Are vaccines right for your pet?
Vaccines have come under the scrutiny of pet owners everywhere over the course of the last decade. It’s not hard to see why. With autism rates skyrocketing in children (1 in 88 children are now being diagnosed with autism), concerned parents are now asking the inevitable, “do vaccines increase the odds of my child being diagnosed with autism?” Since the controversy lingers, it stands to reason that pet owners are now asking many of the same questions. Pets – just like their human counterparts – receive vaccines on an orderly schedule. But are they really necessary? Are we over vaccinating? Which ones are good and which one are bad?
When you own a pet and visit a veterinarian for an annual check-up, it’s pretty much a given that you will be faced with the decision to vaccinate or not vaccinate. Vets have what they call core vaccines (considered to be absolutely critical to a young puppy) and non-core vaccines (these are vaccines that are designed to kill bacterial infections from Leptospirosis, Bordetella and Lymes disease). Once a puppy is vaccinated after (approx.) 16 weeks of age with any of the core vaccines (Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus and Adenovirus) they are considered to be immuno-resistant for life and don’t need to be vaccinated again. Think about that, you only need to give the core vaccines one time. That’s it.
As far as the non-core vaccines go, here’s where the problems of over vaccinating can begin. First of all, the only non-core vaccine that is required by law is the Rabies inoculation. Most pets receive a Rabies vaccine once every (3) years. But is it necessary? Many practicing vets don’t think so. Holistic practitioners and some conventional vets are now beginning to connect the dots between the natural state of immunity and how it protects your pet from microbial infections. Jim Miller of Diets for Life had this to say, “Vaccines are intended to help the immune system function better. The problem is that your pet’s immune system doesn’t need any help. It’s designed to respond naturally and send out antibodies to confront whatever it perceives as an intruder. The only times it doesn’t work that way is if the immune system is somehow suppressed (antibiotics, parvovirus as a puppy, a compromised microbiome, inflammatory diet over a long period).” Miller further added, “ I can see possibly giving the core vaccines when a puppy is young (after approx. 16 weeks or so), but not as they get older. Their immunity is already solidified at this point. Besides, the efficacy of the non-core vaccines is really questionable.”
That’s not the only thing to consider. Present day vaccines are comprised of some very controversial things. “Pet vaccines are formulated from things like fetal embryos (chickens) and non activated cancer cells, viruses and even – bacteria (human penicillin is made from a bread mold). They then add an adjuvant to help it work better,” says Jim Miller. What’s an adjuvant? “An adjuvant is simply an added chemical or substance that enhances the efficacy of the vaccine. Some vaccines contain Thimerosal (Mercury), aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate traces, antibiotics, polysorbate 80, formaldehyde and gelatin (animal parts).
Core Vaccines
(1) Rabies
(2) Distemper
(3) Parvovirus
(4) Canine Hepatitis
Non – Core Vaccines
(1) Bordetella
(2) Lyme Disease
(3) Leptospirosis
(4) Canine Influenza
(5) Parainfluenza
(6) Adenovirus
When you own a pet and visit a veterinarian for an annual check-up, it’s pretty much a given that you will be faced with the decision to vaccinate or not vaccinate. Vets have what they call core vaccines (considered to be absolutely critical to a young puppy) and non-core vaccines (these are vaccines that are designed to kill bacterial infections from Leptospirosis, Bordetella and Lymes disease). Once a puppy is vaccinated after (approx.) 16 weeks of age with any of the core vaccines (Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus and Adenovirus) they are considered to be immuno-resistant for life and don’t need to be vaccinated again. Think about that, you only need to give the core vaccines one time. That’s it.
As far as the non-core vaccines go, here’s where the problems of over vaccinating can begin. First of all, the only non-core vaccine that is required by law is the Rabies inoculation. Most pets receive a Rabies vaccine once every (3) years. But is it necessary? Many practicing vets don’t think so. Holistic practitioners and some conventional vets are now beginning to connect the dots between the natural state of immunity and how it protects your pet from microbial infections. Jim Miller of Diets for Life had this to say, “Vaccines are intended to help the immune system function better. The problem is that your pet’s immune system doesn’t need any help. It’s designed to respond naturally and send out antibodies to confront whatever it perceives as an intruder. The only times it doesn’t work that way is if the immune system is somehow suppressed (antibiotics, parvovirus as a puppy, a compromised microbiome, inflammatory diet over a long period).” Miller further added, “ I can see possibly giving the core vaccines when a puppy is young (after approx. 16 weeks or so), but not as they get older. Their immunity is already solidified at this point. Besides, the efficacy of the non-core vaccines is really questionable.”
That’s not the only thing to consider. Present day vaccines are comprised of some very controversial things. “Pet vaccines are formulated from things like fetal embryos (chickens) and non activated cancer cells, viruses and even – bacteria (human penicillin is made from a bread mold). They then add an adjuvant to help it work better,” says Jim Miller. What’s an adjuvant? “An adjuvant is simply an added chemical or substance that enhances the efficacy of the vaccine. Some vaccines contain Thimerosal (Mercury), aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate traces, antibiotics, polysorbate 80, formaldehyde and gelatin (animal parts).
Core Vaccines
(1) Rabies
(2) Distemper
(3) Parvovirus
(4) Canine Hepatitis
Non – Core Vaccines
(1) Bordetella
(2) Lyme Disease
(3) Leptospirosis
(4) Canine Influenza
(5) Parainfluenza
(6) Adenovirus
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