[107barney]

Originally Posted by jp4m2

I don't see why we should not be discussing the issue of over -vaccination. We are always told as pet owners we need to be our pets advocate because they can't speak for themselves. The issues surrounding vaccination and over vaccination is the one issue will have to encounter over and over during our pets lives. So, this issue needs to be discussed at great length so the pet owners can get a greater understanding as to the risks versus benefits of that decision. The obvious conclusion is that pet owners who are concerned about the long term health of their companion animals must take it upon themselves to research vaccines, duration of immunity and vaccine dangers. At the very least, question every vaccine that goes into your animal. Just because some people may run in the other direction out of fear and misunderstanding does not mean that we pet owners should stop discussing this issue.

When we as the pet owner have to educate the professionals there is very little left in the area of trust when they have not earned it. Both the AAHA and the AVMA must do more than they have in their area of pet care. The science has been out for over 25 years yet they only started changing their vaccine schedule in 2003, even then it was not enough when the science proves the DOI is at least 7 years and up to the life of the animal:

The duration of immunity for Rabies vaccine, Canine distemper vaccine, Canine Parvovirus vaccine, Feline Panleukopenia vaccine, Feline Rhinotracheitis, feline Calicivirus, have all been demonstrated to be a minimum of 7 years by serology [blood antibody testing] for rabies and challenge [exposure] studies for all others.

Some veterinarians are regular readers of veterinary journals and attend the seminars of top experts. They’re always up to date on the latest scientific findings regarding vaccination. Others, not so much. So, we can't always direct the pet owner to speak to their vet about overvaccination when some of them are not keeping up on the changing science and are still recommending annuals. There should be no vets doing annuals, but that is not the case.

It is up to us to be educated consumers, to know what we are buying, to know what is needful, and to know what is non-essential to us. Many vets have admitted to Dr. Schultz that they don't care what the pet organizations say they will only change their vaccine protocol when they are forced to. This is a dreadful attitude for our pets. If you are fortunate to have a vet who is changing the way they practice as the science changes then good for you, but not all of us are as fortunate. If the vet refuses to change the way he administers vaccines then this is more reason why we need to educate ourselves and not rely on someone else looking out for our best interests.

Don't bring your business to a vet that you're not on all fours with!! I will agree with you there - as a consumer you have options. I've dumped many vets for less than this kind of philosophical disagreement.