Page 3272 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Consent to Administer Vaccinations, Canine

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INTRODUCTION their mothers. Unfortunately, this maternal protection not only helps
We want to make sure that you understand the planned medical keep the pup from becoming ill in the first several weeks of life, but it
procedure to be performed on your pet. You should know why the also interferes with the ability to respond to vaccinations. Protective
procedure has been suggested, what the potential benefits are for antibodies provided by the mother can wear off as early as 6 weeks
your pet, and the most common/important risks of the procedure. of age or late as 14 weeks, but it usually wears off around 9-12
Alternatives to this procedure, when applicable, will be discussed weeks of age. Since we can’t predict when the maternal protection
with you. It is also important that you recognize that medicine is will wear off in a specific puppy, we start the vaccinations at the
not an exact science, and that the outcome cannot be guaranteed. young end of the range (≈6 weeks) and continue until past the old
We encourage you to ask us as many questions as required for end of the range (≈16 weeks).
you to make a well-informed decision. Adult dogs that receive a new vaccine for the first time may also
require a booster 2-3 weeks later. In this scenario, the first dose
BENEFITS/OPTIMAL OUTCOME OF THE PROCEDURE of the vaccine introduces the inactivated infectious organism to
Vaccines help protect dogs from certain infectious diseases. Perhaps the dog’s immune system, and the second dose allows the dog
no medical or scientific discovery has ever done more to protect to become protected.
the health of pets and people than have vaccinations. Vaccines are Regardless of whether the vaccine is given first to a puppy or
available to protect from some, but not all, infections. Vaccines are to an adult, most vaccines require a booster one year after the first
often described as “core” or “non-core”. Core vaccines are those vaccines are given. After that, boosters might be required every
that a panel of experts has agreed should be given to essentially year or every third year, depending on the type of vaccine.
every single dog unless there is a very good reason not to do so.
This includes rabies vaccination, which is not only just a good idea, USE OF SEDATIVES OR ANESTHESIA
but is usually required by local laws. On the other hand, non-core Sedation and/or anesthesia is typically not necessary for the
vaccines are considered optional vaccines. These optional vaccines administration of vaccinations.
are administered if it seems likely that that the vaccination will be
useful to help protect that particular dog. The decision of when to FORESEEABLE RISKS TO THE PROCEDURE
use optional vaccines depends on a number of factors, including the Vaccination is very safe (< 1% of vaccinated dogs have any complica-
age and lifestyle of the dog (for instance, will the dog be boarded tion), but as with any medical procedure there are risks.
or go to the groomers?). • The most common adverse vaccine reactions are mild (decreased
appetite, pain at the injection site, decreased energy levels,
EXPLANATION OF THE PROCEDURE and a mild fever). These reactions typically last only 2-3 days
The process of vaccination is simple and straightforward but must and resolve without treatment. If these signs continue past 2-3
be done correctly every step of the way. The vaccine itself must be days, you should contact us. Please note, lack of reaction to
kept at just the right temperature at all times and must be mixed one vaccine does NOT predict whether your dog may have a
correctly immediately before use. There may be no guarantee that reaction to future vaccines.
vaccine purchased from a feed store or off the Internet has been • Less common mild reactions include infection, hair loss, or change
handled with the care required. For many commonly used vaccines, in hair color at the injection site.
one injection can protect from many diseases. This is achieved • Very rarely (fewer than 1 in 30,000 doses of vaccine), serious
through the use of vaccines with multiple different antigens in the allergic reactions occur just after vaccination (anaphylaxis). Signs
same vial. of a serious reaction can include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, facial
After an examination shows that your dog is healthy enough swelling, collapse, and trouble breathing. Although uncommon,
to receive a vaccination, the vaccine will be mixed together. Most these reactions can be life threatening. Contact us immediately
vaccines are administered by quickly injecting a small volume of if you notice any of these signs.
fluid just under the skin. Other vaccines are given in a cheek pocket • Under extremely rare circumstances, some kinds of vaccines can
or the fluid is dropped into the nose. Either way, the vaccine fluid actually cause signs of the disease they are meant to protect
contains a version of an infectious organism (germ) that has been against.
altered in such a way that it won’t cause illness. Instead, the organism • If a vaccine designed to be given by nose or by mouth is
will “teach” the dog’s protective immune system what to look out accidentally injected, there can be serious consequences.
for and prepare it to fight off a similar organism if it is encountered • There is some controversy as to the risk of serious immune-
at some future date. mediated disease after vaccination. Most studies have failed to
Often, vaccines require “boosters,” or additional doses, to achieve find a strong link between vaccination and immune mediated
maximal effectivity. Puppies receive their first vaccines at about 6 disease. Nevertheless, if your dog has already survived such a
weeks of age, and then receive boosters every 3-4 weeks until they disease we may discuss ways to minimize vaccinations.
are about 16 weeks of age. In addition to simply working better • There is also a small risk that the vaccine will not prevent infection.
with a booster, the reason for this series of repeated injections is Vaccines are not perfect, but while the risks of vaccination are
that puppies are born with protection from infectious diseases from minimal, the benefits can be great. There are very few scenarios

From Cohn and Côté: Clinical Veterinary Advisor, 4th edition. Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.