Vaccines
Important vaccine legislation is pending in Maine which is the FIRST IN THE NATION and will require veterinarians to provide vaccine disclosure forms to pet owners BEFORE they vaccinate their animals. The bill, LD 429, An Act to Require Veterinarians to Provide Vaccine Disclosure Forms (http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/b ... 2901-1.asp) has been introduced by Representative Peter Rines of Wiscasset and has been vigorously opposed by the Maine Veterinary Medical Association and its members at the public hearing on Thursday, February 28th. If this legislation passes, it is only a matter of time before other states follow suit. Already pet owners in CT, PA, FL, NV, MO, MN and TX have said they are going to ask their legislators to file similar bills. If you support this bill and wish to help in the effort to get it passed (even if you're from out of state), please send the sponsors and committee members, whose e-mail addresses are listed below, an e-mail telling them that you support LD429, An Act to Require Veterinarians to Provide Vaccine Disclosure Forms. This small amount of effort will make an enormous difference (please ask any of your friends or acquaintances to do the same). You can cut and paste the e-mails below into your recipient line and if you put something like "I Support LD429 Vaccine Disclosure" for the subject line, they'll know what it's about. Even if you are from out of state, please send in an e-mail to the legislators below, it will help!!! I'd also like to offer anyone copies of my source documentation, which has come from researchers around the world and is unavailable to the general public. It consisits of 7 separate e-mails and includes the 2003 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines, the "Italian" study which showed dogs develop cancerous tumors at vaccinations sites just as cats do, and the "French" study which demonstrated dogs were immune to rabies, by challenge, 5 years after vaccination? You're free to post all of my material and share it with anyone and everyone! Please let me know if you'd like the studies. Cheers, Kris Christine SenJohn.Nutting@legislature.maine.gov; piotti@uninets.net; sen.Bryant@verizon.net; SenatorRaye@downeast.net; srm@ainop.com; rapineau@adelphia.net; jt@joannetwomey.com; carlandann@gwi.net; roddy@telplus.net; arlan@megalink.net; rsherm_2000@yahoo.com; patricksaflood@adelphia.net; lindonfarm@sacoriver.net; Darlene.Simoneau@legislature.maine.gov; prines@verizon.net; RepCarol.Grose@legislature.maine.gov; RepRobert.Duplessie@legislature.maine.gov; GCforLeg@yahoo.com; danadow@midcoast.com The following article on LD 429, An Act to Require Veterinarians to Provide Vaccine Disclosure Forms, appears in the Sunday, February 20, 2005 issuse of the The Lewiston Sun Journal and may be accessed at the link below. http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/20050220151.php Too many shots? By Bonnie Washuk, Staff Writer Sunday, February 20,2005 Ashleigh D. Starke/Sun Journal CANINE CONCERNS: Kris Christine of Alna hopes the Legislature will pass legislation requiring all Maine veterinarians to give pet owners disclosure forms on the pros and cons of vaccinations. In January 2003, her Labrador retriever, Meadow, pictured here, developed a mast cell tumor on the site of a rabies vaccination. AUGUSTA - Like many pet owners, when Kris Christine of Alna got cards from her veterinarian reminding her that Meadow's and Butter's shots were due, she brought in her lovable Labs. Her vet recommended that her pets have rabies shots every other year and distemper shots every year, Christine said. But months after Meadow's biannual rabies shot in the fall of 2003, she noticed something. "He had this weird thing on his back hind side," she said. "Every time he'd run, it would swell, then it would go away." Meadow eventually was diagnosed with mast cell cancer, which Christine believes resulted from the vaccination injection at that same spot on his leg. "It's not something you want," she said. "It's an aggressive cancer." Veterinarians say the likelihood is very small that Meadow's cancer stemmed from the shot. However, while taking care of Meadow's cancer, Christine stumbled on a hot debate in the animal health field: How often should dogs and cats be vaccinated? While experts stress that vaccines are vital to the health of pets, mounting research indicates vaccines can no longer be considered harmless. Research shows they can cause adverse health effects - everything from lower immunity against viruses, bacteria and parasites, to cancer - and that some vaccines do not have to be given as frequently as once thought. In response, the American Animal Hospital Association in 2003 began recommending less frequent vaccinations for cats and dogs. Christine, who began researching the subject after Meadow's cancer was detected, quickly became an energetic crusader, spreading information about vaccinations and questioning frequency guidelines. She believes that by following her veterinarian's recommendations, "Meadow was being over-vaccinated for years." Ashleigh D. Starke/Sun Journal Kris Christine of Alna hopes the Legislature will pass legislation requiring all Maine veterinarians to give pet owners disclosure forms on the pros and cons of vaccinations. In the process, Christine said she discovered that Maine law required a rabies shot for dogs and cats every two years, despite the fact that the vaccine's manufacturer says it is good for three. She questioned the law in early 2004, and it was changed last fall, according to state public health veterinarian Dr. Robert Gholson. The state now mandates that rabies shots be given every three years. (Saying not all veterinarians have gotten the word, Gholson is sending out a second reminder.) Christine now hopes she will be equally successful with her next effort: to get the Legislature to pass a law requiring Maine veterinarians to disclose the pros and cons of vaccines. Rep. Peter Rines, D-Wiscasset, is sponsoring L.D. 429, and said that since introducing the bill, the outpouring of e-mails and letters in favor has been overwhelming. "In my tenure as a legislator I've never had this kind of response," he said. Pet owners are thanking him, and some people outside Maine have said they hope his bill will lead to similar laws in other states, he said. "Everyone wants to do the best thing for our four-legged friends," said Rines, noting his bill is intended only to give consumers information. But some Maine veterinarians plan to voice their opposition to the bill at its public hearing on Feb. 28. Saying they feel like they're under attack, the opponents say they see no need for disclosure forms. The making of a crusader After Meadow was diagnosed with cancer last year, he underwent two operations. A chunk of his back thigh was removed. On the bottom of one of Christine's veterinarian bills in April for cancer treatment was a reminder that Meadow's distemper shot was due in November and his next rabies shot in 2005. It upset Christine. "I said, 'He's not going to be alive then.'" Christine said her veterinarian said the cancer did not come from the vaccine, but Christine was skeptical. She grew even more doubtful after learning that the law required dog immunizations every two years even though the rabies vaccine lasted three. When she got the bill, Christine told her vet she had a problem giving her dog vaccinations every year or every other year. "Here's my dog lying at my feet, suffering with a huge chunk of his hind leg removed. I thought, 'You were giving him medication that you know he doesn't need.'" Christine found a new veterinarian and became an advocate for changing the laws and making pet owners more aware of the potential health risks posed by vaccinations. "We need the tools," she said She is not the only one who feels that way. Among those concerned about pets receiving vaccinations too frequently are AKC judge and former breeder Arnold Woolf of Lewiston and Larry Doyon of Munster Abbey Kennels in Minot, breeders of German shepherds. Both say they support the legislation. Experts: Risks are low, but . . . Christine's efforts have also met angry opposition. Last week the Maine Veterinary Medical Association came out against L.D. 429. In a Feb. 2 letter to lawmakers, MVMA President Matt Townsend did not directly spell out why the organization is opposed to the bill. But Townsend complained that such a law would mandate "cumbersome disclosure and consent procedures for every vaccination and medication dispensed by veterinarians." It also said Christine "has launched what can only be described as an aggressive scare campaign, designed to drive a wedge of distrust between pet owners and their veterinarians." Actually, the law makes no mention of medication other than vaccines. The law says veterinarians must provide disclosure forms informing consumers about the advantages and disadvantages of vaccines. MVMA Executive Director Bill Bell said there is no Maine protocol on how often vaccines should be administered, and that even top researchers disagree. "The bill is vague to the point of being ridiculous," he said. Veterinarians are worried a disclosure form would scare away some pet owners from having their dogs and cats vaccinated, which would lead to diseases coming back, Bell said. He added that the bill will increase paperwork for veterinarians without doing any good. One nationally recognized vaccine researcher, Dr. Ronald Schultz, favors the law. While rare, vaccines can cause adverse health affects in cats and dogs, said Schultz, an expert in animal vaccinations and chair of the department of pathobiological sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. "I favor anything that would better inform the potential buyer of what they need and what they're getting," he said in a telephone interview from his Wisconsin office. A majority of veterinarians are already providing that information, but some are not, he said. The thinking that vaccines are harmless is changing, Schultz said, adding that annual vaccinations don't help pets, and can hurt them. "For years we worked under a philosophy of 'if it doesn't help, (at least) it won't hurt.'" What he called "an awakening" began in the 1980s when healthy cats given vaccines were getting cancer. "The odds were small, but if the odds are 1 in 1,000 that doesn't matter if it's your pet," he said. The probability of dog vaccines causing cancer is lower than cats, he said. "But we're constantly learning. The wake-up call to the veterinarian profession was that vaccines create a risk. ... No matter how rare the adverse effects are, we don't want to give a product that's not needed." Schultz said the veterinary profession has been using annual or biannual shots as a way to bring clients through the door for the more important exam. Convincing pet owners to come in by telling them their pets' annual or biannual shots are due should no longer be practiced, he said. Schultz cited the newest guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association, which in 2003 went from recommending annual distemper shots to one every three years. Under the guidelines, dogs and cats should receive core shots for rabies and distemper beginning at 12 weeks, a booster at one year, then boosters no more frequently than every three years. (Some central and western Maine veterinarians are following the recommendations, others are not. See related chart.) All other vaccines are "optional," according to Schultz and the AAHA, and are based on the animal's lifestyle and risk. For instance, annual Lyme disease and heartworm vaccines may be important for pets living in areas where those diseases have been prevalent, but may not be necessary where they have not, he said. Maine vets already informing While not all researchers or veterinarians agree with Schultz, many acknowledge that the thinking regarding vaccines has changed in recent years, and that more vets are giving vaccinations less frequently. "There's been a paradigm shift to greater focus on trying to encourage clients to see the importance of an examine and not vaccines, that vets aren't just for shots anymore," said Dr. Bill Bryant, past president of MVMA. Physical examinations at least once a year are important, he stressed, especially when considering that dogs and cats "age seven years on average for every year we age." Part of that examination, Bryant said, involves making a recommendation on what vaccines a pet should have, based on the pet's lifestyle. For instance, a dog that is never with other animals may need less vaccine protection than one that goes to a doggie day care. An indoor cat needs less than one that roams outdoors. In part because of that important relationship between a veterinarian and a pet owner, Bryant and at least some other Maine veterinarians remain wary of Christine's legislation. Veterinarians are already giving clients information on the risk of vaccines, he said. Central Maine Veterinary Hospital in Turner, for instance, asks pet owners to sign a vaccination consent form that outlines the concerns. Dr. Susan Chadiman of Androscoggin Animal Hospital in Topsham said L.D. 429 is well intentioned and that the veterinarian's office "is the place for dialogue, for education." But she said she's against the bill because a mandated disclosure form would not enhance that. "It would create a tremendous amount of paperwork," Chadiman said. "And a real concern is that it leaves wide open who's going to decide what is science, what is fact." Christine, whose dog Meadow is now doing "very well," counters that science has already proven that the protective effects of pet vaccines last longer than even the newest recommendations. But she said her legislation is simply about a consumer's right to know. "I think pet owners have a right to know what veterinarians know" about the effects and effectiveness of vaccines, she said. No one would advocate giving a human a 10-year tetanus shot every two years, she said. Pet owners are consumers. "They need to know there's no benefit in giving their dogs booster shots more often ... and it does put them at increased risk for adverse side effects," she said. The proposal What: The bill says veterinarians "shall provide a vaccine disclosure form to the owner of a dog or cat before vaccinating that dog or cat. The vaccine disclosure form must provide information regarding the advantages and disadvantages of vaccines." When: L.D. 429 will be heard before the legislative Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The public hearing has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, in Room 206 of the State Office Building. http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/20050301145.php For the dogs By Bonnie Washuk, Staff Writer Tuesday, 1,2005 AUGUSTA - A public hearing Monday on a proposal to mandate consumers be given information about the risks and benefits of vaccines turned into a face-off, with no agreement between veterinarians and pet owners. Veterinarians staunchly opposed legislators forcing them to give pet owners information about vaccines. They're already doing that, they said. And the science about adverse health risks from vaccines is "fluid," making it impossible to give good information, veterinarians said. Pet owners and dog breeders who jammed into the standing-room-only hearing were on the other side of L.D. 429. They questioned why veterinarians were so opposed to giving out information. With her little dog, Minnie, in her arms, Laura Moon of Brunswick said she favors the bill. Everyone was there because they love animals, she said. "That's why I think disclosure is so important. How as an owner, as a guardian, do you know if you don't know?" When any activity raises potential harm, precautionary measures are warranted, even if the cause and effect are not fully understood, Moon said. "How can we make an informed decision if we don't have information?" Joan Jordan, a dog breeder and dog obedience teacher from Woolwich, said she's seen dogs "that have had a vaccine that had had lumps and died. Personally I had a dog a couple of years ago I lost." Weeks after her dog had a vaccine, she underwent surgery and chemotherapy, she said, adding that 18 months later "Sarah" died. When humans are prescribed medicine they're given information about possible risks, Jordan said. "I see no reason why the veterinarians feel that that's a threat to their services. ... What's the problem with us just knowing what the research is saying?" Arnold Woolf of Lewiston, a breeder and dog judge, called the bill a "safeguard for dogs and cats." Years ago he sold a Collie puppy to a couple who took that puppy to their veterinarian. That veterinarian "re-inoculated the animal," giving shots the puppy already had. The dog died within 48 hours from a vaccine overdose, Woolf said. " That's what the autopsy showed." Veterinarians disagreed that the bill would do any good. They testified about how critical vaccines are to keeping dogs and cats disease free, how their profession is under attack with inaccurate information. Dr. Bill Bryant of Winthrop, past president of the Maine Veterinary Medical Association, said veterinarians are strong proponents of education, but they're against the bill. Vaccine protocols have changed and will continue to change, he said. Experts disagree on the science of health risks, he said. With that science "fluid," Bryant asked who would write information in disclosures, and what set of research would be used? Legislators should not mandate disclosure forms "for what is a rapidly evolving national veterinary issue that Maine veterinarians are actively addressing," Bryant said. Dr. Paul Wade of Manchester said polls show that veterinarians are among the most trusted professionals. Wade said he gives his clients numerous consent and information forms on many services, including vaccines, that show the benefits and side effects. Most veterinarians are also doing that, he said. "There is no need for a state law to force us to do something we're already doing voluntarily. The bill is not a legislative issue," Wade said with a tone of annoyance. "The hidden agenda behind this bill is not for the protection of welfare for animals, but an attempt to further control an already ethical and trusted profession." The Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee will take up LD 429 in an unscheduled work session, possibly March 16, those attending the hearing were told. http://www.mainelincolncountynews.com/i ... m?ID=10870 Hearing on Pet Vaccine Disclosure Forms Draws a Big Crowd By Kay Liss A hearing on a proposal to require veterinarians to provide to pet owners disclosure forms on vaccines was standing-room-only on Monday in Augusta. Comments were fairly equally divided, with citizens in support on one hand and veterinarians opposed on the other. The proposed act is the latest effort spearheaded by Kris Christine of Alna to correct what she views as flaws in state laws regarding the administering of vaccines to pets, dogs in particular. She recently was successful in bringing enough attention to discrepancies in canine rabies vaccination rules, which resulted in over-vaccination of dogs in Maine for 17 years, that the law was changed, extending the administering of inoculations from two to three years. Language exempting sick dogs from the requirement is soon to be added, due to the persistence of the Alna mother and dog owner. This new proposal, initially championed by former Senator Chris Hall of Bristol, and presently by Rep. Peter Rines (D-Wiscasset), is an important next step, Christine believes, providing pet owners with scientifically-based information on which to make decisions on other routinely-given canine vaccines, specifically the distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis booster shot, recommended annually by vets. In her research into the rabies vaccines issue, she came upon information that suggested this booster vaccine was protective for much longer than a year. First to speak to the Agriculture, Conservation and Forest Committee at the hearing, Christine began: "Many Maine veterinarians have failed to inform clients that most core veterinary vaccines protect for seven or more years, and pet owners, unaware that their animals don't need booster vaccinations more often, have unwittingly given their companions useless booster shots - taking an unnecessary toll on their finances and animals' health." Her testimony was bolstered by information from various authoritative sources, including Dr. Ronald Schultz, a leading researcher and authority on veterinary vaccine. His studies formed the scientific basis of the American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA) 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines, Recommendations, and Supporting Literature, which stated: "We now know that booster injections are of no value in dogs already immune, and immunity from distemper infection and vaccination lasts for a minimum of 7 years based on challenge studies and up to 15 years (a lifetime) based on antibody titer." In the American Veterinarian Medical Association's Principles of Vaccination literature, Christine further quoted, "Unnecessary stimulation of the immune system does not result in enhanced disease resistance, and may increase the risk of adverse post-vaccination events" including "autoimmune disorders, transient infections, and/or long-term infected carrier states. In addition, a causal association in cats between injection sites and the subsequent development of a malignant tumor is the subject of ongoing research." Speaking in support of the bill, a social worker from Warren, Jennifer Pearson, said she was "baffled" by the resistance of the veterinarians to the disclosure forms. Just as peoples' rights are recognized to know the risks and benefits of drugs they take, so should the rights of pet owners be recognized in the vaccines recommended for their animals. Arnold Woolf, a dog breeder from Lewiston and an AKC judge, testified that the disclosure forms would provide a "safeguard" to dogs and cats. He added that he didn't see why supplying such a disclosure form should be a burden to vets, since pharmacists supply consumers a print-out of the pros and cons of drug they purchase without any trouble. Another breeder, Kay Sukforth of Sukee Kennels in Warren, commented that she thought the vets should welcome such a form, because it would protect them from possible lawsuits. Dr. Bill Bryant, past president of the Maine Veterinarians Medical Association (MVMA), testified that vaccine protocols were in a "period of transition" and that the science is so complex and in a state of flux that it would be too difficult to provide a reliable and simple disclosure form. He said he didn't want to turn "our profession" into managed care. He also accused the Christines of carrying on a negative campaign against the veterinarian community. When asked by a number of legislators why he had previously said he was in favor of the disclosure form legislation, having stated in a Veterinary News magazine article "It's time for something like this to come out . disclosure forms will be an important resource to have available, [and] if it goes before the Legislature, we'd likely support it," Bryant appeared hardpressed to explain. He did agree a usable form might be devised but did not support it being devised by a legislative committee but by veterinarian associations. Other veterinarians claimed they were already giving their clients information about vaccines so didn't need to provide disclosure forms. A number claimed to be just like "James Herriot," the well-known veterinarian and author of "All Creatures Great and Small" who has become a symbol of the ideal, trustworthy vet. A supporter of the forms, Laura Moon of Brunswick, appeared with her Jack Russell Terrier, who had a large tumor on its side. She urged legislators to pass a law so that people would have more knowledge of vaccines, and that possible side-effects of such vaccines might be avoided. Legislators will convene a work session on the bill in about two weeks. The act would be the first of its kind in the nation. http://www.mainelincolncountynews.com/i ... m?ID=10815 From the Legislature By Sen. Dana Dow 2. Pet Vaccines: There is a great deal of interest by pet owners in supporting a bill which would require veterinarians to give dog owners vaccines information before vaccines are given. I have co-sponsored this bill with Rep. Peter Rines of Wiscasset. My only concern lies with what information would be in the required handout. I am not a scientist, but having been a chemistry and physics teacher, I am used to working and teaching about scientific data and research. At this time the on-going research leads me to believe that this is not a black and white issue, but a gray area. Whether your dog is a house dog with little contact with others or a hunting dog, your best bet is always a conversation with your local veterinarian. I found them to be very informative on this subject. My Testimony February 27, 2005 TO: The Agriculture, Conservation and Forest Committee RE: LD 429, An Act to Require Veterinarians to Provide Vaccine Disclosure Forms My name is Kris Christine and I live with my family in Alna, Maine. Before I begin my testimony, I'd like to advise the committee that one of the world's leading veterinary research scientists, Dr. W. Jean Dodds, wanted to be here today to testify in support of LD429, but could not do so because of prior commitments. With her permission, in the attachments to my testimony, I have included her letter to Representative Peter Rines dated February 17, 2005 (Attachment 5) resolutely endorsing this first-in-the-nation veterinary vaccine disclosure legislation. I am here today to respectfully urge this committee to recommend passage of LD429 - An Act to Require Veterinarians to Provide Vaccine Disclosure Forms because pet owners need the scientifically proven durations of immunity (how long vaccines are effective for) in order to make informed medical choices for their animals. Many Maine veterinarians have failed to inform clients that most core veterinary vaccines protect for seven or more years, and pet owners, unaware that their animals don't need booster vaccinations more often, have unwittingly given their companions useless booster shots - taking an unnecessary toll on their finances and animals' health. The human equivalent would be physicians vaccinating patients against tetanus once every year, two years, or three years and not disclosing that the vaccines are known to be protective for 10 years. For years veterinarians have sent pet owners annual, biennial and triennial reminders for redundant booster shots and justified it with vaccine manufacturers' labeled recommendations. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Principles of Vaccination (Attachment 6), "..revaccination frequency recommendations found on many vaccine labels is based on historical precedent, not on scientific data . [and] does not resolve the question about average or maximum duration of immunity [Page 2] and..may fail to adequately inform practitioners about optimal use of the product.[Page 4] ." As the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital states it: ".booster vaccine recommendations for vaccines other than rabies virus have been determined arbitrarily by manufacturers." Dr. Ronald Schultz, Chairman of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, is at the forefront of vaccine research and is one of the world's leading authorities on veterinary vaccines. His challenge study results form the scientific base of the American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA) 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines, Recommendations, and Supporting Literature (Attachment 7). These studies are based on science - they are not arbitrary. The public, however, cannot access this data. The American Animal Hospital Association only makes this report available to veterinarians, not private citizens, and Maine's pet owners are unaware that the AAHA Guidelines state on Page 18 that: "We now know that booster injections are of no value in dogs already immune, and immunity from distemper infection and vaccination lasts for a minimum of 7 years based on challenge studies and up to 15 years (a lifetime) based on antibody titer." They further state that hepatitis and parvovirus vaccines have been proven to protect for a minimum of 7 years by challenge and up to 9 and 10 years based on antibody count. So, unless the Legislature passes LD429 requiring veterinarians to provide vaccine disclosure forms, dog owners who receive an annual, biennial, or triennial reminders for booster shots will not know that nationally-accepted scientific studies have demonstrated that animals are protected a minimum of 7 years after vaccination with the distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus-2 vaccines (see Page 12 AAHA 2003 Guidelines attached, and Table 1, Pages 3 and 4). "My own pets are vaccinated once or twice as pups and kittens, then never again except for rabies," Wall Street Journal reporter Rhonda L. Rundle quoted Dr. Ronald Schultz in a July 31, 2002 article entitled Annual Pet Vaccinations may be Unnecessary, Fatal (Attachment 2). Dr. Schultz knows something the pet-owning public doesn't - he knows there's no benefit in overvaccinating animals because immunity is not enhanced, but the risk of harmful adverse reactions is increased. He also knows that most core veterinary vaccines are protective for at least seven years, if not for the lifetime of the animal. The first entry under Appendix 2 of the AAHA Guidelines (Attachment 7) "Important Vaccination 'Do's and Don'ts" is "Do Not Vaccinate Needlessly - Don't revaccinate more often than is needed and only with the vaccines that prevent diseases for which that animal is at risk." They also caution veterinarians: "Do Not Assume that Vaccines Cannot Harm a Patient - Vaccines are potent medically active agents and have the very real potential of producing adverse events." Very few pet owners have had this disclosed to them. The AVMA's Principles of Vaccination (Attachment 6) states that "Unnecessary stimulation of the immune system does not result in enhanced disease resistance, and may increase the risk of adverse post-vaccination events." (page 2) They elaborate by reporting that: "Possible adverse events include failure to immunize, anaphylaxis, immunosuppression, autoimmune disorders, transient infections, and/or long-term infected carrier states. In addition, a causal association in cats between injection sites and the subsequent development of a malignant tumor is the subject of ongoing research."(Page 2) Referring to adverse reactions from vaccines, the Wall Street Journal article cited above (Attachment 2) reports: "In cats there has been a large increase in hyperthyroidism and cancerous tumors between the shoulder blades where vaccines typically are injected." With modified live virus vaccines (distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis), some animals can actually contract the same disease which they are being inoculated against. If the public knew an animal's immunity to disease is not increased by overvaccination, they would certainly not consent to expose their pets to potential harm by giving them excessive booster shots Veterinary vaccines are potent biologic drugs - most having proven durations of immunity much longer than the annual, biennial or triennial booster frequencies recommended by vaccine manufacturers and veterinarians. They also carry the very real risk of serious adverse side affects and should not be administered more often than necessary to maintain immunity. The extended durations of immunity for vaccines is not "new" or "recent" science as some members of the Maine Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) have claimed. AAHA reveals on Page 2 of their Guidelines that ideal reduced vaccination protocols were recommended by vaccinology experts beginning in 1978. A Veterinary Practice News article entitled "Managing Vaccine Changes" (Attachment 3) by veterinarian Dennis M. McCurnin, reports that: "Change has been discussed for the past 15 years and now has started to move across the country According to a September 1, 2004 article in the DVM veterinary news magazine (Attachment 1), the 312 member Maine Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) "champions full disclosure of vaccine information to pet owners." MVMA president, Dr. Bill Bryant, is quoted as stating: "Its time for something like this to come out . disclosure forms will be an important resource to have available, [and] if it goes before the Legislature, we'd likely support it". |
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| I just had my sheepdog vaccinated last weekend and wish I would have read about the dangers and how unneccesary they are before I did it. He had a terrible reaction and he is slowly recovering. I will never get him vaccinated again except for the rabies which is required every 3 years. And I will use homeopathic remedies before and after to help him. I have learned alot too late and my dog is suffering from it. I hope no one makes that mistake because their vets push the shots like mine did. I now have a new holistic vet. More people need to be aware of the complications. |
| I'm sorry you had to go through that..... I hope your dog recovers quickly, and if there was a reaction, I would suggest having a blood test done in a month or so to check red blood cell count.
There are ways to avoid "immune system overload" as well, instead of giving no vaccines many people opt to have each vaccine done separately instead of all at once and find it helps a great deal. |
| Thanks for posting this on vaccines, I found it very interesting to read and it made me feel good to how I feel about my decision to stop vaccinating my oldies.
I had a 7 year old OES that had a mast cell mammary tumour removed and she had to go through 3 operations in a 6 week period, as everytime the tissue samples came back from the Lab there was still abnormal cells showing. After the 3rd operation and months of treatment after that to stop it mastisising we were finally on top of it. I decided then and there no more vaccinations as I did not want anything more going into her system as she had been through a lot with fighting cancer. Well she lived for another 7 years, never vaccinated, very healthy and passed away this year at the age of 14, just old age caught up with her..I hope that one day vets will have disclosure statements prior to vaccinations so everyone is informed and can make a decision as to what they want to do. This piece from what you posted above I found very very interesting:- Quote: Meadow eventually was diagnosed with mast cell cancer, which Christine believes resulted from the vaccination injection at that same spot on his leg. "It's not something you want," she said. "It's an aggressive cancer." |
| Yes, I lost a cat to a vaccine related sarcoma... that was several years ago, and the reason I began to so heavily research vaccines.
I really should go through that post and streamline it somewhat, it is a LOT of information for anyone to take in at once. I just wasn't sure what info could be left out.... |
| Also, aside form the dangers of various cancers, I am mostly concerned about the effects on the immune system.
We know that once immunity is there, it is there for life. We only vaccinate our human children in a series of shots once in their life, as babies, usually up to the age of two, and a booster when they start school. Then we are immune for life. Why would they think dogs would be any different? I believe we are damaging our pets immune systems, and causing other health issues by over vaccinating. |
| I've felt the same way too for many years. |
| I don't know why I didn't see this subject befor today. I get so involved with rescue posts that I didn't see Nutririon and Vacinations. The Lady that posted AZBaker { JoAnn}has one of My Rescue Babies.....That was Toby { now Rudy } that had the reaction. He had already had his shots but her Vet in Tucson insisted on re-doing them..Rudy almost died...... I encourage people to mark on their calander the date of shots......Watch the Babies very closely for several weeks for signs of problems. If you are going to vaccinate then stagger the shots...... Don't give them all at the same time.......Ask Your Vets about over vaccinating........I think this is why we are see so many Babies with autoimmune problems......Vaccinations are the backbone of a Vets business..It gets you in the door once a year......I do think that dogs need to have a yearly checkup but with out vaccinations.......All 27 Vet Schools have changed their protocol to......Yearly vaccinations are not neccisary and in some cases harmful.....Many Vets are now having the Patients sign a waver pertaining to vaccinations....Because of lawsuits......The only one that really concerns me is Parvo..Because it is a virus and ot bacterial......Just do a little research about Vaccinations and the Problems that they can cause..........Kaye. |
| Distemper is more dangerous than the parvo vaccine. The distemper vaccine, in addition to all the other problems that vaccines can cause, is also known to cause synovi sarcoma. |
| I'm sorry.I meant the Parvo Virus scares me more then the rest because it is a virus not bacterial...... and won't respond to antibotics.....Kaye |
| Yes, parvo is a terrifying thing for a puppy to get. Most adult dogs do not ever get parvo, because their immune systems have learned to deal with it, and are stronger. I would say, IMO, the parvo, distemper and rabies vaccines are most important. The others vary in importance by area really. For example, Lepto is not prevalent here, and my dogs are not exposed to a situation to get it since they are never out of my sight. |
| A bacterial infection passed by urine of an infected animal....?carried by cows, rodents......In stagnant wate...........Even down here in Cow Country there has only been one dog in years come down with Lepto in years and it was was running with Cattle drinking out of a tank in the field...... My Vet will not give the Lepto Vaccine..........That shot alone can kill......He gives the shots drawn sepreately.....Kaye |
| Can anyone answer this questions for me???????? Why is the same amount of vaccine given to a 10 lb dog as a 100 lb dog????????? The 6 in 1 that most Vets give isn't by weight........Kaye |
| Hello all. I lost an Old English Sheepdog 4 years ago to a vaccine reaction. He died 10 days after vaccination from Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia. He bled to death. It was pretty gruesome. I am currently in litigation with the vet. I have found a huge amount of info on the subject. To those of you in the Houston area I would advise you to check out http://critterfixer.com/ Dr. Rogers is an expert on the subject and a really nice person. |
Shug wrote: A bacterial infection passed by urine of an infected animal....?carried by cows, rodents......In stagnant wate...........Even down here in Cow Country there has only been one dog in years come down with Lepto in years and it was was running with Cattle drinking out of a tank in the field...... My Vet will not give the Lepto Vaccine..........That shot alone can kill......He gives the shots drawn sepreately.....Kaye Sorry Kaye, I didn't even see this til today... Here is a quote on lepto from the following site : http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/animaldisease/g417.htm Extracted from an article by Donald B. Hudson, D.V.M., District Extension Specialist, Veterinary Science Quote: Leptospirosis is generally contracted by the direct splashing of urine from infected or carrier animals into the eyes of susceptible animals. It can also be spread through the skin and mucous membranes from contact with water contaminated with leptospires. Transmission may also occur during breeding through residual urine in the genital tract or through infectious semen.
The major sources of contamination are swine, cattle, dogs, and wildlife that have recovered from the disease and have become carriers. I wonder if lepto is indeed SO prevalent in some areas that most pets develop their own natural immunity anyway? |
| Thank You so much for the information! |
| Something everyone needs to look at in the vaccination issue is the enormous amount of income it generates for a vet. In my case the vet has 9500 patients and charges $35 for DHLP-PARVO and coronavirus vaccinations. The vaccines cost less than $1 If you do the math and figure that the same applies to cat patients you are talking $300,000+ a year. Their exposure is limited to the value of the pet. It is a big time scam, look for many many class action suits in the future. |
| I'm so sorry for your loss... it's hard to witness a loved one pass on in such a terrible way. I know what it does to you.
This is a really important subject. From my viewpoint, it's so darn hard to determine what is actually best for my dogs. As of last year, our vets still did the annual vaccinations of everything except rabies so we have done this up until this year. Some vets can make it sound like this is what your SUPPOSED to do if you love your pets. My husband and I discussed this and I believe we will be going to a re-vaccination schedule of every 3 years (possibly 5 except for rabies) for all of our girls over the age of 2. Now, I was thinking about using a titer test to check antibody levels but then I found this article online which makes it sound like they may not be accurate the further out you get from the original vaccination (or you might need to test for the type of exposure meaning vaccine)- http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/vaccina ... titers.htm . So I guess here's a good question... maybe we should do a survey? How often do you plan to re-vaccinate your adult dogs over the age of 2? Has anyone heard of any updates from the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) on vaccination protocol? Our vet is a member and I thought I would present the subject with there recommendation. The last info I was able to locate was this article from 2003- http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/arti ... p?id=46546 Any info would be greatly appreciated. |
| Here is a good place to look.
http://www.critterfixer.com/index.php?o ... &Itemid=48 I highly recommend you check out the above site. It will answer your questions. Dr. Ford has been trying to change policy for years. Dr. Schultz is the expert. A titer test to check antibody levels is not accurate. Coronavirus vaccines are worthless. Rabies are the only one required by law. |
| Thanks for the link... I'll sit down and go over it. I've come across the info from Dr. Schultz in my search. Kaye had mentioned him before too.
http://www.news.wisc.edu/8413.html |
| I lost an OES (he was only 3) to the Lyme vaccine. Four days after the second shot he began bleeding through his penis. He went into renal failure & died at the vet a few days later. I was told by my present vet that a blood test should have been given first to see if Pip had ever been exposed to Lyme. It could have saved his life. This was approx 12 years ago, when the vaccine was new. I was asked if his body could be studied at univ of PA. I have this detailed report which proved he died from the vaccine. The vaccines manufacturer reimbursed me for the cost of the shots (big of them). I will never get this shot for any of my dogs again!
I am so confused as to what shots & how often I should get for my trio. Would love advice. sue |
| http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 6323520035
Judy & Mick |
| There is an excellent article in the August 2008 issue of The Whole Dog Journal entitled Vaccinations 101 by Lisa Rodier. It is about Dr. Ronald Schultz and his studies on canine vaccines, including his current 5 & 7 year challenge studies on the rabies vaccine being financed by The Rabies Challenge Fund. |
| I'm freaking out now. I did just get my 6 year old sheepie the Lepto vaccine today because we go running in the woods and down by the water and there has been cases of it in our area. I hope it wasn't a mistake. I am getting distemper, parvo and rabies but all done separately. No two at the same time. Take a little longer and you have a bigger expense but it is worth it I believe. Also we have a lot of dogs coming down with lyme disease in our area. What are your thoughts on that vaccine if you are in a heavily tick infested area? I am going to be sure they do a lyme titer to be sure my dogs haven't been exposed to the disease first. Apparently the military dogs, at the vet we go, to have gotten lyme disease while taking top spot. |
Lisa&Brian wrote: I'm freaking out now. I did just get my 6 year old sheepie the Lepto vaccine today because we go running in the woods and down by the water and there has been cases of it in our area. I hope it wasn't a mistake. I am getting distemper, parvo and rabies but all done separately. No two at the same time. Take a little longer and you have a bigger expense but it is worth it I believe. Also we have a lot of dogs coming down with lyme disease in our area. What are your thoughts on that vaccine if you are in a heavily tick infested area? I am going to be sure they do a lyme titer to be sure my dogs haven't been exposed to the disease first. Apparently the military dogs, at the vet we go, to have gotten lyme disease while taking top spot. As far as the optional vaccines, most are best given on a risk vs benefit status. Where we live, the lepto was automatically given as part of the combo..for YEARS. Now it's a separate one, and not in the combo vaccine our area vets use. We aren't a high risk area for lepto, so most here elect not to give it. But if it was a problem here, I likely would, as we are outdoors a lot with our dogs! Same for Lymes - it is just becoming more prevalent here. Last year was the 1st year our vet offered the 4DX test routinely. So we aren't to the stage of routinely vaccinating for it here. Mine are all getting the 4DX test now, where before doing the basic heartworm test was sufficient. It all just depends on the risk in the area you are in or other areas you go to with some frequency w/ your dogs. I would definitely go with the recommendation of your vet (assuming they are straight forward with you and not just trying to sell more vaccine, etc), as they see what is out there in the local area. |
| We live in a heavy Lyme's area in NJ. I never got the vaccine with my other OES, and so I asked about it for our new puppy. My vet said that she has not done the Lyme's vaccine on her own dogs. She said that the Lyme's vaccine only prevents against Lyme's, so you would still need to do a monthly treatment of Frontline Plus or something like that for other Tick diseases. She also mentioned that sometimes dogs will still get Lyme's even though they had the vaccine.... it isn't common, but, it does happen, and some dogs have a reaction to the vaccine (my sis-in law's Golden did and the vet confirmed that this can also happen) Obviously, she left the decision up to me and I have opted to wait or not do it at all. I am using Frontline on Dahlia since she already had several ticks on her and spring is just starting. Since I put the Frontline on her, there have been no ticks that I have seen on her. Prior to this, the ticks that I have seen so far are dog ticks (not deer ticks) Just thought I would post since I just asked this exact question last week. I also asked about Lepto and she told me that in NJ she wouldn't recommend it and just to avoid standing water. She said lakes/moving streams/etc are fine for her to be in. She did tell me if we lived in a place where it was common, that she would recommend it.....but, not here. |
| Our vet recommended the Lepto and we go to a military facility at Quantico Marine Base. Didn't give it to the puppy just the 6 year old. These are Army Vets and not out to make money so that isn't a concern. I take my dogs out in the woods along a path full of deer and all kinds of wild animals, it leads down to a large reservoir that I don't let them get in. I believe it is because we are outside all the time with them that she recommended the vaccination. I just hope it was okay. |
| Lisa & Brian -- beautiful photo of your precious ones! |
| Thank you. Bentley (my pup) had his distemper vaccine yesterday and is very lethargic today. Not his usual playful self. Now Lizzy is at the groomer so maybe since he doesn't have her to pester that may be part of it. Just feeling a little worried about him. |
| Turns out he did have an adverse reaction to the Distemper and I took him back to the vet today they gave him a steroid and a shot of benedryl. Sheesh!! I can't believe after doing a bunch of research and being careful I have a dog that has a reaction to a vaccine. He will need benedryl every time he has a vaccine from now on. I'm just glad I didn't let the vet give him multiple vaccinations at one time. I don't believe in doing that. It's one a visit or nothing!! |
Lisa&Brian wrote: Turns out he did have an adverse reaction to the Distemper and I took him back to the vet today they gave him a steroid and a shot of benedryl. Sheesh!! I can't believe after doing a bunch of research and being careful I have a dog that has a reaction to a vaccine. He will need benedryl every time he has a vaccine from now on. I'm just glad I didn't let the vet give him multiple vaccinations at one time. I don't believe in doing that. It's one a visit or nothing!! Poor Bentley  Good thing it was single shot, so you know which one is the culprit! |
| THANK YOU KRIS for taking the time to bring all this information and feed back about this topic to this site. Our breeder made us aware of this issue and gave us a copy of Dr. Dodd's report. We have moved to NC and last year was the first time Tucker was due for "boosters" and I asked our new vet about doing titers to test if they were necessary. She looked at me with disgust and made me feel uncomfortable for having challanged her about it. But, she did agree to do it and the test showed that none were necessary. We have fairly good luck using Frontline and Heartgard on a year round basis and I haven't heard anything about Lyme's in our area. So that is what I will continue to do; maintain the rabbies per the state requirements and have the blood test done for titers every 2 years. Once again, thank you for all your efforts in bringing this important information to light. |
| I called to make a vet appointment for Bentley to be neutered. He is 20 months old. The vet told me I needed to get a flu vaccine prior to getting neutered. Not sure how I feel about this particular vaccine. Anyone know anything about it? |
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