Especially with Yorkies, which are a smaller breed of dog, making them more prone to adverse reactions to vaccines such as Leptospira, it is important to educate before you vaccinate.
What many dog owners do not realize is that the
distemper, hepatitis, and
parvo vaccines are what is called MLV's -- modified live virus vaccines and these vaccines convey long-term duration of immunity (DOI). There is no point in giving redundant boosters because it does not increase your dog's immunity and needlessly exposes your dog to the risk of adverse side affects, some of which can be life-threatening -- why would you want to pay for something for which your dog derives no benefit and which has the potential to harm them?
On Page 18 of the
2003 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines (links to guidelines at bottom of post), it states that:
“We now know that booster injections are of no value in dogs already immune, and immunity from distemper infection and vaccination lasts for a minimum of 7 years based on challenge studies and up to 15 years (a lifetime) based on antibody titer.” The first entry under Appendix 2 of the AAHA Guidelines “
Important Vaccination ‘Do’s and Don’ts” is “Do Not Vaccinate Needlessly – Don’t revaccinate more often than is needed and only with the vaccines that prevent diseases for which that animal is at risk.” They also caution veterinarians:
“Do Not Assume that Vaccines Cannot Harm a Patient – Vaccines are potent medically active agents and have the very real potential of producing adverse events.”
The
World Small Animal Veterinary Association's 2007 Vaccine Guidelines (link to guidelines at bottom of post) state that
"DOI after vaccination with MLV vaccines is 7 years or longer, based on challenge and serological studies."
The
American Veterinary Medical Association's 2001 Principles of Vaccination states that “
Unnecessary stimulation of the immune system does not result in enhanced disease resistance, and may increase the risk of adverse post-vaccination events.” They elaborate by reporting that: “
Possible adverse events include failure to immunize, anaphylaxis, immunosuppression, autoimmune disorders, transient infections, and/or long-term infected carrier states. "
The point here is do not redundantly vaccinate your dog, even if the redundant vaccinations are being administered free of charge -- the consequences of a potential adverse reaction will cost you and your dog dearly.
Excellent information on veterinary vaccines is available at the sites below:
Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and Don't Know, Dr. Ronald Schultz
http://www.cedarbayvet.com/duration_of_immunity.htm World Small Animal Veterinary Association 2007 Vaccine Guidelines http://www.wsava.org/SAC.htm Scroll down to Vaccine Guidelines 2007 (PDF)
The
2003 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are accessible online at
http://www.leerburg.com/special_report.htm .
The
2006 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are downloadable in PDF format at
http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocumen...s06Revised.pdf .
Veterinarian, Dr. Robert Rogers,has an excellent presentation on veterinary
vaccines at http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/