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10-21-2008, 08:53 AM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NY
Posts: 96
| Titering, vaccines, finding help to avoid overvaccination Update if anyone remembers: Hi all, I have two Yorkies both of whom I have written about over the years AT LENGTH because of behavioral AND health issues. I just didn't get lucky with with either an even tempered or healthy dog but now both are ok, thank God. But right now, the issue is my rescue Shih-tzu whom, I believe--NOW-- was overvaccinated started with the puppy mill he came from When I got Henry the Shih-tzu I was his foster Mom. Then he grew on me and I kept him. Of course, I took him to my vet and since we had no papers at all, we had to use guesswork and common sense; and so, Henry was vaccinated again by the age of 6 mos. One month later (hindsight realization that he probably had all of his shot TWICE age 6 mos-arrrgh)) his digestive problems began in a big way and I went thru hell with him for six months. I wrote here several times about Tylan, seeking information and did get some wonderful responses. In the end, I was forced to start the Tylan (of course, the vets reached for flagyl first and this was tried three times...zero results) and overnight Henry's diarrhea stopped. Long story short, after him being on this antibiotic for two plus months, I FINALLY GOT HIM WEANED OFF IT last week and he is going strong. Good poops,energy, appetite, healthy naughtiness etc. LOL. Of course, to wean him off this stuff (because it all started with a clear bacterial imbalance otherwise known as Candida in the holistic world but not the Traditional medical world) I had to work with an animal nutritionist and we hit Henry with megadoses of probiotics and digestive enzymes derived from plant sources. What a godsend this was. I was also able to get him off the crap vet prescription food and now he eats Nature's Variety organic, organic veggies and some fruits and is simply doing great. I am so happy for and with him now. Ok, NOW THE SUBJECT OF THIS LETTER now that you have his background. Henry is now due for his first adult rabies vaccine and I am freaking or WAS. My own traditional vet said she would not titer for his rabies immuno levels since he had to have to the shot anyway. I DISPUTED THIS BIGTIME and had almost decided not to vaccinate him at all; however,because of my lifestyle, I knew this was unrealistic. A week ago I remembered that I had taken Henry to a holistic vet (rare around here) for that same diarrhea and her 'cures' (slippery elm, sulphur) were horrible. They didn't make a dent in helping him and I didn't go back. BUT, last week I decided to give her a call again. WEll, I got the pins knocked out from under me IN A GREAT WAY!!! All of my animal caring life I have disputed, wondered and screamed about the fact that it seemed totally wrong to give a horse and cocker spaniel the same amt. of the rabies vaccine. What a crock!!! That stuff is pure poison. When I called this vet a few days ago I thought I died and went to heaven. She said, UNPROMPTED, that she never understood why a Great Dane and A chiquaqua would get the same amt. of serum with no adjustments made for size etc. She nailed it for me. Henry and I have an appt on Saturday and she is going to titer for Distemper and Parvo and probably rabies too. But no matter what she is going to give HENRY ONLY A SMALL AMT AND THEN WRITE A LETTER WHICH STATES THAT HIS CONDITION IS CHRONIC AND THAT FUTURE VACCINATIONS ARE NOT INDICATED BECAUSE OF HIS HEALTH. IS THIS GREAT????? Or is this great??? OMG, I am so happy I can hardly stand it. I know some folks would say, "why vaccinate at all" and I wish I could adopt that mentality. But these folks OBVIOUSLY take their dogs nowhere, let them play with noone, never allow them to run free or ever be just dogs. These people are playing with fire if an incident of any kind occurs (not to meniton never being able to travel with their pets) or if some human, with an animal axe to grind decides to go to the authoritites saying he was bitten or scratched etc. Guess what folks?? You and your pet will be investigated and at the very least, if your dog doesn't have legal papers stating he was vaccinated, your pooch will be taken for you for quarantine. This is if you are LUCKY. Since I travel, allow my dogs to play with kids, take them to nursing homes and allow them out in the yard (supervised but anything could happen with a raccoon or skunk), sometimes go to Canada, NOT VACCINATING is NOT AN OPTION. Or put another way, NOT GETTING THEM LEGALIZED IN THE RABIES ARENA, no matter how I have to do it, is not an option. Ok, folks, wanted to share with you. I found a woman vet who is willing to help. I hope you all are this lucky. Yorkie Sue |
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10-21-2008, 09:29 AM | #2 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| It is great to hear that Henry is doing well. About vaccines, I hate them too and am going through something similar with Ellie. The problem is, rabies titers, as far as I know, cannot replace vaccination. Vaccinating for rabies once as an adult and then getting a medical exemption for life is great for sick animals but after about three years (when the vaccine is considered no longer effective by the manufacturer), if your dog bites, your dog will still have to go through what an unvaccinated dog has to go through. This may hold true also if he gets bit by wildlife. I would be very nervous being around wildlife all the time and not having Ellie UTD. She is very sheltered though, so I think we'd be okay. I'm not saying you should vaccinate because he isn't 100% healthy but it is a tough call either way. It’s great that you found a vet that will do this for you though.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
10-21-2008, 09:38 AM | #3 |
Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 9,333
| It sounds like you have found the right vet for you. I agree with titering for the others, but a rabies titer will not hold up if you need to travel or if Henry were to bite someone. My vet always gives a reduced rabies dosesage to my girls, but signs the regular rabies certificate. She also agrees that giving the same amount to all dogs is ridiculous. We only get the 3 year booster. I have stopped vaccinating for everything else. I am also not doing titers as they are just not reliable. Instead I am going with the recommendations of core vaccinations only and one a booster is received, the theory of lifetime immunity. Here is a great place for further information....... Founders Veterinary Clinic - Raw Diets and the best dog foods explained. (see the link at the bottom left fr the Dog Breath Blog and vaccination junkie report)
__________________ Sissy & Angel |
10-21-2008, 10:11 AM | #4 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NY
Posts: 96
| Thanks VERY MUCH for your replies to Titers, vaccines etc. Hi ladies, I don't think I was very clear about what is going to happen with Henry. He is not going to be illegal at all. This holistic vet , going on the granted, unreliable titers, is going to give him just a bit of the vaccine since we assume he is already immune from his first booster. So, Henry will have his tag and certificate. He just is not going to be shot up with the same amt of serum as a great dane...thank God. And none of my dogs will ever get boosters for the other stuff since I too, believe these are lifetime vaccinations. But I still may titer occasionally even though I realize that titers are not that reliable. My one Yorkie is very healthy and has no compromising issues so will not need a letter stating that immunization could compromise her health. And even with this healthy Yorkie, she is going to give this four pounder 'just a bit' of the vaccine to ensure that she is not over-vaccinated. The LAW says every three years and I will have all of my dogs 'unreliably' titered LOL at that time anyway..and then use this holistic vet. Her attitude is just what I have been seeking. Nothing illegal is being done at all, she is just genuinely caring about my animals. I entered all of this knowing that NYS and many other states do NOT ACCEPT TITERS AS LEGAL...very disappointing but since they are not reliable I sort of understand. But when it comes to rabies, I do not believe that a single vaccinations lasts for life (I believe the theory says about seven years) but no dog NEEDS a rabies vaccinatioin every three years. That is overkill. Still, if you want them LEGAL you must find a vet who will not only care for YOUR DOG but will also keep things above board and legal. This is what I have done. Thanks so much for your replies...I love getting feedback on this topic. I also feel terrific because through supplements and semi-home cooking my two compromised dogs are truly "kicking A**. Both are off all meds thanks to this regimen of diet and organic supplements (also probiotics specifically picked for their problem) and both are doing amazingly well. I never thought I would see the day that BOTH dogs WOULD become increasingly healthier without bottles of antibiotics or steroids. I still use my reg vet for certain things but I also am a customer of the holistic theories that I KNOW are natural and healthy. In the end, we all have to think for ourselves and do what works..this is a given but when healing can occur naturally, then dying and going to heaven takes second place <grinning here> YorkieSue |
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