| To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the | | | | vaccinations given by your |
| burning | | | | veterinarian, be sure to request that they be |
| question of many dog owners in this day and age. | | | | administered |
| I'm not a | | | | separately as opposed to a multivalent vaccination |
| veterinarian, just a regular pet owner like yourself, | | | | (combination). |
| but | | | | In this way, you can monitor any side-effects that |
| would like to impart the information I've found | | | | may occur |
| regarding | | | | and know which vaccine has caused it.Government |
| regular vaccinations for animals. You can then make | | | | laws will usually require you to vaccinate your dog |
| your own | | | | for parvo virus (a mutation of feline distemper which |
| decision.I came across much of this information | | | | causes |
| when researching | | | | heart disease), canine distemper and rabies. |
| information on vaccinations for children, of all things. | | | | However, the rabies |
| What I found shocked me. So, I figured if this is | | | | vaccination should really not be given at the same |
| what is | | | | time as other |
| being injected into young babies and children, I had | | | | vaccinations.Many homeopathic veterinarians |
| to | | | | recommend that you do not |
| ask myself - what is being injected into our pets? | | | | vaccinate for leptospirosis, hepatitis or parainfluenza |
| Here is | | | | and |
| what I've found.Why Do We Vaccinate Our Pets?In | | | | that you vaccinate only every 2 to 3 years instead |
| centuries past, most animals were allowed to have | | | | of giving |
| the run | | | | them yearly shots in order to reduce the risk of side |
| of the roads with little supervision. Over the years | | | | effects.The Problems Associated With Traditional |
| leash | | | | VaccinationsControversy has grown over whether to |
| laws have been enforced and most pet owners | | | | vaccinate or not because |
| keep their dogs | | | | of the potential side effects caused by many |
| leashed or fenced within their yards. If taking your | | | | vaccines. Some |
| dog for | | | | are not very effective and others can have short |
| a walk, the majority of areas require you to keep | | | | and long-term |
| your pet | | | | serious side effects. A study in the United Kingdom |
| on a leash (although there are more open no-leash | | | | by Canine |
| areas | | | | Health Concern in March 2001 has found that 1 in 10 |
| springing up). Still, most canines are now supervised | | | | dogs suffer |
| or | | | | from side effects from regular rabies vaccinations |
| owners face a fine for allowing them to run | | | | which is |
| loose.Vaccinations are given to "prevent" your dog | | | | contradictory to the vaccine-manufacturers claim |
| from contracting | | | | that less than |
| particularly harmful/fatal infections from other | | | | 15 adverse reactions occur out of 100,000 |
| animals. | | | | companion animals |
| The vaccinations given come in two forms - killed | | | | vaccinated.It's been noted that yearly vaccines can |
| viruses or | | | | increase the frequency |
| non-pathogenic (modified live versions) of the virus. | | | | and severity of side-effects, most notably the |
| The | | | | problems that |
| vaccinations are designed to sensitize your pet's | | | | involve the animal's immune system. Vaccinations are |
| immune | | | | designed |
| system and causes it to produce anti-bodies should | | | | to stimulate the immune system in an unnatural way |
| your pet | | | | and your |
| be exposed to certain viruses. The modified live | | | | dog's body could potentially over-react to the |
| vaccinations | | | | stimulus causing |
| are "suppose" to provide a longer and better | | | | allergies and skin problems. More frightening is the |
| immune response | | | | fact that |
| over the killed vaccines.However, in some recent | | | | the over stimulated immune system can cause your |
| studies it's been found that most | | | | pet's body to |
| vaccinations will provide so-called immunity for 5 | | | | produce anti-bodies against itself (autoimmune |
| years and | | | | disease). |
| often longer. I say "so-called" because these | | | | Traditional vaccinations have also been shown to |
| vaccines don't | | | | increase the |
| actually prevent the animal from getting the disease | | | | likelihood of infections in pets from ear infections to |
| and in | | | | bladder |
| many cases, may actually cause it.When Are The | | | | problems to cancer.What's In Those Vaccines?Well, |
| Recommended Vaccines Given?Just like human | | | | aside from the live or dead virus, most people would |
| babies, puppies (and kittens) when first born | | | | be |
| are provided with a natural immunity from their | | | | shocked and horrified to learn what else is included in |
| mothers for | | | | those |
| the first few weeks. The initial vaccination shots are | | | | "safe" shots.For example, did you know that |
| then | | | | vaccinations (for both animals |
| usually given between 8 and 12 weeks of age, with | | | | AND humans - yes, these poisons are being injected |
| boosters | | | | into your |
| routinely given yearly thereafter.If you choose to | | | | children too) contain Thimerosal, which is made up of |
| vaccinate your dog - or if it is currently | | | | ethyl |
| required by law in your area - then You should only | | | | mercury. This is a highly toxic metal that affects the |
| vaccinate | | | | neurological |
| your dog if it is healthy. If your dog is sick or has a | | | | system in all animals. It can also affect the immune |
| chronic | | | | system, motor |
| illness, it is advised that you postpone any | | | | coordination, increase behavioral dysfunctions, and |
| vaccinations until | | | | appears to be |
| they are well.Should your dog require surgery in the | | | | linked to autism in humans.Here's an eye opener. |
| near future and is due | | | | Uranium is the most poisonous substance known |
| for their shots, you should have them vaccinated | | | | to man... mercury comes in second. Once it enters |
| several weeks | | | | the body through |
| beforehand, not at the time of surgery. Their bodies | | | | ingestion, injection or inhalation, it continues to |
| will be under | | | | accumulate. |
| stress at that time and the vaccination itself can | | | | In other words, human and animal bodies cannot |
| cause major | | | | easily clear mercury |
| problems.If you choose to have standard | | | | from their systems. |