The body has an enormous capacity to recognize foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria and mount an immune response. Lets explore how the immune system works as discussed in the following simplified explanation.
 For this example we will use a parvovirus.  The parvovirus enters the system of a healthy dog.   The immune system recognizes the virus as foreign and mounts an immune response. Antibodies are produced immediately to fight the virus but these cells are short-lived following stimulation.   There are also “ memory” cells produced which are long lived and may survive for years, often for the life of the animal.   If the animal is ever exposed to the parvovirus again, the memory cells “remember” the parvovirus.   Since they already have the “blueprint” to make the weapons that fight the virus, they begin immediate replication of cells that fight the disease.  Thus the virus is immediately attacked and overcome.   In nature, usually only one virus is encountered at any one time.  In the artificial environment, that man perpetuates, our dogs are exposed to multivalent vaccines (MULTIPLE Diseases IN 1 SHOT). Some vaccines are as simple as distemper/parvo others contain upwards of 8 vaccines in one shot.  Dogs can receive up to 16 different vaccines in a years time. It is no wonder that the immune systems of our dogs are overwhelmed.
Their immune systems are attempting to produce immediate response cells to every virus or bacteria injected plus attempting to produce the memory cells to the same number of viruses or bacteria. In dogs that are genetically predisposed, this can spell disaster.   Think of it this way.  What if you were exposed to a cold, measles, chicken pox, the flu and mumps all at the some time?   Add on top of this, the stress of weaning, flying across country to a new home, separation from litter mates and changing to new food.  We are adding to an already stressed system.

 For years vaccination protocols touted more is better.  Vaccinate yearly, vaccinate every 6 months if actively showing dogs, start at 5 weeks and vaccinate every 2 weeks until over 16 weeks.   For years many veterinarians questioned the practice of so many vaccinations.   Since the 1970’s the professor and chair of Pathobiological sciences at he University of Wisconsin-Madison school of Veterinary medicine has been studying canine vaccines and has found that dogs are being over vaccinated.  Over vaccination can result in side effects such as skin problems, allergic reactions, and auto immune disease. Since vaccinations are a large part of a veterinarians income, the vets turned a deaf ear to those questioning the need for the use of so many vaccines.

The center of the diagram is nutrition.   A dog fed a premium food has the building blocks to promote a healthy immune system that can take numerous insults and rebound back to health.  Without the center being strong, the entire structure could collapse. Other things that may weaken an immune system and prime it to cause an overload would be exposure to extremes of heat and cold, giardia, worm load, flea and tick infestation, exposure to pesticides, etc. An unhealthy body cannot maintain a healthy immune system.

 1. Give only “core” vaccines. Instead of giving a vaccine that contains distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus type 2, corona virus, Para influenza, 4 types of lepto and Lyme disease, (Yes, this vaccine actually exists) give only the “core vaccines of   distemper/parvo.

2. Never vaccinate a sick animal.  If your pup is lethargic, has diarrhea, a runny nose or is stressed, wait for a more opportune time.

3. Never allow your vet to give shots  “grouped” together with a rabies vaccine.  Rabies should be administered at least 3-4 weeks after or before any other vaccination.

4. Do not vaccinate bitches during heats, pregnancy or while suckling puppies. Vaccinating when a bitch came into heat or a month before the pups were due used to be common. It was thought that the antibodies in the colostrum would be at peak level so the pups would receive a higher degree of protection. Some bitches and entire litters were lost to such a practice.

5. Do not vaccinate prior to 7-8 weeks. Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk. Vaccinations given prior to 7-8 weeks will be neutralized by the mothers antibodies and give little protection. This will also delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine.

6. Do not vaccinate during times of stress such as surgery, travel, illness or infection.

7. Do not give bordatella, coronavirus, leptospirosis or lyme vaccines unless these diseases are in your local area or Kennel.   Lepto vaccines on the market today do not cover the strains that are causing the disease.  Some dogs react to lepto vaccines, so do not vaccinate unless you absolutely must.

8. Work in conjunction with your vet. New vaccination protocols are being  published and disseminated in vet  schools and publications. Do not be afraid to question your vet, he should have your pets best interests in mind.