Is Parainfluenza Virus Vaccine for Dogs Necessary?

8 Causes of Kennel Cough-Bordetella

There is much research and debate about core and non-core vaccines for dogs, what formulas and dosages should be used, and how often they should be given. Parainfluenza was part of a core vaccine for years, but its possible-overuse is now being questioned. The annual DHPP stood for Distemper, Hepatitis (adenovirus), Parvovirus and Parainfluenza. Some vaccines added "L" for Leptospirosis, but most vets are now avoiding over-immunization by customizing the vaccines according to the individual dog's requirements, including age, breed, and dogs at higher risk.

What is parainfluenza? According to the Veterinary and Aquatic Services Department of Drs. Foster and Smith, this virus is one of several that can cause "kennel cough," one term used to cover several types of upper respiratory problems aka "tracheobronchitis." It is highly contagious among dogs and is found worldwide. Most cases are caused by more than one organism. Symptoms include a dry hacking cough, which is sometimes followed by retching. Dogs may also have a watery nasal discharge that lasts less than 6 days.

More severe symptoms include lethargy, fever, lack of appetite, and pneumonia. "Parainfluenza and Bordetella commonly appear together in infectious tracheobronchitis, creating a disease that normally lasts from 14-20 days." Treatment includes bronchodilators and antibiotics. The 4- or 5-way vaccines (including parainfluenza and adenovirus) will not protect against contracting the disease, but may reduce symptoms. Since the diseases are self-limiting, "most animals do not require treatment." (Foster and Smith)

Parainfluenza is an airborne disease, great like kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica), and physical contact between dogs is not necessary. In fact, humans can transmit it through hands and clothing.

Dr. Bob Rogers, vet and owner of Critter Fixer Pet Hospital in Spring, TX, asserts that our dogs (and cats) are being over-vaccinated. Many vets give several combinations of vaccines per dose and, after the intensive program of "puppy shots," they continue to give vaccines annually.

Before the 2003 AAHA's recommendation to reduce annual vaccines to tri-annually, Dr. Rogers says, "With the prevailing recommendations, a 12 year old dog would receive vaccinations for 157 antigens in its lifetime. By omitting unnecessary vaccines like Lyme, Corona and Lepto and by following the every-three-year compromise recommended by the AAHA that number of antigens would be reduced to 32."

Dr. Rogers feels that the new standards would offer the same protection without as many risks. Vaccines have been associated with canine side effects like muzzle swelling and itching to autoimmune diseases such as anemia, platelet problems, and joint disease. The main problem with analyzing ongoing data is that the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) through the Veterinary Practitioners' Reporting Program lost funding in April 2003 so no central database exists to collect data about adverse reactions. Vets can report suspected reactions to individual manufacturers, but the data is not centralized.

Vets agree that giving vaccines to protect pets must outweigh the risks involved.

Dr. Ronald Schultz, Prof. and Chair of the Dep't. of Pathological Sciences, U. of Wisconsin, says the current practice (in the 50's) was to include the parainfluenza vaccine in the DHPP (distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), parvovirus, and parainfluenza) combo, but, since 1978, vets began questioning the reasonableness of that protocol.

Dr. Rogers includes Schultz's findings on his Critter Advocacy site along with his own recommendations. He says that the AAHA, along with the American Association of Feline Practitioners and 22 Schools of Veterinary Medicine, have agreed on an "arbitrary compromise interval" of every three years instead of annually. Also, by consensus among immunologists and experts, most agree that "the duration of immunity is much longer and probably the life of the patient."

Taken directly from the AAHA's 2006 Canine Vaccination Guidelines for general veterinary practices (separate recommendations are given for shelter environments), the parainfluenza vaccine (CPIV) or Modified Live Vaccine - parenteral, may be given to a pup at 6-8 weeks of age and then every 3-4 weeks until 12-14 weeks of age. Alternatively, for an "adult" dog over 16 weeks old, one dose is adequate. Then, a booster may be given at one year and a "revaccination once every 3 years is considered protective."

The AAHA further notes that DOI (duration of immunization) by challenge has been shown to be at least one year from the topical (intranasal) vaccine. Further, "There is no evidence that parainfluenza vaccine produces any infamous immunity to the recently reported canine influenza virus." That virus was first diagnosed in 2003 as a new influenza strain that crossed over from horses.

In conclusion, Dr. Rogers notes that the parainfluenza vaccine only protects against one of over eight causes of kennel cough, and, instead, recommends an intranasal Bordetella be given 4 days before a dog is boarded, groomed, or attends dog shows where the dog will have unusually high exposure to other dogs. Dr. Rogers says the intranasal form takes effect in 72 hours whereas the injectable form takes two weeks to be effective. As further frustration to the dog owner, Dr. Rogers says, "Unfortunately an intranasal vaccine for parainfluenza without bordetella is not available."

Further, Drs. Foster and Smith note that a vaccinated dog "shed(s) the virus and cause(s) other dogs to become mildly infected" within the 72-hour period so they should not be vaccinated only a day or two before exposure to other dogs.

The AAHA further noted that, for three types of Bordetella bronchoseptica, there is no known advantage for administering a parenteral vaccine and the intranasal vaccine simultaneously.

The famous, outspoken advocate for rethinking the mature vaccine schedules, Dr. Jean Dobbs, DVM, hematologist and president of the nonprofit CA-based Hemopet animal blood bank, agrees with the idea of using the nasal form of protection for Bordetella. She recommends giving it "3 days prior to boarding when required." She believes the duration of immunity is 6 months. She also states emphatically that she does not use the injectable Bordetella vaccine "unless these diseases are endemic in the local area or specific kennel."

In the end, you need to trust your vet to know your pet and its habits and needs. Be informed and question the possibility of overusing vaccines. If your vet insists on following old standards, which have been proven unsafe, look around for another vet, a holistic vet, or one who shares your concept in being cautious before giving unnecessary vaccines.

Sources:

Dr. W. Jean Dodds, DVM. "Vaccination Schedule Recommendations for Dogs." Http://www.weim.net/emberweims/Vaccine.html. Retrieved 9-3-10.

Bob Rogers, DVM. Owner of Critter Fixer Pet Hospital, Inc. Spring, TX. Http://www.critteradvocacy.org/. Subtitles on site: "Canine Vaccination Guidelines." "Are We Over Vaccinating Our Pets? " "K9 Recommendations." "Library: Duration of Immunity - Dr. Ronald D. Schultz." Retrieved 9-3-10.

"2006 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines for the General Veterinary Practice, Revised." Report of the American Animal Hospital Association by the Canine Task Force of Michael A. Paul, DVM, Leland E. Carmichael, DVM, Ph.D., Henry Childers, DVM, et al. 28 pp. pdf document at http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/Vaccine Guidelines 06 Revised.pdf. (9-2-10 Note: Space is being revised. Go to given URL and use "search" for exact document.)

"Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis) in Dogs." Veterinary and Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Bustle Foster and Marty Smith. Retrieved 9-12-10. Http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm? c=2+2102&aid=452.

Tags: distemper symptoms, Heartworm Symptoms, Kennel Cough Symptoms, kennel cough treatment, kennel cough vaccine, Parvo Symptoms

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