Vaccinations & Immune System

1. Vaccinations & Immune System June 15, 2006 Brought to you by: The Brookside Barkery and Bath and Acupuncture and Herbs For Pets

2. Topics • What are vaccines? • Do vaccines help or hurt? • What is titer testing? • Core /extraneous vaccines? • 1,2 ,or 3 year rabies? • How the immune system works. • Holistic approach to immunization

3. What are vaccines? • Immunizations are biological products that are administered to pets in an attempt to activate a specific immune response • Usually injected in the muscle or under the skin • Some administered into the nasal passages • Immunizations have saved millions of lives • Immunizations have eradicated many diseases

4. So what is the problem? Vaccination programs have become “practice management tools” rather than medical procedures. • Little or no education or choice for the caregiver • Duration of immunity is not known • Long term immunity studies were not done • Adverse reactions were not monitored and publicized • Required for entry to hospitals for routine services • Grooming • Dental cleanings

5. Canine vaccines Core vaccines Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) Modified live Canine distemper virus (CDV) Modified live Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) Modified live Rabies virus (RV) Killed Non-core vaccines Canine para-influenza (CPI) Corona virus Bordetella brochiseptica Leptospirosis Lyme disease Giardia Ringworm

6. Feline Vaccines Core vaccines Feline parvovirus (panleukopenia) Feline calicivirus Feline herpes virus (viral rhinotracheitis) Rabies virus Non-core vaccines Feline leukemia (FeLV) Chlamydia Feline Infectious Peritonitis Bordetella Giardia Feline Infectious Viremia (FIV) Ringworm (Microsporum Canis)

7. 1,2 ,or 3 year rabies? “There is no benefit from annual rabies vaccination and most one year rabies products are similar or identical to the 3-year products with regard to duration of immunity and effectiveness. Revaccination annually does not improve immunity, however, it does significantly increase the risk for an adverse reaction in the dog.” Ronald D. Schultz, PhD (Sophie)

8. Kennel Cough • Efficacy of the vaccine is not well-established • Vaccinated dogs often get it • Unvaccinated dogs often don’t get it when exposed • Complex-3pathogens-2 viruses-1 bacteria • CPI (immunity lasts at least 3 years) • CAV-2 (immunity lasts at least 7 years) • Bordetella bronchiseptica (immunity less than one year) • Not a vaccine preventable disease • Now required every six months at many veterinary clinics and boarding facilities

9. Real key to health… • Not vaccines • Immune systems • Adequate titers to protect • Responsive to challenges • Trained to mobilize • Avoid stress • Proper nutrition • Timely intervention with alternatives and conventional treatments when necessary

10. Situations • Boarding kennels • Grooming facilities • Legal issues • Bites • Transport • Health certificates • Quarantine • Licensing issues • City ordinances

11. Do vaccines help or hurt? It depends… • Young animals need some vaccines to protect against contagious diseases. Vaccines help puppies and kittens Many young animals are hurt by vaccines How many vaccines and how often? Mother’s antibodies interfere 8-22 weeks • Appropriate timing and testing for boosters • Vaccinosis-an adverse event due to a vaccine • Too many vaccines • Vaccinating too often

12. Vaccines often cause problems Instantly Minutes Hours Days Months (Weston) Years In one large study of major illnesses in pets, in >55% of the patients, symptoms began within three months of vaccination. Predictable response? No. Pray.

13. Fever Lethargy Swelling Abscess Vomiting Diarrhea Shock Thyroid disease Cause the disease Behavior/emotional problems/fearfulness Infections Cancer Seizures Auto-immune diseases Allergies Arthritis Death Vaccinosis: adverse reaction

14. Advantages 1. safe Disadvantages 1. cost 2. lack of recognition 3. frequency to test is not known What is titer testing?Blood tests that measure antibodies against pathogens.

15. Holistic approach to immunization: Acupuncture and Herbs For Pets recommendation. • Sick animals: Don’t vaccinate • Animals with chronic disease/cancer: Don’t vaccinate • Geriatric animals: Don’t vaccinate • During times of stress: Don’t vaccinate • Don’t vaccinate for non-life-threatening diseases • Don’t vaccinate if long term immunity is not possible. (avoid exposure, tonify immune)

16. Puppies Distemper 2 doses Prefer separate/not multivalent last dose >12w 8-12 weeks 12-16 weeks Parvo 2 doses Prefer separate/not multivalent last dose >12w 8-12 weeks 12-16 weeks Rabies 4-6 mo Good for 1 year (3yr booster) Kittens RCP 2 doses 8-12 weeks 12-16 weeks Rabies 4-6 mo Good for 1 year (3yr booster) Holistic approach to immunization: Acupuncture and Herbs For Pets recommendation.

17. Adult Dogs Distemper Titer Test Parvo Titer Test Rabies 3 year vaccine Good for 3 years Probably much longer 7 year study underway Dr. Dodds Adult Cats RCP Titer Test Rabies 3 year vaccine Good for 3 years Probably much longer 7 year study underway Dr Dodds(canine only) Holistic approach to immunization: Acupuncture and Herbs For Pets recommendation.

18. Best Protocol • Custom vaccine and titer test for each animal based on: • Age • Risk factors/Lifestyle (indoors vs. outdoors) • Previous history • Test results • Immune status

19. Holistic approach to immunization: Acupuncture and Herbs For Pets recommendation. What can be done if vaccines are mandatory? • Thuja-homeopathic remedy to treat vaccinosis • Chinese herbal formulas-help immune deal with insult of vaccination • Antioxidants • Detox • Proper nutrition • Avoid other stressors • Avoid toxins • Separate vaccines mono-valent not poly-valent

20. Changing times • AVMA vaccine guidelines have changed • AAHA vaccine guidelines have changed • Vaccine manufacturers are (FINALLY) doing long term immunity studies and licensing their products for 3 years (Intervet) • Vets are changing protocols • Boarding kennels and cities are accepting titer tests • Class action lawsuits are being filed against vets, vaccine manufacturers, boarding kennels, city governments • Petition to make adverse reaction information mandatory

21. Veterinarians are good people • They believe what they are recommending is the best thing for your pet • They believe what we were taught at veterinary school • They believe the industry would not tolerate poor research and development • They believe the manufacturers are reputable and care about them and you and your pet • They are starting to change-more and more are changing their protocols

22. You and your pet • Get educated before vaccinating (y/n) • Try to avoid unnecessary immunizations • Have your pet titer tested • Get a pet/house sitter (avoid corporate boarding) • Choose communities with reasonable animal ordinances • If vaccines are given, get the products to help the immune system recover (3 year Rabies and distemper/parvo) • Ask for special consideration for ill animals Isolationward? Excuse for non-vaccination

23. websites http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/ • Articles on "Vaccinosis" and problems associated with "Over-Vaccination“ http://home.earthlink.net/~texas2step/Vaccinosis.html

24. Next Month July 20 Raw food diets Presented by the Barkery staff, Nature’s Variety, Bark 2 Basics & Dr. Faris • More beneficial than processed foods • Transitioning to raw • The GI tract & supporting supplements