Why I dont vaccinate

Why I don't vaccinate

By Catherine O’Driscoll

I’m not sure that a letter would be appropriate, as there are basically ‘two sides’ to consider in the vaccine debate. One, which I think you’ve taken, is that vaccines are mandatory and protect against terrible diseases. Which is surely a view.My view tends to err on the side that vaccines potentially (but not always) protect against a number of diseases, viz.,

distemper which barely exists;
lepto, which is rare and the vaccine isn’t that effective and is associated with some severe adverse reactions;
hepatitis: according to Intervet’s data sheet, a dog is immune after 12 weeks of age,
kennel cough, which is quite easily treated in most cases, and the vaccine isn’t very effective.
Parvo: potentially created by the vaccine process itself; and parvo is rarely a threat to the normal healthy adult dog.

Also included in my view is the evidence which suggests that we’re running from viral disease (often vaccinating annually or three-yearly when it’s not necessary), but that the diseases CAUSED by vaccines (cancer, leukaemia, arthritis, diabetes, epilepsy, behavioural problems, skin disease, allergies, etc) far outnumber the diseases we’re preventing. On a risk/benefit ratio, I feel that vaccines are not worth the risk. There are alternatives, chiefly the homoeopathic nosode, and/or better nutrition, and anti-viral/bacterial natural products such as colloidal silver, garlic, grapefruitseed extract and olive leaf extract.

I guess my only disappointment is that you could have stated more strongly that annual vaccination isn’t necessary, since this seems to be a big problem amongst dog owners whose dogs have reactions, often fatal, to unnecessary shots. I understand, of course, that your space was very limited and you did a great job with the space you had. I also understand that not everyone agrees on the vaccine issue, and everyone has a right to their stance.

As you know, I don’t use vaccines at all. Edward and Daniel, aged 10, have never been vaccinated and are the healthiest dogs I’ve ever had the pleasure of sharing my life with. Indeed, recent blood profiles gave them top marks for being ‘perfect’, just where a healthy dog’s blood profile should be. Gwinnie only had her puppy shots, and none since – and she’s a really delightful and healthy 13-year old girl.

So in summary, I don’t disagree with your article in principle, except that there is another way of rearing a healthy dog and protecting them from disease without risking vaccine reactions. I’ll cut and paste an email I received this morning, as an example of what I have sought to avoid by NOT vaccinating.

Thanks for your article on vaccinations. We raise Yorkies and got a phone call today from a new owner crying saying their pup had a reaction to it's 2nd round of shots and passed away. Their vet said "yea we have had a couple of pups that had adverse reactions to this vaccination ...but it's really rare". This pup was in perfect health and was chkd by MY vet.
I am so mad ...started doing some research and found your article. I wish I would have known sooner.
I am writing this out of town. Anything I can do to raise hell when I get back in town. My wife said it was good thing I wasn't in town when this went down today ...and she's right.

Please note that the vet said a couple of pups had adverse reactions to this vaccine, and that’s just in one practice! I wonder if dog lovers realise that their sickly dog – suffering from arthritis, or allergies, or neurological problems, or autoimmune disease – is simply expressing the symptoms of vaccine damage?