Okay, I love Shakespeare, but that is besides the point!
There is so much information on the internet and on chat lists that it gets kind of confusing. What's worse is that anyone at all can post something and sound authoritative, but they might not actually know what they are talking about.
I believe in my heart that all of the breeders, hobbyists, trainers and vets have every animals best interests at heart, unfortunately they don't always have all of the facts.
As a vet tech I see some baffling things written up on breeders instruction sheets. Sometimes the info is harmless (but weird!) and other times it is actually harmful. Some breeders will state to not give a vaccine to a dog based on regional information. In this day and age with dogs traveling all over the country, that can be quite risky. Sometimes I see information based on internet rumor that has no basis in fact. I see these things over and over on line yet have never come across it in real life practice.
Now I myself subscribe to a less is more philosophy with my own dogs, but that is after years of experience. As a first time pet owner, listen to your veterinarian, listen to your breeder, listen to anyone you trust, but weigh all of that information carefully and ask yourself what makes sense. Many people trust their breeders implicitly, but remember, just because you can make a baby, does not mean you know everything about it. That is why people take their children to pediatricians!
Jessica
vaccinationa
The one thing I make exceptions for are dogs/cats who are elderly/housebound/infirm.
Our 16 Yr old Tux cat had an adverse reaction to a rabies vaccine, which kicked of an almost immediate hit of Triad Syndrome. My vet has stated that he will not give the rabies vacc. to my 12 yr old cocker (IVDD/canine dementia) or my male sibe (heart issues) for similar reasons.
I've been leery of vaccs since my kids had issues with 'baby shots'... So thanks, Jessica, for reminding folks that everyone and everything is different!
Jo Jacques, CDBC, CPDT, CPCT
WiggleBums! Dog-Friendly Training & Behavior
President, International Siberian Husky Club
Heartily agreed, Jo. I did
Heartily agreed, Jo. I did not vaccinate my elderly cat because I felt she had enough going on with her system. I've seen several dogs with immune mediated disorders who were granted waivers from any future vaccines. I am all about a limited schedule and not vaccinating animals for diseases they are not at risk for.
As I said, I hate when a breeder from one location who has never seen a case of a particular disease makes a blanket statement that no dog should ever recieve it and any vet who suggests it is crooked. In my area, we almost never see parvo or distemper anymore (thank goodness and due largely to good vaccination protocols!) and it would be completely unethical for a breeder in this area to give a recommendation to a new puppy owner to not vaccinate for it, just because it is not commonly seen here. If that puppy were purchased by someone down south, it could be dead in days.
I see breeders advise against the Lyme disease vaccine, yet I see animals crippled with it daily. I've seen dogs die from Lepto. These are diseases in this area and it is important to know each individual's risk factors, life style and disease in the areas they live and spend time before making any blanket statements about what they should or should not do.
There is absolutely nothing in this life that is not harmful in some quantity to some individual, not antibiotics or vaccines, or even food! Nothing in life is a one size fits all and common sense must balance with trusted advice. :)
Jessica