Dog vaccinations have been developed to prevent or eliminate certain viral diseases that have been known to impair a dog’s health. In fact, over the past 20 years there has been a consistent increase in the number and frequency of vaccinations that dogs receive. Yet, while these vaccinations have been developed to improve health, there is some evidence that they may do just the opposite. Vaccinosis can be defined as the unintended and unwanted reactions that dogs can have to vaccines and can range from undetectable reactions to death. Whether your dog has had one vaccine, multiple vaccines, or repeated vaccines over a period of time, it seems that he may be susceptible to vaccinosis.
While vaccinations are an important part of your puppy’s overall health, there seems to be growing evidence that repeated, multiple, or unnecessary vaccinations can pose serious health risks. In many cases where dogs suffer from vaccinosis, treatments including acupuncture, diet changes, and other homeopathic solutions have proven effective. Nevertheless, it is important to carefully consider your dog’s health before subjecting him to unnecessary vaccinations. Most specifically, you should discuss the vaccinations with your veterinarian and the possible outcomes.
First of all, it seems that when your dog has received a vaccination for a particular virus or condition, booster vaccinations may be unnecessary, especially if your dog is already carrying the antibodies for that virus. According to the law, the only vaccine that requires boosters is the rabies vaccine and even that is recommended only every 3 years. Moreover, the age of vaccination is important. A rabies vaccine, for example, should never be administered before 6 months of age.
While the underlying causes of vaccinosis are not totally understood, there are a few symptoms that indicate your dog may be suffering from an extreme reaction to the vaccine. Aggression, epilepsy, excessive licking, anxiety, and insomnia are all examples of symptoms that may be a result of vaccinosis.
