You've just picked up your dog at the vet and when you are leaving, the vet says, "She may be a little sleepy or feverish since she just had a vaccine."
There's no doubt that vaccines CAN be helpful when used correctly and with much forethought. Great Danes - originating from the Mastiff & the Greyhound - are a breed who possess some immune sensitivities. As a breeder of these exotic giants, I have studied which vaccines are best for my breeding program. Puppy owners are supplied with a list of vaccines that have been given to date and those that need to be given and when.
My vaccine protocol covers the basic diseases that I believe may still threaten the pups' lives: Distemper ("D"), Adenovirus2 ("A2"), Parvo ("P" or "CPV"), Parainfluenza ("P"). At 13 weeks, the pups get an intranasal Bordetella "squirt" for their protection against Kennel Cough. My dogs do NOT get Leptospirosis or Corona vaccines. Vaccines are given in as small a "combination" as possible and only to a healthy, unstressed pup.
Because of the Great Dane's sensitivity and the possibility of immune-related illness, I encourage the Rabies vaccine to be delayed as long as legally possible, only when the dog is completely well, and at least 2 weeks apart from any other vaccines or stress. If you are in a high-risk area for rabies, it is certainly wiser to vaccinate so that you aren't required to euthanize your dog if there is a doubt that he or she is exposed to a rabid animal's saliva in your area.
PLEASE take heart with a very difficult lesson learned...
Veterinarians are an essential part of your dog's life, but so is your breeder! Breeders are devoted to their breed by studying issues from health and genetics to temperament and structure. Additionally, they know what conditions are likely to happen in their breed and even their pedigree.
TOGETHER, the vet and the breeder should be able to achieve a positive outcome for all. When your breeder and veterinarian give you contradicting advice, ask them both for supporting documentation. EDUCATE YOURSELF! Make your own decision based on what FEELS right, and most importantly... don't be afraid to say NO if the vet is giving vaccines you don't want your dog to have!
Once I investigated the vet's itemized statement given to the owners and explained how many diseases the vet had injected into his immune system, we realized the pup was in desperate need of a homeopathic veterinarian who could purge his systems of the toxins. To the rescue came Dr. Charles, Loops, DVM, our hero! Dr. Loops remarked at how strong this pup was to have survived all those vaccines in such a short time.
Within one month of Dr. Loops' treatment, the pup began to gain weight and look healthy once again. To the right, Luke is pictured in January 2000 at five months of age.
In April 2000, his immune system once again had problems and he was treated for a few intestinal parasites. The treatment sparked a journey that was never expected to be traveled. Because he refused food and would no longer eat, his family reverted to the most basic, natural way of feeding--the BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). One month after being on the diet, his weight exceeded that of his "bigger" brother.
To the right, Luke is picture at eight months old, just two weeks after beginning his new diet.
Immune problems can be a life-long side effect of vaccine reactions. In the Fall of 2000, a year after his vaccinosis began, Luke had a horrible case of hives seen below right. Whatever would happen for the duration of his life, it's clear that this young boy has immune issues directly linked to vaccines. We also know that he has one incredible constitution to heal. Had he not had the excellent health behind him, he would not have survived... and that is clear from the picture at the top of the page.
Halloween weekend 1999, I sent a handsome, healthy puppy to a wonderful home in Georgia. The new owners had spent weeks on the phone and hours in person interviewing me to see if I was the right breeder for them. They also spent time interviewing a veterinarian that would become our boy's new doctor since this was their first dog. Everything sounded perfect until the pup was taken to its new vet. Within the course of two months, something went terribly wrong and our boy suffered tremendously from some very poor medical treatment that we are discovering is becoming more and more common--repeating shots on a young puppy.
The pup had left my home healthy and with an "a-o.k." (signed health certificate) from MY personal veterinarian, and he was found to be healthy by this new vet as well. The veterinarian took a look at my very detailed health record of this puppy (again, signed by my own personal vet) and told the new owners that she "couldn't trust if the vaccines were given correctly." She continued by explaining "she was a doctor and right there in town...that the breeder had no medical degree and lived 500 miles away."
Naively and feeling pressured, the new owners agreed to another FULL SERIES of vaccines on this young pup even though the vet had documentation on which specifics vaccines were left to give Luke. The owners didn't understand until after the fact exactly what the vet had given their new pup. They called me to read me the vet bill: it said "DHLPP-CVK." They didn't understand that meant the vet had just given this puppy SIX VACCINES IN ONE right on top of the ones I had given him. The booklet sent home with the family specifically instructed NOT to give corona or lepto vaccine... the "L" and the "CVK in that mish-mash of letters! The vet then encouraged them "for his own health" to give this pup his RABIES vaccine plus TWO BORDETELLA vaccines.... all before the age of 18 weeks and within one month's time. [This was the vet's policy for allowing puppies into doggie day care, which the family believed was a great socialization exercise.]
After a few hours of what would be his final vaccine, the pup became very ill with mucousy diarrhea and was vomitting profusely. Rather than admitting her error, the vet treated this pup for a "virus that's going around" and aggressively treated him with an IV of antibiotics and Tagamet in addition to worming him!! See his entire Shot Record to the RIGHT.
BREEDERS "vs" VETS...
Ironically, breeders and vets don't always see eye-to-eye. Both have devoted their lives to the love of animals but the life experiences of breeders and studies in the breed in which they specialize are not always recognized or appreciated... In any case, we have to find a meeting ground to trust each other for the betterment of our dogs. Make no mistake, I support the veterinary field and believe there is a need for both TRADITIONAL & HOMEOPATHIC care as well as insight and open conversation from the breeder and pet owner.
WELCOME TO SierraDanes.com
The Story of LUKE
Luke left my home in October 1999 - Halloween. A few days after, this photo was taken of Luke at his new home.
ALCHEMY
VACCINOSIS...
the fever, muscle aches, bone pain, prostration, etc. (malaise)
as the result of being vaccinated
EARTH
Luke in mid-December 1999 after being given vaccines that exposed him to 24 viruses before four months of age
LUKE'S VACCINATION RECORD
Great Dane Puppy, Male, Fawn
Born - 8/4/99
Birth weight - 6 ounces
Current weight (at 4 months) - 40 lbs.
Breeder - Margaret Minuth
Food - Eagle Brand Lamb and Rice
Fecal exams normal on 10/6/99 & 11/2/99
VACCINE HISTORY:
By Breeder:
WORMING: rounds & hooks
8/28/99: Nemex2
9/11/99: Nemex2
VACCINATION SERIES:
9/19/99:Progard Puppy DPV
(Distemper & Parvo)
10/06/99: Vanguard DA2PP
(Distemper, Adenovirus2, Parvo,
Parainfluenza)
10/27/99: Vanguard DA2PP
(Distemper, Adenovirus2, Parvo,
Parainfluenza)
Pup sent to new home with vaccine on 11/17/99: Vanguard DA2PP(Distemper, Adenovirus2, Parvo, Parainfluenza)
Rabies - Breeder recommends to wait as long as possible and not give rabies in conjunction with other shots (vaccine manufacturer says to give "only to healthy animals")
12/4/99: by vet (given in conjunction
with 6-way vaccine)
Sent home a package of Revolution flea/tick prevention as well when no parasites were present
