We have many people asking us about Jean Dodd’s Vaccine Protocols & Dr. Robb’s Protect the Pet protocols for their pet. They want to know if vaccines are safe and how to minimize the vaccines that their pet gets. Many puppy breeders also recommend and adhere to these vaccine protocols. At Williston Park Animal Hospital we are fans of Jean Dodd’s & Dr. Rob’s Vaccine Protocols and giving your puppy or kitten the minimum number of vaccines, the lowest dosage and the safest vaccine, as long as it is acceptable for their exposure and risk level. But, first of all you may be wondering – Who is Jean Dodds? Who is Dr. Robb?
The Jean Dodds Protocol
Dr. Jean Dodds is considered to be one of the foremost experts in pet healthcare and is founder of hemopet.org. Her expertise focuses on pet vaccinations, nutrition and thyroid health. Her vaccine protocols recommend minimum vaccines for puppies and kittens based on their risk.
Risk factors include contact with other pets such as in a grooming facility, in a pet store, in a training class, being boarded, or even in your own living situation where your pet could potentially be exposed to kennel cough (bordatella) or influenza.
Other risk factors also include exposure, which means taking your pet to a park , hiking or in any areas where there is wildlife – including raccoons, opossums, rodents and deer present, which would increase your pet’s risk for contracting lyme disease or leptospirosis. If your pet is not exposed to any of these situations it means less vaccines for your pet.
We will discuss your pet’s risks and exposure level with you to assess their risk level. If your pet is not at risk we recommend giving the core vaccines only, which is the basis of Jean Dodd’s vaccine protocol.
What is Jean Dodd’s Vaccine Protocol?
Listed below is Jean Dodd’s Vaccine Protocol as detailed on her website:
2016 Vaccination Protocol for Dogs / Puppies
Note: The following vaccine protocol is offered for those dogs where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one Dr. Dodds recommends and should not be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.
- 9-10 Weeks Old:
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV (eg merck nobivac / intervet progard puppy dpv)
- 14-16 Weeks:
Same as above
- 20 Weeks or Older (if allowable by law):
Rabies (give 3-4 wks apart from other vaccine, Merial 3TF thimerosol free)
- 1 Year old:
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV (optional = titer)
- 1 Year:
Rabies, killed 3-year product (give 3-4 weeks apart from distemper/parvovirus booster, Merial 3TF thimerosol free)
Perform vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus every three years thereafter, or more often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request. See the Rabies Challenge Fundwebsite.
2013-2014 Vaccination Protocol for Kittens / Cats
Note: The following vaccine protocol is offered for those cats where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one Dr. Dodds recommends and should not interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.
- 8-9 Weeks Old:
Panleukopenia (feline parvovirus), Calicivirus, Rhinopneumonitits Virus (feline herpesvirus-1) - (FVRCP)
- 12-13 Weeks Old:
Same as above
- 24 Weeks or Older (if required by law):
Rabies (e.g. Merial Purevax™, recombinant)
- 1 Year:
FVRCP booster (optional = titer)
- 1+ Year:
Rabies, same as above but separated by 2-3 weeks from FVRCP
Perform vaccine antibody titers for panleukopenia virus every three years thereafter, or more often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request. Visit Rabies Challenge Fund.
Dr. Robb Protect the Pets
Dr. Robb believes in smaller dosage for smaller pets. (if allowable by law) He also believes in rabies titers (if allowable by law)
We do rabies titers through kansas state. Unfortunately we do have to charge for the blood draw and shipping to kansas on ice which can add significantly to the cost stated on their website.
https://www.protectthepets.com/
Please contact us if you are interested in these protocols
Vaccine Titers
Vaccine titers are a blood test that test to see if your pet has antibodies to protect him or her against the diseases for which they were vaccinated. It costs a little more than the vaccines, but is an option for your pet instead of receiving a vaccination. Titers are available for several vaccines, including distemper and parvo virus.
At Williston Park Animal Hospital we offer the Jean Dodd’s minimal vaccine protocol and we carry the recommended Merk Nobivac DPV vaccine as well as the Merial Imrab TF Thimerisol Free vaccines for dogs and the Merial Purevax FVRCP & Rabies vaccines for cats. We believe in a minimal vaccine protocol for our own pets and also recommend it for the best health of your pet .
If you would like to make an appointment for your pet or to learn more about the Jean Dodd’s vaccine protocols or Dr. Robb’s protect the pets & vaccine titers and how they can benefit your pet please contact us at 516-248-1489 or email us at WillistonParkAnimalHospital@hotmail.com