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The responsibility of our dogs’ health and wellness rests with us, their guardians
By Lorileigh Moreland, Owner of Pet Empawrium Her name was Bruin’s Black Magic of Stehekin. I called her Magic. She came to me from a reputable breeder in New Mexico as an 8-week-old Newfie fur ball. She was my remedy for depression. She was my healer, my teacher, and my canine soul mate. She was the inspiration, Chief Executive Dog, and co-pawprietor of the Pet Empawrium & Spaw. Her final battle was short-lived. At the end of January, Magic was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. But, it was a blood clot in her lung that took her from me, in less than a day. It seemed so benign compared to all that she had been through in her short life. Like most puppies, by the time Magic was four months old, she had gotten 33 vaccines. At 6 weeks, she’d received a DPv (canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus). At 8 and 10 weeks, she received a DA2PPVL+CV (canine distemper virus, adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis) and adenovirus type 2 (respiratory disease), canine parainfluenza virus, canine parvovirus, leptospirosis and corona virus. At 12 weeks, another DA2PPVL+CV and a Giardiavax, and finally, at 14 weeks, a final DA2PPVL+CV, Giardiavax, and the Rabvac rabies vaccine. Because of her reactions to the vaccines, Magic’s and my journey into nutrition, wellness, education, customer service, and advocacy began. When we opened Pet Empawrium on November 29, 2002, we began with a passion for nutrition. After all, it was a species-appropriate raw diet that saved Magic’s life when she was four months old, suffering from vaccination-induced parvo. And it was this same species-appropriate raw diet we continued with to control her canine atopic dermatitis, or atopy. But it was in February of 2003, at a seminar with Dr. Martin Goldstein, that I learned about the horrible injustice that was put upon Magic by being vaccinated over and over, again and again. I realized then that I would never be able to undo the damage that was done to her by a vet who was more interested in economics than in keeping current on vaccine protocols. So, with the hope of saving other dog families from similar heartaches, I will share what we learned about vaccinations. First, it must be understood that vaccinations are not harmless. A vaccination is a medical procedure that can adversely affect canine health and wellness in both the long and short terms. Vaccines can trigger adverse reactions including (but not limited to) anaphylaxis, acute autoimmune illnesses, chronic immune mediated diseases, atopy, organ failure, neurological and behavioral diseases, and even cancers. Some of these adverse reactions may have a short period of duration, but many of these diseases can, and do, persist over a lifetime and may even lead to death. Vaccines are a form of pathogen (virus, bacterium) combined with components such as aluminum, formaldehyde, ethanol, phenol and animal organ tissues being directly injected into the dogs’ body tissues, bypassing natural oral and nasal entry routes (with the exception of rabies). These components in their myriad of combinations depress the immune system leading to autoantibody production. Here is where vaccination will present as chronic disease. It is also imperative to understand that the term “vaccination” is not the same as “immunization.” Vaccines are supposed to provide the stimulus for the body to create antibodies that can effectively produce an immune response to pathogens. In some cases, there are non-responders: those dogs who will never develop an immune response to a vaccine. Yet we keep vaccinating them! Dr. Ronald Schultz, D.V.M., explicitly states in an interview that every major vaccine manufacturer has done duration-of-immunity studies for a minimum duration of 3 years with its core vaccines. All fifty states have adopted this protocol. Because of these findings, every vet, pet owner, town, city, and county can be confident that all vaccines may be given at a minimum of 3-year intervals and should therefore adopt this protocol, as well. Some municipalities, though, are not compliant with this. The disconcerting news doesn’t end there. Another common practice is the use of polyvalent vaccines, exposing the dog to as many as 8 antigens in a single syringe! This is certainly not the way of natural exposure, which is obtained one antigen at a time. This allows the body to respond to that antigen with an immune response before natural exposure to another. So, how should you vaccinate your dog? You must, through your own diligence, decide what is right for your dog and your family. You must be your dog’s advocate. Our dogs can’t speak for themselves, so it is our responsibility to speak for them, loud and clear. Do be polite, don’t offend. This will go a long way in helping our vets to understand our concerns. So, here are a few facts to keep in mind when deciding how you want to vaccinate your dogs: 1. Every major canine vaccination manufacturer has completed a study for a minimum duration of immunity for 3 years for all core vaccines. 2. All 50 states have a mandatory rabies vaccination requirement. They have all approved the 3-year protocol, but you still must check with your local county and city laws. 3. The following states allow for exemptions or waivers to the rabies vaccination requirement: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. (They vary by state, so know the statute.) 4. All vaccine inserts include something to this effect: “for the vaccination of healthy dogs…” 5. Core Vaccines: Dr. Jean Dodds considers Parvo and Distemper core vaccines, and Dr. Ronald Schultz adds adenovirus to his core recommendations. 6. Non-Core Vaccines: This decision should be based on the risks posed by where and how you live. On February 18, 2011, my dog Magic crossed the rainbow bridge, but not before leaving a legacy of knowledge and education with her passing. Magic did everything on her own terms, including leaving this world; she chose her time and place. And she always found a way to communicate with me, and her passing was no different. She let me see her spirit just one last time—as a shooting star. I believe that there will come a day that our veterinarians—and human medical doctors for that matter—will look back on vaccines and other invasive medical procedures with the same incredulity we look at ancient medicine today. But, as of this moment, the responsibility of our dogs’ health and wellness rests with us, their guardians. For more info or to contact Lori Moreland: Visit the Website at: Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Phone: (303) 467-7777 For further information: www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM |
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