Important Information on the Dangers of Annual Vaccinations.

Does your veterinarian insist on annual vaccines? If so, you should seek another opinion.

When it comes to vaccinating their pet, some pet owners rely on veterinary advice and make their decisions based on that information. But is this information reliable? Many concerned owners have heard or read about the risks associated with vaccines and have taken it upon themselves to research the subject further, usually to discover some very disturbing information about the harm caused by vaccines, including the development of cancerous tumors, chronic allergies, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, seizures, behavioral problems, respiratory infections and even death. There is substantial evidence that vaccinations can be a devastating assault on the immune systems of our pets and may be responsible for the vast array of health problems mentioned. Why then do some veterinarians continue to recommend annual vaccines? Particularly for indoor cats who have little risk of contracting disease?

Many veterinarians are asking their profession to end the policy of annual vaccination due to growing evidence that annual vaccines are scientifically unnecessary and may cause harm. There is growing evidence that a single vaccine will provide protection for life. It has been suggested that the policy of routinely administering vaccinations is maintained in order to protect veterinary and drug company incomes rather than to promote the health of their patients. There is overwhelming scientific data to support this suggestion and we encourage you to become educated about the choices available with regards to the vaccination of your indoor cats.

We urge you to click here to read Vaccinations for Cats, Helpful or Harmful?, by Dr. Don Hamilton, DVM and author of Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs: Small Doses for Small Animals. Read why he is opposed to vaccinations in virtually all cases and why there is almost never a need for booster immunization.

The following is what other holistic veterinarians are saying: (click on their name to go directly to their website)

Richard H. Pitcairn, D.V.M., Ph.D
It gradually dawned on me that the underlying problem in some of my difficult cases was a state of illness that had been induced by vaccination. Most of us are aware that vaccine-caused diseases — such as immune disorders, bleeding problems, tumor formation — are recently receiving attention from the allopathic community. However, the premise that these are exceptions to a basically safe procedure is not the same viewpoint as that which I am presenting to you today.

Dr. Charles Loops, DVM
Homeopathic veterinarians and other holistic practitioners have maintained for years that vaccinations are doing harm. Aside from the immediate risk of vaccination side effects, such as allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock, there are more compelling reasons to avoid vaccinations whenever possible. Vaccinations represent a major assault on the body's immune system.

Jean Hofve, D.V.M Animal Protection Institute
Veterinarians can be very resistant to change. Unfortunately, the weight of this inertia, added to the potential loss of revenue from vaccines, has resulted in little overall shift toward less vaccination among practitioners. Well documented, adverse effects include feline vaccine-induced fibrosarcomas (a malignant connective tissue tumor), which form at the injection site, and auto-immune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in dogs.

Dee Blanco, D.V.M
I have spent a good amount of time in the last 12 of my 19 years as a vet, studying the issue of vaccinations. During this time, in my holistic vet practice, I have been able to see the clinical manifestations and harmful effects of the use and abuse of vaccinations.

 

Vets Speak Out!

In January 2004 the following letter appeared in the Vet Times, U.K., signed by over 30 veterinarians pleading for a review of routine vaccination protocols. It is reprinted here with permission and a note from Catherine O’Driscoll, author of “What Vets Don’t Tell You About Vaccines.”

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Vaccine Info ~ UK Vets Speak Out
Open Letter to the Vet Times, UK - January 2004

Ten years after the start of the Canine Health Concern campaign to end annual vaccination, the following letter appeared in Veterinary Times, UK - at the end of January 2004. In the world of science, ten years is a very short time in which to expect a sea of change. We and others whose dogs have suffered vaccine reactions; we whose beloved friends have died and suffered unnecessarily, have been pilloried and castigated for speaking the truth for long enough now. Time to take this letter to your vet; time to post it to other vets in your neighbourhood; time to show this letter to all the pet lovers you meet in the park or at classes. Time to get the truth out there once and for all. Time to stop our beloved animals suffering. Time to say 'YES!' - but not yet time to stop the campaign. We shall not be finished until annual vaccination is a thing of the past.

I dedicate this post to my own dear friends who had to die for this letter to appear in Veterinary Times: Oliver, Prudence and Samson, and to the thousands, or even millions, of animals and children whose lives have been terminated because people in scientific and veterinary communities saw a way to make a quick annual buck.

My respect and gratitude go to the courageous veterinarians who have signed the letter below.

Catherine O'Driscoll

Please feel free to cross post far and wide:

Letter from UK Vets which appeared in Vet Times, UK January 2004

Dear Editor: We, the undersigned, would like to bring to your attention our concerns in the light of recent new evidence regarding vaccination protocol. The American Veterinary Medical Association Committee’s report this year states that 'the one year revaccination recommendation frequently found on many vaccination labels is based on historical precedent, not scientific data'. In JAVMA in 1995, Smith notes that 'there is evidence that some vaccines provide immunity beyond one year. In fact, according to research there is no proof that many of the yearly vaccinations are necessary and that protection in many instances may be life long'; also, 'Vaccination is a potent medical procedure with both benefits and risks for the patient'; further that, 'Revaccination of patients with sufficient immunity does not add measurably to their disease resistance, and may increase their risk of adverse post-vaccination events.' Finally, he states that: 'Adverse events may be associated with the antigen, adjuvant, carrier, preservative or combination thereof. Possible adverse events include failure to immunize, anaphylaxis, immunosuppression, autoimmune disorders, transient infections and/or long-term infected carrier states.' The report of the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Taskforce in JAAHA (39 March/April 2003) is also interesting reading: 'Current knowledge supports the statement that no vaccine is always safe, no vaccine is always protective and no vaccine is always indicated'; 'Misunderstanding, misinformation and the conservative nature of our profession have largely slowed adoption of protocols advocating decreased frequency of vaccination'; 'Immunological memory provides durations of immunity for core infectious diseases that far exceed the traditional recommendations for annual vaccination. This is supported by a growing body of veterinary information as well as well-developed epidemiological vigilance in human medicine that indicates immunity induced by vaccination is extremely long lasting and in.most cases, lifelong.' Further, the evidence shows that the duration of immunity for rabies vaccine, canine distemper vaccine, canine parvovirus vaccine, feline panleukopaenia vaccine, feline rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus have all been demonstrated to be a minimum of seven years, by serology for rabies and challenge studies for all others. The veterinary surgeons below fully accept that no single achievement has had greater impact on the lives and well being of our patients, our clients and our ability to prevent infectious diseases than the developments in annual vaccines. We, however, fully support the recommendations and guidelines of the American Animal Hospitals Association Taskforce, to reduce vaccine protocols for dogs and cats such that booster vaccinations are only given every three years, and only for core vaccines unless otherwise scientifically justified. We further suggest that the evidence currently available will soon lead to the following facts being accepted: • The immune systems of dogs and cats mature fully at six months and any modified live virus (MLV) vaccine given after that age produces immunity that is good for the life of that pet. • If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens from the subsequent so there is little or no effect; the pet is not 'boosted', nor are more memory cells induced. • Not only are annual boosters for canine parvovirus and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. • There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines. • Puppies and kittens receive antibodies through their mothers' milk. This natural protection can last eight to 14 weeks. • Puppies and kittens should NOT be vaccinated at less than eight weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection will be produced. Vaccination at six weeks will, however, DELAY the timing of the first effective vaccine. • Vaccines given two weeks apart SUPPRESS rather than stimulate the immune system. This would give possible new guidelines as follows: 1. A series of vaccinations is given starting at eight weeks of age (or preferably later) and given three to four weeks apart, up to 16 weeks of age. 2. One further booster is given sometime after six months of age and will then provide life-long immunity. In light of data now available showing the needless use and potential harm of annual vaccination, we call on our profession to cease the policy of annual vaccination. Can we wonder that clients are losing faith in vaccination and researching the issue themselves? We think they are right to do so. Politics, tradition or the economic well being of veterinary surgeons and pharmaceutical companies should not be a factor in making medical decisions. It is accepted that the annual examination of a pet is advisable. We undervalue ourselves, however, if we hang this essential service on the back of vaccination and will ultimately suffer the consequences. Do we need to wait until we see actions against vets, such as those launched in the state of Texas by Dr Robert Rogers? He asserts that the present practice of marketing vaccinations for companion animals constitutes fraud by misrepresentation, fraud by silence and theft by deception. The oath we take as newly qualified veterinary surgeons is 'to help, or at least do no harm'. We wish to maintain our position within society, and be deserving of the trust placed in us as a profession. It is therefore our contention that those who continue to give annual vaccinations in the light of new evidence may well be acting contrary to the welfare of the animals committed to their care. Yours faithfully, Richard Allport, BVetMed, MRCVS Sue Armstrong, MA BVetMed, MRCVS Mark Carpenter, BVetMed, MRCVS Sarah Fox-Chapman, MS, DVM, MRCVS Nichola Cornish, BVetMed, MRCVS Tim Couzens, BVetMed, MRCVS Chris Day, MA, VetMB, MRCVS Claire Davies, BVSc, MRCVS Mark Elliott, BVSc, MRCVS Peter Gregory, BVSc, MRCVS Lise Hansen, DVM, MRCVS John Hoare, BVSc, MRCVS Graham Hines, BVSc, MRCVS Megan Kearney, BVSc, MRCVS Michelle L'oste Brown, BVetMed, MRCVS Suzi McIntyre, BVSc, MRCVS Siobhan Menzies, BVM&S, MRCVS Nazrene Moosa, BVSc, MRCVS Mike Nolan, BVSc, MRCVS Ilse Pedler, MA, VetMB, BSc, MRCVS John Saxton, BVetMed, MRCVS Cheryl Sears, MVB, MRCVS Jane Seymour, BVSc, MRCVS Christine Shields, BVSc, MRCVS Suzannah Stacey, BVSc, MRCVS Phillip Stimpson, MA, VetMB, MRCVS Nick Thompson, BSc, BVM&S, MRCVS Lyn Thompson, BVSc, MRCVS Wendy Vere, VetMB, MA, MRCVS Anuska Viljoen, BVSc, MRCVS, and Wendy Vink, BVSc, MRCVS

In summary, the increasing number of reports, studies and opinions regarding vaccine safety can be confusing for pet owners. A yearly wellness examination by a veterinarian is an excellent practice, however it need not include routine vaccination. We urge you to consult with a holistic or homeopathic veterinarian to determine the best protocol for your pet. A holistic veterinarian is less likely to support routine vaccination, particularly for indoor cats.

To find a holistic veterinarian in your area, visit the following websites:

Paws & Claws Pet Pantry’s Holistic Vets in Ontario
Pets4Life's Canadian Holistic Veterinary Directory
Holistic Veterinary Medical Association - Referral List
The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy Referral List


Further recommended reading and resources:

Vaccinations
http://mythicaldanes.com/healthtraining/vaccsCO.html
Catherine O’Driscoll, author of “What Vets Don’t Tell You About Vaccines”

Vaccine Recommendations
http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/VaccRec.htm
Dr. Charles Loop, DVM

Important! Information about vaccines that can save your cat’s life!
http://www.showcatsonline.com/x/info_about_vaccines.htm
Dr. James Richards, DVM, Director of the Cornell Feline Health Center

Information on Feline Vaccination Dangers and Concerns
http://www.blakkatz.com/vaccination.html
Michelle T. Bernard, Author of Raising Cats Naturally

Is Your Pet Dying From Over-Vaccination Due to Vet Economics?
http://www.next2kin.org/vaccination.htm
Next-to-Kin Foundation

Vaccination Decisions
http://www.altvetmed.com/articles/vaccinations.html
Susan Wynne, DVM, AltVetMed.com

THE BIG SCAM--Rabies Vaccination
http://www.naturalrearing.com/ARTICLES/GuestAuthors/RABIESSCAM.html
Dr. John Fudens, D.V.M., NaturalRearing.com

Has The Time Come For A Veterinary Vaccine Injury Act?
http://www.geocities.com/~kremersark/macy.html
Dennis W. Macy, DVM, MS, President-Elect and Diplomate ACVIM - Oncology

Are We Vaccinating Too Much?
http://www.api4animals.org/560.htm
By Elizabeth Colleran, D.V.M., Animal Protection Institute

Vaccination in Animals
http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?PageType=Article&ID=485
Vets who believe vaccines are damaging our pets, from International Vaccination Newsletter

The Truth About Vaccines
http://www.truthaboutvaccines.org/
Dedicated to providing information about the dangers of vaccinations for pets.

Health Hazard of Routine Vaccination: placing our animals at risk
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm
Shirley’s-Wellness-Cafe

Pet Vaccinations, a CBC Report
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/health/petvax/
Producer: Sharon Hanson

Education Before Vaccination
http://www.catshots.com/
From Catshots.com

Vaccinating Your Pet: What's an Owner To Do?
http://www.worldwidehealthcenter.net/articles-298.html
Worldwide Health Center


Information E-Groups:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jstsayno2vaccs/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TruthAboutVaccines/