General - Health page 1

Dog Food Recalls - Health page 2

For those of us that have been watching this and speaking about this for years, it is good to see the AAHA Guidelines changed.  We have known much more about the good and bad aspects of vaccinations, for a very long time.  We have been over vaccinating our pets for years, and over vaccination is just as bad or worse, in some cases, as under-vaccination.  I posted this in 2008, see below...

Consider this about yearly vaccinations:

"Would you rebel if your doctor told you to have measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and hepatitis shots every year of your life until you died, instead of only a few doses as a child?" [Michele Welton]

The truth is that it would be wrong to do it to ourselves or our children, and it is wrong to do it to our pets.

The highlight is that all core vaccines with the exception of the rabies (1 yr dose*) are now recommended at 3-year or greater intervals.

*note: Rabies vaccination is strictly governed by law.  Check your state law to see if a 3 yr rabies shot is permitted. If so, ask your vet to administer the 3 yr dose.  Consider going to a vet who will administer the 3 yr dose, if your vet will not work with you on this request. [Please do not be a even a day late on renewing your dog's rabies vaccination, unless you and your vet have a medical exemption for your dog.]

Even more exciting is the task force has acknowledged that in the case of the non-rabies core vaccines, immunity lasts at least 5 years for distemper and parvo, and at least 7 years for adenovirus.

Hopefully these new guidelines will help more dog owners understand the long-lasting effect of those puppy shots! And hopefully, more dog owners will now request titers , (a blood test to test immunity in lieu of automatic re-vaccination), rather than automatically revaccinating their canine companions for distemper, parvo and adenovirus.

A link to the actual AAHA Guidelines is posted below.  They are long, complicated, and written with veterinarians in mind. 

Summary of New AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines for 2011

Warning – Rabies Vaccinations and the Law

See related story below

Although there is much controversy over vaccinations in pets and in humans, be aware that the law is the law!  A lot of us believe that because our dog’s are friendly, they would never bite anyone, and therefore not in danger of repercussions from the rabies law.  Think again…

We have just learned of a case where two of our adopted boxers have ended up in quarantine for the next six months, even though their owner thought he was in compliance with the rabies requirements.  A clerical error led him to believe that his dogs were not yet due for their shots.  His dogs got into a fight with a raccoon in his backyard, and while breaking up the fight, he also was injured by the raccoon.  He managed to kill the raccoon and get him and his boxers to medical help.  Wisely, he also brought the raccoon in for testing.

He is now under treatment as the raccoon was found to be rabid, and because his boxers were not up to date on their rabies shots, they are in quarantine for the next six months.  These are not young dogs, and it will be hard on them and it is breaking his heart.

He had the choice of putting the dogs  in a shelter, and not being able to see them, or boarding them in his vet’s office at $1500 per month.  He could not bare the thought of not being able to see them, so he is footing the bill for six months of quarantine at his vet’s office.

This could happen if you are one year late on getting your dog’s rabies vaccination or ONE DAY!  Keep track of this vaccination due date yourself.  Don’t trust even your vet’s office to remind you, because if they are wrong, you are still responsible.  Don’t guess as to when this shot is due.  Even a day off could result in dire consequences.  And if you don’t think this is fair, then work to change it, but stay compliant until the law is changed.

Puppy Shots and Dog Vaccinations

By Michele Welton, Copyright © 2008. May not be reprinted without permission.

Are they needed -- or not?

Only a few years ago, it was considered mandatory to bring your dog to the vet every year for his shots.

Times have changed.

Consider this about yearly vaccinations:

"Would you rebel if your doctor told you to have measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and hepatitis shots every year of your life until you died, instead of only a few doses as a child?"

"A practice that was started many years ago that lacks scientific validity or verification is annual revaccinations.

Almost without exception there is no immunologic requirement for annual revaccination. Immunity to viruses persists for years or for the life of the animal."

"Only the immune response to TOXINS requires boosters (e.g. tetanus toxin booster, in humans, is recommended once every 7-10 years). NO toxin vaccines are currently used for dogs and cats."

Please read that again.

That's what Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XI -- the veterinarians' "bible" -- says. It was written by Dr. Ronald Schultz Ph.D. (immunologist and Chairman of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine) and Dr. Tom Phillips D.V.M. Ph.D.

In plain English, it means...

That the immune system has a "memory." The immune system contains memory cells. Once those memory cells have been shown what to do against a particular disease (by one puppy vaccination at 11-16 weeks old), they will produce antibodies against that disease whenever they encounter it -- for years and years, probably for life.

The same article in Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XI goes on to say:

"Furthermore, revaccination fails to stimulate a secondary response as a result of interference by existing antibodies."

In plain English, that means...

Booster shots don't work when your dog's system ALREADY has antibodies from previous vaccinations. Those existing antibodies neutralize the booster shot.

So why are vets vaccinating every year?

Dr. Phillips and Dr. Schultz end their article in Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XI with this bombshell -- the real reason why so many vets continue to insist that dogs require annual vaccinations:

"The practice of annual vaccination in our opinion should be considered of questionable efficacy unless it is used as a mechanism to provide an annual physical examination."

Now don't get me wrong -- regular physical exams can be a good thing, especially for older dogs.

In fact, annual booster shots are harmful

"Well, even if yearly shots aren't necessary, they don't do any harm, right?"

Listen to what Dr. Charles Loops D.V.M. has to say about the dangers of vaccines:

"The first thing that must change is the myth that vaccines are harmless. Veterinarians and animal guardians have to come to realise that they are not protecting animals from disease by annual vaccinations, but in fact, are destroying the health and immune systems of these same animals they love and care for."

Dr. Christina Chambreau D.V.M. agrees:

"Routine vaccinations are probably the worst thing that we do for our animals. They cause all types of illnesses. Repeating vaccinations on a yearly basis undermines the whole energetic well-being of our animals. Veterinary immunologists tell us that vaccines need only be given once or twice in an animal's life. First, there is no need for annual vaccinations and, second, they definitely cause chronic disease."

Dr. Roger DeHaan D.V.M. has this to say:

"We have been destroying the immune system. Over the years it has become increasingly clear that some vaccines are ineffectual or unnecessary, and some vaccines are dangerous, even causing symptoms of the disease they are supposed to prevent."

Listen to what Dr. Pedro Rivera D.V.M. says about vaccines causing chronic disease:

"Vaccinosis is the reaction from common innoculations. Reactions might take months or years to show up. In our practice, we've seen hypothyroidism, ear infections, immune-system diseases, joint maladies, and behavioral prolems as reactions to over-vaccination."

Dr. Charles Loops D.V.M. says:

"Vaccinations represent a major assault on the body's immune system. This insult causes irregularities and abnormalities in the immune system which then manifests as chronic diseases in animals. These chronic diseases range from life-threatening conditions such as auto-immune crises to conditions destroying the quality of life of an animal, as in chronic skin allergies. What we are now seeing are generations of over-vaccinated animals, and these current offspring are suffering the penalty of this medical abuse."

Dr. Pat Bradley D.V.M. observes:

"The most common problems I see that are directly related to vaccines on a day to day basis are ear or skin conditions, such as chronic discharges and itching. I also see behavior problems such as fearfulness or aggression. Often guardians will report that these begin shortly after vaccination, and are exacerbated with every vaccine. In a more general and frightening context, I see the overall health and longevity of animals deteriorating."

The AVMA Journal (#208, 1996) says:  "There is no scientific data to support a recommendation for annual administration of vaccines. Furthermore, repeated administration of vaccines may be associated with a higher risk of anaphylaxis and autoimmune diseases."

In the same issue: "There is little scientific documentation that backs up label claims for annual administration of most vaccines. In the past, it was believed that annual vaccination would not hurt and would probably help most animals. However concerns about side effects have begun to change this attitude. The client is paying for something with no effect or with the potential for an adverse reaction."

Dr. Don Hamilton D.V.M. warns you NOT to fall for the guilt trip pushed on you by many vets:

"Another trend of the past few years is coercion of guardians into procedures such as vaccination. This coercion may be blatant, such as refusal to provide services, even emergency care, unless the animal is 'current' on vaccines. Sometimes even critically ill animals are vaccinated upon admission for treatment. More subtle means include induction of fear and/or guilt by asserting (as an authority figure) that companion animals are at risk if not vaccinated yearly, and that failure to comply is evidence of lack of caring. Tactics such as this can create feelings of guilt in the guardian, leading to a fear-based decision to vaccinate an animal that is not at risk. This is unethical, if not outright malpractice, and refusal is an acceptable response."