Did you know that there has never been any scientific basis for
annual booster shots for dogs? Is this surprising to you? In our continuing
efforts to learn and improve the health and longevity of our dogs we have
become aware of the growing body of evidence that the practice of vaccination
is, at the least, very debatable.
"Studies have shown that, once fully immunized,
more than 90% of canines retain immunity to Parvovirus-2 and Adenovirus-2
for more than seven years. (Full immunization may not take place with
vaccinations administered prior to 16 weeks, due to interference by
maternal antibodies.) Immunization to Distemper may last up to 15
years, and immunization to Corona virus probably lasts a lifetime."
- noted Immunologist Dr. Ronald
Schultz (UWisc) |
This quote sheds light on the fact that current veterinary vaccination
protocols are not based on either reason or good science. So why do most
vets want to give several rounds of puppy shots and yearly boosters? Good
question. Actually, many are now beginning to recognize the mounting
evidence and are moving to reduce the frequency dogs are vaccinated
and the number of diseases vaccinated for at once. Ongoing research is
showing that current approaches are excessive, unnecessary and potentially
damaging.
Research by Dr. R. Schultz, head of pathobiology at the University of
Wisconsin, shows that a vaccine received at or after 12 weeks of age provides
immunity for up to 7 years in over 95% of dogs. He also states that the
less than 5% which did not have immunity would never get immunity regardless
of how many vaccinations they received.
Dr. Schultz is the author of this paragraph in
Kirk's "Current Veterinary Therapy XI", the conventional
medicine textbook used in North America:
"A practice that was started many years ago and that lacks
scientific validity or verification is annual revaccinations. Almost
without exception there is no immunologic requirement for annual
revaccination. Immunity to viruses persists for years or for the
life of the animal. Successful vaccination to most bacterial pathogens
produces an immunologic memory that remains for years, allowing
an animal to develop a protective anamnestic (secondary) response
when exposed to virulent organisms. Only the immune response to
toxins requires boosters (e.g. tetanus toxin booster, in humans,
is recommended once every 7-10 years), and no toxin vaccines are
currently used for dogs and cats. Furthermore, revaccination with
most viral vaccines fails to stimulate an anamnestic (secondary)
response as a result of interference by existing antibody (similar
to maternal antibody interference). The practice of annual vaccination
in our opinion should be considered of questionable efficacy unless
it is used as a mechanism to provide an annual physical examination
or is required by law (i.e. certain states require annual revaccination
for rabies)." [Ed. Ontario does not] |
In addition to the issue of over-use, many vaccine products contain substances
that can be very harmful such as formaldehyde, dessicated organs, mercury,
aluminum, and preservatives. Some pharmaceutical companies recognize this
and are attempting to develop newer products that they themselves call
'safer.' Below is a quote from the Schering-Plough web site that gives
very interesting product info on their Rabdomun®
rabies vaccines.
| "The inactivated virus is formulated with
a highly purified adjuvant. ... Because RABDOMUN® is produced
on an established cell line, it has safety advantages over inactivated
brain-origin rabies vaccines. Tissue-origin vaccines contain extraneous
protein in addition to rabies antigen that can lead to autoimmune
disease. The established cell line used in RABDOMUN® has been
extensively tested for freedom from contaminating agents. In addition,
use of an established cell line yields a vaccine of consistent potency
from serial to serial." |
Again, while this company is to be praised for attempting to provide
safer vaccines, it clearly shows that they recognize there is a problem
with current vaccines.
This is a complex issue that cannot be fully addressed
here, but we feel it is important to help spread the word and get people
thinking and asking questions. An excellent series of articles on
the vaccination debate can be found at Marina Zacharias' site - www.naturalrearing.com
Here is an article on the enlightening Purdue University - vaccine study
Here is an article from highly respected homeopathic vet, Dr. Don Hamilton
- Vaccinations in Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Bob Rogers - vaccine articles
Mogens Eliason discusses the rabies issue and vaccine
For further reading here is a list of related links from - Vaccination
News
Much more from Shirley's Wellness Cafe on pet vaccination
We also recommend three books on this topic:
 Shock To The System
by Catherine O'Driscoll - www.amazon.com
Vaccine Guide for Dogs and Cats
by Catherine Diodati, MA - www.thinktwice.com/ani.htm
Natural Immunity
by Pat McKay - www.patmckay.com
Our own approach, like many concerned breeders, is evolving
towards a substantial reduction in vaccine use:
1) Puppy vaccines - with future litters we will - at most - only give the Parvo vaccine - by itself, followed several weeks later
by a single Distemper vaccine - that is, well spread out single disease
[mono-valent] vaccines rather than the commonly used polyvalent vaccines
such as DA2PP multi-vaccines (several different diseases in one) which simply would never occur in nature and have a higher risk of confusing, damaging and possibly
over-whelming the immune system. Each of these would only be given
once, followed by titers to determine if immunity has developed. If it has then no further vaccines are needed.
2) Adult vaccines - since there is no basis in science and no immunological requirement for the practice of annual boostering we no longer do it. The only vaccine that is 'required' in Ontario is for rabies, but the current required frequency of three years is unscientific and dangerous. We look forward to the day when the Ontario government will base this legal requirement on valid scientific fact and hopefully at least up the requirement to 5 years. Even better would be for them to accept titers that show continued immunity to rabies.
There is finally a proper duration of immunity study occuring. It has been undertaken by a grassroots movement since neither governments or the pharmaceutical companies that make the stuff have been interested in knowing how long these vaccines last. To read more about the rabies vaccine study go to - http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/
As we learn more about vaccines, the immune system, natural immunity and
the disease paradigm itself - our approach may further change.
Lastly, for further exploration we also highly recommend www.caberfeidh.com where Scottish Deerhound breeder Christie Keith has several fantastic articles on vaccination, diet and other health issues.
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