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Now, to the matter of shots/immunity - a controversial topic to say the least. Again, because of the small gene pool in Irish Water Spaniels, drug & vaccine reactions are not uncommon (sulfa drugs have been known to cause death in IWSs). Sometimes these reactions are subtle, sometimes they don't happen the first time that a shot is given, but they can & do happen. The most common vaccination reaction in IWSs is anaphylactic shock after a Leptospirosis shot. Is it worth the heartache?
Many holistically oriented people feel that overcrowding & lack of sanitation were the primary causes of the epidemics of the past. Scientists have shown that most epidemics had a "life-cycle" where first they proliferated then died out largely on their own. There are indications that many of our newer diseases have actually been caused by viruses being studied that have "run amok."
Studies also indicate that inoculating may actually make an organism more susceptible to getting a disease (canine kennel cough/bordetella is a good example). The appearance of cancers at the site of inoculations has been documented, especially in cats. Puppy inoculations given too early may actually compete with existing maternal antibodies to disease, effectively canceling each other out. That, combined with the fact that parvovirus & distemper are largely diseases of puppyhood, adds to concern over the wisdom of juvenile inoculations. If the dam's immune system & disease resistance are strong, the pups will be protected.
There are various approaches to the subject of puppy shots as well as shots in general. One approach is the administration of homeopathic nosodes (homeopathic oral vaccines) - a non-invasive 'equivalent' of inoculations. However, there is considerable debate as to whether giving nosodes prophylactically is advisable. Another theory is based on the concept of "herd immunity" whereby one animal develops immunity without actually receiving a shot, but instead by being exposed to another animal who has been inoculated during the 45-90 day period during which the inoculated animal "sheds" the viral load.
Dr. Ronald D. Schultz, Professor & Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has studied animal immunity & has arrived at the following conclusions regarding the most worrisome canine diseases. Dr. Schultz states that one dose of modified live distemper vaccine & one dose of modified live parvovirus vaccine, given separately at the proper age during puppyhood (NOT in the form of combination/galaxy shots), will successfully immunize 95 percent of animals for their entire lifetime. He further states that one (or two) dose(s) of killed rabies vaccine provide the same lifetime immunity. In many places state law unfortunately mandates a rabies booster be given every three years. Some progressive states/municipalities are beginning to accept vaccine titers instead of an actual shot. Some enlightened veterinarians are now giving rabies injections of one-tenth the standard, or at least a reduced dose as research has shown the vaccine to be many times more potent than necessary to stimulate immunity. While titers do cost more than an automatic booster shot, they can provide an indication of whether an animal already has circulating antibodies to the disease. ANY circulating antibodies are indicative of the body's ability to properly mount a defense to a disease challenge! Titers can provide evidence of an animal's inherent health & can prevent a possibly sensitive immune system from being unnecessarily challenged.
More & more researchers, veterinarians & schools of veterinary medicine in the US & abroad are re-examining & revising their core inoculation protocols. They are repeatedly affirming that revaccination in the form of annual boosters does NOTHING to increase the immunity of an animal to disease.
Regarding other common inoculations: As stated above, kennel cough/bordetella-parainfluenza vaccine often causes the cough instead of preventing it. However, it may sometimes be effective in shortening the duration of the cough when given to animals who are already displaying symptoms (administering the nosode to dogs showing symptoms is another successful approach). Leptospirosis vaccine often not only causes anaphylactic shock in IWSs, but the vaccine has a very brief period of efficacy. Shots for corona, giardia or Lyme's disease are also not recommended because of questionable effectiveness. Most importantly, please, NEVER give an inoculation to an unhealthy animal or to an animal about to undergo surgery!
In IWSs, where autoimmune problems sometimes do occur, I have no doubt that the fewer unnecessary challenges, the better. While I followed the Schultz protocol with Callie's pups & found it to be a reasonable compromise at that time, Edie's pups left here unassaulted by vaccines. Those pups remained here until they were about twelve weeks old - old enough for their immune systems to have developed sufficiently so that they were capable of dealing with vaccinations IF their new owners decided to follow that path.
Towards the end of his life, Pasteur recanted his faith in vaccination. His comments were to the effect that, "The terrain is everything." The "terrain" to which he was referring was an organism's immune system. A strong immune system supported by a natural, healthy, species-appropriate raw diet is the best defense these dogs can have. The way to build that hardy immune system is to nurture it with good food, appropriate supplements & by allowing it to develop naturally. A strong immune system is the very best gift that we can give our dogs & ourselves!
For additional information we recommend this article by holistic veterinarian Dee Blanco entitled "Vaccines-Are they safe for your dog?".
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