Vet Blog
11/30/08
 A timeworn cliché holds that old dogs can’t learn new tricks. A different, inaccurate cliché states that cats can’t learn any tricks at all.
Kittens and puppies, definitively, are most socializable and trainable when they are young. But this has led to debate among veterinarians. Young animals are most socializable when they have not yet received their full complement of puppy or kitten vaccines.
Some veterinarians discourage early socialization. They worry that young pets attending puppy school or kitten kindergarten may be at increased risk of contracting infectious diseases. Others (myself included) generally feel that the benefits of early socialization outweigh the risks.
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is an organization of veterinarians dedicated to promoting healthy human-animal bonds through appropriate behavior training. They recently released guidelines recommending that puppy and kitten socialization begin early in life–when pets are seven or eight weeks old.
These guidelines have led to an interesting debate in the pages of the North American Veterinary Conference’s Clinician’s Brief. The November, 2008 issue of the Brief contained a letter to the editor that outlined one vet’s concerns with this policy.
How can the [AVSAB] in good conscience recommend socialization (I assume classes) for 7- to 8-week-old puppies prior to completion of their vaccination series? Apparently the AVSAB has no fear of puppies getting distemper or parvovirus and no regard for their legal liability or that of any veterinarian who follows their advice. I see many puppies with parvo at 8 to 16 weeks of age. I know most of these puppies received lots of socialization (contact with other dogs and people) to their detriment. I have to feel this is poor advice until proven otherwise.
Jiim Kinnerly, DVM
Santee, California
Dr. Kinnerly’s letter succinctly sums up the concerns of many vets. However, I felt that the AVSAB’s response to the letter was very powerful.
They state:
The sad reality is that more dogs are euthanized because of behavioral problems than due to infectious . . . diseases.
Kate Hurley, MPVM, DVM also offers some steps that people can take to minimize the risk of infectious disease in young animals as they are socialized. Her recommendations include quarantining new puppies for two weeks after adoption and limiting exposure to other puppies during this time (although puppies can be “socialized with fully vaccinated dogs and . . . people, vacuum cleaners, etc.”) Puppy classes should take place in clean environments that are regularly treated with agents that kill parvovirus. Puppies and kittens should benefit from a medically approved regimen of vaccinations during the socialization process. Puppies should not go to high-risk areas such as dog parks until their vaccines are complete.
I have told many clients that I support puppy school and kitten kindergarten in general because these classes are filled by self-selected responsible pet owners. The sort of people who work hard to socialize their pets also generally follow their vets’ vaccination guidelines. This reduces the likelihood of disease outbreaks.
Certainly, puppy school and kitty kindergarten have risks. But my opinion is that failing to socialize your pet properly is much riskier by far. And E. Kathryn Meyer, VMD, President of the AVSAB seems to agree.
As with most things in life, the recommendation to allow young puppies to socialize together prior to completing their vaccination series is based on a risk-benefit analysis. Review of the scientific literature regarding the behavioral development of dogs and the real-life practical experiences of those who have aplied these principles suppport AVSAB’s position that the benefit exceeds the risk in these controlled environments, provided the guidelines noted above are followed.
Hat tip to Sugar Plum for the photo.
See related Vet Blog entries:
10/15/08
 Have you ever known a dog to react to or even die
from vaccines? We had a seven-year-old Staffordshire
Terrier who was completely healthy and was taken
for vaccines. One day later he was in convulsions
and three days later we had him put to sleep because
he had not gotten any better. Your input would be
appreciated. I just want to know what happened to
him.
Tonya
Freeport
Vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system. For the vast majority of animals, vaccines cause mild stimulation that protects them from disease. However, in rare and tragic instances an animal may suffer from an excessive immune system response. This can lead to severe reactions, shock and even death.
There is no doubt that for most animals vaccines do much more good than harm. To put things in perspective, consider my personal experience with animal vaccines. In the last eight years, two of my patients have suffered from vaccine reactions that would have been fatal if I had not intervened (fortunately, I was able to stop the reactions in both cases). In the last seven days, I have seen three unvaccinated dogs die from parvovirus. Vaccines would have prevented those deaths.
Although vaccine reactions are rare, it is very upsetting when they occur. Tonya, your story is heartbreaking.
And, although vaccine reactions are rare, there is no reason for any person to accept a one-size-fits-all vaccination protocol for his or her pet. Every pet has unique vaccination needs. A good vet will be willing to talk to you about your pet’s lifestyle and decide, with you, which vaccines are appropriate for your pet.
Photo credit: Fifo. Photo license: CC.
See related Vet Blog entries:
10/04/08
How SAFE are vaccinations? Are we over
vaccinating our dogs?
Do dogs really NEED all THOSE vaccines? Are the
yearly boosters really
necessary?? Shouldn’t drawing titers be
better???
Thank you,
Jade
Chicago, IL
Animal vaccination is a perennially timely and controversial subject. The short answer, Jade, is that nobody knows how often pets should receive vaccines. Nobody knows whether pets need vaccines every year (although they probably don’t).
Although titers probably will be widely used in the future, they aren’t common now for two reasons. First, nobody truly knows how to interpret them (that is to say, nobody knows what titer level is protective for each disease). Second, titers measure only half of the immune system (a portion called humoral immunity) and ignore the other half (called cell-mediated immunity).
I have covered the subject of animal vaccines a few times on this blog. Click here, here, here or here for more information.
 A very bad experience from the other night reminded me of a stark truth. Although giving too many vaccines may cause health problems for some pets, giving too few vaccines is virtually guaranteed to lead to sick pets.
I was working at an emergency hospital when a family brought a six-month-old Poodle to my office. The Poodle had a 12 hour history of poor appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. He had never been vaccinated.
A test of his stool revealed that he was infected with parvovirus. Untreated parvovirus is a deadly disease. Parvovirus is preventable with vaccines. If that puppy had been properly vaccinated, he would not have caught the disease.
To make matters worse, the family had another unvaccinated puppy at home. I explained to them that their other puppy would almost certainly catch the disease. And then they revealed that, three months ago, the family had lost a third (unvaccinated) dog to parvo.
This means that, in the course of a single appointment, I became aware of two puppies who needlessly suffered from a preventable disease because of lack of vaccination. A third puppy is almost certain to become ill and possibly die because of the family’s irresponsibility.
Although over-vaccination is not an optimal scenario for pets, please remember that it is better than the other extreme. If you don’t vaccinate your pets at all, you are asking for them to get sick.
See related Vet Blog entries:
09/07/08
Vaccinations are a perennially controversial subject in veterinary (and human) medicine. As I have mentioned before, there are few aspects of vaccination upon which all veterinarians can agree.
Most reasonable vets agree that pets need vaccines. But if you get a group of us together and get us talking about which pets need which vaccines and how often, fights soon break out. It’s really quite remarkable, since veterinarians are notoriously non-confrontational. Six years ago I saw two leading experts on animal vaccinations nearly come to fisticuffs in front of an audience of 200 at a convention on feline vaccinations.
The long and short of it is that nobody knows for sure how often pets should be vaccinated. But one thing is certain: don’t trust anyone who believes that the subject is simple.
This fact is belied by an article I noticed regarding human vaccinations in the September 5, 2008 issue of The Week. Many parents have declined to vaccinate their children because of a suspected (and now thoroughly discredited) link between vaccines and autism. As a result the rate of measles, a disease that is preventable through vaccination, has increased by 200% over the last year. Autism continues to become more prevalent as well.
I wish the take home message were simple. But it isn’t. It boils down to this: vaccines are complicated. Pets should benefit from thoughtful, tailored vaccination protocols that are suited specifically to their needs.
In the world of vaccines, one size does not fit all.
See related Vet Blog entries:
09/05/08
 We adopted our dog from a breeder (a Chocolate
Lab) about a month ago. He will be 3 months old
soon. He had his first distemper shot when he
was at the breeder. He had his second shot a few
weeks ago at our new vet, and he will have his
third next Thursday.
We really would like to take
him out to lakes to spend his energy and have
him swim but people keep telling us he needs to
have shots to even do that. How long do we have to
keep him running around inside the house? Thank
you!
Mike
Bergen County, NJ
With puppies, one must strike a balance between socialization (introducing them to new sights, sounds and animals) and protecting them from infectious diseases.
Puppy shots protect against two main diseases: parvovirus and distemper. Of these, parvovirus (also known simply as parvo) is more common. Parvo causes weakness, appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea and blood cell imbalances. It can be fatal.
Parvo is ubiquitous. However, it is most common in areas such as dog parks where large numbers of dogs congregate. It can survive in the environment for many months; direct contact with an infected individual isn’t necessary to spread the disease.
Until your puppy has received all of his puppy shots (the last shot usually occurs at four months of age), he is at risk of contracting parvo.
But this presents a conundrum. He is also most readily socialized when he is less than four months old. Dogs older than four months less readily adapt to new situations, sights, and sounds.
In my opinion, it is very important to protect your puppy from parvo and distemper. But it is equally important to socialize him properly. Here is what I recommend.
Continue to vaccinate him according to the schedule recommended by your vet. This will help to reduce the risk of parvo and other infectious diseases. Also, avoid dog parks and other areas where large numbers of dogs (especially unvaccinated or poorly-cared-for dogs) congregate.
However, introduce him to as many healthy, vaccinated dogs as possible while he is still a puppy (for instance, you can introduce him to dogs belonging to your friends and neighbors). Consider taking him for walks on defined routes that are not heavily trafficked by other dogs. If you want your puppy to swim in lakes, then pick lakes that are private or remote.
Any time your puppy leaves the house, he may encounter parvovirus. However, if you keep him confined indoors until he has had all of his shots, he may suffer from a different, life-long problem: poor socialization.
See related Vet Blog entries:
08/11/08
A comment on the recent post about a potential treatment for FIV/Feline AIDS caught my eye. Here is the comment.
S Bridges posted a comment on August 7th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Is there any way to participate in the testing of a new FIV drug? We adopted a 3 year old cat a year ago and he, as of today, is positive for FIV. We were told that he may be showing a positive result from a previous FIV vaccination but we do not know if he has been vaccinated.
A vaccine for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) has been on the market for several years. It has been the subject of intense controversy among veterinarians since its introduction. The vaccine is not widely used.
Many experts question the effectiveness of the FIV vaccine. Laboratory studies performed by the vaccine’s manufacturer have shown efficacy of the vaccine against some strains of the virus. However, there is no conclusive proof that the vaccine works in real life. As well, there is an inherent conflict of interest in studies performed by the manufacturer.
Another major complaint about the vaccine is that it interferes with testing for FIV. The test for FIV checks for antibodies to the virus. Any cat that receives the vaccine will develop antibodies to FIV. Therefore, any cat that receives the vaccine will test positive for FIV–even if he is not infected.
Is the cat belonging to the comment’s author actually infected with FIV, or has he received the vaccine? Because the vaccine is not commonly used, it’s most likely that the cat is infected. However, there is no way to know for sure. And, sadly, clinical trials of the treatment mentioned in the original post are not yet under way.
This situation is unfortunate, but there is a silver lining. FIV is fatal, but the disease takes several years to run its course. I hope that a more advanced test, one that can differentiate infected cats from vaccinated cats, will be available soon.
In the meanwhile, my advice to the commenter is as follows. Enjoy your new cat, and let him live a normal life. Keep him inside to protect him from contagious disease, and to protect other cats from possible FIV infection. Get veterinary examinations at least twice each year. And keep your fingers crossed.
See related Vet Blog entries:
08/04/08
 Two new viruses are emerging as threats to canine health worldwide: canine respiratory coronavirus and canine parvovirus type 2c. The May 15, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association contained a news item about these two diseases.
Canine parvovirus is one of the most common and deadly infectious diseases of dogs. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, and blood cell imbalances. A vaccine against the virus has existed for years and is in widespread use. The vaccine was designed to prevent the older, more common strains of parvovirus. Fortunately, the vaccine appears to offer some protection against the new type 2c strain of the disease as well.
Coronaviruses cause the common cold in people. A common form of canine coronavirus has been known for a long time as well. This virus causes diarrhea in dogs.
Now, a new type of coronavirus has evolved in dogs. It causes acute respiratory symptoms (kennel cough) in affected animals.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has published a list of frequently asked questions (along with answers) about these two new viral strains. Click here to see the FAQs about canine parvovirus type 2c. For information about canine respiratory coronavirus, click here.
See related Vet Blog entries:
07/18/08
 Hello! I am a new mom of a bouncing Boston Terrier.
I had one a few years ago, but lost custody
during my divorce.
New hubby and I are trucking, sometimes long distance. What
suggestions do you have for keeping the pup
happy? I am not finding any results
or support online, but I see truckers with
“puppers”, big and small, every day! Help us!
Many thanks in advance!
Lee
Barberton, Ohio
I have known several dogs (and even a few cats) that have served as companions for long-haul truckers. All of these pets seemed very content with their lives. Most dogs I know love adventure, and they adjust very well to life on the road.
There are, of course, some basic precautions that you will need to take. Your dog should receive vaccines that are appropriate for the areas he’ll be visiting, and you should ensure that he is protected against fleas, heartworm and intestinal parasites.
As well, make yourself familiar with the dog laws in the municipalities through which you’ll be traveling. Different areas have different requirements for rabies vaccination. Some areas may require veterinary health certificates for dogs traveling through. Make sure that you have a current dog license in your home town.
In my experience, the authorities generally are quite relaxed about dogs and cats traveling by car or truck (airport screeners can be a different story). However, it is always wise to have all of your paperwork in order. Your veterinarian should be able to help you with rabies certificates, health certificates and other bureaucratic miscellany.
Finally, be sure to carry plenty of food and water for your pup. Take regular breaks for exercise and bathroom activities. And don’t forget to carry a leash–you don’t want your dog to run onto a busy freeway!
If your dog is like the ones I have known, he’ll happily and easily adjust to life on the road.
See related Vet Blog entries:
07/08/08
 On may 31st 2008 both of my dogs were updated on
their shots, including Bordetella. Now weeks
after, they both have a cough and some sneezing.
Could it be the shot or
something else? Maybe just a cold, and if so..
what can I give them?
Sandra
Lake Elsinore, CA
The Bordetella vaccine is designed to protect against a disease called kennel cough. Kennel cough is a contagious, non-lethal disease of dogs. In my experience, young dogs (less than two years old) are most often affected. The disease causes a tickle in the throat that leads to coughing. The coughing may persist for as long as three weeks.
Veterinarians have not reached a consensus of opinion regarding the efficacy of the Bordetella vaccine. Some vets think it needs to be given at least twice annually to be effective. Others think that one time per year is adequate. And another group of vets thinks that the vaccine is completely worthless. They recommend that it never be administered.
There is, however, one feature of the vaccine that is not disputed. The Bordetella vaccine definitely does not confer absolute immunity against kennel cough. In this regard, it is like the human influenza vaccine. Dogs that receive the Bordetella vaccine can still contract kennel cough.
There is a chance that your dogs have, despite vaccination, caught kennel cough. As well, there is a chance that they have contracted one of the many thousands of other respiratory ailments that can affect dogs of all ages and breeds. The best way to diagnose and treat your dogs is to have a veterinarian evaluate them.
In very rare instances, I have seen dogs develop mild coughing and sneezing as a result of vaccination against Bordetella. This syndrome, called reversion to virulence, occurs only with certain types of vaccines. It is extremely rare, and symptoms usually develop within a week of vaccination. Based on your description, it is unlikely (but not impossible) that reversion to virulence has occurred in your dogs.
See related Vet Blog entries:
07/03/08
 Hello Dr. Barchas,
Don’t you think that the pet food that is
available for our dogs and cats is one of the
major reasons they have huge health problems?
Kimberly
Mt Maunganui, Bay Of Plenty, New Zealand
In a way, I do. But it’s probably not the way that you’re talking about.
In developed countries, diseases such as thyroid conditions, kidney failure, cancer and heart failure are becoming more common among pets. There is rampant speculation about what causes many of these syndromes. Breeding, chemical body burden, and yes, diet probably play a role. But there is one factor that is not in dispute. All of the problems listed above occur most often in older animals.
Another thing that is not in dispute: on average, animals in developed countries are living longer than in the past. There is no doubt that the increased life expectancy that animals now enjoy is playing a role in the increased prevalence of cancer, hyper(and hypo)thyroidism, heart failure and kidney failure.
I am not saying that increased life expectancy is the only factor involved in this phenomenon. But it definitely is a factor.
Now, consider developing countries. In recent years, I have observed dogs and cats in Nicaragua, Mongolia, Laos, El Salvador and Botswana (among others). The diseases that are so common in the US, New Zealand, and other developed countries are basically unheard of in developing nations. The explanation is simple. Animals in developing countries don’t live long enough to develop these problems.
Animals in developed countries live longer, on average, for a number of reasons. Cats are more likely to be kept indoors. Pets are more likely to be spayed or neutered. They are more likely to receive vaccines. They are more likely to receive basic medical care and be treated for parasites. And they are more likely to be fed pet food.
I am not saying that the pet foods on the market now are perfect. History may reveal tremendous problems with them. There is always room for improvement. We may discover in the future that certain ingredients in pet foods promote some of the diseases mentioned in this post.
However, there is no doubt that the currently available pet foods represent a massive improvement over the diets that animals receive in developing countries–table scraps, garbage and prey animals.
The widespread use of pet food has contributed to increased life expectancies for pets. So yes, in that sense pet foods are contributing to the increase in health problems that we are seeing in the developed world.
For those of you who want my opinion on which food is the best: I weighed in on that matter a while back. Click here to see what I had to say.
For more information on dogs in developing countries, I recommend the book Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, and Evolution by Raymond Coppinger and Lorna Coppinger (Scribner, 2001).
See related Vet Blog entries:
|
|
|
A timeworn cliché holds that old dogs can’t learn new tricks. A different, inaccurate cliché states that cats can’t learn any tricks at all.
You have questions. 