Posts Tagged ‘distemper’

Vaccination Confusion

Monday, November 16th, 2009

I got some really valid questions from Chris in Pittsburgh, which actually inspired me to write the FAQ on Vaccinations.

I listen to you from Pittsburgh, PA on podcast. I love your program and share your beliefs in dog health, nutrition etc. I have read many of the books written by your guests prior to them coming on your show which makes it very neat to hear them speak.

Exactly what diseases are checked in a titer? And how often should these titers be done on adult dogs? My vet checks distemper and parvo yearly, which costs $100.00. Another vet said parvo titers are not needed on adult dogs because parvo is a puppy disease. If this is the case, I wonder why parvo immunization is given in the mix of all the other immunizations routinely every 3 years. My vet does encourage immunizations, but is agreeable when I say no.

We have 2 shelter adopted dogs:

Redford is a 68 lb male golden retriever and at a guess, approximately 8.5 years old who has been ours for 3.5 yrs. He was a stray with no health history, so the shelter gave 2 sets of immunizations, as is protocol. He has allergies and I did not want to further compromise his immune system, so instead of giving him another round of immunizations as I was supposed to 1 year later, I had titers done and the levels showed he had adequate levels. He has now had distemper and parvo titers checked every year for 3 years, which have all been good. Does he need to continue to get titers every year??

Rosie is a 40 lb female Australian shepherd (someone cut her tail very short, maybe trying to pass her off as a pure Aussie when a puppy…?), Springer spaniel or lab mix is 3.5 yrs old who we have had for 1 year. Last year when her owner turned her in to the shelter, the shelter gave her the normal round of immunization boosters and a 1 year rabies shot. Is there any difference between the 1 year and 3 year rabies shot? She will shortly be due for a rabies booster, since her paperwork states she had the 1 year rabies. When it is time for her immunizations I will titer her also instead of just immunizing her.

I give my dogs Heartgard monthly and Frontline plus as needed. My understanding of flea and tick preventative is that the flea or tick has to bite the dog to get the poison into their system from the dog and then dies. But if the flea or tick is carrying a disease, the dog will be exposed with this bite. The preventive kills fleas or ticks but does not prevent the spread of disease. So why not just remove fleas and ticks from the dog when needed instead of being encouraged by the vets to put the preventive (which is actually poison) on the dogs skin, which gets absorbed into their system? What is the advantage of using the preventive??

I always look forward to your program. Have a good day, Chris

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Posted in Dogs, Medical, Vaccinations | No Comments »

To Vaccinate Grown Dogs & Cats Or Not? NOT!!

Saturday, January 24th, 2009

I was gratified that people really listened to the advice I gave in the “Ask Tracie” segment when I came on Martha’s TV show January 16th (view my two segments on the show here). Some people were confused about my firm advice not to constantly re-vaccinate adult dogs and cats – which has been the correct healthy advice conscientious vets have given for quite some time. The reason NOT to constantly revaccinate is that continually bombarding an animal’s immune system with an illness to which it already has immunity (if it got the two sets of puppy or kitten shots) can lead to cancer and generally undermines the pet’s immune system.

Imagine if we had to have German Measles boosters every year – or smallpox – or any of the childhood diseases to which we were immunized as children? It makes no sense! Our bodies – and those of our animal family members – have a cellular memory of having been vaccinated young against these diseases. They carry that protection for life. It has been YEARS since the American Veterinary Medical Association changed their recommendation form yearly to every 3-year vaccinations, so yearly vaccinating is already an out-of-date practice that NO well-informed vet should be doing. But beyond that, there is no medical or logical reason to vaccinate an adult dog or cat every three years, either. Instead, you check the blood levels of immunity with a “blood titer” test every year until the animal is about 5 years old (to be super-safe) and then no need to check again, you’re good to go! Dr. Marty Goldstein, Martha’s own holistic vet – who has his own show on Martha’s channel of Sirius/XM (“Ask Martha’s Vet” on Monday nights) – recently had the brilliant research vet Dr. Jean Dodds on his show on the topic of vaccinations. Their recommendation was the same as mine: give the first kitten or puppy shots at around 8-9 weeks, then the second set around 12-14 weeks but NEVER both the Parvo and distemper in one shot, which is what vets usually do for peoples’ convenience. It’s too much of an assault on a little creature’s system – demand shots that are separated. Then you’ll get a rabies shot later – and continue getting them as required by law in your state, either every year (which is horrible for the animal) or every 3 years, which Dr. Dodds is in the middle of proving is way too often, as well. Her “Rabies Challenge Fund” is testing a 5-year vaccine to show it is effective and then they will study a 7 year rabies vaccine, so that the laws can all be changed to protect society but also protect our pets’ own health.

Here are some of the emails I got after the show – I hope the above answers you all! And thanks for checking in, it’s great to know you’re out and really listening!

HANK wrote: I saw you on Martha Stewart today and you mentioned that cats and dogs should only have 1 vaccination. Do you mean Rabies and Distemper also? And if it’s rabies — why do law enforcers insist that your pets get vaccinated regularly. I enjoy seeing you on all the shows. Thank you.

CAROLYN in North Carolina wrote: I saw you on Martha Stewart yesterday and would like you to clarify the fact that cats do not need vaccinations after a certain age. Does this include rabies? I have one indoor and one indoor/outdoor kitty so shouldn’t the one that goes outside get a regular rabies shot?

BRANDY wrote: So, I’m just wondering why you think you know more than a veterinarian. If they recommend vaccinating yearly, then they probably have a good reason (and a lot of scientific research) for doing so. Is there something you know that veterinarians don’t? Thank you so much for your response.

MARIA wrote: I totally agree with you about cats getting inoculated. I don’t want it at all. In Pennsylvania it is mandatory but in New Jersey I don’t know. I would like to get a copy of what you said about inoculating cats. If it is possible can you send me a copy? I would greatly appreciate it.

UPDATE: Update: More On Purebred Cats On Martha Stewart TV Show

I was astonished to get this letter from Gem, who thought the cats I was showing on Martha’s TV show might be for sale. Here’s what she wrote:

Hi Tracie: I am inquiring if the Maine Coon cat you had on Martha today is for sale?

Our Maine coon passed away and it is a sad story. we adopted him from the local shelter, the SPCA.. We have a beautiful farm in New York and would love another big friend.

Thank You from Gem

I wrote Gem back:

I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard to lose the four-legged beauties who share our lives.

NO! Tigger was not “for sale” (he’s actually the cat of the actor Chazz Palmintieri, whose beautiful wife Gianna brought him all the way into New York City for the show – they are clients of Dr Marty Goldstein, whose radio show “Ask Martha’s Vet” is on Martha’s channel on Monday nights).

None of the kitties were for sale, they are all beloved family members, including Martha’s new cat Frost, whom she has just adopted from the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF). I always advocate that people find a pet for themselves by first going to their local shelter, as you did when you found your first Maine Coon cat. Go to www.Petfinder.com – put in your zip code and (in your case write in Maine Coon cat) and you will see any shelters near you that have a Maine Coon for adoption. Over 30% of all animals at shelters are purebred so the chance of finding what you’re looking for is pretty good. Let me know what you find – and send me a photo to post on my website and call into the show Wednesday a nights with any questions. My website www.TracieHotchner.com tell you all you need to know.

Thanks for getting in touch.

The Dog Bible by Tracie Hotchner The Cat Bible by Tracie Hotchner

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Posted in Cats, Dogs, Medical, Wellness | 2 Comments »

The Nightmare of Unnecessary Vaccinations

Sunday, December 7th, 2008

This is from Michele in Chicago, the mom of Samson and one of my favorite listeners. She’s been there from the beginning, calls in once a year just to say she loves the show. She never has had any problems with her fine cat Samson, who has been on wet food only from Day One of Cat Chat®. And Michele has converted others off kitty crack and was one of the first to want to help with the Paws Protection League that Dr. Jean Hofve and I never quite got off the ground. So I was really upset to get this email from her:

Hi Tracie, I’m a bit worried about Samson. I took him to the vet two weeks ago. He got his annual rabies shot and the feline distemper vaccine. He had been fine, but a couple of days ago (I think right after listening to Cat Chat® on Wednesday), he started eating less food. He takes a few bites and then he’s done. He’s also a bit lethargic which is not normal for Samson who is always jumping and pouncing around. He ate a little bit more today, but I’m still worried. I’m gonna monitor him this weekend and I have a call in to the vet. Could it be a reaction from the vaccine from two weeks ago?? And if so, should I stop getting him that vaccine every year and just get the rabies since it’s required by law? Any info you can give me would be great. I would feel so awful if something happened to him and it was all my fault. He’s my baby!! Thanks so much!

Michele
Chicago, IL

Oh dear. I wrote her back with a heavy heart:

Yes, it could easily be these unnecessary injections. But why are you vaccinating an indoor cat? You listen to Cat Chat® religiously and I have always said NO VACCINATIONS except for kittens and rabies as required by law every 3 years (and even then, if you live in an apartment, well — are there Rabies Police going to come into your apartment and check his tag? What rabid bat is going to fly through your window??)

Anyway, my suggestion would be that when you make that call to your vet, you might mention you’ll be leaving his/her care for a more educated vet since yearly vaccinations have been recommended AGAINST by the AVMA and the feline-only vets for quite a few years. The Cat Bible and Dr Hodgkins book Your Cat are very clear on this.

You’re such a smart woman and great listener; I don’t know how this vet managed to override your good sense. I have to tell you that the doctor did the wrong thing — is DOING the wrong thing to all his/her patients and either does not know the harm s/he’s doing or wouldn’t admit it. You need to switch to a feline-only vet – Chicago is a very hip town, I am sure there are several — and tell all your friends to do the same. The only way to wake up a vet like this is to leave AND TELL HIM/HER WHY. Let me know how Samson is doing in a couple of days. I’ll check in with Dr. H. to see whether 2 weeks is a probable amount of time to get this reaction, but I know she will share my disgust with your vet’s poor judgment and knowledge. Don’t panic. But don’t let him go 24 hours without food. Pamper him to get him to eat and make sure he’s using the litter box normally for him. I’ll be back to you if Dr Hodgkins has any comment to pass along.

Sure enough, here’s what the good doctor said:

Vaccine reactions, including autoimmune anemia, can start any time. Your answer was correct. Always amazes me how folks will ignore a number of signs of health problems because of convenience and or cost factors, yet faithfully present their pets for over-priced and unnecessary vaccines every year, no matter what. And vets will insist on vaccines even for sick cats! This may be an even bigger brain-washing job that the pet food myths.

SAMSON’S VACCINATION MISTAKE CONTINUED (UPDATE):

Michele wrote me back and said:

Tracie, I’m not that smart because the vaccination thing was the one thing I could never grasp since I have been listening to Cat Chat®. I figured, he’s never had a bad reaction before so I assumed it would be ok. :(

I will be looking for a cat only vet to use from now on. Why do these vets encourage unnecessary vaccinations?

I told Michele: Well don’t beat yourself up, done is done.  But keep in mind that a bad reaction isn’t always visible. We don’t even know all the problems that can be caused by over-vaccination. But please from now on, when I tell you stuff on the air, don’t filter it out or discard it because you don’t think it applies to your cat. What you don’t understand, ask me on the air, write to me.  The link on my website to the “cats only” vets will help you find one easily. At least they should know the potential harm of routine vaccinations and will help you and Samson stay safe. As to your question, damned if I know why some vets bluster on doing the wrong thing – it cannot just be for the office visit and injection fee, I refuse to be that cynical!  But I do wish I could come up with a better answer as to why they continue the shots when all research shows the vaccines are unnecessary and maybe harmful – and when their own member organizations tell them not to. It’s criminal, that much I feel safe saying. If a human doctor continued to do procedures that the AMA said were not needed and potentially harmful, you wouldn’t have doctors doing them anyway. It’s a disturbing world we live in – so much information, research and technology – and so much of it misused.

Tracie

The Cat Bible by Tracie Hotchner

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Posted in Cats, Medical | 5 Comments »