Helen L. McKinnon
For all those who may have dogs dealing with health problems (even skin problems, ear gunk, runny eyes), you may recall that, according to the experts, only healthy dogs are to be vaccinated.
One good source for information on vaccinations is Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/SAVP2.HTM
“…lack of scientific evidence to support the current practice of annual vaccination and increasing documentation showing that overvaccinating has been associated with harmful side effects. Of particular note in this regard has been the association of autoimmune hemolytic anemia with vaccination in dogs and vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats -- both of which are often fatal. With boosters (except for rabies vaccine), the annual revaccination recommendation on the vaccine label is just that -- a recommendation without the backing of long term duration of immunity studies, and is not a legal requirement.”
Much more additional information with articles from the experts are available at:
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/VACCINE1.HTM
For example:
Current and future canine and feline vaccination programs Veterinary Medicine 1998; 93(3):233-254. by Ronald D. Schultz, PhD, Veterinary Immunologist, Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological
Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.
“How often does an animal need to be revaccinated? - I believe that dogs and cats vaccinated as puppies and kittens should be revaccinated at 1 year of age with the vaccines used earlier. After that I do not believe there is an immunologic need to revaccinate annually with CDV [canine distemper virus], CPV-2 [canine parvovirus-2], CAV-2 [canine adenovirus-2], or rabies vaccine unless annual rabies vaccination is required by law.”
So, a better option may be to have a blood test for a parvo, distemper, and/or rabies done as a Vaccine Titer done through Dr. Dodds / HEMOPET (and the heartworm test as an add-on done is only $8.) All the instructions and fees are available:
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTM
Most folks have their annual check-up done on their dogs in the spring, and too many feel pressured into having unnecessary and unscientific "annual booster shots". So, for anyone interested, there's a "Vaccine Release" form available, scroll down on the following Web Page:
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/NEWS.HTM
Best regards,
Helen
Helen L. McKinnon
www.ItsForTheAnimals.com
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in the Viewer Viewpoint are not necessarily your Guide's views and opinions.
