The VACCINE Question..
Well in the world of our dogs and cats, it's VERY different..
The 1st Dog and Cat Vaccines were developed and used to PREVENT SERIOUS infectious disease..
Such a RABIES, CANINE PARVOVIRUS, FELINE DISTEMPER (Panleukopenia)..
But.. they turned out to be a great way from Drug companies to make a lot of $, and for veterinarians to use them as a practice growth tool...Clients were coming BACK to the clinic to 'Get the SHOT'
They developed vaccines for just about everything.. FIP,FIV, Coronavirus, Feline Leukemia, Giardia, Lyme Disease, Adenovirus, Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Ringworm, Chlamydia and my personal favorite..
The RATTLE SNAKE VACCINE..
To they point where clients were told to vaccinate their dogs/cats yearly...with MULTIPLE Vaccines..
Unfortunately this is what has caused harm to some pets, and really not done a good job of creating confidence in the people/organizations suggesting multiple vaccines yearly..
In the last 10 years many veterinarians, and most veterinary colleges have now recognized that FAR to many vaccines were given FAR to frequently, now advising a very modified vaccine protocol... and this is WHAT I will be giving to my next puppy/kitten..
For puppies.. Distemper/Parvovirus vaccine at 8, 12 weeks.. Rabies vaccines at 6 months...Titer test in a year and may then not need to give any further vaccines
For kittens.. FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) vaccine at 8, 12 weeks.. Rabies vaccines at 6 months....Titer test in a year and may then not need to give any further vaccines
As far as how some of these vaccines have affected our dogs and cats, consider this information from Dr Jean Dodds..
Adjuvants and Additives..what's is your dog and cat's vaccines?
Adjuvants
An adjuvant is a pharmacological or immunological agent that modifies the effect of other agents. Adjuvants may be added to a vaccine to boost the immune response to produce more antibodies and longer-lasting immunity, thus minimizing the dose of antigen needed.
The most commonly used adjuvants include aluminum hydroxide and paraffin oil.
Additives
Additives found in the vaccines include preservatives like thimerosol (mercury), stabilizers to prolong shelf life.
The vaccines also contain small amounts of the culture materials used to make the vaccine in the 1st place..ie fetal calf serum, human serum albumin, along with other less desirable ingredients such as formaldehyde (prevent toxin contamination), and even antibiotics.
Side Effects
According to Dr Jean Dodds, that while adjuvants boost immune response, they increase the risk of autoimmune and anti-inflammatory events following vaccines.
Younger dogs and cats are at increased risk because they are given more vaccines- more vaccine means more adjuvants/additives and potentially more side effects.
Surprisingly, adjuvants can affects how genes are expressed- affecting the nervous system. Dr Dodds says that "adjuvants are now known to affect the nervous system-immune axis, which plays a key role in brain development and immune function."
AISIA Syndrome
Auto-inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants was 1st recorded as a clinical disease in 2011.
According to Dr Dodds it included four conditions sharing signs and symptoms which can be secondary to vaccines. The triggering effect of the adjuvants, in combination with other factors ( ie environment, genetic predisposition). The unfortunate result is the development of autoimmune disease: your pet's immune system is literally attacking them.
Specifically heavy metals like mercury and aluminum are directly involved- such as what is commonly found in rabies vaccines.
The reaction can happen anywhere from three till 45 days post vaccine. Signs can include skin disease ( allergy), seizures, aggression, liver disease, polyarthritis, hemolytic anemia, immune mediated thrombocytopenia, even phobias.
The solution
Less vaccines, less often
Only giving what is necessary, based on your area
Ask you veterinarian about non-adjuvanted vaccines
Source: Dr Jean Dodds
Adjuvants and Additives in Vaccines: https://www.journals.ke-i.org/index.php/mra/article/view/537
