Heads Up News – Are Veterinarians Over Vaccinating Pets To Run Up Vet Bills?

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In the course of reviewing news items, I come across articles that I know pet owners will soon be reading, and some of them will be heading to the phone to give their vets a call to discuss. I'll be posting these to the blog under the category "Heads Up News".

Here's one I came across today: Are Veterinarians Over Vaccinating Pets To Run Up Vet Bills? published in The Connecticut Watchdog that references a Smart Money article on Veterinarians who over vaccinate pets for the money.

"SmartMoney is raising questions about over medicating animals that have long intrigued me.

In a recent article on “10-Things-Your-Veterinarian-Won’t-Tell-You”, several questions are raised, including whether vaccinating your pet may do more harm than good.

“For years the primary reason for seeing a veterinarian was to get your pet vaccinated against a host of diseases ranging from distemper to rabies, either with individual vaccinations or “combo wombo” shots that could cover seven separate conditions.

Indeed, annual vaccinations have been an economic bulwark for many vet practices. However, some veterinarians say they’re not only unnecessary but can actually be harmful in some cases. Marty Goldstein, a veterinarian in South Salem, N.Y., says he sees a range of vaccination-related reactions in animals, everything from cancerous sarcomas to epilepsy. Another reason to think twice about certain vaccines: The immunity provided by some of them can last well beyond a year and even as long as the pet’s lifetime, Goldstein says, negating the need for some annual shots.

Both the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association now say vaccinations should be assessed yearly and tailored to an animal’s age, health, and lifestyle. For example, an indoor cat with limited exposure to some diseases may not ever need certain common vaccinations, says W. Jean Dodds, an immunologist and veterinarian with Hemopet in Garden Grove, Calif. Only a veterinarian who has access to your pet’s complete medical history can determine which vaccinations should be administered and how they’ll be most effective. Also, talk with your vet if you’re considering traveling with your pet.”