Vacciation Controversy
 

Just wondering who is aware of the contoversy surrounding the over vaccinating of dogs and pets in general and who has done any research and what you all think based on your research or lack of research.

When I posted a comment on a thread in the "sick section" recently I was actually surprised at the number of people who were not even aware of the controversy. Even some breeders were not aware of it.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the word is getting out and that quite a few of you had researched the matter and made decisions to take more control over what the traditional vets prescribe for our dogs by asking more questions about effectiveness, necessity, and side effects.

Thanks for participating in this poll.

The first time someone's dog gets sick and dies from not being vaccinated, I hope that they come right back to you and how you encourage people to...Yes, read up...but to not vaccinate their animals. this is a one sided debate and you left no polling options for those of us that will continue to vaccinate their dogs.

If vaccinating your dogs is so bad and controversial, then why are the vaccinations still available for us? Why do vets still offer shots?

My dog Jewels had a terrible reaction which made me second quess getting the shots. However in our neighborhood there are cats that run wild and they come into our yard. I dont want my dogs to get rabies or anything else so I will continue to vaccinate.

There are far too many dogs in our country who's owners DON'T vaccinate and by us taking OUR dogs out in public ...to groomers...dog parks...etc... it's NUTS not to vaccinate.

I am pretty surprised it's being called a controversary - it's not. Our children and our pets always have a chance of being exposed to illness and saying don't vaccinate is a pretty scary thing.

I agree on spacing them out --but there is nothing in that poll to support THAT - so I didn't vote because there is no option for those of us that want our pets protected against life threatening illnesses.

This poll should have a poll regarding this thread being controversarial or not - then I'd probably vote.

I would vote YES

In Denmark the controversy is wether you should get parvo shot every year or every second year. Since I don't socialize my dogs that much, I go for every second year.
The will get their shot in march 06 and get rabies vaccine at the same time, since we are going on a roadtrip through Europe with them next year - it's a new law in EU that your dogs has to have rabies vaccine if you travel with them - nice law :)

I didn't vote either. Stewie will never receive another rabies vaccine as long as he lives, but he will get parvo, distemper and bordtadella as many times as my vet thinks he should.

My neighbor's Chi (across the street) just died from Parvo. She was found dead in bloody stools on her kitchen floor. Their other dog had to be temporarily rehomed while their house is being sterilzed. The costs are far too high IMO.

I just learned about the whole 'some shots are bad thing' from this web site. I haven't done any research on it becuase Thor jsut finished getting all of his shots. I guess I'll look into it more when he has to go get his yearly boosters...
Hannah

I was all for my dogs having all vaccines, but since Tucker's liver shunt ordeal, the chemicals take to long to go through his system and make him feel sick, so, he has his kennel cough shots to go to the groomer and that's it. But I do think if your dog can have the shots it should, I mean it's better safe than very very very sorry right? But if your dog has bad reactions, then yes you might disagree (for you situation). But does that make this all so controversial? I think it's just a case of doing what is best for your baby

Just curious...Was the chi vaccinated?

I didn't have a place to vote either. Will continue vaccinations though as needed.

There are alternatives to vaccines that work better, and are less dangerous.

I am sorry to those who feel I did not give enough options but the poll results appear to evidence the fact that most are at least aware of the issue and are taking more of an aggressive role in the decision making which is really my only goal in bringing this to everyone's attention. If I save one life or save one dog from developing a dibilitating life altering illness, it will have been worth it. Those who are continuing to folow their vets advice but have researched the issue would be in the third category if that helps clarify.

I have never suggested that not vaccinating period is right for everyone and it is totally unfair to say to that I have.

I have mentioned that I will not vaccinate mine after learning the truth about these vaccines that our vets treat as so routine, but it is up to each individual pet owner to decide what is best for them.

Warning owners about vaccinosis and over vaccinating will save many more lives than it will cost. There is always a risk with not vaccinating but, imo, and from what many experts are saying, the risks are greater when you choose to vaccinate.

I HAVE NO WHERE IN THIS THREAD OR ANY OTHER ADVISED PEOPLE NOT TO VACCINATE THEIR DOGS AND I TAKE GREAT OFFENSE TO YOUR ASSERTION THAT I HAVE AND THAT I SHOULD SOMEHOW BE BLAMED IF SOMEONE'S DOG DIES!! That is offensive in my opinion.

Your polling option is #3 if you continue to vaccinate...as I assume you are asking more questions and taking a more active role in the treatment prescribed by inquiring about potential side effects etc. When, how much, how often, in what quantities and what are the risks in your area are all things everyone needs to consider.

I posted this on another forum recently but it fits here as well...This is the type of discussion I had hoped to have on this issue. While puppies are fairly well immunized for the first weeks of life from the colostrum in their mother's milk, there are other things that can be done to protect their fragile beings even more.

It is known that due to the immunity from mom the vaccines givens in the initial weeks do not always "take" as a result, and this leaves the puppy vulnerable. This is particularly true with Parvo and there is actually a ten week period of vulnerability where, even if a puppy is given the parvo vaccines he may not be protected.

There are other remedies which can be given to a puppy instead of or in addition to vaccines which are just as effective and, in some cases, more effective.

Here is an article about this from a well respected Vet, Dr. Jeffrey Feinman who recommends against vaccinating puppies in most instances.

Should My Puppy Be Vaccinated?

Vaccination is a double-edged sword. On the one hand vaccinosis has cause irreperable harm to our pets. Vaccines are even known to cause cancer. On the other hand, immunization in the right situation can save lives. Personally I do not recommend vaccination of most pets. My own dogs and cats only receive the rabies innoculation as required by law every three years. Vaccination can be useful in the midst of an epidemic or when a puppy is exposed frequently to sick dogs, e.g. the puppy of a vet tech who doesn't understand the harm of vaccination. In my opinion, you should consult a homeopathic veterinarian and consider homeopathic prophylaxis with a constitutional homeopathic remedy before giving any vaccinations. Treatment and prophylaxis start 1-2 weeks after obtaining a new pet. Schedule these visits 3-5 weeks apart until 4 months of age or until the symptoms of imbalance are gone.

If you still feel neglectful of your puppy due to not vaccinating you really shouldn't. If you still do, please read this info from a vaccinologist and a notedimmunologist http://www.naturalrearing.com/J_In_L...TIONSPart4.htm . Regardless of whether you have a holistic or homeopathic veterinarian you need to have a discussion about vaccination to find the right path for you.

Here is a link to a discussion about doing titers to prevent over-vacciantion

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-...titer_test.htm

Here is a link to the discussion about the cancer/vaccine connection http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/vac.html

Just so you don't think I am just being stubborn about vaccinations I thought I might add a few reasons I will continue.
A few mornings ago I woke up to find a dead bat in my front yard. Bats are HUGE rabies carries. I quickly removed it so that Lily or none of my cats could feast on it. I am pretty sure one of my cats caught it and brought home anyway. We have regular late night dinner guest that is an oppussum. He feeds on the cat food. The cats don't mind him but if for some reason Lily was ever out pottying in the middle of the night I am sure she would try to take him on. Just becaue it is wild doesn't mean that it has rabies but it certainly could get it at any time.
I live in a rural area at it is so common for any creature to wonder it to my yard. There are tons of homeless dogs and cats that wonder in to everyone's yard to eat whatever they can find. They can be and probably are carrying a variety of diseases. This is why I think it is important for me to personnally continue to keep shots up to date.
It is also a law to have a rabies shot where I live. If your dog gets loose and is picked up, it will not be released to you without proof of a rabies shot or until it receives one from the local vet.

Here is another good link for research in this area

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm

and another

http://www.vaccines.bizland.com/animalvax.html

All I am trying to acheive is awareness and education for the membership here. What you choose to do after you educate yourself on all sides of the issue is up to you and your individual circumstances which is as it should be.

Maybe some will continue to vaccinate but they will eliminate the most dangerous and least effective shots.

Some will not get them every year but will do the titers instead or go to a more reasonable every three year shcedule.

Some will learn to ask for single vaccines instead of the more dangerous combo shots...

There are many options available and everyone needs to do what is right for them and their pets.

You have made the right decisions for you and your dog and I would never argue with that or call you stubborn. You have made informed and educated decisions.

My dogs do not go outside unless they are on a leash and with me or someone else. My groomer comes to my house and I never board my dogs. I accept the risks associated with going to the dog park and the vet's office as most diseases they would get are curable. There has not been a case of rabies in my community since the 1960s. If my dog bit someone they would be released ot my care and proof of rabies would be required and I would at that point have to give my dog a rabies vaccine. I would also have to pay a small fine. The chances of that set of circumstance occurring is slim to nil but I am aware that it could. I had two vets tell me they would put my dog down if it bit someone without being vaccinated!! That is absolutely FALSE!!! The law clearly states that they cannot destroy the animal unless it actually tests positive for rabies.

I have discussed this issue with many vets, both those who practice western philosophy and those who practice homeopathic. (All are trained and have doctorate degrees in veterinary medicine) I have 6 dogs currently (if you include Buddha) and between them all I have seen about 10 different vets in person over the last year with emergencies, specialists, and interviewing over the telephone.

I would welcome your assistance and advice on how to present this issue in a more acceptable way to avoid "clashing with people". I thought this poll was a light, non-aggressive way to broach a subject that I admit I am passionate about. If you read my introductory post I don't think I was "Pushy" at all. I was offended by Txshopper's post and wrote a rather defensive reply but I feel I have approached this issue in a very non-aggressive manner.

There are still people who hadn't read any of the previous threads on this issue so I feel it is important to continue to address it to reach as many members here as possible. I care about all the dogs on this forum and their health is important to me.

If you were able to test Stewie's immunity to Parvo and Distemper instead of subjecting him to an unnecessary vaccine would you want to do that? Most vets do not tell owners about titers.

there have been several important things brought up....... one is the rabies vaccine. It is a law that i have to have a rabies vaccine for toby, HOWEVER, there HAS NOT been a rabies case in my area for some time :confused: seriously, rabies is not common here, it does not run rampant and i dont think that it is because "most poeple vaccinate against it" because even wild animals have not been known to have it in this area. as far as the vaccinations go, how is one to build up immunities unless one is left to deal with it naturally? There has been some controversy about vaccines causing cancer later on down the road too... some vets make the decision that it "is better safe than sorry" and in this case OVER vaccinating . What happens if you were to get a bunch of flue shots when you allready had an immunity to it?
I think that our level of health care has greatly increased, and this is a good thing. Humans live longer now than they did before, but they are also more sickly. New virus strains that are WORSE are coming about by mutating and becoming "immune" to vaccines (this is scary)
I dont think that it is just dogs either...... i think this extends to people. I have seen people go to the doctor for simple COLDS, why? they will get over it and develop and beef up their immune system. and now we have scary things like cancer, and aids, and luekemia, and all these other diseases :eek: It's a scary world we live in :(

Yes...you are right and the reason the rabies vaccine is required by law even in areas where it is not a valid risk is that the veterinarians lobbied for it and would have a fit if the laws were repealed because it would affect their pocketbook. Those guaranteed visits are where they have a chance to diagnose additional treatment that your dog "needs".

Vaccines are controversial for humans also. I do not get an annual flu shot and I don't take antibiotics any more than necessary for the reasons you explained. The use of anti-bacterial soap by so many of concern to as it is proven that the bacteria are getting steonger and stonger as a result.

It is a scary world we live in and it will be even scarier for our children.

I Just HAVE to say something here - SoCal - I have seen NUMEROUS posts by you on this same subject - Everywhere I look your telling people you are NOT going to vaccinate your dogs anymore and to me that is sending THE WRONG SIGNALS.

What are you going for here exactly ?

You keep posting the same things over and over and we all are AWARE of your feelings about vaccinations ...but now its going into polls that have no way to get true answers and you are purposly looking for anyone to dispute your beliefs -

Please Don't take me wrong or twist my words here - You are entitled to your opinions... but honestly - this is going pretty far on this subject. I really think there is a different agenda going on as this seems more about you than a real interest in our yorkies - You are actually turning this INTO a controversary and I really hope everyone sees this for what it is. From what I can see - MOST OF US will continue to vaccinate - yet THAT isn't on your 'POLL'...I wonder why ?....

Possibly, but the risk seems too high - especially with Parvo. How often would you have to test them? How expensive or inexpensive is it? Isn't it possibly for their immunity to fluctuate?

I think Dawn made a great point about crazy wild animals. Fortunately, I don't have that problem since I live in a very urban area.

Very well said :) :) :)