Vaccines were first introduced for use
in humans more than two centuries ago and are now an accepted part
of disease protection. They have saved many lives and new ones are
being introduced even today. Vaccines are also a protection from
disease in pets, including dogs, and save many lives that would be
lost without them. However every positive has a negative side and we
have addressed those negatives in other articles on this web site.
To put this into perspective, think about salt and sugar. Can you
imagine how bland food must have been before their usefulness was
discovered? Both these additives were so precious a couple of
centuries ago that they were kept under lock and key and only the
head of the household was allowed to disperse them. Today they are
freely available and freely utilized. The negative side of this is
that we now see obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other health
issues that are exacerbated by the liberal use of sugar and salt. We
have overdone a good thing!
Now you need to realize that recent research has proven that we are
overdoing the use of vaccines, not so much in the initial dosage but
in the use of boosters. At one time, all boosters were given
annually. We no longer recommend that because we are seeing evidence
of an increase in diseases that overtake our dogs due to weakened
immunity. This is discussed elsewhere but we want to remind you to
read everything available in order to be an advocate for your dog(s).
The best research and the most extensive has been done (and
continues) under the direction of veterinarians Dr. W. Jean Dodds
and Dr. Ron Schultz, with resulting changes in the protocols
(recommended scheduling) of vaccine administration. We urge you to
print out copies of these recommendations and take them with you for
your veterinarian to read, just in case they have not yet reached
that particular veterinary clinic.
You will find links to two protocols below. One comes from the
veterinary association and the other directly from Dr. Dodds.
Many breeders find these protocols preferable to others that may continue
to use vaccines that are not useful, give boosters too frequently
and give them in unsafe combination. These protocols include the
option for titers in place of boosters so that you know that
protection is still at a safe level. Less is best once initial
protection is given. We cannot emphasize enough that rabies must be
given separately from the combination shot! Stress to the immune
system is explained in other articles on this web site.
Be an advocate for your Bichon! Just because you receive a card in
the mail from your veterinarian's office indicating that your dog is
due for vaccinations, do not assume that information is correct.
Keep your own records of your dog’s vaccinations and do not allow
your veterinarian to give unnecessary vaccines that may be harmful
to your dog. The decision is yours.
Dr. Jean Dodd’s vaccination protocol
http://www.bichonhealth.org/HealthInfo/DoddVaccineProtocols.asp
AAHA vaccination protocol
http://www.aahanet.org/resources/guidelines_canine.aspxDr. Ron Schultz’s vaccination
article
http://www.bichonhealth.org/HealthInfo/VaccinationPrograms.asp
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