Dodds
continued from page 30 Combination vaccines may
contain antigens other than those of the clinically important
(“core”) disease agents, some of which may be unnecessary,
and their use may increase the risk of adverse reactions.
Dr. Dodds is by no means anti-vaccine. She points out
that today’s vaccines are good and effective. Perhaps 4 to 5
percent of vaccinated pets may suffer some adverse reaction
to vaccination (vaccinosis), with some reactions being very
minor. Yet there are great benefits to vaccination. For “herd
health,” 70% need to be vaccinated, yet overall with dogs
only about 50% are.
Some individuals will be non-respondents or low-
respondents to vaccination. This is a genetic trait. Low or
non-response can be found through a serum titer test. Thus,
Dr. Dodds recommends distemper and parvovirus titers
about four weeks after the last puppy vaccination. If there
is low response, give one more vaccination and re-test.
A measurable titer means there is immunity. There is no
benefit to booster shots if there is measurable immunity.
There is no benefit to doing titer tests more often than every
three years.
Of great interest regarding vaccinations is the ongoing
Rabies Challenge project. Rabies vaccinations can be quite
stressful to a dog, and the present regime of state-mandated
vaccinations at one- or three-year intervals is largely arbitrary.
The project is well into its sixth year and seeks to provide
a scientific basis for extending the time between state-law-
mandated boosters for rabies vaccinations. They have found
that all but a very few dogs have immunity to rabies at a
point six-and-one-half years after vaccination. The period
of effective immunity may be even longer, as it is for other
vaccines. Dr. Dodds expects to be writing a paper with
Professor Ron Schultz as coauthor. They expect to provide a
scientific basis for a new rabies vaccination protocol with
less frequent required vaccinations, and acceptance of titer
testing in lieu of vaccination.
I’d known of Hemopet as a place that does titer testing of
blood samples so that a dog owner can find out if previously
given vaccinations are sufficient to have conferred
immunity, obviating the need for additional vaccinations
(at least at the time of the sample). But that is just one facet
of Hemopet. It is also involved with rescue of retired racing
greyhounds and with a canine blood bank that supplies dog
blood and blood products to veterinarians. Another service
offered by Hemopet is a saliva sample-based test for food
sensitivity or intolerance. There is plenty of information on
these topics at the Hemopet website. (This isn’t intended to
be a commercial for Hemopet, but I was unaware of the
range of its activities, and I suspect that many readers would
similarly be unaware.)
Dr. Dodds spent considerable time discussing illnesses
that are of much greater concern to people with breeds
other than PBGVs. As she discussed these diseases, I was
struck by how many afflict some breeds and I am grateful
that PBGVs are, by and large, a fairly healthy breed, with
few of these genetically based diseases.
There are many autoimmune diseases that can afflict
dogs. But even with a condition that is linked to a given
breed, not every individual will suffer from the diseases.
Autoimmune disease can be understood with the benefit of
a Venn diagram showing that disease manifests when there
is a combination of factors: genetics, virus, sex hormones
and stress. Autoimmunity can develop in genetically
susceptible individuals and may be triggered by
environmental agents. Development of the condition
is the result of the sum of genetic and environmental
actors that override normal mechanics of self-tolerance.
Studies have shown that the genome is programmed for
health and longevity. Diet and good nutrition are, not sur-
prisingly, important in good health for our dogs. Dr. Dodds
noted that modern dogs share 99.8% of genes with wolves.
There are 122 genes located in the remaining .2%. Dogs
have three specific genes that control digestion and
utilization of starch. Modern dogs are adapted to eat and
utilize more starch than wolves. They have also adapted
to deal with stress. (Necessary if they’re going to live with
people, I presume!)
Dr. Dodds stated that nutrition is the most important
factor for human and animal health. The emerging field of
nutrigenomics studies the molecular relationships between
nutrition and the response of genes in promoting health.
Genetic differences between individuals lead to variations
in dietary requirements for energy and nutrient needs,
and to maintain health. This may lead to customizing
diets — in humans and dogs — to better promote health
of the individual.
I
Etiology
of
Autoimmune
Diseases
Illustration
courtesy of
W. Jean
Dodds, DVM
34
www.pbgv.org
Spring 2015
I Saber Tails
Photo by Jane Swanson