Anyone reading this blog has gotten the real lowdown on the vaccination issue — which should be a non-issue, but clearly still is not! Remember this: Titer testing (taking a blood sample to measure the effectiveness of a vaccine to deliver protective immunity) has proven time and time again that dogs vaccinated between the ages of 6-12 months can expect to have lifelong immunity to distemper and parvo. So, even if your vet is following the 3 year protocol, that does NOT mean you need to revaccinate your dog when you get the postcard in the mail. Do your dog a favor and get the titer test instead. Cost will range between $65 to $75 and you will save money (and spare your dog) when you don’t buy unnecessary vaccines. It’s a win-win!
And now here is the reason for my latest rant…
Last week, I examined a dog diagnosed just days earlier with kidney failure. The worried pet parent wanted to find a more natural approach to treating her beloved dog. As I poured over the most recent medical records, I spotted a vaccine date that made my blood boil. Yep, you guessed it. Right there in the medical record, AFTER the blood test clearly showed advanced kidney disease (sick dog), the vet “updated” vaccines. When this common sense owner stopped to question her vet’s recommendation, he ignored her vaccine concerns and brushed them off his spotless white coat.
And guess what? She was right! The last thing that poor old sick dog needed was to be poked with vaccine needles. The worst time to vaccinate any animal (dog or human) is when they are ill. To do so is poor medical judgment that smacks of greed. I just shook my head, counted to 5 (not my usual 10) and in the most professional manner possible, slammed my reckless colleague.
It’s been two years (2006) since the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) published revised vaccine guidelines calling for fewer vaccines, vaccinating less often and warning of adverse side effects. When veterinarians were cautioned to follow the new vaccine protocols — I simply smiled and said, it’s about time! So, why are so many vets still not? I can’t answer for them or the corporate institutions they work for. But what I can do is educate you and other dog lovers on how to make an informed decision.
Help save more dogs from needless vaccines — see this 2 for 1 offer:
Get your copy of How to Protect Your Dog From a Vaccine Junkie — save your dog from needless vaccines and I promise to send a FREE copy to one of your friends, co-workers, and even a clueless vet. Just send me their name and email address and I’ll send it as a gift from you. Please put Free Copy in the subject line. Now let’s get busy educating the world of dog lovers who need this important updated information!
And please share this eye opening video, produced by dog health advocate Jan Rasmussen, with all your dog friends. Now, pass the popcorn…
Commentary from Jan Rasmussen: Exposing Myths, Lies and Outdated Information
Some things we know for sure, then we find out we were dead wrong. This describes my journey through the minefield of vaccination for dogs. Much of this applies to cats, too.
My journey began with, “Let’s vaccinate puppies and dogs against every disease possible — to keep them safe.” After one year of research (now grown to five) and interviews with top pet immunology experts, I evolved to, “Let’s vaccinate only against life-threatening diseases that a dog, as a unique individual, is likely to contract given the dog’s lifestyle, age and locale, and to which he or she does not already have immunity. This sounds like common sense, doesn’t it? It is the same journey taken by every vet school in North America, and by all the major veterinary associations!
It is not, unfortunately, the journey taken by way too many veterinary practices, particularly the larger chain operations. Shots are big business! Vaccines have lots of built- in profit (high mark-up) and extra sales that result from coming in to “keep your dog’s shots up-to-date.” I wish vets would realize we’ll bring our dogs in for the all-important checkup every 6 to 12 months without scaring us into it!
Then there’s also inertia: it’s easier for vets to continue doing what they’ve been taught to do and have always done, and which their businesses are set up to handle. There’s also the sad fact that, in general, experts have knowledge long (even decades) before medical practitioners and bureaucrats hear about, and assimilate, it.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Kathy // Oct 2, 2008 at 9:20 am
That does it! I am NOT getting my adult dogs “booster” vaccines anymore! My friend’s pug went into anaphylactic shock after her last booster and nearly died. Two of my dogs were lethargic for days after they got theirs. I’ve been suspicious of the whole “yearly booster” shot thing for years, and now I feel vindicated!!!
2 Jan // Oct 2, 2008 at 9:25 am
Been there, done that.
My Lab (who is now at Rainbow Bridge, RIP), in her last couple of years, got really sick after her yearly vaccinations……the last time I brought her in, I asked if it was absolutely necessary. I told the vet that my dog had been sick for a couple of days the last two years after the shots.
He shrugged his shoulders & gave her the shot. I was absolutely livid……my poor dog was even sicker after that & I swore no more shots for her. She had other issues & was in a lot of pain so this was not what I wanted for her.
Needless to say, this vet never saw me again after that.
I have another Lab now…..she got her puppy shots before I got her so now it’s rabies because it’s required by law (hope that changes soon too) & I’ll have the titer done every few years.
If only I knew then what I know now. Thanks to the horrendous events of last year, I started doing some research & learned a lot more than I ever wanted to know.
3 Debbie // Oct 2, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I lost my beloved chow mix and my shih tzu was in the hospital for days following there rabies and yearly booster shots several years ago. I no longer allow routine vaccines for my animals. I don’t let my 16 yr old shih tzu get any shots at all. Even after the incident that killed my Kasper and made my other baby very ill I had to argue with the vet who administered the shots. I no longer go to him. He was not willing to admit that the vacinations had anything to do with my babies health. Even though both of them where fine prior to going to there yearly exam. To have one die and the other become extremley ill was more than a fluke to me. I am so glad to see that other people are finding out the truth about these shots also. My advice, find a vet who believes as you do. Don’t risk the lives of the ones who depend on us and we love.
4 Helen // Oct 2, 2008 at 3:21 pm
what about cat vacinations? FYI we almost lost our shepherd last year and will NEVER have another shot
5 Dr. Paula Terifaj's New Blog Entry: VACCINES - YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community // Oct 2, 2008 at 6:08 pm
[...] Paula Terifaj’s New Blog Entry: VACCINES Is Your Vet Clueless, Too? Here is Dr. Terifaj’s new blog entry and it’s a good one – it’s regarding vaccines and titers. [...]
6 jan keith // Oct 2, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Thanks to the education I received through Dr. Terifaj’s 30 Minute Vet Consult, I now protect my animals against disease through good nutrition and reasonable & necessary medicine.
7 Jan Holt // Oct 4, 2008 at 1:06 pm
My dogs have been patients of Dr Terifaj for over 8 years now, after the painful realization losing my wonderful 9 yr old lhasa apso to AIHA (auto immune hemalytic anemia) due to the yearly booster shots, I am so thankful to have found her and doing my homework, I can only say please if you love your animals BEWARE of yearly booster vaccinations!!!! RUN OUT THE DOORif your vet demands yearly boosters!!!!
Been there and done that, and I truly get it!!!!
8 Jenni // Oct 27, 2008 at 1:00 pm
What about vaccines for cats? I have 2 that just received their 1 year old shots. Do they need to go every year? I keep them inside and put Revolution on them every other month in the summertime when the windows and doors are open. Both of them were rescued and had about every parasite possible and URI’s. Our male came out of all the treatments okay, but our female is a little “off”. She meows at walls and is very timid of us sometimes and it all started after her last treatment for worms. Any information about cats would be greatly appreciated. I don’t have human children yet, so these are my babies. Thanks!
9 Mily // Apr 18, 2009 at 12:58 am
I have a Shih Tzu that I got as a puppy 10 years ago when he was 2 he was diagnosed with cancer. He has had seizures after that as well. 3 years ago we started him on a raw diet and he has gotten so much better. I know from looking back now it was the over vaccination and the food we fed him that he got cancer. I am now getting a Yorkie and my mom has the Shih Tzu and he lives with her. Since I know what happened to our Shih Tzu I really want to start my Yorkie’s life out a better way without any vaccines and a raw diet for good immune system. I have been reading and I know that they are most susceptible to these diseases until maybe 7 months of age. But if he is an inside dog and will not have contact to other dogs (just my family for the first few months) is there any real way of him getting these diseases?
My main concern right now is the Parvo which I have read can be deadly to a puppy. But since he will be an inside dog, I will not have him in any dog park, just my yard for the first 5 months. Would Parvo really be of a concern? I have read that their most at threat until 7 months of life, until their immune system matures. But since I have a fenced yard and will not be taking him out of the house until 7 months, will parvo be really an issue for me? I really, really do not want to give any vaccines — maybe just rabies because it is required by law.
Thank you so much for any info
Please Help please! I really want to do everything I can to minimize any chemicals on him.
10 Dr. Terifaj // Apr 21, 2009 at 10:19 am
Hello Mily,
You are wise to be concerned about how to best vaccinate your new puppy. Puppies that come from pet stores (puppy mills!) or private breeders most likely have been vaccinated at least once before they are sold. You say that your new puppy will be at home and not exposed to other dogs. Older dogs and adult dogs who have not been vaccinated can still be exposed to these viruses whenever they travel with you, walk around the neighborhood or visit dog parks. Therefore, your dog is not automatically immune from the Parvo or Distemper simply because of age. However, Parvo is not as severe in adult dogs (better immune function and higher body weights) and therefore most will survive with proper treatment. Puppies are most at risk for a deadly outcome. Note: Most puppies have been exposed to these viruses (parvo and distemper) PRIOR to being purchased at pet stores, animal shelters and dog breeding kennels.
I suggest that you opt for a minimal vaccine protocol: Distemper and Parvo (DP) or the DHP with includes Hepatitis (rarely a problem) starting no earlier than 9 weeks and repeating again at 12 or 13 weeks. After that it may only be necessary to vaccinate once again at 6 months or one year of age. That’s a total of three vaccines spaced out over 6 to 12 months. Then you can just check vaccine titers (simple blood test your vet can do) to measure antibody levels. Most come back with adequate to good levels, proving that “booster” vaccines are not needed.
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