Legislative steps are underway in some states to force compliance of  TDP Project #1 Prescription Inserts

Other informative links  Adverse Reactions  Recalls Pro Heart 6 and Rimadyl Settles

REASONS TO VACCINATE SHOT DOWN AGAIN
Project 2001

by Barbara “BJ” Andrews Copyright © 2002

There have been numerous scientific papers published since the early 1990s in which the dangers of certain human vaccines and the ineffectiveness of others has been cited. update: July 2005 Senator Kennedy warns on TV news re mercury in vaccine causes autism.  The media, largest advertiser being the pharmaceutical industry, has consistently neglected to inform viewers of the facts, the science, or the debate raging among researchers.  If this is the case in human medicine, you can be sure the media has suppressed all controversy re animal vaccines, and in particular, puppy shots.

Our writers have been out on a limb for years as they informed and enlightened readership. TheDogPlace has reported pressure, even suggestions that criticism of dog food or drug companies could be a terminal disease or shorten a writer’s career.  We have never been censored or constricted in the dog magazines. TDP’s first project was a call for package inserts in products dispensed for animals. When Pfizer announced new “prescription inserts policies” within a week after we published Project #1, we were impressed with ourselves, and with Pfizer’s net monitoring abilities!

This website and many others have reported facts on vaccines and finally, leaders in the veterinary profession have capitulated. To make it appear that there was never a cover-up or censorship, the newest trend is to pretend it is all a matter of semantics.

Philip Mansfield, DVM and Associate Professor at the highly prestigious College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn (Alabama) University described vaccines as being of two types: core and non-core. Core vaccines are considered important (and proven in many cases) in the prevention of parvo, distemper, and rabies. The latter is rarely diagnosed in domestic animals but to protect the human population from the risk of transmission from wild animal to family pet to family member, rabies is advised and in most states, required. He mentions that core vaccines may provide long immunity (like our polio shots for example) and that studies are being conducted (they should just compare notes with the BVA) to determine how frequently we should re-vaccinate adult dogs. 

Non-core vaccines are those that are (my words) either ineffective, unnecessary, or considered not worth the risk to the animal or the veterinary practice. Such shots are leptospira, corona, giardia (a joke!) bordetella, parainfluenza, and Lyme disease. Interestingly, Lyme disease was a hot topic a decade ago when one pharmaceutical giant accused another of having the vaccine on the shelf before the disease had been diagnosed in the canine. Interesting, but not unusual. More and more vets are admitting that corona is of no value in older pups. Lepto often causes adverse reactions so most breeders don’t use it but owners don’t know that and most vets DO use it in combo shots. In over 40 years of active exhibiting, we never had a dog with kennel cough so we never gave bordetella vaccine and advised our owners to skip it. Many dogs that have had the vaccine do develop kennel cough. Lyme disease vaccine is unnecessary because it doesn’t always protect the dog and antibiotic treatment is effective if properly diagnosed. Which it may not be, not by the vet that gave the preventative shot for Lyme disease! Think about that.

When a dog does develop the disease for which he was vaccinated, we’re told it was because of that timeless window when his mother’s immunity wore off or that it was because we gave our own shots and don’t know how, or that it is the dog’s immune system at fault. Most vets can’t explain what is wrong with the dog’s immune system in the first place (more on that elsewhere in the Resource Library) so it is blamed on genetics which means, right, the breeder is to blame and by now, the owner is confused, frightened, and forgetting that the shot didn’t work!

Tests are now being developed to measure distemper and parvo antibody. That is good but let’s face it, most owners would as soon vaccinate as pay for the antibody testing. Such tests are currently expensive and the cost isn’t likely to go down much as it will have to offset the lost vaccine income. What a tangled web we do weave. 

Shot in the foot is the way this writer would characterize the veterinary professionals who refused to do their own research, relying instead on the drug salesmen and marketing strategy flyers.

Copyright © 2002 Barbara J. Andrews.  All rights reserved.  Except for brief reference quotations with URL link or source provided, no portions thereof may be stored or reprinted in any form, electronic or otherwise, without prior express written consent of Barbara J. Andrews.

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SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE June 2002

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