| Vaccines introduce viruses into the immune system | | | | that vaccine products are not as benign as first |
| of our dogs each time they are injected. The | | | | believed, and controversy exists as to duration of |
| purpose of injecting a virus into your dogs system is | | | | immunity and frequency of administration. Vaccine |
| to expose the system to the virus but avoid the | | | | administration is a medical procedure with which, as |
| illness that accompanies the virus when introduced | | | | with any medical decision, there are benefits as well |
| naturally. | | | | as attendant risks" |
| Both live and dead viruses are used in vaccines for | | | | Vaccines have beneficial qualities as acknowledged by |
| dogs, with live viruses offering a more naturally similar | | | | the AAHA. A good example of this would be the |
| character to the actual disease. Live vaccines seem | | | | previously mentioned rabies vaccine. When utilized on |
| to provide more protection against contracting the | | | | a three year interval, the rabies vaccine has had a |
| dreaded disease but some veterinarians say that | | | | positive impact on dog and public health. |
| dead viruses are preferable to preclude contraction | | | | But the excessive and frequent vaccination of our |
| of the disease as a result of the vaccination. | | | | dogs can be risky. Dogs that are vaccinated |
| Regular vaccination of dogs has for years played a | | | | needlessly are subject to more diseases and |
| part in keeping our dogs healthy and supporting the | | | | disorders than dogs that are not excessively |
| cause of public health. Using the rabies vaccine as an | | | | vaccinated. This is because the immune system of |
| example, studies have demonstrated that when dogs | | | | the dog has been compromised. |
| receive rabies vaccinations, there is a corresponding | | | | The approach of extending the duration of time for |
| decrease in the reported incidents of rabies in people. | | | | vaccine life has been recently been extended by |
| Vaccines are generally classified as either core | | | | veterinary teaching hospitals and some private |
| vaccines or non-core vaccines chosen by | | | | veterinarians. A gradual awareness is emerging that |
| recommendation. | | | | when a dog is bombarded with vaccines, the attack |
| Examples of core or required vaccines are canine | | | | on the dog's system and her long term health may |
| distemper, canine, parvovirus, canine hepatitis, and | | | | outweigh any potential benefit from the vaccination |
| adenovirus. | | | | protocol. |
| Examples of non core vaccines are bordatella for | | | | The following view is offered by Dr Robert Pitcairn, |
| kennel cough, canine parainfluenza, Lyme disease, | | | | D.V.M, PhD in his book "Natural Health for Dogs and |
| canine coronavirus, giardia vaccine and rattlesnake | | | | Cats "where he states:"Vaccinations are not always |
| vaccine. | | | | effective, and they may cause long-lasting health |
| Veterinarians are now considering a myriad of factors | | | | disturbances." p. 321 |
| prior to recommending a vaccine protocol. For | | | | Dr Pitcairn further states that vaccinations may " |
| example, if a dog is always at home, a vaccine to | | | | cause an acute disease or a chronic health problem." |
| protect against kennel cough is not necessary. Lyme | | | | p.322 |
| disease vaccinations are not needed for dogs that | | | | Examples of conditions that may be attributed to the |
| don't live in the regions of the country where this | | | | introduction of vaccines in dogs include, but is not |
| problem does not present itself. | | | | limited to, immune disorders, thyroid problems, |
| A variety of opinions exist as to the efficacy and | | | | allergies, and skin conditions. |
| advantage of frequent vaccinations. Some of the | | | | As the debate continues there seems to be a |
| arguments against frequent, excessive and annual | | | | gradual move in the direction of fewer vaccinations. |
| vaccination include adverse consequences, | | | | Many veterinarians now ascribe to the philosophy |
| suppressed immunology, and impairment of long term | | | | that a more natural, common sense approach to |
| health resulting in a shorter life span for dogs. | | | | vaccinations is in order, as opposed to blanket |
| Vaccine manufacturers have been reformulating their | | | | vaccinations for all dogs on a regular basis. |
| vaccines to last for three years as opposed to the | | | | Dogs that are not boarded probably don't need a |
| previous one year norm. This attempt by the | | | | vaccination against kennel cough. Lyme disease is |
| manufacturers is in response to calls by advocates | | | | prevalent only in a few areas of the U.S. Unless you |
| and some veterinarians who have called for a three | | | | live in one of those regions, this vaccination is not |
| year vaccine life and fewer vaccinations. | | | | necessary. |
| This on its face seems to have some merit. But | | | | A typical visit to a veterinary office may result in |
| vaccine experts are not easily convinced. For | | | | recommendations for up to sixteen vaccinations for |
| example the American Animal Hospital Association ( | | | | your dog. Before giving you veterinarian your |
| AAHA,) reports that : | | | | consent, ask him to explain the possible risks |
| "...there is growing professional and public awareness | | | | associated with each vaccine. |