26/07/2024
Vaccination Questions and Answers
Q: Should I vaccinate my dog or cat every year?
A: No. There is no need. According to the worldâs most eminent experts on canine and feline immunology, âonce immunity to a virus exists, it persists for years or lifeâ. This fact has been accepted by official veterinary bodies in America and Australia. If you wish to vaccinate your dog, then he should have puppy shots followed by one shot after six months of age, and then no further shots are required. Studies show that 95% of dogs are protected for life following this regime. However, some dogs fail to become immune following vaccination, and some vaccines can fail. Vaccines are not guaranteed to protect â not even if you vaccinate a dog every week (which would be highly dangerous).
Q: I thought vaccines were safe - what are the adverse effects?
A: Many informed dog lovers are choosing not to vaccinate at all, because vaccines appear to be creating an epidemic of vaccine-induced disease. Inflammatory (âitisâ) diseases, and immune-mediated diseases are becoming increasingly common in dogs, due largely to vaccines. The words âhypersensitivityâ, âallergyâ, and âinflammationâ are interchangeable â and all are associated with vaccines. Sometimes the hypersensitivity reaction is so severe that the patient must be immediately injected with adrenaline or they will die.
Depending upon the animalâs genetic predisposition, the inflammatory reaction could manifest as inflammation of the brain, inflammation of the digestive system, inflammation of the bones and joints - in fact, any of the many inflammatory conditions. The inflammatory reaction could even lead to cancer. This is why scientists have written and produced scientific papers that link vaccines in with brain damage, epilepsy, behavioural problems, colitis, arthritis, thyroid disease, heart failure, kidney failure, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, leukaemia, cancer and more. It makes sense to minimise the risks, and vaccinate as little as possible.
The UK vet Christopher Day observed that around 80% of patients first became ill within three months of vaccination. CHC conducted the worldâs first independent vaccine damage survey to test this observation. There were over 4,000 dogs in the survey. We asked, if your dog is ill, when did he become ill in relation to the vaccine? We were astounded by the results, which are published in full in Catherine OâDriscollâs book, What Vets Donât Tell You About Vaccines.
91% cases of Ataxia (a neurological problem) occurred within three months of a vaccine event.
81% of dogs who had tumours at their vaccine sites, first developed the tumours within three months of being vaccinated. (Studies also show that cats and ferrets develop terminal cancer at their injection sites.)
78.6% of dogs with encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) first developed the condition within three months of being vaccinated. This is where conditions like epilepsy arise, and where many behavioural problems start.
73.1% of epileptic dogs first became epileptic within three months of being vaccinated.
65.9% of dogs with colitis developed the condition within that first three months, and vaccines are also known to cause food-related allergies.
61.5% of dogs developed liver failure within three months of being vaccinated.
The above figures were chosen at random from our findings to illustrate the principle to you: vaccines may be protecting our dogs against viral disease, but they are doing so at a very high price. If vaccination had no bearing on subsequent illness, only 25% of dogs should become ill in each three-month period. It is also worth noting that one study showed that vaccines cause dogs to develop autoantibodies against their own DNA. Vaccines are therefore theoretically capable of causing inheritable disease.
Q: Is CHC saying that we should leave our dogs unprotected against horrible diseases like distemper and parvovirus?
A: No. You should not leave your dogs unprotected. But you can minimise the risks.
Firstly, if you choose to vaccinate, you could have puppy shots and possibly the first yearâs booster, and leave it at that. There is no scientific justification for the overkill that is happening now. You may then (and potentially before having the first booster) get a titer (blood) test that checks to see if your pet has antibodies against the diseases and is therefore already immune - hence no need or purpose/benefit in re-vaccinating.
Secondly, you could use the homoeopathic alternative. Itâs called the ânosodeâ and itâs been used by many breeders and show people for years.
Vaccine manufacturers are currently trying to tell us that dogs need annual boosters against leptospirosis, which is a bacterin rather than a virus. However, many eminent scientists say that this vaccine should be withdrawn as it is not very protective, and it is the vaccine most associated with adverse reactions. If you are worried about leptospirosis in your area, then by all means consider the homoeopathic alternative.
The kennel cough virus mutates (like the flu) so you canât guarantee permanent immunity with the vaccine. However, one study showed that the homoeopathic nosode is more protective against kennel cough than the vaccine - and itâs safer.
Incidentally, if you are feeding a wholesome natural diet, your dogâs immune system will be far better able to withstand any viral or bacterial challenge. Transfer Factor (colostrum) is also known to inhibit bacterial and viral effects, and natural foods like garlic and olive leaf extract are also anti viral/bacterial. Colloidal silver is also worth checking out.
Q: My vet tells me that you are scaremongering and that I should continue to vaccinate every year. I donât know what to do.
A: Vets, however well-meaning, are educated in colleges that rely upon vaccine and pharmaceutical companies for funding, and few people are willing to bite the hand that feeds them. Vetsâ education with regard to vaccines tends to stop beyond âdo itâ. In short, your vet has been misled and poorly educated. Some of the information coming to light about vaccines has presented an ethical and economic challenge to vets â and so far, many arenât responding ethically to the truth. But your pet deserves to come first, over and above any such challenges.
If your vet says annual vaccination is necessary, ask him if he has heard of the research, and the advice that annual vaccination is unnecessary. If he has heard of this research, he cannot dismiss your questions. If he has not heard of it, then he lacks the knowledge to advise. Donât allow yourself to be bullied â become informed instead.
Q: Is it true that Canine Health Concern enjoys vet-bashing?
A: Some people draw this conclusion, which we regret. But the truth is that animals are suffering unnecessarily and the veterinary profession has been slow to grasp the truth about over-vaccination. We are seeking to push necessary change through, for the sake of the dogs. In reality, we value the veterinary profession highly, and advise you to find yourself a good vet who will work with you to nurture optimum health in your dog. There are lots of good vets around, and their support is invaluable. If your vet seeks to force you into over-vaccinating, then you are at liberty to find another vet.
Q: But boarding kennels demand annual vaccination certificates. What can I do?
A: Some kennels will accept nosodes and titer tests, because they, too, are on the ball. Show your local kennel owner our DVD â In Search of the Truth About Dogs, and Catherine OâDriscollâs book, Shock to the System. Become part of the team, and help educate fellow dog lovers. Change wonât come from the system that makes money out of vaccines â it has to come from us. You could also consider one of the many home and pet sitting services.
Many boarding licensing authorities now have licensing conditions that do not demand annual vaccination, so don't be afraid to ask - 3 year vaccines and/or proof of titer tests are becoming more widely accepted. In fact if you can prove your dog is immune, then why would anyone ever ask you to risk having additional potentially harmful vaccines (especially when there is no added benefit)?
