Help! My Puppy Has Papilloma Viruse Warts The most common methods of Natural Wart Removal include:
Home remedies for warts
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EPA Announces Voluntary Cancellation of Toxic Chemical in Flea Collars
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Friday that it has reached agreement with two major pet product companies to cancel flea and tick pet collars containing the insecticide propoxur. The agreement, with a long phase-out period, was reached between the agency and the two companies as a result of EPA’s risk assessment in fall 2013, which found unacceptable risks to children from exposure to pet collars containing propoxur. The agency found that children were exposed to propoxur pet collars on the first day following application. Flea and tick collars work by leaving a pesticide residue on dogs’ and cats’ fur, which can be transferred to people by hugging, petting, or coming into contact with the pets. The major source of exposure to these chemicals is from absorption through the skin after directly touching the treated pet. Small children may ingest pesticide residues when they touch a treated cat or dog and subsequently put their hands in their mouth. Under the cancellation agreement, Sergeant’s Pet Care Products, Inc. and Wellmark International will have until April 1, 2015 to continue producing the pet products containing propoxur under the trade names Bansect, Sentry, Zodiac and Biospot, and can continue to distribute them until April 1, 2016. EPA states that it will continue to watch for incidents from the use of these collars and is prepared to take further action if necessary. Though this is a remarkable step towards removing a harmful product from the market, the extended phase-out period continues to allow children to be exposed. In fact, EPA has an astounding history of negotiated multi-year phase-outs with industry. As seen in other EPA decisions, cancellation of a toxic pesticide does not mean that the chemical would be removed from the market, but it is allowed to linger on the market for years continuing to threaten human health and contaminate the environment. Propoxur is a carbamate insecticide first registered in the U.S. in 1963 for the control of household pests. Despite the fact that it was banned in 2007 for indoor uses to which children would be exposed, it remained widely used in flea and tick collars. EPA completed the propoxur pet collar risk assessment in fall 2013 in response to a 2009 Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) petition to cancel the uses. A 2011 study published in the journal NeuroToxicology found a positive link between exposure to the pesticide propoxur and poor motor development in infants. At the age of two, children exposed to propoxur in the womb experience poor development of motor skills, according to a test of mental development. Propoxur can be very dangerous to humans and the environment. Common symptoms of poisoning include malaise, muscle weakness, dizziness, and sweating. Headache, nausea, and diarrhea may also result. EPA considers propoxur a possible human carcinogen, while the state of California classifies it as a known human carcinogen. Propoxur is also highly toxic to beneficial insects such as honey bees as well as crustaceans, fish, and aquatic insects. Source: EPA Press Release  #1 Weed and Feed Products Threaten Human Health, and are Especially Dangerous For Children
A growing body of scientific evidence continues to confirm the widespread health effects of Weed and Feed products. 2,4-D, the pesticide in most Weed and Feed products, is a neurotoxicant and contains half the ingredients in Agent Orange. Studies show that exposure to 2,4-D is associated with neurological disorders, reproductive problems, kidney/liver damage, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers, and disruption of the endocrine (hormonal) system.1 Children are especially at risk for increased exposure to Weed and Feed since they play on lawns for extended periods of time and put their hands and other objects into their mouths.2 In general, children are most susceptible than adults to pesticides because they take in more chemicals relative to their body weight than adults and they have developing organ systems that are more vulnerable and less able to detoxify chemicals.3 Endocrine disruptors are of particular concern for children because, depending on timing, minute doses can effect the function of cells and tissues and cause problems during critical growth stages. Disruption of the endocrine system is associated with a range of developmental problems including deficient brain function, learning disabilities, and other problems. Exposure to herbicides such as 2,4-D is not limited to the outdoors. Studies have shown that lawn chemicals drift and are tracked indoors where they may remain in carpets and on surfaces for up to a year when not exposed to direct sunlight.4 A single turf application of 2,4-D can remain inside the home at exposure levels ten times higher than pre-application exposures.5 In a 2003 study of indoor air toxins, 2,4-D was detected in the dust of 63% of sampled houses.6 #2 Weed and Feed Hurts Dogs and Wildlife 2,4-D has been shown to have negative impacts on a number of animals. Studies have found that dogs whose owners use 2,4-D lawn products are twice as likely to develop canine malignant lymphoma.7 The latest EPA assessment of 2,4-D acknowledges the susceptibility of dogs to poisoning by 2,4-D and other lawn pesticides but does not propose any label warnings to users.8 Wildlife is also negatively affected by Weed and Feed. Exposure to 2,4-D has shown to reduce hatching success and cause birth defects in birds.9 Studies also show 2,4-D products to be toxic to earthworms that are vital to healthy soil, and to have negative impacts on beneficial insects, such as honeybees, predatory beetles, and ladybugs. 10,11 #3 Weed and Feed Pollutes Drinking Water Sources Since Weed and Feed combines a fertilizer and an herbicide, it directs the user to spread the herbicide throughout the lawn instead of just where weeds are present. Most users are believed to overuse Weed and Feed products, not realizing that it actually contains a pesticide or just by thinking that more is better. This is exacerbated by the fact that only around half of households actually read and follow the label carefully when using pesticides and fertilizers.12 Since 2,4-D is highly mobile in soil13 the overuse of Weed and Feed products leads to runoff that contaminates groundwater and watersheds. Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey show 2,4-D is the number one herbicide most frequently detected in streams and shallow ground water throughout the country from home and garden use.14 2,4-D has also been detected in groundwater in at least five states and Canada.15 Partially due to the problem of overuse and water contamination, the Canadian Medical Association passed a resolution calling for the ban of Weed and Feed products.16 #4 Local Governments Are Calling For a Ban on Weed and Feed As part of EPA’s assessment of 2,4-D for reregistration in March 2005, the public was able to submit comments. Over 1000 letters calling for the cancellation of Weed and Feed products were received by the agency including some from local governments and state and local agencies such as Seattle Public Utilities, the California Regional Water Quality Board, Clark County(Washington), and King County(Washington).17 #5 We Don't Need Weed and Feed Weed and Feed is not an effective solution to weed maintenance. It can actually damage the health of lawns by harming microorganisms, beneficial insects, and earthworms that are essential to maintaining healthy soil and therefore, healthy turf. Typically, weeds cover a small fraction of lawn area, and any herbicide applied to weed-free areas is wasted. Even if a lawn contains as much as 50% weeds, then half of the herbicide is unnecessary and contributes to runoff and health risk without providing any benefit. There is no need to expose the public to this toxic chemical in the water, the air and the soil when safe and effective alternatives exist. Examples of alternatives to 2,4-D include corn gluten as a safe pre-emergent general herbicide, vinegar to selectively kill certain weeds, weeder machines that simply use hot water or heat, long handled mechanical weed pullers, and pulling out weeds by hand. Natural organic fertilizers or slow-release fertilizers help to maintain a healthy lawn. Doberman – Melanoma, Lipoma, Histiocytoma, Fibroma, Myxoma, Primary brain tumor Your pet’s chances of acquiring both bladder cancer and lymphoma dramatically increase if your pet is exposed to certain lawn and garden products. The lawn and garden care chemical most notorious for being toxic is called 2, 4-D, and is almost surely in your weed killer product among others. Aside from 2, 4-D, you’ll want to avoid products with Carbary, Pronamide, Chlorothalonil, or Maneb, common pesticide components which seem to correlate closely with increased cancer risk. According to the report “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now” by the President’s Cancer Panel established in 1971): “The entire U.S. population is exposed on a daily basis to numerous agricultural chemicals, some of which are also used in residential and commercial landscaping. Many of these chemicals have known or suspected carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting properties. The EPA has required testing of less than 1 percent of the chemicals in commerce.” Pesticides and Autism: Mount Sinai is leading an effort to understand the role of these toxins in a condition that now affects between 400,000 and 600,000 of the 4 million children born in the United States each year. "A large number of the chemicals in widest use have not undergone even minimal assessment of potential toxicity and this is of great concern," says Dr. Landrigan. "Knowledge of environmental causes of neurodevelopmental disorders is critically important because they are potentially preventable." CEHC developed the list of ten chemicals found in consumer products that are suspected to contribute to autism and learning disabilities to guide a research strategy to discover potentially preventable environmental causes. The top ten chemicals are: 1. Lead 2. Methylmercury 3. PCBs 4. Organophosphate pesticides 5. Organochlorine pesticides 6. Endocrine disruptors 7. Automotive exhaust 8. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 9. Brominated flame retardants 10. Perfluorinated compounds In addition to the editorial, the other four papers also call for increased research to identify the possible environmental causes of autism in America's children. The first paper, written by a team at the University of Wisconsin -- Milwaukee, found preliminary evidence linking smoking during pregnancy to Asperger's disorder and other forms of high-functioning autism. Two papers, written by researchers at the University of California -- Davis, show that PCBs disrupt early brain development. The final paper, also by a team at UC -- Davis, suggests further exploring the link between pesticide exposure and autism. A study presented in the January 2012 issue of the journal Environmental Research concluded that exposure to professionally applied lawn pesticides was associated with a significantly (70 percent) higher risk of canine malignant lymphoma (CML). It’s a broad conclusion and light on specifics. The case-control study, conducted between January 2000 and December 2006 at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, was structured around a 10-page questionnaire that was mailed to dog owners who were having their pets treated at the Foster Hospital; the resulting data came from the owners of 266 dogs with confirmed cases of CML and 478 dogs in two control groups (non-CML cases). The questionnaire was not included in the article; a summary stated that it covered a wide variety of data considerations, including breed, weight, medical history, and the types of chemicals used in the home. The characteristics of the CML cases did not vary much from the controls, other than in the weight category (the CML dogs tended to weigh more than 50 pounds). Exposure to types of flea and tick products and frequency of administration was similar among the groups, as was overall exposure to lawn care products. What did show cause for concern was that the CML cases were more likely to live in homes that reported professionally applied pesticides and herbicides, though the results were only marginally significant for the herbicides. Exposure to other types of professionally applied lawn care products was not associated with increased risk. There was an increased risk, however, for dogs who live in homes where owners applied lawn-care products containing insect growth regulators – substances that inhibit the development of insect eggs and larvae. One disappointment: specific lawn care chemicals or insect-growth regulators were not identified. Instead, the umbrella categories of herbicide, pesticide, insect growth regulators, fungicide, rodenticide, and fertilizer were used. It could be that some of these chemicals are already designated as known carcinogenics. The article notes that studies evaluating frequency of exposure and exposure dose are needed; thus it appears that the researchers did not determine which chemicals the dogs were exposed to, in what quantities, or for how long. Also disappointing was the fact that genetic factors were apparently not considered as part of the study. Three-fourths of the CML dogs were classified as purebred, as was the control group. The incidence rate of CML is not the same for all breeds; increased risk has been reported for several breeds including Basset Hounds, Boxers, Airedales, Golden Retrievers, Saint Bernards, Bulldogs, Bullmastiffs, and Scottish Terriers. This predisposition could indicate an inherited characteristic. Like the canary in the mineshaft, dogs can serve as sentinels for human disease because they are our close companions and are subjected to many of the same environmental influences. Canine cancers have the same biology and behavior as human cancers, and in some cases have identical histology and response rates to treatment. The goal of this study was to identify risk factors for CML from exposure to environmental chemicals in an effort to provide insight to risk factors for humans in developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Keep in mind that exposure to lawn care products is different for canines than it is for humans. People can know if a lawn has been recently treated with chemicals and thus avoid it and take precautions when handling such chemicals. Our pets have no such option; their uncovered and unprotected bodies come in direct contact with the environment. They see an enticing outdoor carpet, perfect for rolling around on, running across, playing fetch and wrestling with playmates on, and even ingesting. Dogs have their mouths on everything: themselves (grooming), their playmates, their toys and sticks lying in the grass, and yes, the grass itself. And those mouths can be the conduit from external to internal exposure. Though more study is needed, the preliminary findings of this study suggest that you can reduce your dog’s risk through the following: -Don’t use pesticides on your own lawns, or allow lawn-service providers to use them on your property. -Don’t use lawn care products that contain insect growth regulators. -Prevent your dog from walking on (or rolling on, eating, etc.) any lawns, unless you are able to determine that absolutely no pesticides are used to maintain them. (Most municipalities are required to make their chemical lawn-care regimens available to the public. It says something about these chemicals that their use is prohibited on most public school grounds.) – Barbara Dobbins Minnesota becomes the first state to ban the toxic antibacterial pesticide triclosan in consumer personal care and cleaning products statewide. Read the press release, and learn more about triclosan here.
Dog owners need to realize that many of the common chemical herbicides are responsible for a large number of pet poisonings. Herbicides can have both short- and long-term effects. They can cause an array of problems that range from mild vomiting to cancers and death. The Environmental Association for Great Lakes Education (EAGLE) sites the “Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association” and the “Journal of the National Cancer Institute” in their conclusion that dogs exposed to lawns treated with herbicides can double their chances of developing canine lymphoma. Herbicide use can increase the risk of canine bladder cancer in some breeds by as much as seven times. When purchasing herbicides, always read the labels so that you understand the dangers associated with the product. The labels include information about the individual chemicals used in the herbicide and safety information that can help protect you and your pet. The labels also specify the amount of time that you need to keep your pet away from plants that have been sprayed. Pay close attention to this information. It is not there for decoration. It can save your dog’s life. There are several dangerous chemicals found in herbicides. One is arsenic, which causes vomiting, diarrhea, pains in the abdominal area, coma and death. Paraquat is another herbicide that has proven to lead to death. Metaldehyde, which is generally found in snail and slug baits, has been associated with abdominal cramps, vomiting, tremors, seizures and death. One of the big problems associated with this herbicide is the fact that metaldehyde tastes good to dogs. Disulfoton, which is still used to protect roses, is part of a class known as organophosphates. While many organophosphates have been pulled from the market, disulfoton, which is also used in fertilizers that contain bone meal and blood, attracts dogs. Unfortunately, it is still used despite the fact that it can make pets extremely ill and can lead to death. Roundup, a commonly used herbicide, also presents dangers to your pets. Dogs exposed to the polyethoxylated tallowamine (one of the inert ingredients) in it can experience extreme vomiting and should be seen immediately by a veterinarian. Follow the directions and do not let your dog walk in areas where the herbicide has been sprayed for at least a day. Most chemical herbicides are the most dangerous when they are wet. The threat becomes less when the herbicide application dries completely. However, dogs that ingest weeds sprayed with herbicides can still become very ill and death can occur. Don’t assume that your yard will be safe even if you don’t apply herbicides. Your yard can become contaminated with the chemicals from spray that blows in from a neighboring property. If your municipality has an herbicide spray program, your yard can easily become contaminated from an herbicide application. If you are on good terms with your neighbors, discuss the dangers of herbicide use with them. If they still insist on using the dangerous chemicals, hopefully they will notify you before they apply them so that you can take the proper precautions. If you know spraying is likely to occur, it is important to keep your dog indoors. Do not let toys or food dishes remain outdoors to become contaminated with the herbicide products. If your neighbor or municipality embarks on a spraying program, ask that they give you 48 hour’s notice before applying herbicides. This will give you ample time to make arrangements to keep your dog from being exposed. If you rent a property and the landlord cares for the yard, you need to discuss an herbicide application schedule with the person in charge. Again, ask for advance notice so you can be sure your dog is not outdoors when the spraying is done. If you suspect that your pet has come into contact with freshly sprayed herbicides, call a veterinarian or pet poison control center immediately. Be prepared to provide as much information as possible so that the vets know how to treat the dog. Different poisons require different antidotes. Try organic herbicides whenever possible. Vinegar is fast becoming one of the most popular organic herbicides. According to the Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory, which is part of the USDA, vinegar has an 80 to 100 percent kill rate in concentrations of 10 to 20 percent. The vinegar you purchase from the grocery store contains only five percent acetic acid and will not work well as an herbicide. Visit your local garden store or check the Internet for vinegar that has higher concentrations of acetic acid. You might also try using corn gluten meal in place of chemicals. Corn gluten meal (CGM) is a natural substitute for synthetic pre-emergence herbicides. Pre-emergence herbicides attack seeds while they’re still in the ground, before the seedlings emerge from the soil. CGM is a by-product of commercial corn milling that contains the protein fraction of the corn. Its use poses no health risk to people or animals. In fact, because it is 60% protein, corn gluten meal is used as feed for cattle, poultry, fish, and dogs. In addition to the 60% protein, corn gluten meal is 10% nitrogen, by weight. Corn gluten meal is a relatively new herbicide that was discovered during turf grass research at Iowa State University. The study showed that corn gluten meal prevented grass seeds from sprouting. The meal works to stop the germination of seeds. It does not kill or stunt existing plants. Corn gluten meal is available in powder or pellet forms. The meal should be applied late in April or early in May and again in mid-August for best results. The corn gluten meal should be applied at a rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Water lightly after application to activate the corn gluten meal. As more Americans move toward a greener lifestyle, more information is being published on organic herbicides. Fortunately, more commercial sprayers are offering organic treatments of weedy lawns. Don’t be afraid to ask for natural alternatives. 8 Tips for Preventing your Kids and Dobermans to unseen exposure to Allergy and Cancer Causing Toxins and Poisons.1. Your kids may be more profoundly affected by random, chronic pesticide exposures than adults simply because they are smaller and still growing, according to studies.
Kids also tend to have a more severe reaction to gases, toxins and pesticides. Study after study shows this can cause extreme harm to your growing child, their bodies absorb gases and toxins like a sponge, thereby contributing to various skin issues and rashes, lung issues such as asthma and in severe cases, dizziness, disorientation and even death. In 2005, the Organic Consumers Association gathered evidence showing that cumulative exposure to residues on foods from pesticides — some of which, like 2,4-D, are the same as those used on lawns — could affect child development. The OCA summed up: “According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Academy of Sciences, standard chemicals are up to ten times more toxic to children than to adults, depending on body weight. This is due to the fact that children take in more toxic chemicals relative to body weight than adults and have developing organ systems that are more vulnerable and less able to detoxify toxic chemicals.” Similarly, Beyond Pesticides notes: “The National Academy of Sciences reports that children are more susceptible to chemicals than adults and estimates that 50 percent of lifetime pesticide exposure occurs during the first five years of life. EPA concurs that children take in more pesticides relative to body weight than adults and have developing organ systems that are more vulnerable and less able to detoxify toxic chemicals.” Findings showing that kids take on a proportionately heavier load of chemicals — from food, plastics, and household products — has led to concerns that lawn chemicals contribute to their “body burden,” in the parlance of those who discuss personal pollution issues. Scientists are finding that pesticides, like certain components in plastic such as BPA, can disrupt the human hormone system. Both major weed and feed chemicals, atrazine and 2,4-D, are considered to be “potential endocrine disruptors” (along with an array of other pesticides), meaning they can interfere with the human body’s hormonal system. Endocrine disruptors are known for their insidious way of creeping into the human body undetected at low levels, essentially thwarting the body’s usual defenses. They mimic or interfere with natural hormones, acting on the thyroid or pituitary glands, reproductive organs and the brain. Studies suggest that this interference can cause problems with child or fetal development, and metabolism and fertility, later in life. The effect of synthetic endocrine disruptors on reproductive organs could explain why human fertility issues are suddenly “off the Richter scale,” said Mark Kastel of the Cornucopia Institute in a recent interview. “Sometimes exposures to these toxics can have catastrophic lifelong impact,” he said. “It might be a triggering device, especially in the reproductive organs, causing them to develop inadequately.” Endocrine disruption is just one way pesticides may harm kids. Two studies by Minnesota researchers found that pesticides, either a mix that included 2,4-D but also fungicides and glyphosate, appeared to raise the risk of birth defects among the children of exposed farm families. Other studies have found that the use of household and lawn pesticides raises the risk of childhood leukemia (here’s one paper that reviewed 17 studies of the link to leukemia). Beyond Pesticides has collected a long list of research, showing implicating pesticides in childhood development issues, increased asthma rates and even brain cancer.  Cerera was a very large and fast growing puppy! She rapidly grew to the height of 29 inches tall. Luckily we escaped the common problems associated with a fast growing puppy. However you may not be so lucky!
Panosteitis is sometimes called "growing pains." Panosteitis may occur in more than one bone at a time and often moves around from leg to leg. The limping usually occurs very suddenly and spontaneously, or without a history of trauma or excessive exercise. Pano usually presents itself around 5 to 6 months of age and can come and go even moving from leg to leg up until your Doberman puppy is 18 months of age. Some tips we can share with you if your Doberman puppy limping are: 1. Make sure your puppy receives a thorough lameness examination by a competent Veterinarian to rule out tendon or joint pain from an injury. Although panosteitis is not a serious disease, and is a common cause of lameness, other, more serious bone diseases can cause lameness in young dogs. In order to be sure that a sudden onset of lameness is not caused by one of these more serious bone diseases, radiographs must be taken. If the radiographs show the typical lesions of panosteitis, then you can rest assured that your dog will eventually outgrow the problem. 2. Although there are potential links between diets containing excessive levels of dietary protein and/or calcium, it isn't recommended to feed large breed puppies with an adult dog food that contains lower levels of protein and calcium. The reason for this is that many grocery store brands of adult dog food also have lower calories or energy levels than puppy food. This will actually cause your Doberman puppy to eat a lot more of a low-energy food to meet their growth requirements. Eating more of a low energy diet will result in a higher overall intake of protein and calcium which can disrupt their delicate growth ratio. A better option is to feed your Doberman puppy a high quality diet that has been specifically formulated for use in large breed puppies or adolescents, and to restrict the quantity fed to keep the dog at a lean, healthy body weight. Do not allow your puppy to become overweight. 3. Episodes can last for two to three weeks or can continue for months at a time. The dog may show hesitance to walk, run, jump, or exercise. If the affected bone is squeezed, the dog will exhibit pain as well. Some dogs run a low-grade fever during episodes of panosteitis. Others have elevated white blood cell counts. The condition typically affects the radius, ulna, humerus, femur, and tibia, but once in a while the condition can affect the foot and pelvic bones as well. 4. Large Dog Breeds at higher risk of Panosteitis:Large fast growing breeds have a higher risk of Panosteitis. Panosteitis is especially common in German shepherds. Other dog breeds where this condition is quite common are the Great Dane, the Doberman pinscher, the Labrador retriever and the Golden retriever. Signs and Symptoms of Panosteitis in dogs: The classic signs and symptoms of Panosteitis in Doberman puppies is lameness. Panosteitis can affect different bones at different times, and you might notice how your Doberman puppy seems sore and lame in one hind leg only to have it suddenly switch to the opposite leg seemingly overnight! Such a cycle of lameness can last from 2-3 weeks for each leg, and your Doberman puppy will often experience periods when it has no apparent symptoms at all and happily runs and plays like any other Doberman puppy. If your Doberman puppy is suffering from Panosteitis it can develop a fever or experience nausea, become lethargic and even lose its appetite. Panosteitis is not cured surgically or by prescribing any particular drug. The treatment of choice for Panosteitis is simply rest and exercise restriction, a Doberman puppy with Panosteitis must be given plenty of rest, you may even need to crate them at times. If your Doberman puppy is in a lot of pain, your vet can may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to help make them more comfortable. (NO Rimadyl) Most Dobermans fully recover from Panosteitis without any permanent side effects. MSM - directions are on the bottle for the size of the dog. Open the capsule and sprinkle the powder on the food. Herbsmith Comfort Aches - available in a tablet and a powder. Yucca Intensive - 10 drops in food. This is bitter, so mix it into the food (shake the bottle well). Vitamin "E" 1 Capsule daily. Vitamin "C" 500 mg daily. I had been telling Bruce how we needed to get some weight off of one of our young females, we switched her to adult food but it wasn't quite soon enough and she has shown a bit of pain in her hind legs. Nothing serious but a wake up call to be on the lookout for Pano! We have never had a serious case of Pano in our Dobermans and we are not wanting to experience any Doberman puppy with it now! Remember to keep your young rapidly growing puppies lean and on a well balance diet. Do not feed extra calcium as this may disrupt the delicate balance between calcium and phosphorous a sure fire way to set your Doberman puppy up for a painful bout of Pano! Our dogs are in the midst of an epidemic. It’s not an epidemic of viral disease, but of chronic ill health. They’re besieged with itchy, pus-laden, scabby skin; vomit and diarrhoea are the norm. One in every hundred dogs suffers from epilepsy, and an even higher number lives with painful arthritis. Allergies are also reaching epidemic proportions: dogs are becoming allergic to life.
According to Dr Jean W Dodds, an eminent vet and researcher, both allergic and autoimmune diseases have been rising since the introduction of modified live virus vaccines. Autoimmune diseases are where the body attacks self; they include cancer, leukaemia, thyroid disease, Addisons, Grave’s disease, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, lupus, thrombocytopenia, organ failure, skin inflammations, and more. We also seem to have a tremendous number of dogs with behavioural problems, largely due to over-vaccination and processed pet food. Vaccines are known to cause inflammation of the brain, as well as lesions throughout the brain and central nervous system. The medical term for this is ‘encephalitis’, and vaccine’s role is acknowledged in the Merck Manual. Merck is a vaccine manufacturer. Years ago, I was the typical ‘responsible’ dog owner. My four Golden Retrievers were vaccinated every year, and they were fed a ‘complete and balanced’ pet food, recommended by my vet. The red carpet was metaphorically rolled out once a fortnight, each time I visited with a dog suffering from chronic disease. Eventually the problems became more serious: my dogs started to die years before their time. Over the years, I’ve collected research documents to help me make decisions about my dogs’ husbandry, and to share what I’ve learnt with other dog lovers. I also hoped that vets would take notice of the research, and stop over-vaccinating. All medical interventions come with a risk – even the humble aspirin can be deadly. So you have to do a risk/benefit analysis whenever you consider medications. What, then, are the risks of vaccines? Research by Frick and Brookes shows us that vaccines can trigger atopy (skin allergies). (Am J Vet Res. 1983 Mar;44(3):440-5). Dr Jean W Dodds tells us that retroviral and parvoviral diseases, and MLVvaccines, are associated with lymphoma, leukaemia, organ failure, thyroid disease, adrenal disease, pancreatic disease, and bone marrow failure. Vaccines cause cancer in cats at their injection site and, according to the Journal of Veterinary Medicine, August 2003, vaccines cause cancer in dogs at their injection sites. Vaccines cause autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (JVM, Vol 10, No. 5, September/ October 1996; Merck Veterinary Manual), andarthritis (BVJ, May 1995 and Am Coll Vet Intern Med, 2000; 14:381). Epilepsy is a symptom of encephalitis, which, as we already know, can be caused by vaccines. According to Dr Larry Glickman and his team at Purdue University, serum and foreign proteins in vaccines can cause autoimmunity (i.e. cancer, leukaemia, organ failure, etc.). This research also indicates that genetic damage is possible, since vaccinated dogs developed autoantibodies to attack their own DNA. Research from the University of Geneva echoes this finding. Over the years, many vets, particularly in America, have been saying that they think vaccines cause a diverse range of problems in animals. For example, Christine Chambreau DVM said, ‘Routine vaccinations are probably the worst thing we do for our animals. They cause all types of illnesses but not directly to where we would relate them definitely to be caused by the vaccine.’ She is not alone in this view. So imagine my dilemma ten years ago, when Edward and Daniel came into my home. Having already seen my vaccinated dogs suffer with chronic illnesses, and dying from cancer and leukaemia – knowing that vaccines may have caused these illnesses – what was I to do? I concluded that I would rather risk viral disease with my dogs, than have them suffer from the epidemic of chronic and fatal illness that is gripping the canine population. I appreciate that some will consider me irresponsible. But what actually are we running from when we vaccinate? OK, so distemper is so rare that most vets haven’t seen it in at least ten years. Also, according to the top researchers, and stated by the American Veterinary Medical Association, once immune to viral disease, dogs are immune for years or life. So why are vets and vaccine manufacturers still trying to get us to vaccinate against viral disease every year, or even three-yearly – especially when you consider the risk? According to the Intervet data sheet, dogs will develop permanent immunity to hepatitis over the age of 12 weeks. So why keep vaccinating against that? Kennel cough is easily treated in most cases, and the vaccine isn’t very effective. So what’s the point? Leptospirosis is rare (my vet tells me he hasn’t seen it in ten years, either), and the vaccine is associated with some of the worst adverse reactions. Isn’t this vaccine an unacceptable risk, then? And parvovirus is – according to the Concise Oxford Veterinary Dictionary – rarely a problem for the normal healthy adult dog. The next question, of course, is how do you get yourself a normal healthy adult dog? Aha – catch 22. In my view, you get a healthy adult dog by not vaccinating at all! Vaccines destabilise the immune system, leading to all sorts of chronic illness. From all I’ve seen and read, vaccines do not set your dog up for good health. They have the potential to make your dogs itchy, scratchy, vomiting, diarrhoea-filled, sickly, sub-normal shadows of their former selves – ready and waiting for the more serious killers like cancer to arrive. Vaccines represent the perfect recipe for the chronic illness epidemic I’ve been describing. Does this mean I’ve left Edward and Daniel open and unprotected against viral disease? No. When they were puppies they were given the homoeopathic nosode, a safer vaccine alternative. They have also been fed naturally all their lives, providing vital nutrients to boost their immune systems, and they are exercised well (which also boosts the immune system). Have they ever they suffered from recurrent hot spots, allergies, digestive upsets, eye and ear infections, or any other chronic illnesses? No. Did they die of cancer at the age of five, or leukaemia at the age of six, or paralysis at the age of four – as my vaccinated dogs did? No. In fact, they’re probably very well equipped, and healthy enough, to withstand the diseases I might otherwise have vaccinated against. Is probably good enough? Well – it’s the best anyone is going to get. Because even vaccines cannot guarantee immunity. So am I taking the high risk option? I don’t think so. It seems to me that good health is a God-given natural right. It’s only man who messes it up. The natural order is wiser than any of us, and those of us who don’t vaccinate our dogs are proving natural law to be right. by Catherine O'Driscoll in Vaccine Articles and News The duration of immunity for Rabies vaccine, Canine distemper vaccine, Canine Parvovirus vaccine, Feline Panleukopenia vaccine, Feline Rhinotracheitis, feline Calicivirus, have all been demonstrated to be a minimum of 7 years by serology for rabies and challenge studies for all others.
In the Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and What We Don’t Know, Proceedings – Canine Infectious Diseases: From Clinics to Molecular Pathogenesis, Ithaca, NY, 1999, Dr. Ronald Schultz, a veterinary immunologist at the forefront of vaccine research and chair of the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Pathobiological Sciences, outlines the DOI for the following vaccines: Minimum Duration of Immunity for Canine Vaccines:Distemper- 7 years by challenge/15 years by serology Parvovirus – 7 years by challenge/ 7 years by serology Adenovirus – 7 years by challenge/ 9 years by serology Canine rabies – 3 years by challenge/ 7 years by serology Dr. Schultz concludes: “Vaccines for diseases like distemper and canine parvovirus, once administered to adult animals, provide lifetime immunity.” “Are we vaccinating too much?” JAVMA, No. 4, August 15, 1995, pg. 421. Yet vets continue to vaccinate annually. Dog owners feel that their vets are doing their dogs a great service by vaccinating every three years instead of annually – why do we allow it when these studies were done over thirty years ago and have been replicated time and again by other researchers? Ian Tizard states: “With modified live virus vaccines like canine parvovirus, canine distemper and feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis the virus in the vaccine must replicate to stimulate the immune system. In a patient that has been previously immunized, antibodies from the previous vaccine will block the replication of the new vaccinal virus. Antibody titers are not significantly boosted. Memory cell populations are not expanded. The immune status of the patient is not enhanced. After the second rabies vaccination, re-administration of rabies vaccine does not enhance the immune status of the patient at one or two year intervals. We do not know the interval at which re-administration of vaccines will enhance the immunity of a significant percentage of the pet population, but it is certainly not at one or two year intervals. Tizard Ian, Yawei N, Use of serologic testing to assess immune status of companion animals, JAVMA, vol 213, No 1, July 1, 1998. “The recommendation for annual re-vaccination is a practice that was officially started in 1978.” says Dr. Schultz. “This recommendation was made without any scientific validation of the need to booster immunity so frequently. In fact the presence of good humoral antibody levels blocks the anamnestic response to vaccine boosters just as maternal antibody blocks the response in some young animals.” He adds: “The patient receives no benefit and may be placed at serious risk when an unnecessary vaccine is given. Few or no scientific studies have demonstrated a need for cats or dogs to be revaccinated. Annual vaccination for diseases caused by CDV, CPV2, FPLP and FeLV has not been shown to provide a level of immunity any different from the immunity in an animal vaccinated and immunized at an early age and challenged years later. We have found that annual revaccination with the vaccines that provide long-term immunity provides no demonstrable benefit.” Why then, have vets not embraced the concept of lifelong immunity in dogs? “Profits are what vaccine critics believe is at the root of the profession’s resistance to update its protocols. Without the lure of vaccines, clients might be less inclined to make yearly veterinary visits.Vaccines add up to 14 percent of the average practice’s income, AAHA reports, and veterinarians stand to lose big. I suspect some are ignoring my work,” says Schultz, who claims some distemper vaccines last as long as 15 years. “Tying vaccinations into the annual visit became prominent in the 1980s and a way of practicing in the 1990s. Now veterinarians don’t want to give it up.” The report of the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Taskforce in JAAHA (39 March/April 2003)3 includes the following information for vets: 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-developed epidemiological vigilance in human medicine that indicates immunity induced by vaccination is extremely long lasting and, in most cases, lifelong.’ Both the AAHA and the AVMA must do more to “step up to the plate” says noted immunologist, Dr. Richard Ford. But the reality is the vets do not have to listen to the AAHA or the AVMA and it appears the state veterinary medical boards are not interested in enforcing vaccine schedules, opting to leave it up to the individual vet. Dr. Bob Rogers hired a Chicago based law firm and initiated a class action suit for pet owners who were not given informed consent and full disclosure prior to vaccination administration. His article entitled “The Courage to Embrace the Truth”, states “While attending conferences like WSVMA and NAVMC I have asked over 400 DVMs from various parts of the country if they attended the seminars on New Vaccination Protocols. I was told by all but one, “I don’t care what the data says, I am not changing.” One DVM here on VIN even said “I am not changing until the AVMA makes me change.” It seems that pet owners are against the wall when it comes to vaccination. The obvious conclusion is that pet owners who are concerned about the long term health of their companion animals must take it upon themselves to research vaccines, duration of immunity and vaccine dangers. At the very least, question every vaccine that goes into your animal – but none of the above information indicates you will get an honest or well-informed answer. Be your dog’s advocate – protect him with knowledge and by taking a stand against unnecessary vaccination. His life may depend on it!  I came across this article I thought I'd share with you on how many times you can breed your female safely.
HOW OFTEN TO BREED YOUR BITCH The experts all seem to agree that the least healthy approach for a breeding bitch is to skip heat cycles and keep the bitch unbred. This is not only Dr. Hutchinson's philosophy as Dr. Threlfall at Ohio State Univ. teaches the same thing (my husband just attended a Cont. Ed seminar on Canine Repro earlier this year at OSU). This is NOT new information, either. I was reading Dr. Billinghurst's book GROW YOUR PUP WITH BONES, which addresses the health of puppies as well as their parents and reproductive issues. This is not a new book (maybe 10 years old?). He states the same thing. Canines are meant to be pregnant on every heat cycle. As Dr. Hutchinson explains it in his seminars, the hormones are the same and the bitch goes through the same changes whether they are bred or not. So when the hormones 'do their thing' to a uterus that does not have pups, it is "hammered" (his term) by the hormones and causes aging and thickening which makes the uterine lining less conducive to implantation and more prone to infection over time. The recommendation it to breed them young, breed on every heat cycle until you are done, then spay them. THAT is the healthiest scenario for your breeding bitch. While Dr. Threlfall and Dr. Hutchinson don't see eye to eye on some issues, this one they completely agree on. I have to wonder if anyone has found a vet knowledgable on repro issues who states otherwise. Yet there are still people who refuse to believe this advice. I have often wondered about the practice of condemning back-to-back breedings. I wonder if it stems from the way bitches blow their coat post weaning which may lead people to feel the bitch is not recovering well. I know that our girls blow their coat at the same time they would after being in heat (about 4 months) whether bred or not, but the post puppy coat loss is usually more. I suspect that this appearance made people believe that the bitch was completely run down and it "was hard on her" having the pups. Unfortunately, in our current PC environment, we want to suggest that people who breed more than one litter every several years are simply money hungry puppy mills and some of us are quick to condemn their practices based on this mentality. So if someone follows the EXPERTS advice concerning their dogs, the self appointed Ethics Police talk poorly of them ignoring the fact that what they are doing is biologically in the BEST interest of their dogs. I think many people want to act like dogs are little people in fur coats. They want to suggest that what we may feel is how a dog feels. While I wouldn’t personally want to have a new child every year, I do believe that my dogs have always adored having puppies. Granted, there are certainly reasons why some bitches should probably not be bred again. Some are poor mothers. Some don't produce much milk. Some can't whelp or conceive w/o veterinary intervention. But the bottom line is that in a healthy normal bitch, breeding every heat cycle for as many litters as you want from that bitch, then spaying her, is the most healthy way to go. And that is from the people who are qualified to say so. You know, cattle are kept pregnant every year starting when they would "freshen" (have their calf) at 2 years of age. They breed them until they won't breed anymore. If a cow is "open" (not pregnant), the farmer either tries to get her bred or sells her because wintering an open cow is a big money loser. Yes, it is certainly a business having calves (no one denies that), but the cattle certainly seem fine being pregnant all but three months of the year and well into their teen years. Just as an aside, cows/heifers start having calves at 2 years of age (earlier and they aren't fully grown so often can't calve on their own). They are bred back EVERY year. I know cattle is a money business and many of the Doggy PC Police want to say that breeding more than a few litters a year is only out of greed, but cattle NEVER get a break and apparently have no ill effects as a result. Also, dairy cows won't have milk unless they are bred back each year. But my point is that this does not seem to effect their health in a bad way at all and has been the way cattle have been kept for many many decades. If you tried to tell them that it is too hard on the cow to be pregnant every year, they would think you were a COMPLETE idiot! The bottom line is that if you are a breeder… well, you breed! Perhaps it is time for some of us to rethink our beliefs that dogs should get a break between heat cycles for their health because under normal circumstances, this is simply not true. As always, I encourage anyone with ideas on issues I’ve discussed, or issues they would like to see addressed, to please share their thoughts with me. I can be reached at shilogr@yahoo.com Thanks so much! www.uniquedobermans.com |
Author ~ JanI've been "Owned" by a Doberman since 1973, they are the only dog for me.. Archives
January 2019
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