careful vaccinations

We believe in minimal shots. The “dos” and “don’ts” of vaccinations. Over time we have been gathering data and research from top vaccination experts such as Dr. Ronald Schultz and Dr. Jean Dodds.

We have compiled some short points to provide dog owners with an accessible, easy to read guide to safer vaccination.

Dos, Don’ts (and Nevers!)

DO…

ask about measuring vaccination titers as an alternative to vaccinating adult or chronically ill pets.

DO…

avoid vaccinations such as Lyme and Leptospirosis, which have questionable safety and efficacy. We agree with Bordetella, such as if you are going to board your dog or your dog will be at daycare. But not as a standard protocol.

DO…

give only one modified live canine parvo/distemper vaccination between the ages of 14 to 18 weeks; this can provide many years and often a lifetime of immunity In most dogs.

DON’T…

vaccinate with multiple combination viral vaccinations at the same time. For example, a 3-way, 4-way etc shot that most vets try to get you to do. We recommend ONLY PARVO/DISTEMPER.

DON’T…

Think the vet knows best. Vets no a lot about a lot of things, but not everything. We are our best advocate for our dogs. Educate yourself. Don’t blindly trust your vet.

NEVER…

vaccinate at the time of hormonal, surgical or emotional stresses, including at the time of any surgery, dentistries or while boarding.

NEVER…

vaccinate a pet who is ill with ANY symptoms, including those pets suffering from skin/ear allergies, and those with any digestive upset.

NEVER…

Rabies and Parvo/Distemper at the same time.

BEWARE

  • Over-vaccination is not only a waste of money for animal guardians, but may jeopardize the long term health of our animal companions.

  • Most dogs are fully vaccinated after their one year rabies, Parvo and distemper. You can Titer them (a blood test) to see that they are fully vaccinated.

  • Vaccine reactions are quite common, and may occur not only immediately after the shot, but over days, weeks, months or even years later in what is immunologically accepted and known as a delayed hypersensitivity reaction.

  • Autoimmune conditions, cancers and severe neurological disease have been reported in large numbers in recently vaccinated pets.

  • Modified live parvo/distemper vaccination has been shown to cause immune system suppression 10 to 14 days after administration.

  • Environmental shedding of modified live viral vaccine antigens may cause immune reactions in sensitive pets that have not even been vaccinated!

  • Rabies vaccination can lead to the production of antibodies against the thyroid gland and other organs in dogs recently vaccinated for rabies.

  • Modified live combination parvo/distemper vaccination has been demonstrated to increase allergic responses to grasses and pollens in recently vaccinated dogs.

  • Most commercial animal vaccinations contain unhealthy levels of mercury, aluminum and other heavy metals

Canine Vaccination Protocol
8 - 10 Weeks Old:  
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy DPV, now renamed Nobivac DPV, when Merck and Intervet merged)

14 Weeks Old
Same as above

16 - 18 Weeks Old
Same as above

1 Year Old:
Distemper + Parvovirus,MLV (optional = titer)

1+ Years Old:
Rabies, killed 3-year product (give 3-4 weeks apart from distemper/parvovirus booster) NEVER DO RABIES AT THE SAME VISIT AS PARVO/DISTEMPER. GIVE 2 WEEKS APART.

Common Reactions to vaccines:
.    Lethargy
.    Hair loss, hair color change at injection site
.    Fever
.    Soreness, stiffness
.    Refusal to eat
.    Conjunctivitis
.    Sneezing
.    Oral ulcers
Moderate Reactions to vaccines:
.    Immunosuppression
.    Behavioral changes
.    Vitiligo (skin reactions)
.    Weight loss (Cachexia)
.    Reduced milk production
.    Lameness
.    Granulomas/abscesses
.    Hives
.    Facial edema (swelling)
.    Atopy (hereditary allergies)
.    Respiratory disease
.    Allergic uveitis (Blue Eye)
Severe Reactions triggered by Vaccines:
.    Vaccine injection site sarcomas
.    Anaphylaxis (rapidly progressing life-threatening allergic reaction)
.    Arthritis, polyarthritis
.    HOD hypertrophy osteodystrophy
.    Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
.    Immune mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP)
.    Hemolytic disease of the newborn (Neonatal Isoerythrolysis)
.    Thyroiditis
.    Glomerulonephritis
.    Disease or enhanced disease which the vaccine was designed
     to prevent
.    Myocarditis
.    Post vaccinal encephalitis or polyneuritis
.    Seizures
.    Abortion, congential anomalies, embryonic/fetal death, 
     failure to conceive

Many of these reactions happen days, months or even years after a vaccine is given.  Vets are not told about this, and therefore they are largely unaware of the damage caused by over-vaccination.