Holistic versus traditional vaccinations

[kayharley]

Today at work I was told by a fellow dog lover that she's stopped giving her dog any kind of vaccinations because they have been found to cause cancer! I really didn't want to hear this because both my girls have had all their shots and I've planned on keeping them current.

I guess there is a new vet in our area who specializes in the holistic approach to preventing disease and some are questioning the more traditional method of preventing Bordetella/Para/Corona/Distemper.... I think the only one that they'll use is a Rabies vaccine.

Has anyone else heard about this and what are your feelings? My Winnie is now 11 and we've always trusted our vet to advise us in the right direction. For some reason I'm questioning this whole holistic thing.

[MikeC]

Hi Kay,

We have a Vet in our area who practices holistic medicine. I asked my own Vet about this new approach and without casting aspertions on the holistic Vet, mine pretty much said the holistic method of medicine for animals was not yet proven and my Vet does not put much stock in it. My Vet is my age (55) and is one of the most sought Vets in my area. I have complete faith in what he tells me. I do not believe in the holistic approach for myself, so I would not use that method on Duffy either. Quite frankly, I think this is a fad, just like so many other fads/trends that are pushed onto the American public. I have complete faith in the traditional method of medicine. I myself am a cancer survivor and in all the studying of the various forms of the disease that I did when I was diagnosed, nowhere did I see that any form of cancer is caused from vaccinations. I believe that is true for animals also. When my last Springer spaniel was diagnosed with Lymphoma (at the same time I was undergoing my own cancer treatments) my Vet said that animals, like humans are predisposed to the disease i.e., genetics, environment, smoking, etc. I will continue to have Duffy innoculated when he is due. I really don't believe that you need to worry! Sorry for the bandbox tyrade!

MikeC

[wags]

I believe in holistic health. But I think there is a middle ground. Each dog is different, and each state's laws are different. In ours, the first two rabies shots can be good for 5 years, depending on the situation.

I like our vet because he treats our dog as an individual.

I was also concerned about Wes getting any vaccination reactions- the vet said there is a law about pets unvaccinated against rabies. If the vaccinated dog bites someone, the dog undergoes house arrest. The unvaccinated dog will be impounded.

[osuvicki]

Mike C. and K:

I wrote a whole bandbox and deleted it. Twice! lol. I dont have as much faith in the modern "practice" of medicine and I practice holistic medicine myself....and always did with my kids....but I am open to traditional medicine....and research completely when my doctor suggests meds and/or treatments looking at clinical trials and legitamate research. How can you make a good decision without accurate information? I chose to be responsible for my own health and if the research shows a certain medicine or treatment works, I take it.

I do the same for my pets. As far as I know right now....vaccinations do more good than harm and have a long history of use in dogs. As for them causing cancer? I want to see the research. Until then, I assume it is urban legend and people reacting to emotions, half-truth, or rumor.

As for holistic medicine? There is a lot to be said for balancing alternative methods with current scientific based treatment...if they add to and not detract from. Looking at the patient from the mind/body continuum as well as the environmental condition and using natural and traditional methods if available and helpful. Both have their place.

[CathyAnn]

I recently read an article in a magazine, "Woman's Day" (maybe?) about pet vaccines. They are finding that they last much longer in their immune systems than originally thought. Up to 2-3 years for alot of them.

Since reading this, I plan to talk to the vet next visit. I just hope that they can be honest as not getting "annual" shots would definitely affect their $$ profits.

Cathy

[osuvicki]

I spent a little time tonight looking through journal citations and there seems to be an on-going debate about vaccination schedules in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in March, April, May 2004 issues...but there were not available to read on-line. I am sure most vets have copies.

I also saw a citation that might be interesting to read although not all that new for anyone worried about the safety of vaccination:

Weighing the risks and benefits of vaccination. Glickman, L T Advances in veterinary medicine vol. 41 (1999): 701-13.

CathyAnn.....I found this abstract that seems to say that immunizations do last longer than one year. Maybe what Woman's Day picked up on....

Title: Serum antibody titres to canine parvovirus, adenovirus and distemper virus in dogs in the UK which had not been vaccinated for at least three years.

Appears In

The Veterinary record. vol. 154, no. 15 (2004 Apr 10): 457-63.

Journal Info Abbreviation: Vet Rec. Journal Subset: IM.. Country of Publication: England.

Abstract

Antibody titres to canine distemper (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine adenovirus (CAV) were measured in 144 adult dogs that had not been vaccinated for between three and 15 years. Protective antibodies to CPV were present in 95 per cent of the population, to CDV in 71.5 per cent and to CAV in 82 per cent. The prevalence of protective titres did not decrease with increasing time interval from the last vaccination for any of the three diseases studied. Booster vaccination increased the dogs CAV titres. For comparative purposes, 199 puppies were sampled at the time of their first and second vaccination. In the case of CPV and CAV a significantly higher proportion of the adult dogs were protected than of the puppies immediately after they were vaccinated. Natural CPV boosting was strongly suspected because the dogs had significantly higher titres three years after their primary vaccination than two weeks after it and three unvaccinated dogs had acquired protective antibody levels uneventfully. There was no evidence of natural exposure to CDV.

But....does that mean it is safe NOT to have the regular vaccinations? I don't know. I saw another articles that also said dogs tested before yearly vaccination still had high levels of immunity. But a good question to ask your vet. Probably will shock him/her. lol

Going back 3 years through American and international journals I did not see any articles referring to cancer and vaccinations. Except one that said they are experimenting with using Bordetella vaccine to see if it retards growth in human cancer cells.

Gee. This is how I spent my Friday night. Anyone have a life they want to lend me? lolol

[osuvicki]

A heads up.

This was in the New York Times this morning:

Heartworm Medicine for Dogs Is Recalled

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: September 4, 2004

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 - ProHeart 6, a twice-a-year time-released heartworm medication used to treat millions of dogs, was recalled Friday at the request of the Food and Drug Administration after thousands of animals suffered adverse reactions.

As of Aug. 4, the drug agency received 5,552 reports of adverse reactions after dogs received heartworm shots. About 500 dogs died, though the agency said many deaths were not directly attributable to the product, manufactured by Fort Dodge Animal Health, based in Overland Park, Kan., a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical company Wyeth.

[kayharley]

Scary, isn't it?

I agree that there's a middle road between conventional medicine and safer, more natural approaches to healing or prevention BUT, where do you draw the line?

I'm even leary of using Frontline because it goes into their systems but would vinegar or yeast give the same protection against fleas/ticks. I live in CT where Lyme disease is very prevalent.

Any suggestions, Brad? What do you do for your Cairns regarding vaccines and other disease prevention medicines? An enquiring mind wants to know

[toomanypaws]

Immune system disorders can be caused from over vaccinating, not cancer. One problem veterinarians have is that they have to follow the label instructions on the vaccinations from the drug companies. There may be some new vaccines on the market w/ new label instructions extending vaccinating from 1 yr to 3 yrs, but some of these new vaccines haven't been proven safe. Until the reliable vaccine drug companies relabel their vaccines, vets must follow the label or they could be facing a lawsuit.

As far as Homeopathy, Dr. Hahnemaw (German physician) invented it 150 yrs ago. Until WWII, all American MD's trained in it. Traditional Chinese Medicine is over 5000 yrs old (Accupuncture & Herbal Medicine). This is not new and untested. Modern Western Medicine is less than 40-50 yrs old.

[CarCarDawn]

Hi! As with any health issues it is wise to gather any and all information. I worked with a woman who did not believe in vaccinations for her children. Unfortunately both of her boys became victims of "whooping cough" - - - I witnessed the constant suffering both endured and it made me so sad.

I feel that traditional medicine can be supplemented with holistic approaches - - whatever works to make you - - or your pet - - healthy once again.

[Eliz222]

Scout has been given the Heartgard shot! I'm glad she did not have any reaction to the shot!

I had a kitten that would get very sick after getting his shots. We finally stopped takig him to the vet (he was strictly an indoor cat) for the shots and he finally recovered. Our dogs are outside alot, so I am still going to follow the vets recommendations for shots...at least for now.

[Milopup]

My pup gets his Bordatella every 6 months (most doggy play groups require 6 month vaccinations versus 1 year for Bordatella), and gets Interceptor (for Heartworm) and Frontline Plus, both on a monthly basis.

Is this all just too much for their little systems to handle? He hates the Frontline Plus when I put it on him, and always tries to rub it off. And the Bordatella nasal vaccine caused him to actually get a cold last time around, which meant him taking Clavamax for 2 weeks.

[fancypants]

My Emma came down with "Shaker Dog Syndrome" last fall after a summer of monthly "Sentinel" pills for heartworm. It's an autoimmune disorder affecting the nervous system somewhat like Parkinson's in people. I'm convinced that the Sentinel was not the cause (genetic) but the *trigger*. She was cured of her symptoms with steroids until a couple of weeks ago when they returned, and when I saw the neurologist and mentioned that I want to discontinue this year's Sentinel - she agreed, although she said that she's not completely convinced. Emma has a half brother with the same illness. She can no longer have vaccinations because her immune system is already compromised so if there's a wholisitc approach it might work for dogs like her! I'd like to know more.

[toomanypaws]

fancypants,

It sounds like it's genetic. Have you thought about an accupuncture approach? It might be worth looking into a vet that's certified in accupunture. Emma might not need to be vaccinated every year.

Being the neurologist wasn't convinced it was the Sentinal, there are other products such as Heartguard, Revolution and Interceptor available.

[Guest Tototoo]

We have a cat that has real bad reactions to vaccinations. The friendly people at Omaha Vaccine (they have a vet you can talk to about vac. on call or you can e-mail them) suggested with this cat to vac. every other year, because the vac. can still be effective.

On the other hand we live in an amish community and every year I see these people get new puppies and every year they die before they are a year old. We obviously live in the country and have alot of wildlife. My guess is if you love your dog and want to keep him I wouldn't trust the holistic approach, you could loose a best friend. I also volunteered as a foster home to kittens and puppies for a local humane society and I saw what they look like with distemper and parvo and various other diseases and its not a nice way to go.

As for my cat I will vac. her at least every other year. I would rather she died knowing I was doing every thing I could to keep her healthy vs. letting her contract one of these diseases - yes, she is an inside cat, but she is exposed to o/i cats.

You do the best you can do and that's all you can do. . .just pray you did everything you could do to keep them healthy and loved - I also have a horse and a cat with cancer, but I still vacinate them . . .

K