A Purdue University vet school study (by Moore et al), published in 2005 in the AVMA Journal and widely-cited elsewhere (see AAHA Guidelines p. 22), tracked vaccine reactions occurring within 72 hours of vaccination for 1.2 million dogs vaccinated at 360 veterinary hospitals. It showed that small breed dogs receiving multiple vaccines per office visit were at greatest risk of a vaccine reaction. The report recommends: These factors should be considered in risk assessment and risk communication with clients regarding vaccination.
“The VAAE [reaction] rate decreased significantly as body weight increased. Risk was 27% to 38% greater for neutered versus sexually intact dogs and 35% to 64% greater for dogs approximately 1 to 3 years old versus 2 to 9 months old. The risk of a VAAE significantly increased as the number of vaccine doses administered per office visit increased; each additional vaccine significantly increased risk of an adverse event by 27% in dogs ≤ 10 kg (22 lb) and 12% in dogs > 10 kg.” (Find the article: JAVMA, Vol 227, No. 7, October 1, 2005) Ask your vet to find the article at http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.2005.227.1102?journalCode=javma
Note too: In the WSASA Guidelines Q & A: Are certain vaccines or combinations of vaccines more likely to cause adverse reactions than others? Yes. Although the development of an adverse reaction is often dependent on the genetics of the animal (e.g. small breed dogs or families of dogs), certain vaccines have a higher likelihood of producing adverse reactions, especially reactions caused by Type I hypersensitivity. For example, bacterins (killed bacterial vaccines), such as Leptospira, Bordetella, Borrelia (Lyme) and Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) are more likely to cause these adverse reactions than MLV viral vaccines.
Breeds Most at Risk Listed in Order (for breeds with more than 5000 dogs studied)
Dachshund (by far the most reactive)
Pug
Boston Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Chihuahua
Maltese
Miniature Schnauzer
Jack Russell Terrier
Toy Poodle
Yorkshire
Terrier
Boxer
Pomeranian
Pekingese
Shih Tzu
English Bulldog
Lhasa Apso
Weimaraner
Beagle
Bichon Frise
American Eskimo Dog
American Cocker Spaniel
Shetland Sheepdog
Shar Pei
Miniature Poodle
Golden Retriever
Basset Hound
Welsh Corgi
Siberian Husky
Great Dane
West Highland White Terrier
Labrador Retriever
Doberman Pinscher
American Pit Bull Terrier
Akita
Mixed
Australian Shepherd
Dalmatian
Australian Cattle Dog
Border Collie
Collie
Chow Chow
German Shepherd Dog
Rottweiler
Read the study abstract for dogs.
Read the study abstract for cats: Adverse events after vaccine administration in cats: 2,560 cases (2002-2005).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although overall VAAE rates were low, young adult neutered cats that received multiple vaccines per office visit were at the greatest risk of a VAAE within 30 days after vaccination. Veterinarians should incorporate these findings into risk communications and limit the number of vaccinations administered concurrently to cats.
Articles of Interest
Vaccinating Small Dogs: Risks Vets Aren’t Revealing
Short video and article on vaccine reactions
Study about increased hospitalization and deaths in children receiving multiple vaccines
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Thanks for sharing this Jan! Not many people are talking about the danger of vaccination for dogs. Bookmarked!
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[…] study. Don’t presume your veterinarian will have read either. (The wonderful study on the dangers of vaccinating small dogs and cats, published in the Journal in 2005, is virtually unknown in the veterinary […]
hi,
i agree & avoid vaccinations. i was wondering what rights as pet owner we have to avoid the rabies vaccine which they claim is mandatory.
many vets won’t treat pets unless they have the rabies vaccine.
thanks for any info you have for me on this particular shot.
nancy
Hi Nancy. I have numerous articles on rabies vaccinations on my other blog. Here’s a good place to start: http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2012/03/05/does-your-state-permit-rabies-vaccination-medical-exemptions/ Find other articles here: http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/index-2/
A vet has a reasonable concern to avoid treating a dog that is not protected. Well, slightly reasonable. Rabies in dogs is extremely rare in most states.
Most holistic vets are more reasonable about vaccinating. If your dog was a stray, there might still be concern. But if your dog has likely been vaccinated previously, they’ll probably allow you to come in to get a rabies titer test to see if your dog is protected. There’s no more danger drawing blood than there is injecting a vaccine. https://truth4pets.org/vets/ If your dogs has positive titers, that’s more proof that the dog is protected than just the knowledge that the dog was vaccinated.
Things are likely to change soon. Do you know about http://www.rabieschallengefund.org? Soon, with a little luck, there will be a legal titer standard.
it is good to know that the multiple vaccines per office visit were at greatest risk for small dogs
we experienced our yogi 6 lbs got sick each time after coming back from the vet for the vaccines.
thanks
Mindy, please read this before vaccinating your dog again. https://truth4pets.org/question-before-vaccination/
He, “Vinny” was a 3 1/2 pound miniature pincher rescue puppy extremely skinny. I foster care him till his weight was up to about 5 pounds. I was allowed to adopt him and bring him home, but first they had to give him a rabies shot and chip. I begged them to reduce the dosage because he was still skinny. They thought I was nuts, I said that will be like putting a hypodermic needle full of vaccine, the size of your arm in to your leg. So they did anyhow, said his leg would be so sore. He now has a dent the size of my finger, in his right leg. It looks like the vaccine ate all the tissue or muscle. The hair is discolored and missing, in the skin is glued or hard, condensed tissue. He jerks his leg, curls his toes tight, and sits down quick. I think it pinches him a lot. I rubbed creams on it but that does not help, it’s inside. It is like he got an injection of crazy glue. Is there anything I can do to restore his muscle. It now has been 4 half months and not getting better. Thanks