Vaccines: Should We Avoid Them?

The question of vaccines crops up regularly nowadays, with an increasing number of people concerned about the practice. Vicky explains the importance of keeping your dog protected

- Vicky Payne

I have noticed a worrying trend, recently, of gundog owners proudly stating that their dogs never go to the vets and don’t need vaccinations because of their healthy diet and lifestyle. As a GP vet, I recommend that every dog should visit their vet at least once a year.

This annual health check should include a full physical check by the vet and gives you the opportunity to discuss preventative healthcare, including vaccinations, parasite control, and health testing for your breeding plans. Although nobody knows your dog better than you, vets can sometimes pick up heart murmurs, internal lumps, or even pain, which your dog has been hiding. This check-up will also include a weight check and your dog’s microchip should be checked too to ensure it hasn’t moved or failed.

Puppies are protected by maternal immunity until around 8-10 weeks, though this can be shorter if they were weaned early, or lacking entirely if the mother was not vaccinated. First vaccinations against distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus (DHP) and leptospirosis are usually given at 6-8 weeks and again at 10-12 weeks. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) advises that puppies should receive their last injection no earlier than 16 weeks as maternal antibodies can last this long and may reduce the vaccine’s effectiveness, although this is at odds with the advice of most manufacturers.