Pet Vaccinations: Understanding Vaccinations for Your Cat or Dog

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By Bill Hendrick
WebMD Pet Health Feature

Many pet owners and some animal scientists believe that we are over vaccinating our pets. They also think that some shots may be doing more harm than good. One type of cancer in cats, for example, is known to be caused by vaccinations. In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions.

Because reports and rumors of side effects have become so widespread, pet owners increasingly are asking their vets about whether or not to vaccinate. Andy Smith, DVM, a long-time Atlanta veterinarian, says he has “this conversation with a client twice a week. It’s clear there’s a lot of confusion and concern.” So WebMD went to some top veterinary experts to find answers you can use in sorting out your own concerns.

Why do pets need vaccines?

Vaccines protect against contagious, potentially fatal diseases, says Margret Casal, DMV, PhD. Casal is associate professor of medical genetics at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Vaccines trigger immune responses, she says, and prepare pets to fight future infections.

Casal tells WebMD that vaccines have saved millions of pet lives. And even though some once common diseases are now rare, she says veterinary groups agree that many vaccines are still necessary.

Is there a vaccination controversy?

Yes, says Andrea Looney, DVM, of Cornell University. Some experts advocate yearly shots, others every three years, and a few believe no more vaccines are needed after the first year. 

Looney says it’s similar to controversies over human vaccines. “There’s a lot of talk,” she says, “but no evidence [of widespread harm].”

Casal says fears sparked by this “over vaccination” controversy have led many pet owners to skip shots for preventable diseases, causing an alarming rise in pet deaths.

So should all dogs and cats still be vaccinated?

“Absolutely,” says Ronald Schultz, DVM, a pioneer in clinical immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. But Schulz is also very much in agreement with those who say pets are being over vaccinated, calling it a “serious problem.” Often, he says, pets are vaccinated by vets who just want to keep clients coming in. But too many vaccines, especially when given in “combo shots,” can “assault” immune systems. 

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Eating Grass....why does my dog graze?

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Dogs do a lot of things that we don’t really understand, one of which is eating grass. Why do dogs eat grass?

Firstly, dogs eating grass is actually very common. Wild dogs as well as domestic dogs will eat vegetation sometimes. One study showed that approximately 75% of dogs had eaten grass or plants at some time…grass being the most commonly eaten plant.

Okay, so my dog’s behavior is not unusual. But WHY do they eat grass?

There many theories as to why dogs eat grass.

It may be nothing more than a natural behavior. Dogs are, in a certain sense, omnivores. Before being domesticated, dogs ate whatever they could hunt or scavenge. They would eat whole prey animals, including meat, bones, organs, and the content of the stomachs, which more often that not included plant material. This provided a balance diet for the dog. Wild dogs still eat vegetation in addition to prey items.

Sometimes dogs eat grass as a means to make themselves throw up. Perhaps the dog has an upset stomach, or even something such as acid reflux, making them uncomfortable. Vomiting often makes them feel better. Most often the dog will not act sick, so it is hard to know why they are doing it. The majority of dogs that eat grass, however, do not throw up. In fact, studies show that only about 25% of dogs that eat grass vomit regularly after doing so. One interesting study reveals that the way dogs eat grass makes a difference. Dogs that eat grass slowly and chew it rarely get sick. Dogs that eat grass rapidly and swallow it without chewing almost always throw up. Whether this is on purpose or not is not know for sure, but it certainly seems to be deliberate on the dog’s part.

One of the beagles I have now will sometimes run out into the yard, quickly gobble down a few mouthfuls of grass, and promptly throw it up. Once he does that, he seems fine and eats his meal with no problem.

Another theory is that dogs eat grass as means to improve digestion by adding fiber to their diet. Grass can also provide some nutrients that may be missing from some commercial diets.

Other theories include grass eating from boredom, or a condition called Pica, which is a compulsion to eat items that are not edible. If your dog exhibits anxiety before eating grass, it may be the result of a psychological condition. A vet should be consulted to determine if there is a medical condition underlying the anxiety. There are ways to treat anxiety with either medication or behavioral training.

Lastly, dogs may eat grass simply because they enjoy it. Just as humans eat some foods simply because they enjoy the taste and/or texture, dogs may be doing exactly the same thing. If this is the case, the dog will rarely ever vomit. I once had a terrier that would graze like a cow, happily munching on grass and leaves to her heart’s content. Never once did it make her sick. She simply liked it.

Should grass eating be something to worry about?

The general consensus is that grass eating is not anything to be concerned about. If your dog eats grass and throws up often, it is best to let a vet determine if there are health issues behind the behavior. If you have a grazer like my terrier, there is no reason to interfere with their grass eating, but keeping an eye on them is always a good idea.

There are instances where grass eating should be avoided. Often lawns are treated with chemicals. Herbicides and pesticides  used on lawns are quite toxic, especially if ingested. The dog may ingest the chemicals by eating the grass, or by licking their paws after walking on treated grass. Treated areas should be avoided at all cost. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can help if you think your dog has ingested these chemicals. They also have a list of toxic plants that your dog should never eat.

If your dog is eating grass, carefully monitor its behavior and seek veterinary advice if there seems to be health or behavioral issues. Keep your dog away from treated areas, and keep an eye on the types of plants they are eating.

More often than not, your dog is just doing something dogs have always done. In most cases, there is nothing to be concerned about.

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Warning about dangerous cocoa mulch!!

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Ask the Vet: Pet First-Aid

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5 Tips for Safe Car Travel

 

When it comes to taking our pets for rides in the car, it’s only natural that some will be more into it than others. But whether you have the dog that loves to stick his head out the window and catch a breeze, or the cat that is intent on scratching through the upholstery on your backseat, there are some ways you can ease the stress on everybody and plan for a more pleasant ride:

Make sure your pet is secured while you travel. Never leave your pet (especially your cat) free to roam around the car. There are many options for safely securing them—from harnesses to car seats to crates and carriers. Find what works best for you and use it every time your pet rides with you in the car.

Keep a pet kit in the car. Fill a small box with some things you might need while out with your pet: extra water, treats, a towel, waste bags, first aid essentials, and cleaning wipes (if you’ve ever had a pet get sick in your car, you know that the more cleaning aids you have on hand the better!). Keep the kit in the trunk of your car so you know that you’re always covered in an emergency.

Get your pet used to the ride. Some pets take to car rides right away, while others are a bit more resistant. Start your pet off with short drives around the block to get them comfortable, and by the time you need to take them somewhere further away, they’ll know what to expect.

Never leave your pet alone in the car. It doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside or how short of a time period you’ll be gone, leaving your pet alone in the car is incredibly dangerous. Even with the windows open, cars can easily become furnaces in hot weather, and in cold weather, they quickly become frigid without the heat blasting. Always choose to be safe rather than sorry and avoid ever leaving your pet alone in the car.

Don’t feed your pet a huge meal before setting out. Same goes for giving your pet a lot to drink. We all know how easy it is to get a little car sick—avoid the possibility of making your pet miserable on a long car ride by only feeding light meals. If you can, try to not feed your pet in the three to four hours prior to setting off.

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