Is Your Vet Still Overvaccinating Your Dog?

Author: Daniel Beatty, DVM
Is your dog being overvaccinated and your vet is not following the new guidelines? How many of you are still getting annual “shots” for your dog? Has your vet told you that there is a “new” protocol for vaccinating your dog? I say “new” loosely because the guidelines have been around for over 5 years now! That is beside the point, lets just go with the new guidelines given out by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) last year in 2006.

First, a bit of information about the vaccination of your dog. The most common other vaccination given to your dog besides rabies is a 5 or a 6 in one shot. Meaning there are 5 or 6 different types of diseases your dog is being vaccinated for in one shot. The common acronym for this vaccine is DHLPP and sometimes added in there is a C. The letters each stand for a different disease – D=Distemper, H=Hepatitis (also known as Adenovirus), L=Leptospirosis, P=Parvo, P=Parainfluenza, and C=Corona.

For the new guidelines lets take the three core vaccines, the three that your dog should be vaccinated for Distemper, Parvo and Hepatitis (Adenovirus). After your dog has been initially vaccinated for these three core diseases usually as a puppy and then a year later with a booster, your dog has prolonged immunity against those diseases. What do I mean by prolonged immunity, well the research shows, your dog is immune for 6 to 9 years! That’s correct! The research done by reputable immunologists, such as Dr. Ronald Schultz, shows that after the initial puppy vaccination and a one year booster many dogs are protected for the majority of their life. WIth this new research AAHA developed some new guidelines. Their suggestion or guidelines, after puppy vaccination and the yearly booster is that the three core vaccines, only need to be boostered every three years. So according to the AAHA guidelines, instead of annual revaccination, your dog really only needs to be revaccinated every three years.

In fact, did you know, annual vaccination of your dog can cause severe diseases. Overvaccination has been linked to cancer, allergies, and other auto-immune diseases such as Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. More research needs to be done but many of the recent studies show these links exist. In fact, in cats, overvaccination has been proven to cause sarcomas, a very severe cancer.

So now the question becomes, if the vaccines have been shown to produce immunity that lasts quite a bit longer than what was originally thought and annual vaccination might be the cause of certain allergies and other immune system diseases including cancer, then why has my vet not told me about this? Unfortunately, the answer is money, if not money then it is pure ignorance on your vet’s part. Yes ignorance, as in not current in their education or just an unwillingness to change because the old way is the way things have always been done. Money is the other answer and no it is not because veterinarians are greedy, but rather in many veterinary offices, 33% of the annual income comes from vaccinations. This is a large percentage of income that with the new guidelines will be cut. Veterinarians are not prepared for that kind of an income cut. Many could go out of business. Many clinics do not have the management skills or their other services are not priced correctly to compensate for that kind of an income loss. So changing to the new vaccination guidelines although would benefit your animals health can be a tough business decision for the owner of the veterinary clinic. Just remember though you have a responsibility as a pet owner for the health and well being of your pet and less vaccinations IS better for your pet, regardless of the business problems that some clinics may have going to the new guidelines.

So if your veterinarian is still requesting annual vaccinations, ask why. Be informed, make the right decisions, choose to protect the health of your dog by learning what your veterinarian is giving to your dog and why – specifically why, not just because he is the vet and it is to better the health of your dog. Ask questions, be dangerous!



About The Author

Daniel Beatty, DVM

Be dangerous to your veterinarian, be informed, make intelligent decisions based on knowledge from credible sources. You can find more information about the topic of dog health care at Dr. Dan's site http://www.evetclinic.com or his blog http://healthyasadog.com

Gundog Breed. Eager, Bold And Loyal. "Welcome The Sporting Gun Dog"

by: John E Adams
Gundog Breed. A brief history of the Gun dog

Ever since their domestication, dogs have helped humans hunt, something that they continue to do today. Gundogs, which are also known as bird dogs, are canines that have been bred to assist in the hunt through a variety of different ways.

What might surprise you is the fact that gundogs can often be excellent family pets as well invaluable companions in the field.

The term gundog refers to a wide variety of breeds that all help human hunters take down their prey; typically, gundogs fall into one of two different categories. The first type of gundogs are called pointers or setters. Irish Setters and English Setters are two dog breeds included in this category.

Essentially, the setter will range ahead of the hunter and when the gundog detects game, it will crouch and point out the game to the hunter. The hunter will then flush the game himself. The second type of gundog is called a flushing dog and these dogs stay closer to their masters.

They never go further than the gun's range and when they find game, they will flush it up into the air. When the target has been shot, the dog is given a signal to retrieve the fallen prey. Golden retrievers and cocker spaniels are two dog breeds that fall into this category.

The history of gundogs goes back nearly to the time that they were domesticated.

It seems that it did not take very long before dog breeds started to develop based on what use they were. Terriers, for example, were bred to fight and kill animals that lived in small holes and tight tunnels, while hounds were meant to chase and corner larger game.

Gundogs started being developed when men started using ranged weapons, but with the advent of the gun as a hunting weapon, they were quickly refined and specialize for this type of hunt.

Gun dogs are bred for their energy, their endurance, and their discipline.

Gundogs, despite their ability for an active, long-spanning working life, often make excellent family pets. Retrievers are known to be an extremely trustworthy breed around children, as are Irish Setters. Cocker spaniels and fox terriers are excellent for families with older children, as these breeds are somewhat excitable and incline to nip when started.

As with any dog, make sure that your children are comfortable with and know how to handle them. While gundogs in general do make good companions, remember that you should always look at the dog breeds involved and see which breed will suit your living situation the best.

If you decide to get a gundog as a family pet, remember that these are typically very active breeds. While they don't require an excessive amount of exercise, you should definitely be ready to make a commitment to their health and energy.

Many gundogs are also intensely social and will suffer more from social neglect than they will from lack of exercise. These breeds are known to be destructive and difficult to handle if bored, so make sure that you are ready for the commitment that these breeds represent.

If you keep these factors in mind, you will be able to ensure that you have an excellent companion in a gundog!



About The Author

Copyright John Adams. Dog Breeds Explained The Gundog breed is eager to please, full of energy and a perfect family dog. But only for the right owner. Get the facts before you get the dog! http://www.dog-breeds-explained.com

Dog Toys – Have Fun With Your Playful Pooch

Author: Jesse Akre
'Tis the season to buy presents for your puppies. Just like the kids, your pets know the holidays are here. They see the buzz in the house. They small all the great holiday food that's being cooked and they realize there's something interesting under the tree. On Christmas day, they also see that the other kids in the family are ripping things open and getting toys and treats, and if there's not something for them, they are wondering why they got overlooked.

Don't forget the four-legged family members this year. Don't know what to get? Here's a list of some of the more popular toys for canines.

Tug and Throw Dog Toys – There are a lot of these toys on the market. Some parts of them are heavy-duty rubber material, some parts are rope. Both parts are lots of fun for your pooch. You can throw the toy for them to fetch, then the two of you can get down and enjoy a good old fashioned game of tug of war.

Plush Dog Toys – There's nothing like a good toy to shake around and beat up in your dogs eyes. This is probably the reason there are a lot of stuffed dog toys on the market, from sporting themes to toys that look like other animals, to the bark-a-rita, which is a stuffed toy that looks like a topped off margarita glass, there are all sorts of fun stuffed toys for your pup. If you want to stick with a holiday theme, you will likely be able to find a lot of toys that are wearing Santa hats, holding candy canes, or even a snowman plush toy for your pooch.

Don't forget the tasty goodies!

Just like the kids like to see what kinds of yummy goodies are in their stockings so too your dogs will want to know what kind of tasty treats they're getting this holiday season.

From rawhide chewies to snacks that look like Christmas cookies or candy pieces, there is no end to the options when you want to create a culinary wonderland for your pet. If you want to completely do it right, you can even get a stocking just for your pet, where Santa can leave all their goodies.

A bit of a warning on this front through; just like the kids eating too much candy after Halloween, the dog eating too many treats at the holidays is not a good idea.

While you may want to give him extras, as you enjoy a festive time, many dog tummies are sensitive, and too much of those rich treats can make them sick. Not to mention they will likely already be handed a few pieces of people food during the holiday meal.

Make sure to keep an eye on what your pet is eating and keep it in moderation. While it's fun to give them gifts, you can also give them the treats over a long time period and keep them healthy and happy.



About The Author

Jesse Akre, author and owner of numerous home decor sites, offers online consumers his thoughts on purchasing fun accessories for your pets such as dog toys - Click today: http://www.simplydogsupplies.com/

How Healthy and Safe Is Your Dogs Food?

Author: Jeffrey Wolf
This article seeks to give you a solid knowledge base regarding the healthiness and safety of yor dog's food, no matter what your previous experiences on the topic.

With the issue of the healthiness and wellbeing of your dog's food inside the last 12 months, the question still stands. How healthy is your dog's food?

The other issue with dog food is will your dog eat it and will they get tried of eating the same food every day through out their life. I know of numerous dog owners that did just that, fed their dog the same food through out the dog's adult life until the dog has been eating the same food for over ten years. Then marvel why their dog stops eating their food and start eating table scrappes.

Many world-renowned Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Published "Dog Care Experts" universally allow any dog that eats commercial dog food is at a much serious threat of failing prematurely and by the time symptoms are noticeable, it's regularly too late to stop an agonizing death excluding by lethal shot.

We hope that you have gained a clear grasp if the subject matter presented in the first half of this article.

World-Renowned vet and dog care novelist Alfred Plechner, says the meager nutritional politeties of commercial dog food inevitably advance to disease.

Raw Ingredients vs. Cooked Ingredients: People who supply their dogs raw food diets feel that nature planned for animals food vs. cooking human food. That all of the nutrients are still active in cooked food providing healthy meals for animals.

People who consider in supplying their dogs raw food feel that no additives are wanted and that their animals are receiving all of the nutrients they oblige. They feel that the commercial food companies use additives to enhance the palatability of their food effectively "addicting" a dog to it.

Commercial food advocates say that additives such as omega 3 and 6 greasy acids are central to the dog"s health system, while raw food is gone some central vitamins and minerals.

It is little things, such as this that may aid you in your search. So, sit down and decide which avenue would be best for you to take for your dog.



About The Author

Jeffrey Wolf is affiliated with: http://thedogfoodconspiracy.com

Dog Infections 101 Secrets

Author: Jeremy C.W
A dog might suffer a number of diseases during its lifetime. Being attentive of these illnesses and the correct method to care for them can assist you greatly in caring for your dog better. Dogs should be vaccinated and given booster at least once every 6 months to keep them safe.

Your dog can be vaccinated against hepatitis, distemper, rabies, corona, leptospirosis, kennel cough and parvo. He could suffer at some point from domestic or outdoor parasites and there are many different types of infections which a dog owner should know about.

You might consider getting Pet Insurance if you have one or more pets. A small occasional investment and decent care for your pet usually cost much less than risking an infection and having to fork out hundreds of dollars to treat them later.

The Parvo strain of virus is the most common and deadliest dog infection. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and eventually death.

Distemper is another viral infection. Symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, nasal and eye discharges.

Canine hepatitis also causes comparable symptoms which should be treated with IV fluid therapy, antibiotics and nutritional support(consult your vet first).

Rabies is often spread by the bite of another animal. If your dog has rabies, he will behave oddly. A dog can be vaccinated against Rabies from 4 months of age. There is no cure, vaccination is vital.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial virus infection which attacks the dog’s kidneys and liver. Consuming contaminated liquids or infected urine from another dog can cause Leptospirosis. Fever, yellow gums, depression and blood in the dog’s urine might mean leptospirosis.

Kennel cough, or Bordatella, is a respiratory tract disease. Kennel cough symptoms often include a loud and coarse cough nasal and eye discharges. The treatment is usually anti-inflammatory medication, cough suppressants and antibiotics.

The dog infection Coronavirus or Corona for short is one of the more contagious viral illness. Vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss are possible warning symptoms and should be looked into. Antibiotics and IV fluids are used in the treatment of Corona.

Another highly common dog infection is the infection to it’s ears. Symptoms include pawing at the ears and shaking of the head constantly. You should examine your dog’s ears every month and take him to your local vet for treatment if you spot any signs, as soon as possible. Even common ear infections like blood clots may cause deafness and even lead to extreme blindness if not treated properly.

A few more obvious indications of a dog infection are heat, swelling and sluggishness. Appearing to be in hurt or pain, fretfulness or listlessness are also some more obvious indications.

If the infection is intense, then the dog might have a high temperature and be swollen around the neck, armpits or groin area. If you are unable to get to a vet straight away, you should keep the dog lying down to avoid any physical exertion that might lead to the infection spreading more quickly.

Dogs with infections might reject food and water so it is important to seek your vet’s advice.

Infections can be dangerous anywhere in a dog’s body but especially if they are around the body’s ‘wet’ regions like the nose or mouth as they could spread quicker to the blood stream and eventually to the vital organs. The key thing is to get your dog immunized as soon as he is old enough. Also be sure to follow up with a yearly injected or oral course booster.

Remember, your dog is part of the family and if you find your dog acting a little unusual or a bit ill, call the vet to schedule an appointment immediately. A dog’s body doesn’t work like a human body, dog infections can become severe very quickly and it won’t be a good idea to wait and see if the infection or illness heals itself.



About The Author

Jeremy C.W

Thanks for reading and I've hoped you enjoyed this article. Please visit http://www.dognpuppies.com for more informative articles and videos about Dog Infections and Dog Health. Regards, Jeremy C.W