Vaccines help our bodies fight off disease by producing antibodies. It allows our immune system to properly identify diseases, preventing infection and long lasting complications. Vaccines do the same thing for our furry family members and it’s important to be up to date on their current vaccination protocols and medicines. In the last article we focused on the importance of titer tests and maternal antibodies, now, let’s focus on the components of these vaccines.
First we will touch base on the different types of vaccines used. This will include what they protect against as well as how they’re created. This is the antigen component of the vaccine. The antigen is a foreign substance introduced to the body which activates antibodies in our immune system allowing us to fight off disease. Live or attenuated vaccines, typically presented as MLV, modified live virus, are vaccines given to fight off viruses and bacteria. MLV has a weakened version of the virus/bacteria which allows an immune system response but not enough to cause sickness. Inactive vaccines are also used to fight viruses and bacteria; however, they are made with a killed version of the targeted illness. Because killed vaccines do not include an active virus/bacteria, they produce a different immune response than MLV, which is typically weaker and less consistent. Because of this, multiple doses of inactive vaccines are needed to create a stronger and longer lasting immunity. Toxoid Vaccines protect the body from bacterial diseases that lead to toxic build up. They also contain a live version of the toxin that is weakened to avoid illness. Examples of a toxoid vaccine is the Croatild vaccine given to protect dogs from rattlesnake venom. One difference between MLV/Inactive and Toxoid is the need for medical attention. If your dog has received a toxoid vaccine for a certain venom, and a transmission of venom happens, such as a bite, they still need medical attention.
Beyond the type of virus/bacteria within a vaccine there are a few other outside components. These components include preservatives, stabilizers, antibiotics and adjuvants. Preservatives prevent bacterial and fungal growth used in vaccines that involve multiple doses. Commonly used preservatives are Thimerosal and Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is used in inactive vaccines and works to control the bacterial toxins from certain vaccines; throughout production nearly all of it is purified and removed from the final vaccine product. Thiomersal, an ethyl mercury-compound, is more commonly used, and also reviewed frequently to ensure there are no adverse reactions to the mercury itself.
Antibiotics are another component within vaccines that help prevent bacterial contamination from the process of growing the virus or bacteria. When creating a live virus, it must be grown in a lab using eggs or proteins. This process can leave traces of other bacterias which the antibiotics are targeted to control and neutralize them.
Adjuvants are the components that help stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies to the virus/bacteria. The main purpose of adjutants is to improve the response to create a better immunity; they are commonly used in inactive vaccines since the killed illness itself won’t react to the immune system as much alone.
Stabilizers allow the vaccine to be stored and still keep its efficiency. If the vaccines lose stability in storing, they can produce a less efficient reaction when given, leaving the dog less protected. Temperature, acidity and other components, such as proteins, can cause instability in storage leading to the component addition of stabilizer.
It’s important to research which vaccines are best for your pup and to consult with your Veterinarian on the best vaccine path.
