Hi Everyone

This is a must read for all dog/cat lovers. Too many vets push vaccines that are not necessary for their own financial gain and not the well being of the animal.

Dr. Jean Dodds protocol is now being adopted by ALL 27 North American

veterinary schools. I highly recommend that you read this. Copy and save it

to your files. Print it and pass it out at dog fairs, cat shows, kennel club

meetings, dog parks, give a copy to your veterinarian and groomer, etc.,

etc. Get the word out. ~~~~

Vaccination NEWSFLASH

I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in

North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating

dogs and cats. Some of this information will present an ethical & economic

challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics.

Some organizations have come up with a political compromise

suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of

income vs. those concerned about potential side effects.

Politics, traditions, or the doctor's economic well being should

not be a factor in medical decision.

NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY

"Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a

modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it

produces an immunity which is good for the life of the pet (ie:

canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given

a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens

of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not

"boosted" nor are more memory cells induced." Not only are annual boosters

for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks

of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. "There is no

scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual

administration of MLV vaccines." Puppies receive antibodies through their

mothers milk. This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks.

Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks.

Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%)

will be produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, delay the timing of

the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart

suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of vaccinations

is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of

age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1

year 4 mo) will provide lifetime immunity.

CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOGS

Distemper & Parvo

"According to Dr. Schultz, AVMA, 8-15-95, when a vaccinations

series given at 2, 3 & 4 months and again at 1 year with a MLV, puppies and

kitten program memory cells that survive for life, providing lifelong

immunity." Dr. Carmichael at Cornell and Dr. Schultz have studies showing

immunity against challenge at 2-10 years for canine distemper & 4 years for

parvovirus. Studies for longer duration are pending. "There are no new

strains of parvovirus as one mfg. would like to suggest. Parvovirus

vaccination provides cross immunity for all types." Hepatitis (Adenovirus)

is one of the agents known to be a cause of kennel cough. Only vaccines with

CAV-2 should be used as

CAV-1 vaccines carry the risk of "hepatitis blue-eye" reactions &

kidney damage.

Bordetella Parainfluenza: Commonly called "Kennel cough"

Recommended only for those dogs boarded, groomed, taken to dog

shows, or for any reason housed where exposed to a lot of dogs. The

intranasal vaccine provides more complete and more rapid onset of immunity

with less chance of reaction. Immunity requires 72 hours and does not

protect from every cause of kennel cough. Immunity is of short duration (4

to 6 months).

RABIES

There have been no reported cases of rabid dogs or cats in

Harris, Montogomery or Ft. Bend Counties [Texas], there have been rabid

skunks and bats so the potential exists. It is a killed vaccine and must be

given every year.

Lyme disease is a tick born disease which can cause lameness,

kidney failure and heart disease in dogs. Ticks can also transmit the

disease to humans. The original Ft. Dodge killed bacteria has proven to be

the most effective vaccine. Lyme disease prevention should emphasize early

removal of ticks. Amitraz collars are more effective than Top Spot, as

amitraz paralyzes the tick's mouth parts preventing transmission of disease

.

VACCINATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED

Multiple components in vaccines compete with each other for the

immune system and result in lesser immunity for each individual disease as

well as increasing the risk of a reaction.

Canine Corona Virus is only a disease of puppies. It is rare,

self limiting (dogs get well in 3 days without treatment). Cornell &Texas

A&M have only diagnosed one case each in the last 7 years. Corona virus does

not cause disease in adult dogs.

Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse reactions in

dogs . Most of the clinical cases of lepto reported in dogs in the US are

caused by serovaars (or types) grippotyphosa and bratsilvia.

The vaccines contain different serovaars eanicola and

ictohemorrhagica. Cross protection is not provided and protection

is short lived. Lepto vaccine is immuno-supressive to puppies less than 16

weeks.

NEW RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CATS

Feline vaccine related Fibrosarcoma is a type of terminal cancer

related in inflammation caused by rabies & leukemia vaccines . This cancer

is thought to affect 1 in 10,000 cats vaccinated. Vaccines with aluminum

adjuvant, an ingredient included to stimulate the immune system, have been

implicated as a higher risk. We now recommend a non-adjuvanted rabies

vaccine for cats . Testing by Dr. Macy, Colorado State, has shown this

vaccine to have the lowest tissue reaction and although there is no

guarantee that a vaccine induced sarcoma will not develop, the risk will be

much lower than with other vaccines.

Program injectable 6 mo flea prevention for cats has been shown

to be very tissue reactive & therefore has the potential of inducing an

injection site fiborsarcoma. If your cats develops a lump at the site of a

vaccination, we recommend that it be removed ASAP, within 3-12 weeks.

Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine

This virus is the leading viral killer of cats. The individuals

most at risk of infection are young outdoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats and

cats exposed to such individuals. Indoor only cats with no exposure to

potentially infected cats are unlikely to become infected. All cats should

be tested prior to vaccination. Cats over one year of age are naturally

immune to Fel.V whether they are vaccinated or not, so annual vaccination of

adult cats is NOT necessary. The incubation period of Feline leukemia can be

over 3 years, so if your cat is in the incubation state of the disease prior

to vaccination, the vaccine will not prevent the disease. Feline

Panleukopenia Virus

Vaccine.

Also called feline distemper is a highly contagious and deadly

viral disease of kittens. It's extremely hardy and is resistant to extremes

in temperature and to most available disinfectants.

Although an effective treatment protocol is available, it is

expensive to treat because of the serious nature of the disease and the

continued presence of virus in the environment, vaccination is highly

recommended for all kittens . Cats vaccinated at 6 month or older with

either killed or MLV vaccine will produce an immunity good for life. Adult

cats do NOT need this vaccine.

Feline Calicivirus/Herpesvirus Vaccine.

Responsible for 80-90% of infectious feline upper respiratory

tract diseases. The currently available injectable vaccines will minimize

the severity of upper respiratory infections, although none will prevent

disease in all situations .. Intranasal vaccines are more effective at

preventing the disease entirely. Don't worry about normal sneezing for a

couple of days. Because intranasal vaccines produce an immunity of shorter

durations, annual vaccination is recommended.

VACCINES NOT RECOMMENDED

Chlamydia or pneumonitis.

The vaccine produces on a short (2 month) duration of immunity

and accounts for less than 5% of upper respiratory infections in cats. The

risks outweigh the benefits.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis.

A controversial vaccine. Most kittens that contract FIP become

infected during the first 3 months of life. The vaccine is labeled for use

at 16 weeks. All 27 vet schools do not recommend the vaccine.

Bordetella

A new vaccine for feline bordetella has been introduced. Dr.

Wolfe of Texas A&M says that bordetella is a normal flora and does not cause

disease in adult cats. Dr. Lappin of Colorado State says that a review of

the Colorado State medical records reveals not one case diagnosed in 10

years.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Giardia is the most common intestinal parasite of humans in North

America, 30% or more of all dogs & cats are infected with giardia. It has

now been demonstrated that humans can transmit giardia to dogs & cats &

vice versa.

Heartworm preventative must be given year round in Houston .

VACCINES BADLY NEEDED

New vaccines in development include: Feline Immunodeficiency

Virus and cat scratch fever vaccine for cats and Ehrlichia [one of the other

tick diseases, much worse than Lymes] for dogs.

THE VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES; BUSINESS ASPECTS

Most vets recommend annual boosters and most kennel operators

require them. For years the pricing structure of vets has misled clients

into thinking that the inherent value of an annual office visit was in the

"shots" they failed to emphasize the importance of a physical exam for early

detection of treatable diseases. It is my hope that you will continue to

require rabies & Kennel cough and emphasize the importance of a recent vet

exam. I also hope you will accept the new protocols and honor these pets as

currently vaccinated. Those in the boarding business who will honor the

newvaccine protocols can gain new customers who were turned away from vet

owned boarding facilities reluctant to change.

CONCLUSION

Dogs & cats no longer need to be vaccinated against distemper,

parvo, & feline leukemia every year . Once the initial series of puppy or

kitten vaccinations and first annual vaccinations are completed, immunity

from MLV vaccines persists for life. It has been shown that cats over 1 year

of age are immune to Feline Leukemia whether they have been vaccinated or

not. Imagine the money you will save, not to mention fewer risks from side

effects. PCR rabies vaccine, because it is not adjuvanted, will mean less

risk of mediated hemolytic anemia and allergic reactions are reduced by less

frequent use of vaccines as well as by avoiding unnecessary vaccines such as

K-9 Corona virus and chlamydia for cats, as well as ineffective vaccines

such as Leptospirosis and FIP. Intranasal vaccine for Rhiotracheitis and

Calici virus, two upper respiratory viruses of cats provide more complete

protection than injectable vaccines with less risk of serious reactions.

The AAHA and all 27 veterinary schools of North America are our

biggest endorsement for these new protocols.

Dr. Bob Rogers

Please consider as current on all vaccinations for boarding

purposes .

DOGS Initial series of puppy vaccines

1. distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parinfluenze - 3 sets one month

apart concluding at 16 weeks of age.

2. Rabies at 16 weeks of age (later is better)

3. Bordetella within last 4-6 months

First annual (usually at 1 year and 4 months of age)

1. DHP, Parvo, Rabies

2. Bordetella within last 4-6 months

2 years or older

1. Rabies with in last year

2. Bordetella within last 4-6 months

3. DHP & Parvo given anytime over 6 months of age , but not

necessarily within the last year.

Recommended: Physical exam for transmissible diseases and health

risks.

CATS Initial kitten series

1. Distemper [PLP], Rhino Calicivirus, Feline Leukemia Vaccine -

3 sets given one month apart concluding at 16 weeks.

2. Rabies at 16 weeks

First Annual [usually at 1 year and 4 months of age]

1. Distemper (PLP), Rhino Calicivirus, Rabies

2 years or older

1. Rabies within the last year

2. Rhino Calicivirus within last year

3. Distemper and FelV given anytime after 6 months of age, but

not necessarily with the last year.

Recommended: Physical exam, FeLV/FIV testing, fecal exam for

giardia.