Vaccines: A common practice that may be hurting our pets
This month actors such as Jim Carrey & Jenny McCarthy held a rally in Washington D.C. to raise awareness about
autism by leading a "green our vaccines" march. This march is not only asking for safer vaccines but for a revised
vaccination schedule. To learn more about Jenny's fight & TACA, please visit Talk About Curing Autism.
Jim Carrey & Jenny McCarthy are fighting for our kids but who is fighting for our pets? One person that is making
incredible strides is Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM. Dr. Dodds is helping change vaccine protocols by giving us a revised pet
vaccine schedule. I have seen many websites with these protocols but they where all slightly different. In efforts to
provide the most accurate information, I contacted Dr. Dodds and have received her consent to use this document. To
review the REAL Dr. Dodds vaccine schedule for canines (aka: dogs), feline (aka: cats) and horses click here.
She is also participating in a research study called The Rabies Challenge Fund. This study is hoping to determine the
duration of immunity conveyed by the rabies vaccines. The goal is to extend the required interval for rabies boosters
from 3 years to 5 years and then to 7 years. To learn more & to support this worthy study, visit the Rabies Challenge
Fund today.
Did you know? A small pet receives the same amount of vaccine as a large pet?
Until our vaccines are safer and the schedules & amounts have changed, it is up to the pet owners to arm ourselves with
information. Below you will find some information that may help guide you in making your vaccine decisions.
What do I need to know about rabies before getting a dog license?
A dog needs to be current on rabies when registering or licensing your pet. In some areas, as long as your dog has a
few months left on their current vaccination you can register them. BUT in other areas, your dog must be covered by
their vaccination the entire time frame of your dog license. The problem with this is it contributes to over vaccinating our
pets. With that said, you might want to consider this before moving to a new area!
What things should I know before giving my pet vaccines?
--NEVER give vaccines to a sick pet!
--Check for any recent vaccine recalls
--Titer testing: A simple blood test from your Vet will tell you whether your pet has enough antibodies to be protected.
--Assess your pet(s) lifestyle: Depending on where you live and the lifestyle your pet leads (i.e. indoor, outdoor, both
and exposure to other animals), this may determine how many vaccines are needed for your pet.
***Make sure you notate EXACTLY where you dog receives their shot (injection sit) as this may be important down the
road should a problem arise. Don't be afraid to tell you vet to slow down so you can watch!***
Rabies Exemptions and Waivers
Rabies Vaccination is required by law. In some instances, it is possible to secure a written waiver for exemption from
rabies booster vaccination. A letter justifying the medical reason for such exemption needs to be obtained from your
primary care veterinarian. Waiver requests are not generally accepted based on serum antibody titers alone, but may be
granted on a case-by-case basis with justification.
Reactions to vaccine
If your pet does have an adverse reaction, it is most common to happen within 24-48 hours. However, some research
suggests that your pet could experience a reaction or illness in response to a vaccination up to 6 months from the time
the vaccine was administered. If this happens, it is important to seek help from your Vet. When speaking with the Vet
make sure to have it noted in your dog's file and get a copy! Ask if they will report the reaction to USDA Center for
Veterinary Biologics and the vaccine manufacturer.
Have you ever wondered why is it that pets get repeat vaccination but people don't?
The fact is, this practice was started long ago and was followed with out question. Now some veterinarians are
questioning this practice as there has been no clear evidence to prove the efficacy of this practice. In fact, many feel that
the immunologic response to the viruses persists for years if not the whole life of your precious pet(s). Finally, in the last
few years all 27 veterinary schools have come on board, admitting that yearly vaccinations are not required, and are
more likely to be causing health problems!
To learn more about Vaccinations, read Scared Poopless by Author Jan Rasmusen. The book covers topics ranging
from Anesthesia to Vaccination, and Auto Safety to Post-Surgery Rehab. It is written in from an unbiased viewpoint AND
hear dog Chiclet is the narrator making it a fun read! Jan spent several years doing research and interviewing top
veterinarians such as Dr. Jean Hofve. Scared Poopless has received numerous awards and praises from organizations
such as The Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and animal activists such as Betty White
(known to some people as "Rose" from the show Golden Girls).
Let's do our part to help our pets by cutting down on their vaccines and supporting projects that are trying to green &
extended the duration of our vaccines!
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