Info. on Vaccinations

[Ali & Sonny D.]

This information was sent to me via email. I don't really know anything about it but thought I would pass along the information. Sorry about the underlinging, I can't make it go away!   :)

EVERYONE WITH A DOG OR PUPPY SHOULD READ THIS AND FOLLOW THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.

 

Dr. Jean Dodd's NEW vaccine protocol - PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

Dr. W. Jean Dodd's vaccination protocol is now being adopted by ALL 27 North American veterinary schools. I highly recommend that you read this. Copy and save it to your files. Print it and pass it out at dog fairs, cat shows, kennel club meetings, dog parks, give a copy to your veterinarian and groomer, etc., etc. Get the word out.

Hi everyone.... THIS is wonderful news, that the veterinary schools are now going to be teaching that over-vaccination of pets (once a year
"boosters") is only not necessary, but in some cases can be harmful or deadly! It has information for both dogs and cats. There still is an ongoing study regarding the Rabies vaccine. Most states now allow
(reluctantly) 3 year Rabies, but the study is collecting data on whether or not even that may be too much. They are looking at 8 or 10 year Rabies!

I hope you all stop having yearly boosters for your pets. If you're concerned with immune levels, have the vet run a Titer test. THEN and only then, if the levels are below acceptable, should you have a booster. After all, when is the last time you had a "booster" for smallpox, or whooping cough, or anything else you had shots for as a child? Immune systems work the same in all mammals, and the concept that pets have to have yearly shots doesn't make any more sense than if you had have shots every year. If mammals immune systems were that weak in fending off these things, all of them, us included, would have been extinct years ago!

VACCINATION NEWS FLASH
I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats. Some of this information will present an ethical & economic challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics. Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs. those concerned about potential side effects.
Politics, traditions 20 or the doctor's economic wellbeing should not be a factor in medical decision.

NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY
"Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces an immunity which is good for the life of the pet (i.e.: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not "boosted" nor are more memory cells induced." Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. "There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines."
Puppies receive antibodies through their mother's milk. This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks. Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced. Vaccination at
6 weeks will, however, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1 year 4 months) will provide lifetime immunity.

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CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOGS
Distemper & Parvo *"According to Dr. Schultz, AVMA, 8-15-95, when a vaccinations series given at 2, 3 & 4 months and again at 1 year with MLV, puppies and kitten program memory cells that survive for life, providing lifelong immunity." Dr. Carmichael at Cornell and Dr. Schultz has studies showing immunity against challenge at 2-10 years for canine distemper & 4 years for parvovirus. Studies for longer duration are pending. "There are no new strains of parvovirus as one manufacturer would like to suggest. Parvovirus vaccination provides cross immunity for all types." Hepatitis (Adenovirus) is one of the agents known to be a cause of kennel cough. Only vaccines with CAV-2 should be used as
CAV-1 vaccines carry the risk of "hepatitis blue-eye" reactions & kidney damage.

*Bordetella Para influenza: Commonly called "Kennel cough".
Recommended only for those dogs boarded, groomed, taken to dog shows, or for any reason housed where exposed to a lot of dogs. The intranasal vaccine provides more complete and more rapid onset of immunity with less chance of reaction. Immunity requires 72 hours and does not protect from every cause of kennel cough. Immunity is of short duration
(4 to 6 months).*

*RABIES - There have been no reported cases of rabid dogs or cats in Harris, Montgomery or Ft. Bend Counties [ Texas ] but there have been rabid skunks and bats so the potential exists. It is a killed vaccine and must be given every year.

*Lyme disease-Lyme disease is a tick born disease which can cause lameness, kidney failure and heart disease in dogs. Ticks can also transmit the disease to humans. The original Ft. Dodge killed bacteria has proven to be the most effective vaccine. Lyme disease prevention should emphasize early removal of ticks. Amitraz collars are more effective than Top Spot, as amitraz paralyzes the tick's mouthparts preventing transmission of disease.

**VACCINATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED* *
Multiple components in vaccines compete with each other for the immune system and result in lesser immunity for each individual disease as well as increasing the risk of a reaction. Canine Corona Virus is only a disease of puppies. It is rare, self-limiting (dogs get well in 3 days without treatment). Cornell & Texas A&M have only diagnosed one case each in the last 7 years. Corona virus does not cause disease in adult dogs.*

*Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse reactions in dogs.
Most of the clinical cases of lepto reported in dogs in the US are caused by serovaars (or types) grippotyphosa and bratsilvia. The vaccines contain different serovaars eanicola and ictohemorrhagica.
Cross protection is not provided and protection is short lived . Lepto vaccine is immuno-supressive to puppies less than 16 weeks.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
Giardia is the most common intestinal parasite of humans in North America , 30% or more of all dogs & cats are infected with giardia. It has now been demonstrated that humans can transmit giardia to dogs & cats and vice versa.*

Heartworm preventative must be given year-round in Houston .

*VACCINES BADLY NEEDED
New vaccines in development include: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and cat scratch fever vaccine for cats and Ehrlichia [one of the other tick diseases, much worse than Lyme] for dogs.

THE VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES; BUSINESS ASPECTS Most vets recommend annual boosters and most kennel operators require them. For years, the pricing structure of vets has misled clients into thinking that the inherent value of an annual office visit was in the "shots". They failed to emphasize the importance of a physical exam for early detection of treatable diseases. It is my hope that you will continue to require Rabies & Kennel cough and emphasize the importance of a recent vet exam. I also hope you will accept the new protocols and honor these pets as currently vaccinated. Those in the boarding business, who will honor the new vaccine facilities, are reluctant to change.

CONCLUSION
Dogs & cats no longer need to be vaccinated against distemper, parvo, & feline leukemia every year. Once the initial series of puppy or kitten vaccinations and first annual vaccinations are completed, immunity from MLV vaccines persists for life. It has been shown that cats over 1 year of age are immune to Feline Leukemia whether they have been vaccinated or not.

Imagine the money you will save, not to mention fewer risks from side risk of mediated hemolytic anemia and allergic reactions are r educed by less frequent use of vaccines as well as by avoiding unnecessary vaccines such as K-9 Corona virus and chlamydia for cats, as well as ineffective vaccines such as Leptospirosis and FIP. Intranasal vaccine for Rhiotracheitis and Calici virus, two upper respiratory viruses of cats provide more complete protection than injectable vaccines with less risk of serious reactions.

The AAHA and all 27 veterinary schools of North America are our biggest endorsement for these new protocols.*

*Dr. Bob Rogers*

[Jennifer and Jack]

I will say that I have done extensive, extensive, research on every vaccine that I could find out about for Jack, I even paid for a phone consultation with Cornell Vet.  Most of what is in this report is what I found out through the most updated research which after much travail I came to the conclusion to vaccinate less.

 

Jack only got his one year vaccines, and for his two year check up, Titers were run on him. He was more then effectively covered in Distemper and Parvo. His Rabies is good for three years. I am praying by then, they have the 10 year one out, I heard it was coming.

 

Lepto, I was told they thought the risk was worth the benefit since that disease is hard to treat, however, because of Jack's size and the likelyhood of him getting a reaction, I have chosen to not get it. I was told if I am very watchful with him and don't wait to take him to the vet when I see signs of sickness, that even Lepto can be treated with medications.

 

The Lyme's disease vaccine that they recommend is not available in my area, as they are using a new one that has not been adequately studied and in fact, questions have been raised as to the fact of the actual antiboides that are formed when being infected with the disease/getting the vaccine are not in fact what is causing the Kidney damage.. So since they don't know for sure, no thank you. I will check my dog daily for ticks and use preventative measures.

 

Jack will never get another booster shot again unless his titers fall below an acceptable range, I will gladly pay the few hundred dollars or less  a year to get him checked.

 

Thanks for posting this....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Aside from the alarmist nature of this 'bulletin" or whatever it is, some of the info is outdated and contradictory. Near the top of the page, he says that states are allowing (reluctantly) three year rabies vaccines. Illinois has been allowing it for several years. Yet lower on the page under Rabies, he says it is a killed vaccine and must be given every year. I don't know if that's from the recommendations of Dr. Schultz, whoever he may be, but his recommendations are apparently dated 8-15-95, so that might explain the discrepancy. If these recommendations about what is needed and what isn't are from 16 years ago, I would caution everyone to ignore them and find some newer info. Lots of diseases that were uncommon back then are being seen in considerably higher numbers now, lepto being one of them. The geographic area for all kinds of things has increased as well.

At any rate, this is old news, and we have easier to understand discussions about frequency and necessity of vaccines right here on DK.

I hate this alarmist stuff where they try to scare people into doing things "their" way.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It would be great to find current data and the straight "poop".

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Thanks Karen-I just printed that but did not see the date. The only reason I printed it was because I'm hearing different stories! Who knows thetruth? We get ALL the shots yearly??

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No. I don't know about puppies, but you do not need to give all the shots yearly for adult dogs. By law, you must vaccinate your dog against rabies, but there is, and has been for several years, a three year rabies vaccine.

For parvo, distemper, and hepatitis, there is now a three year vaccine as well.

Parainfluenza vaccine (and sometimes leptospirosis vaccine) are usually included  included in the yearly vaccine cocktail. That's why you'll see it as DHPP or DHLPP or something like that on your bill. But if you do the three year vaccine for parvo, distemper, and hepatitis, you then can give the others separately if you wish. Jackdoodle got his parainfluenza vaccine along with his bordatella vaccine intranasally this year. The article is correct in that intranasal vaccine for bordatella is less invasive and therefore less risky in terms of a reaction than the injected version. Lepto vaccine is optional, and we have many discussions about it here on DK, but there is also a newer vaccine for lepto that involves two shots given a month apart; this vaccine has fewer side-effects than the old lepto vaccine. Of course, if you vaccinate every year for everything, and your vet uses the cocktail that includes lepto vaccine, you are getting the older version.

There are also blood titers that can be done instead of shots to check immunity to parvo, distemper, and hepatitis. These are more expensive than vaccinating, and you still have to do rabies, bordatella, lepto, Lyme, and flu vaccines separately. Bordatella and parainfluenza vaccines are similar to human flu shots, you have to get them every year.

I can understand the reluctance of some vets to offer these choices, because it's true that many dog owners only go to the vet once a year for shots, and if the dog didn't need shots, he/she would never see a vet. But the shots are not the real reason for an annual check-up. You take children to the doctor every year for a check-up & physical exam, and adults should really be getting a physical every year as well. The same is true of dogs. They need to be examined; they need to have their weight, general body condition, skin, eyes, heart, etc. checked by a vet, and they should also have a fecal once a year. A life-threatening illness could be detected and caught early. So whatever options you choose for vaccines, you still need to take your dog in for a physical once a year.

Jack gets the three year rabies vaccine. We did blood titers two years ago in place of the core vaccines, so this year, it had been three years since he'd had them, and when my vet offered me the three year core vaccine shot this year, I chose that option. I do not do lepto, we don't have Lyme here, and he got his parainfluenza vaccine intranasally with his bordatella vaccine. Next year he will be due for his rabies again, and he'll get the intranasal vaccine also. The following year, it will only be an exam and the flu/bordatella vaccines. And so on, we stagger them. By the time he needs another core vaccine shot, he will be 9 years old, and we'll see.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have gotten the dogs the three year rabies but I was unaware there were other 3 year choices and I'll certainly ask about them next go round. I have done lepto and  treatment of the disease itself may not be effective . "Peracute leptospirosis can be associated with massive leptospiremia. Death may occur rapidly with few premonitory signs." http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/noel/index.php

I do Lyme as it is prevalent here.

So we muddle through.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

This is great news to me.  I do not want to over-vaccinate Bexter.  Jennifer - You said you go that Titer test or whatever to see if he still has immunity before vaccinating.  I like that idea.  How much does that cost?  Is it the same price as the vaccines, less, or more?

Also - If you don't get the shots annually, will the trainers who require proof of vaccination (and boarding facilities and do groomers?) be satisfied?  Maybe you could show them the Titer results instead or something?

[Jennifer and Jack]

Traci, each person has to weigh the risks vs the benefits. Jack got all his puppy shots, including the flu shot, as well as his kennel cough. At the time he was going to day care and in a very highly dense dog population. Even if he was not, he still would have gotten all his puppy shots. I am not a holistic person, I just don't believe in doing whatever someone says just because that is the way it is always done.

 

Jack got his booster shots at one year of age. To this day he goes every six months and gets his kennel cough shot as well.

 

When he turned two, I had a lot of issues about him getting shots, without knowing if he really needed it. Jack has had a few changes to his urine PH since he got his one year shots, so I watch very closely his kidney levels and that is why I researched.

 

The titer testing is more money then getting the shots. It is much cheaper to just give them the shot and move forward.. or cheaper in the short term, who knows about the long term. I paid around $92.00 just for the titer testing.. and if they did not come back within a normal limit, I still would have had to pay for him to get his booster. However, just as a lot of research has pointed out, after the puppy gets their puppy shots and they get the one year booster, they are usually covered for a long time, if not life. Giving a booster to a dog that is already fully protected is going to do nothing to further protect your dog. It does not cause more antibodies to be formed.

 

That is why I chose to do titer testing. Jack God forbid could get hit by a car or killed tomorrow. I however feel like since I have him in my care, I am going to try to do what I think is best for him. Again it is what I think, I don't judge others and I am not saying I am right. It just boils down to what I researched, the little I understand about immunity, and antibodies etc.

 

Some places are not educated about titers and they don't know enough to understand that a satisfactory titer means the dog is fully protected, really it is just ignorant on their part, some places will require the actual shot. with education about titer testing it is changing.

 

Jack is allowed at his daycare, his groomers and a lot of other places because I have brought these places information on titer testing. I have not been turned away anywhere yet because I have proof of rabies, proof of kennel cough and titer testing of the others.

 

I do now and I always will give Jack heart worm medication monthly.  I do now but am not sure I will always give Jack flea and tick preventative.. For now, I have stretched out his flea and tick medications to every other to every three months.. I use borox in the house, on the carpets and stuff like it was suggested on here. Jack has never had a flea problem ever, and he did have a tick on him when he was a puppy and on Revolution.

 

I am not saying I am right, I am not saying I am doing best by my dog, I am saying, as far as the current research I have found, as well as the phone consult with Cornell, I made my decisions for my dog and what I feel comfortable with. It is hard to find a balance between keeping extra chemicals off of them and the keep them disease free.

 

The bottom line is there is not enough research on any of this and it is hit or miss. Some of the dogs that I know that are senior plus dogs 16 and up, do not get their vaccines yearly and a few of them are on alpo!!! I kid you not... Without a doubt vaccines are keeping dogs alive longer but I also wonder about the increase of cancer and other neurological disease, and how this plays into our dogs lives.

 

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Jennifer, please read what I posted above on lepto to add to your info. while making a decision. Also, giving some things, like flea and tick prevention, only every three months, mean at times there is no protection at all. If you need a certain level of something for it to be effective than at times the levels are to low to be effective at all. I am not saying you need to change your method, just that it doesn't make a lot of sense clinically. Patient often take medication erratically or on their own schedule and sometimes they might just as well not bother at all.

[Ali & Sonny D.]

Just to put this out there, I am not pushing for or against vaccinations. This is for your knowledge and to do with the information what you would like. It is always good to be informed. I personally am going to print it out and just ask my vet about it.

[Julie and Maggie]

That's a great idea and I think the best thing to do when we come across issues like this.