?

Dangerous Vaccination Practices

Your dog’s health is at risk if your vet:

.....Recommends giving Benadryl with a shot to a dog who reacts badly to shots rather than delaying or forgoing vaccination."  http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/07/23/does-your-dogs-vet-vaccinate-safely/

This link has additional "if your vet" situations as well as links to videos and other vaccine related information.

Dr. Becker,

     On the subject of vaccines, I will look into the vaccine titer test you mentioned, but my vet suggested lepto vaccine every year because we live out on a farm and do have wildlife crossing through the yard daily.  (Deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, oppossum and the occasional bear)  Our pup will undoubtly eat as many droppings (usually deer or rabbit) as he can before we can clean up the situation.  He is an indoor dog, but is let out whenever he needs to go, or when we are out and about.  I've never seen a flea or tick on him, or the other dog we used to have.  Is it necessary for him to have the vaccine every year when most of these have a longer immunologic protection, even when his risk of infection is greater than most?  Our old dog received all the recommended shots and ended up with cancerous tumors on his body.  I believe the vaccines were a factor in that.  I'm trying to educate myself this time and feed a more species appropriate diet, and change the routine vaccine schedule.  I also mix up something called "worm balls" which uses 1 lb. of ground lean meat and a specific amout of certain herbs that are safe for dogs, that have anti-parasitic properties.  I want this pup to have a strong immune system.  Also, why would the immunologic protection ever run out, if our immune system has recognized the threat, will it forget? And wouldn't it be better to strengthen the immune system and maybe testing for levels in antioxidents and vitamin D levels, etc. at the well being checkups?  Thanks, Teresa

Alphawolf,

Hi!  I remember reading Dr. Becker state that she does not get notification from ongoing threads.  You may want to start a new thread on the topic if she doesn’t get back to you on this?

In the meantime, my vet tells me that my kids are at high risk for lepto as well.  I live in an urban area but a large creek runs along the property.  We’ve had everything from opossums to deer to fox and once a turkey buzzard on our property.  Mice, apparently, are a carrier as well. 

Unlike other vaccines, lepto’s duration of immunity based on challenge studies is “approximately 1 year” and the efficacy of vaccination “can be low (<75%)” (per AAHA – link in previous post).  Additionally, the current vaccine only carries 4 strains of servors but there are some 250 known.  Your dog can contract a form not vaccinated for.  “Having said this, there are many pathogenic serovars of leptospira, and immunity to one does not prevent infection from the others. Nobody is immune to the disease as a whole, and the serovars found at a selected location can change over time as host populations change. The highest concentrations of cases will always be in developing countries where wet farming and rodent populations combine.”  http://www.leptospirosis.org/topic.php?t=45  This site does recommend vaccinating dogs btw.

The lepto bacterium can not survive freezing and do best in areas of high humidity and bodies of water.  “normally the bacteria die once the urine dries out, but if it enters water the bacteria can remain viable for longer periods.”  http://www.leptospirosis.org/topic.php?t=45

I’ve had eight dogs over the last 19 years none of which were vaccinated for lepto (lived at the same location the entire time).  I also foster and have never had a diagnosed case or symptoms of lepto.  I, like you, chose to strengthen the immune system over vaccination.  Lepto is treated with anti-bacterials so it seems to me that foods etc with anti-bacterial properties would be a good prevention during high risk months (spring and fall are rainy in my area) – colloidal silver, garlic, olive leaf extract, oregano oil etc.  Using a combination would likely create the best benefits.

Most everything I’ve seen on lepto indicates it’s picked up from urine but I did see a few sites that included feces.  Once the feces dries out, the bacteria would die off.

PS – on another thread we were discussing reasons our animals eat feces.  Dr. Becker mentioned that rabbit droppings are teaming with enzymes.  My kids quit eating rabbit droppings when I started them on a second source of enzymes after reading Dr. Becker’s info J

SWINN,

     Thanks for the great info.  I will use this info at Scout's next check up.  Thanks also for the P.S.  I have to take digestive enzymes and they have helped me tremendously, so maybe it would be a good idea to throw alittle his way.  Thanks again