No pretty picture images with this blog today.  Nothing pretty in what I am about to discuss.  Yesterday I admitted into the hospital our 10th parvo virus case in the last 90 days.  I preach wellness exams and vaccination protocols to people until I can hear the lecture in my dreams.  Over the years, I have seen clients appear dumbfounded that their puppy has contracted parvo because 'he has had his 'puppy shots', meaning the pup has had one vaccine at weaning by the breeder (sometimes not) and have not completed it's series of vaccinations to insure better protection.  Some breeders fail to educate the new puppy owners that these puppies will need boosters every 3-4 weeks until 12-16 weeks of age.  The back yard breeder, the one that thinks they will make money selling their purebred pet's puppies, often have not even given the first puppy vaccine nor de-wormed it.  Certainly those 'free puppies' that you get in a Walmart parking lot, out of the back of someone's truck, have not been vaccinated.  And I, for one, would not trust them even if they tell you they have given the pup a vaccine.  They didn't even have enough good sense or pet responsibility to have their female (or male) spayed in the first place.

Now for our recent parvo case.  This pup was 9 weeks old, and supposedly had it's first vaccination around 6 weeks of age.  The puppy was allowed to intermingle with lot's of other dogs and puppies, whose vaccination status is questionable and in a potentially volatile environment. Since the owner acquired the puppy, it had not been to a veterinarian for a wellness exam.  It had not been de-wormed.  A few days before the owner brought the puppy into to see me, it started vomiting and had diarrhea.  It had not eaten in 3 days.  The straw that broke the camel's back was the fact that the owner had, just that morning, given the pup a booster vaccination purchased from the local farm and ranch store!  Here is what is wrong with vaccinating your own pets!  This puppy was wormy, dehydrated from 3 days of fluid losses (vomiting and diarrhea), sick (a compromised immune system) and now given a vaccine (which gives it particles of viruses) to further compromise the puppy.  Inwardly, I am thinking:  "I have a case of the flu and it must surely be a great idea to give me more of it!"

I understand the desire to save money, even the necessity to save money.  I have to live within a given budget just like anyone else.  I know your local feed store or farm and tractor store has vaccines available so that you can give your dog it's vaccinations.  You can buy them off the internet (not my on-line pharmacy store).  Over the counter and the internet these vaccines are about $5-$10.  If over the internet, you also pay for shipping.  On the average buying your pet vaccines are $10-$12.  In my clinic, a parvo/distemper,7-way vaccination, is $12.00.  So where is the savings?

The perceived savings is in the fact the puppy did not receive a wellness exam, a very critical part of your puppy's health future.  During this examination, your veterinarian will examine your puppy from head to toe to be sure it does not have any other conditions that may compromise it's health status by giving a vaccine.  I have seen puppies that are so loaded with worms that I postponed vaccinations by a week so that the pup could be healthier.  I have had puppies running a fever, indicating potential infection (viral or bacterial) and giving a vaccine could have made the puppy ill.  When you pay for a wellness examination, you are paying for your veterinarian's knowledge and experience about what is best for your puppy.  The actual action of injecting the vaccine isn't rocket science, but knowing if your pup is healthy enough does require some knowledge that your veterinarian gained by taking immunology, parasitology and other animal health classes during veterinary college.  You are paying for your veterinarian's personal brain powered database.

Other reasons that vaccinating your own pets is not a sound idea:

• Most veterinary clinics, boarding kennels, groomers and dog training schools will not recognize self vaccinated dogs.  These facilities don't want these diseases in their kennels.  Without proof of vaccination, they are risking spread of these diseases to other dogs in their facility.  Anyone can say they vaccinated their dog themselves.  Would you want your pet exposed to these difficult to treat diseases, trusting that the 'anyone' was honest and gave the vaccines properly and with a reliable vaccine?
• Vaccines are very fragile to heat.  If not kept cold, the particles of the vaccine could become denatured and not be protective to your pet.  Do you want to trust a feed store employee, often a high school or college student, that the vaccine was unpacked promptly on arrival and stored under refrigeration in a prompt manner?  Maybe they sat in a box, in a back room or on a loading dock, for hours before they were unpacked.  Did the store employee note they were warm?  Did they shelve them anyway?  Do you want to trust your pet's health to this uncertainty?
• Not all vaccines are alike. Some are better than others.  Do you know which brands to trust?  Does your feed store retailer know?  If you ask them, do you feel secure that they have the animal health knowledge to advise you properly?  Feed store personal are not trained in immunology.
• You can give a shot "just like your vet" but are you not trained to recognize if it is safe and your pet is healthy enough and have no underlying conditions that may make vaccinating unsafe?  
• Vaccines are not without risk.  When you give a vaccine you are actually giving them particles of the viruses (disease) so that they will build antibodies against the disease.  Did you know that your dog can have an allergic reaction to the vaccine?  These reactions can be immediate or delayed.  Would you recognize them?  Do you know what to look for?  Your veterinarian does and can advise you.

Certainly, it is necessary for this clinic to make money.  If we didn't, then we would not be here to help you.  However, we do not get rich off of vaccinating your pet.  For this clinic, our primary goal is to help you keep your pet healthy by providing you with information and services you need to help your pet have a long healthy life.  We work hard to set your puppy or kitten up for a head start towards a healthy adulthood.  With our knowledge, we will recognize potential problems that you may not be aware of.  The money you spend at the veterinarian for vaccinations isn't just about the vaccination, you are paying for their knowledge and expertise in animal health.  You are also paying for the assurance that your pet is not receiving medication/vaccines that is not appropriate for your pet.

When you bring an animal into your life, be it dog, cat, gerbil, or any other creature, it is your responsibility to provide for it's total care.  This means not only are you making a promise to the animal that you will provide adequate food, housing and love, you are also financially responsible for it's general health and welfare.  This includes preventative care such as vaccinations, flea control, heart worm prevention, spay/neutering and adequate funds available for emergency care.  A responsible person does not acquire an animal they cannot afford to care for.  

 I fully realize that money is tight for many people and many give vaccines to their pet to help their budget.  I will defend your right to purchase these products elsewhere if the manufacturer is willing to sell them and back them up. But beware, vaccinating is not so simple and not without risks.  You are potentially leaving your pet vulnerable to infections (if vaccines were not stored properly and you did not vaccinate for the appropriate diseases).  You are also denying your pet the advantages that a physical examination provide, where other health issues may be recognized by your trained, experienced veterinarian.  When it comes to something as crucial and safety-fraught as a vaccine, I just can’t imagine how the savings could be worth it.  It's simply in your pet's best interests to let a veterinary medical professional be the one to do vaccinations.

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

I was on a mission. Leaving my office towards the treatment room, I forgot what it was I needed to do in the treatment room.  I am sure that never happens to you, where you forget in a few minutes why you were leaving one place to go to another.  I call it menopausal amnesia.  I will forget names, what I was going to get while I was at Walmart, etc.  I make notes to myself and forget them at home.  Did you know that your pets can suffer from this 'Cognitive Dysfunction'?

Have you noticed odd behavior in your older pet?  Walking around like they are lost?  Getting trapped behind the couch and cannot figure out how to get out?  Sudden excessive barking or meowing at nothing?  Changes in sleep habits?  Changes in moods, less interactive with you and your family?  These can be signs of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS).

Research has shown that 73% of dogs older than 7 years have exhibited one or more symptoms of an age-related behavioral disorder known as CDS.  Studies have shown similar results for older cats.  CDS can cause disturbing changes in older pets, and its accompanying signs of brain aging and deterioration can happen slowly or seemingly overnight.  The most common signs include:  Disorientation or confusion, decreased social interactions, change in sleep habits, and house soiling.  My old dog, Cookie, would try to come back inside on the wrong side of the door.  He would go outside and wander around, seemingly lost in his own yard, forgetting that he was to go to the bathroom, to come back in and mess on the floor.

CDS in pets is similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans.  As nerve cells age, their membranes are less fluid and less sensitive.  They may also produce more free radicals, which can result in neuronal damage.  In pets, as in humans with Alzheimer's, it is possible to slow the progress of the disease and improve problems, but the illness is incurable.

As dogs and cats age, their levels of activity and awareness can decline, but there are things we can do to help manage your pet's CDS such as a combination of activities, modifications in your pet's environment, diet and medical therapy.  While not curable, these treatments are proven to help support cognitive function.  Seeing improvement in a pet's declining behavior can be dramatic.

Wonder if your pet has CDS?  You can download a Senior Dog Checklist and History Form from Pfizer Animal Health.  Take it with you to your next senior wellness exam with your veterinarian.  This list can help you and your veterinarian develop a CDS plan for your pet.