More than 14,000 people have access to this article that presents the half-dose method of vaccinating small dogs. It references a pilot study conducted by Jean W. Dodds, DVM, to determine whether or not a half-dose distemper and parvovirus vaccine elicited enough immunity to these viruses in adult dogs weighing under 12 pounds.
Source: Dogs Naturally, February 26, 2016.
The study confirms what has long been believed…that half doses of parvovirus/distemper vaccines can be given to small dogs and still provide protection against parvovirus and distemper. When asked whether the titers accurately predict protection and for how long, Dr. Dodds confirms that for canine parvo and distemper (as well as for adenovirus-2) adequate serum antibodies do predict protection from these diseases and that protection is probably lifelong.
INSIGHTS – Marketers and sales representatives can help prepare veterinary teams and dealers handling vaccines about their own efficacy studies and how to handle clients inquiries about half-dosing.
Since vaccination dose is not given on a mg/kg or ml/kg basis why is giving half a dose safer. Is there in fact any evidence that lowering the dose represents less risk than giving an entire dose.
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