The issue of to vaccinate or not has become a hot topic. Vaccine protocol has changed dramatically over the years but it seems that the one issue relating to vaccines that is not touched on is common sense.

We as veterinary practitioners need to be the ones who educate our clients and should be the ones who decide to vaccinate, not based solely on protocol but also in regard to the pets immune status and individuality.

There are many issues which determine vaccine protocol and one must always keep in mind several factors when doing so such as:

1. Immune status
2. Disease prevalence in your area
3. Age of the pet
4. Pets environment and habits
5. Safety of product being used
6. Thorough history of the patient

If the above areas are understood and identified then it is easier to handle the risk/benefits of vaccination. Pets that present with any medical issues should have vaccines witheld until those issues are resolved. If they are not resolvable then vaccines are out. On occasion homeopathics may be given post-vaccine to help prevent some of the chronic effects of vaccination ( post vaccine related issues ).

 In some cases pets may appear to be in best of health but lets remember that examining pets once yearly is more like every six to seven years in their life. So here it becomes prudent to be proactive and do routine blood testing and diagnostics especially in pets that are older before we vaccinate.

Yes, it is prudent to vaccinate but it can be more of a challenge to know when not to.

 Robert Ferran DVM

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