Vaccinations: The danger of overvaccinating. (Article)

[Wild Wolf]

Hey everyone,

I wrote an article for my future dog blog/dog training website and thought I would share it with you all as well. I am a certified Animal Care Technician currently working as an Animal Care Technician at an animal hospital. After being exposed to vaccines and the diseases animals are vaccinated for, I decided to compile some of the information I have gathered into a little informative article to support my belief that dogs are being over vaccinated and it is dangerous to their long-term health.

Before I wrote this, I made sure to clarify the diseases vaccines are produced from through my veterinarians, our hospital text books, my own school text books, and from the stories of the many patients I've seen over the past year.

So, here it is. Hope you all find it an interesting read.

In today's world, vaccinations are an annual appointment in veterinarian clinics across North America. The standard, core vaccinations are administered yearly without any titer testing done to evaluate levels of antibodies in our dogs. This means that every year owners vaccinate their dogs for several diseases and conditions, and do not test the level of immunity in their dogs before they vaccinate again.


People typically do not get vaccines very often, perhaps excluding the annual flu vaccine, and it is a well known fact that it is simply not necessary to do so. When we get a vaccine, we have prolonged protection and can be certain that the antibodies will not simply disappear this time next year. So why would it be any different with our beloved canines?


The reality is that dogs do not need all of the vaccines veterinarians tell us we do, nor do they need to get them boostered every single year. I believe that the reason they pressure owners to vaccinate is so that they will attend their annual physical examination every year (which, if you look at your bill, is where they make their money). Vaccines are the perfect incentive to encourage dog owners to go to the vet every year, even though dogs may not need a booster.


Annual examinations with your Veterinarian are extremely important, and they are essential to ensuring the health of your dog. They are important for many reasons. Veterinarians can determine the over all health and physical condition of your dog over time, and establish what is normal for your pet so that if illness arises they are better prepared to solve the problem by comparing what is normal to what is abnormal. They are also able to find disease and illness and either treat it or prevent it before it becomes a major problem. Although it is expensive at times, annual health examinations should be your priority when it comes to the health and well being of your best friend.


That being said, annual vaccines are both unnecessary and dangerous. Protective antibodies from vaccines usually remain at optimal levels between 3 and 7 years, but some dogs maintain those healthy levels of antibodies for even longer. While the actual vaccine includes either the killed virus, or the modified live virus, they are full of toxins and chemicals that have no business being in your pet's body. There is also the danger of Vaccinosis and severe adverse side effects and reactions following vaccination.


It is strongly recommended that you do your research on vaccines, what is present in your area, and determine exactly which protocol you want to follow. Take your protocol to your vet and be certain they follow it strictly. Many owners are now choosing to follow Dr. Dodds vaccine protocol; This protocol states that puppies will be vaccinated for DISTEMPER and PARVO only - and rabies, as required by law, and not given anything else. That means that over the course of your pet's life, they will be vaccinated for only 3 things - Distemper, Parvovirus and Rabies - the three most deadly disease that can kill your pet if they are ever exposed to it.


Please visit this link for a detailed explanation of Dr. Dodd's Vaccine protocol: http: //www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM


Vaccines for diseases such as kennel cough, parainfluenza, and adenovirus are typically unnecessary. These viruses are the equivalent of a cough or the flu in humans, and healthy dogs can easily overcome them. It is unheard of for a dog to die from the kennel cough virus, Kennel cough is a repeat visitor at humane societies and animal shelters across North America - very few animals die from this and those that do have disorders and conditions of the immune system. Distemper, parvovirus and rabies are deadly diseases that often end in death, which is why vaccination for these three disease are quite helpful. Rabies is a frightening, terrible disease that kills animals and humans without fail. The survival rate for animals or humans infected with rabies is virtually zero. It is required by law to vaccinate against Rabies, and it is extremely important that this is done.


After your pet gets their initial set of puppy vaccinations (Distemper and parvovirus ONLY!), you should then run a titer test every three years to determine whether or not your dog needs to be re-vaccinated. Titer tests show the level of protective antibodies present in the animal, and are the best tool you have in preventing over vaccination.


It is important to do your research and get educated, because you will forever act as your dog's voice in the world. Stand up for what you believe in and enjoy the benefits of a health, disease-free dog!

[LisaT]

It's nice to have an "inside" voice speaking up on this

[Wild Wolf]

Originally Posted by LisaT

It's nice to have an "inside" voice speaking up on this

I am fortunate enough to have the literature at my disposal, and the experienced professionals and 'client cases' to pair my - research, if you will - with. It is evident that many things in this world are contaminated by greed or lies - vaccinations being one of those things, I believe. I want people to make their own decisions on such important topics, so I want to provide this kind of information so perhaps, I can inspire them to investigate and make their own decisions on this sort of subject matter - rather than allowing others to make those decisions for them.