This seminar available as free audio download - see notes at end.

MEDIA RELEASE - Monday, 28th April 2008 

Fresh Injection into Evidence-Based Medicine for Companion Animals

Annual vaccination has been the mainstay of canine and feline healthcare in Australia for several decades. Polyvalent vaccines, containing up to 7 antigens, are routinely administered to adult dogs, regardless of the host’s biological requirement for booster vaccinations (immune status) and potential for untoward effects (hypersensitivity, allergy, blood and endocrine diseases) in susceptible animals.

Much research has gone into the traditional vaccination protocol since the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) published their recommendations in 2000 – prompted by the frequency of (vaccine) injection site fibrosarcomas in cats -, and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is the latest industry body to advocate extended inter-vaccination intervals. Their Vaccine Guidelines Group issued their recommendation to vaccinate adult dogs no more frequently than every 3 years, which is in line with the 2003 and 2006 reports by the Canine Vaccine Task Force/American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the U.S. member organisation of the WSAVA.

The WSAVA concluded that “Vaccines should not be given needlessly… We should aim to vaccinate every animal, and to vaccinate each individual less frequently.” In their Guidelines, the WSAVA recognizes that: “Induction of immunological memory is the primary objective of vaccination. For core vaccines there is excellent correlation between the presence of antibody and protective immunity… Dogs that have responded to vaccination with MLV [modified-live virus] core vaccines maintain a solid immunity (immunological memory) for many years in the absence of any repeat vaccination… Antibody tests are useful for monitoring immunity to CDV [canine distemper virus], canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2)… Testing for antibody is presently the only practical way to ensure that a puppy’s immune system has recognized the vaccinal antigen. Vaccines may fail for various reasons…”

Parramatta International Canine Sports Inc (PICSI) is proud to be hosting a seminar featuring Dr W Jean Dodds (USA) in Parramatta on Monday, June 30, 2008. 
Dr Dodds is a practicing vet, a world-renowned veterinary vaccine research scientist, and an internationally acclaimed authority in the areas of canine and feline immunology, hematology and endocrinology. 

Dog and cat owners, breeders, and veterinary practitioners will have the opportunity to hear Dr Dodds speak on thyroid disease, vaccine issues and nutrition when she tours Australia in late June 2008. Seminars have been arranged in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.

For media enquiries please contact Bea Mies;  

ENDS

Bonus Audio:
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Listen to the entire evening seminar here