LAMB'S GAP ANIMAL HOSPITAL

1806 Lamb's Gap Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 732-9711

          Hello. This letter is to update you on some vaccine protocol changes being instituted at LGAH. We hope that you will be pleased with these changes, and as always, please contact us with any concerns.

          The staff at LGAH is dedicated to caring for your pet as the four-legged member of the family that they truly are. To that effect, we have been studying the recent debates about the changing vaccine requirements in dogs and cats. We have based our decisions on the recommendations of AAHA and AVMA.

          First of all, we firmly believe that vaccines are the single most effective way of preventing infectious diseases. We have decided to continue our recommendations of yearly vaccines for most of our patients. There is currently no method available besides vaccines to be sure your pet is protected. Titers can be done, but there is still great controversy as to what titer levels are truly protective in the face of an exposure to that disease. The duration of protection is also not proven to be greater than 1 year for all vaccines in all pets.

          We have, however, decided to change to a different brand of vaccine. We have chosen the Merial brand of vaccines as Merial has dedicated themselves to producing the least reactive vaccines possible by using only the genetic material necessary to stimulate the immune system. Their vaccines contain no adjuvant, the part of the vaccine which can lead to chronic inflammation and irritation and thus a vaccine "reaction". Most of their vaccines are also free of thimerosal, a commonly used preservative. The Merial brand of vaccines has a proven track record of safety and efficacy. You may gain more information by visiting their website at www.merial.com.

          The feline vaccines are all adjuvant and thimerosal free. This includes a 1 year rabies vaccine and a distemper/upper respiratory vaccine* The leukemia and FW vaccines are not available so we will continue to use the current product

          The canine adjuvant and thimerosal free vaccines are the distemper/parvo combination and Lyme vaccine. The 3 year rabies vaccine is only thimerosal free. Small amounts of adjuvant are used due to the increased duration of immunity. The bordetella vaccine is not available so we will continue to use the current product.

          We have not raised the price of any of the vaccines or the office visit to compensate for this change. Our dedication to providing the best of care for your pets is the incentive to make these Changes. The switch to these vaccines will also not entail any extra visits by you to our hospital.

          Please contact us with any questions you may have. Again, the change to adjuvant and thimerosal free vaccines is to decrease the risks to your pet and ensure your continued confidence in us.

          Sincerely,