Vaccinations
Core vaccines are important, but they don’t need to be repeated every year. The latest WSAVA 2024 Guidelines confirm that immunity from modern vaccines lasts for many years, and titre testing (a simple blood test) can often show whether your pet is already protected. Annual vet visits remain essential — but the focus should be on your pet’s overall health, not just automatic revaccination.
At Raw Essentials we support the responsible use of vaccines.
WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) Vaccination Guidelines
2016
“Vaccines should not be given needlessly. Core vaccines should not be given any more frequently than every three years after the 6- or 12-month booster injection following the puppy/kitten series, because the duration of immunity (DOI) is many years and may be up to the lifetime of the pet.”
2024
“Vaccines should not be given needlessly. Core vaccines should not be given any more frequently than necessary in adult animals. There is an abundance of peer‑reviewed, published evidence showing that the duration of immunity (DOI) provided by most, modern, modified live virus (MLV) core vaccines is many years.”
“The VGG supports the use of serological testing from 20 weeks of age onwards to detect seroconversion (to CDV, CAV and CPV in dogs and FPV in cats) following vaccination. This can help confirm active immune protection in young and young adult animals, [and] help optimise revaccination intervals in mature adult animals...”
“The VGG strongly encourages veterinarians to educate their clients about the value of regular health checks (usually annual, sometimes more often) as opposed to speaking of ‘vaccination consultations.’”
TITRE TESTING IN PRACTICE
Titre testing is a valuable way to confirm immunity and avoid unnecessary revaccination for core diseases.
Veterinarians can access in-house titre testing kits and training through Ian Denby at Animal Solutions.
NZ Gribbles Veterinary Pathology Laboratory provides a guide to Canine Titre Testing.
Dr Ronald Schultz (co-author of the WSAVA guidelines and a pioneer in veterinary immunology) has shared insights in interviews, such as this one, on safe and effective vaccination practices.
Only available for dogs in NZ.
Discuss your kennel and doggy day care requirements with your veterinarian.
Titre testing is only available for core disease, it is not possible for lepto and kennel cough.
FURTHER RESOURCES
WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines for the Dog & Cat - read the executive summary and the full versions (2024 and 2016).
Dr Karen Becker’s detailed interview with Dr Ronald Schultz on vaccinations.
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