Vaccinations

Time to write another article for this column. So many of the subjects are so big and get so complicated, I'm almost reluctant to tackle them since I don't see how I can give them the attention they deserve. The truth is I probably can't because I don't have the knowledge required and we don't have the space it would take to print all that needs to be said. But then, that's what books, magazines, tapes, and the Internet can do for us. Maybe if I can just point you in the right direction.....

Vaccinations

Today at lunch my husband and I were discussing the issue of "writing about vaccinations." We agreed that to some people (maybe the majority) whether or not to vaccinate their dogs is not an issue. It is something responsible dog owners do and have always done at least since vaccinations became a way to protect our dogs and for sure since vaccinations became big business. At the other end of the spectrum are those people (probably breeders or people into health issues of the human variety) who have had first-hand experience with the dangers of vaccinosis and who do minimal vaccinating. Then there are those who fall somewhere in between.

The experts tell us to start vaccinating our puppies at a very young age and then to continue vaccinating them yearly (depending on the vaccine, the state in which you live and the law) for the rest of their lives. If asked why you vaccinate your dog, you would probably reply because you want to keep it safe and protect it from harmful, if not life-threatening, diseases. After all, we vaccinate our children don't we? But why don't we vaccinate them every year for the rest of their lives? Simple answer: they are already protected! So why do we vaccinate our dogs repeatedly?

What makes us think all these vaccinations are "safe" for our dogs?

In her book "Who Killed The Darling Buds of May" which is all about vaccinations and the deaths and illnesses of her dogs, Catherine O'Driscoll said: "Our dogs are injected with a number of different 'live' viruses, such as parvo virus, distemper, rabies, hepatitis, and parainfluenza, as well as a dead bacteria (toxin), viz., leptospirosis. We are counseled to inject our dogs with these foreign proteins every year......these vaccines can also overwhelm the immunocompromised or even a healthy host that is continually bombarded with other environmental stimuli."

Catherine O'Driscoll sent a detailed questionnaire to 370 dog owners with a total of approximately 2,700 dogs. Based on the responses to the questionnaire, Catherine concluded that there is a definite link between vaccination and the onset of the following illnesses: arthritis, diarrhea, allergies, ataxia, autoimmune disease, colitis, dry eye/conjunctivitis, epilepsy, loss of appetite, nasal discharges, nervous/worrying disposition, skin problems, vomiting, weight loss, behavioral problems, and tumors or growths at the vaccination site. Further, dogs developing the following diseases did so within 3 months of their vaccinations: cancer (31%), chorea (63.2%), encephalitis (75%), heart conditions (26.8%), kidney damage (40.5%), lameness (52%), liver damage (47%), paralysis of rear end (64.7%), pancreas problems (31.6%), and short attention span (68.4%).

Catherine cites twelve factors that render vaccines a risk to your dog, namely:

1. Your dog's (unknown) genetic status.

2. Your dog's state of health.

3. The food you feed your dog.

4. The level of stress in your dog's life.

5. Your dog's hormonal status.

6. Whether or not your dog has been exposed to other infectious agents.
        (Everything from cleaning supplies to lawn chemicals.)

7. Poor storage of the vaccine by your vet.

8. Inappropriate administration of the vaccine by your vet.

9. Other drugs your dog might be taking.

10. Unsuccessful attenuation by the vaccine manufacturer.

11. The presence of 'extraneous proteins' in the vaccine.

12. The absence of other 'challenges' such as chemicals and pollutants: your dog needs a healthy immune system to           survive vaccination."

Since we want our dogs protected and since some of us will vaccinate only as required by law (in Michigan, we must vaccinate for Rabies every 3 years), is there an alternative? The answer I found is to give my dogs homeopathic nosodes. Homeopathy, for those who don't know it is a science which uses a rule - let like be treated by likes. Stated very simply, the objective is to stimulate the body to re-balance itself. (There are many books available if you want to study the subject. I recommend "Dogs: Homoeopathic Remedies" by George Macloed.) Dogs are given these nosodes (a liquid given with a dropper) over a period of 4 weeks; then 3 drops every other month.

Once each year, I take our dogs in for blood work and request titers. Titers show me whether or not our dog is protected for a given disease. In the cases of two of our dogs, Kyra and Zeus, their titers show more than ample protection. Callie, our 1-year old Sheltie has had her minimal vaccinations and is now on nosodes. Her first titer check won't be done until she is 2. On the other hand, Abby, our almost 6 year old mixed breed from an animal shelter, had a low titer count two years in a row! Both years I took her back for the Parvo vaccination and then administered Thuja which is another homeopathic remedy that helps protect against side effects. Abby had the roughest start in life. We know of three rabies vaccinations she received in her first year. With Abby, it will continue to be a judgment call. Abby is a Therapy Dog and member of Therapy Dog International so I must show her proof of vaccinations/protection in order for her to participate. If she has a low titer next year, I may retire her.

Again, from Catherine's book, "Top experts tell us that:

1. Vaccines come with proven risks.

2. Vaccines can cause the disease they are designed to prevent.

3. Vaccines can lead to hypersensitivity, encephalitis, and death.

4. Annual vaccination is not necessary - once is said to be enough for viral disease; the leptospirosis vaccine, for           bacterial disease, is not yet effective and presents significant risks.

5. Indeed there is a growing catalogue of evidence to support the view that vaccines cause more problems than           they alleviate. Animals can be shown to develop natural immunity, so long as they are not overcrowded, stressed           and/or malnourished.

6. Vaccines keep disease in the eco system.

7. There are, arguably, safer alternatives to vaccination.

8. You have the right to choose."