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While researching the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and other dog breeds readers will undoubtedly come across information on breeders web sites about vaccination protocols for their puppies. Most toller breeders are advocating "limited" vaccination, some have gone to no vaccines what so ever and few are still doing what they did 20 years ago. The Toller breeders who are advocating limited vaccines are not unique in their stance on vaccines, Breeders of other breeds; Great Danes, Rottweilers, Labs, Toy breeds, etc..are also advocating limited vaccine as vets, breeders and owners become aware that vaccination protocols are no longer considered a "one size fits all" program. Whatever your view, it has become apparent that some tollers may have an adverse reaction to some vaccines. These reactions can range from a simple lump, to autoimmune changes, to seizures and in a few rare cases, to death. On the other hand, there are recent cases of toller pups dying of parvovirus because they did not receive any vaccines. Limited vaccination can be interpreted many different ways but what you feel comfortable with as a breeder and as an owner is paramount. There are many, many sites on the internet both pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine. Some I consider extreme, such as the ones which state that "vaccines are poison" so sort through the information carefully. Dr. W. Jean Dodds DVM takes a more balanced approach with breeds that require reduced or limited vaccines. The American Animal Hospital Association 2006 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines has information regarding vaccinations for dogs whose breed has NOT been associated with having vaccine reactions. As science progresses and studies are conducted change is inevitable. Please read Dr. Dodds Changing Vaccine Protocols and the RABIES CHALLENGE FUND which the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada has made a substantial financial donation too, along with other breed clubs, canine clubs and associations. Your vet may tell you "this is the way it is always been done OR in 50 years of practice I've never seen a reaction OR we always give rabies and a combination shot at the same time OR other Tollers I see have never had a reaction, etc..." However if your vet is like mine, they will know and/or will listen to you as informed owner of a toller, that some tollers may have a reaction to vaccines and advocate caution when vaccinating. We owe it to our tollers to educate ourselves about what is happening within our breed, to investigate, question and question again and than make our own informed decisions as to how "limited" we wish to be when it comes to vaccinating our tollers. Below is what I require my Puppy People follow when vaccinating their pup. This is also what all people are told when enquiring about tollers in general and limited vaccines. Puppy People are aware that some Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers may have a propensity to an adverse reaction to vaccines, including death. As with all health concerns in the toller breed, this issue is in all lines and families of tollers. They are also aware that lack of vaccination, in particular, parvovirus, may and have, caused the death of a number of toller puppies recently. Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus vaccination; At about eight weeks of age, while puppies are still in my home, puppies will receive one dose of CONTINUUM® DAP (CANINE DISTEMPER-ADENOVIRUS TYPE 2-PARVOVIRUS VACCINE MODIFIED LIVE VIRUS) MANUFACTURED BY INTERVET. The CONTINUUM DAP manufactured by INTERVET product label reads "Initial vaccination of healthy dogs may be given as early as 6 weeks of age, with booster injections administered every 3-4 weeks until 12 weeks of age. Dogs over 12 weeks of age should initially receive 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart. Revaccinate every three years with a single dose thereafter." Puppy People agree to and will instruct their veterinarian of choice, to vaccinate their Puppy with ONLY CONTINUUM® DAP (CANINE DISTEMPER-ADENOVIRUS TYPE 2-PARVOVIRUS VACCINE MODIFIED LIVE VIRUS) MANUFACTURED BY INTERVET. ONE TIME ONLY, AT 12 WEEKS OF AGE. AT 16 WEEKS OF AGE, HAVE YOUR PUPPY TITERED TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE ANTIBODIES PRESENT. Puppy People know that it is their DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO THEIR PUPPY TO ENSURE THAT THEIR VETERINARIAN OF CHOICE ADHERES TO THIS STIPULATION. Puppy People may have to search for a vet who carries this vaccine. Just as I make a three hour round trip with their puppy to ensure the puppy has this particular vaccine because my local vet does not carry it, I expect them to do the same, if necessary. This DOESN’T mean you need to change vets and go to the vet that carries Continuum on a permanent basis. Puppy People just need to make a simple search via phone for the correct product. There is a myriad of vaccines on the market,manufactured by many different companies. It DOES matter which one your puppy receives. Insist on reading the label of the vaccine vial BEFORE the puppy is vaccinated to ensure it is CONTINUUM® DAP (CANINE DISTEMPER-ADENOVIRUS TYPE 2-PARVOVIRUS VACCINE MODIFIED LIVE VIRUS) manufactured by INTERVET. The Puppy will NOT RECEIVE FURTHER VACCINATIONS for Canine Distemper-Adenovirus Type 2-or Parvovirus until the Puppy is older than THREE YEARS Of AGE as stated on the Intervet product information for Continuum® DAP. I strongly recommend that a vaccine antibody titer blood test be done for distemper and parvovirus at three years old BEFORE giving additional vaccines to the puppy, to ascertain if there are antibodies present which would negate additional vaccination for distemper and parvovirus at this time. Again there is loads of information on the internet regarding titers for the reader to sift through. Sift carefully though! I was recently on one site which stated that " vaccine titers are a relatively new thing and as such aren’t widely available and are very, very expensive at the present time" Hmmm...I had Tikka titer tested for distemper and parvovirus in May 2008 at my vet who is located in a rural/agricultural community with a population of 6,000 people and the total cost was $65! I would call that available and cheap! Some dog shows and dog clubs also have titer clinics to reduce costs for everyone. Tikka's titer level came back as protected for distemper and parvovirus. She was vaccinated following the above vaccine schedule and was vaccinated with CONTINUUM® DAP (CANINE DISTEMPER-ADENOVIRUS TYPE 2-PARVOVIRUS VACCINE MODIFIED LIVE VIRUS) MANUFACTURED BY INTERVET at 8 weeks and 12 weeks with nothing else since then. I strongly recommend that if further vaccination, AFTER THE THREE YEAR PERIOD, is desired due to titer levels being nonexistent for Canine Distemper-Adenovirus Type 2-or Parvovirus that only CONTINUUM® DAP (Canine Distemper-Adenovirus Type 2-Parvovirus vaccine Modified Live Virus) manufactured by Intervet be used. Rabies Vaccination; Puppy People agree to NOT VACCINATE THEIR PUPPY WITH A RABIES VACCINE UNTIL PUPPY IS AT LEAST 6 MONTHS OF AGE. It is preferred that puppy be over one year of age so the immune system has had an opportunity to mature. They agree to only vaccinate for rabies when it is a legal requirement in the area where the Puppy will reside. It is the Buyers duty and responsibility to know the legal requirements of the area where they reside. In British Columbia it is not a legal requirement that dogs be vaccinated against rabies. Puppy People will follow these Precautions and agree; TO NEVER VACCINATE THEIR PUPPY WITH A RABIES VACCINE IN COMBINATION WITH ANY OTHER VACCINE. TO NEVER VACCINATE THEIR PUPPY WITH A RABIES VACCINE WITHIN ONE MONTH OF ANY OTHER VACCINE. TO NEVER VACCINATE FOR RABIES OR WITH ANY OTHER VACCINE WITHIN A MONTH OF THE PUPPY BEING SPAYED, NEUTERED, HAVING ANY KIND OF SURGICAL PROCEDURE, OR IF THERE IS EVEN THE SLIGHTEST QUESTION THAT THE PUPPY MAY BE ILL. Puppy People are aware that some tollers may have adverse reactions, including death, from some Heartworm and Lyme Disease medications. They are also aware that Heartworm and Lyme Disease medication is to be administered in accordance with veterinary guidelines only in areas of the world where these diseases are considered a serious threat to the well being of the Puppy. With that in mind, both diseases if untreated are known to be a death sentence to affected dogs. Puppy People are also aware that tollers, due to farm collies being part of their heritage, are often more sensitive to the antiparasitic drug, ivermectin. Again, know your breed and know your drug labels! So in a nut shell, NSDTR Limited Vaccine Protocol: 8 weeks old - CONTINUUM® DAP(Canine Distemper-Adenovirus Type 2-Parvovirus vaccine Modified Live Virus) 12 weeks old- CONTINUUM® DAP(Canine Distemper-Adenovirus Type 2-Parvovirus vaccine Modified Live Virus) 16 weeks old - Titer test for Parvovirus and Distemper 6 months old / prefer one year or older - Rabies vaccine, when required by law. The precautions listed above are part of the our Limited Vaccine Protocol and MUST be followed. I welcome questions regarding the Limited Vaccine Protocol we follow, please don't hesitate to ask. Linda |
| Kasomor NSDTR Limited Vaccine Protocol |
| As I write this thoughts of "Willow" and the battle she and her family fought for her run through my mind. Willow died from vaccine induced seizures. She was just 6 months old. A full article of her fight for life has been printed in Toller Talk ( the quarterly newsletter of the NSDTR Club of Canada) Spring 2008 issue. Back issues are available. Rest now...liitle toad, Kasomor's Brechinridge Willow August 2, 2007 - February 18, 2008 |
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