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Originally Posted by blitz  Interesting. So, I'm really curious about the spike of puppies dying between 6 and 20 weeks. Can you tell us more about that PLEASE?
What is genetic digestive anomoly? Why do you think PSS is being overdiagnosed? |
Genetic anomalies are just that, anomalies.... I'm just not sure, something doesn't sync correctly during the formation of the genetic structure... Thus leading to a issue in what ever system is effected... anomalies can occur in the vacuolar system as well. It can effect every puppy in a litter or only one.... That is why careful screening is so important.....See, allowing puppies to leave prior to 12 weeks, 15 is even better, gives breeders a chance to see a fully functioning system and determine if there is a problem. Often buyers will let you know, but some don't or the problem is misdiagnosed.
The subject of vaccinations and half dosing also plays into the deaths of puppies when early vaccination is used as well since the digestive and immune system are sort of dependent on each other.…. Mini doses (especially of "killed vaccines") suppress rather than boost the system …. Understand that I do believe in the short term, vaccinations have done a good job of controlling distemper and parvo. However, there is significant study that at least our current protocols have long term effects we are just now realizing….. Possibly autoimmune diseases or immune-mediated issues…. We are labeling all kinds of things as “well, it must be a liver shunt” when in reality there is a problem with toxins not being flushed do to anomalies possibly caused by over vaccinating or certain genetic glitches we aren’t aware of. We can't stop all genetic anomalies of course, but we can eliminate one cause... Over vaccination...
At our kennel, we do not vaccinate prior to the 10th week since we do not routinely allow puppies to leave until the 15th post natal week. We generally only use MLV rather than “killed viruses.” Our studies have brought us to the following conclusions:
Maternal immunity lasts far beyond the 8th week and vaccinating prior to this can prompt the puppy’s immune system to fight the vaccine itself and cause complete vaccination failure. Most vaccines create an immunologic memory. It is also very important again not to split vaccines (ie half dose) if you are using not using MLV. Canine Immune Responses:
1. 45 days into gestation: functional immune system performing
2. Birth – week 1: temp of 99’ F needed to maintain maternal immune response
3. week 2 – 4 colostral antibodies begin to decline
4. week 4 -6 (general weaning period) decreasing vitamin E and selenium effect immune response. (We only feed dry kibble…no soft food and are careful to make sure all puppies are eating well as to insure consistent levels of VE and Selenium)
5. week 8 – 10 window of vulnerability (ie maternal immunity is wearing down and puppies immune system must take up the slack…. If immunizations are begun at this time, maternal immunity will neutralize the antigens and the vaccine is basically ineffective
6. week 10 booster #1
7. week 14 booster #2
8. Week 18 booster #3
9. Week 22 final booster
10. Month 6 fully mature immune system exists
11. 1 year MLV booster + Rabies = 3 yr rabies & lifelong immunity (distemper and parvo) Titer testing in some studies suggest that yearly boosters are ineffective as the original antigens destroy the new vaccine. No effect was noted.