[YorkieSue]

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