Safer Vaccination Protocol

Are we over vaccinating out pets? Are the chemicals and viruses we are pumping into their bodies on a regular basis doing harm or good? A little of both, I believe, but we might be erring on the side of over much.

For years now I have obtained titer tests on my dogs and tested whether sufficient antibodies are already present in their bodies to ward off diseases and viruses like parvo, distemper, leptosperosis and rabies. One of my dogs, Mirk, is on a rabies exemption obtained from my vet that is good for 1 year at a time. The rest of them haven't been vaccinated for anything but rabies in sevaral years as a result of the titer tests.

Likewise heartworm. A simple, annual blood test determines whether heart worms are present, and since the cure is the same as the prevention, it's a simple matter to rid them of the dangerous pests without consistently dosing them with harsh, unnecessary chemicals in the mean time. Further, it is fact that the incidence of heart worm is so slight in my area, that it's unlikely they could contract them, except when I travel.

If you're interested in learning more about this, there is a benefit seminar being held at the Del Mar Hilton in San Diego on the 28th of this month. All proceeds go to the Rabies Challenge Charitable Trust, which is a group working to lengthen the period between required rabies shots to 3 years, then 5, then 7 years.

Dr. Jean Dodds, who has treated Mirk, and Dr. Ronald Schultz are two experts on the subject of over-vaccination, and will be speaking and taking your questions at the seminar. For $115, you get to ask questions of world renowned experts who were 2 of the first to raise warnings about over-vaccinating decades ago.

I am participating in this event in a very small way. There will be an auction with all proceeds benefitting the Rabies Challenge Trust, and I have donated 3 lessons to the cause. Here is the press release created for the event with all the information you need to attend.

Safer Pet Vaccination and Health Care: A Benefit Seminar March 28, 2010 in San Diego, CA

World-renowned pet vaccination experts, W. Jean Dodds, DVM and Ronald D. Schultz, PhD, will speak at the Del Mar Hilton at a day-long seminar March 28, 2010. Having raised the issue of over-vaccination decades ago, these two experts have been instrumental in changing the vaccination protocols of major veterinary organizations, schools and vets throughout the world.

· Dr. Schultz will speak on "What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Vaccines and Vaccination Programs." This includes information on current vaccines and new/emerging vaccines. Dr. Schultz was the US Representative of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group and Board Member of the 2003 and 2006 American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Forces and the AAFP Feline Vaccine Task Force.

· Dr. Dodds will discuss avoiding and treating adverse vaccine reactions plus titer testing, blood tests for wellness and more. Dr. Dodds, a former AHVMA Holistic Veterinarian of the Year, consults nationally and internationally on immunology, hematology, endocrinology, nutrition and holistic medicine.

· Both speakers will answer your questions during a roundtable Q & A session · CEU’s: Vets, vet techs and dog trainers can earn 6 continuing education credits

All proceeds (less direct costs) benefit the Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust, a nonprofit working to prove the duration of immunity conveyed by the rabies vaccine with the goal of increasing the period between rabies shots from 3 years to 5, then 7. They are also working to establish a blood “titer standard” to provide a scientific basis to avoid unnecessary rabies booster vaccination. The rabies vaccine can cause autoimmune disease, skin and digestive disorders, injection site tumors, behavior changes and other adverse reactions. This benefit seminar will also include surprise pet care demonstrations plus live and silent auction items like consultations with holistic vets, pet products and services, dog training and much more.

Tickets are $115 (or 2 for $100 each) and include breakfast, lunch and a bag of Nature’s Variety dog or cat food and your donation to the RCF. Group discounts (for 4 or more people) are available. To purchase tickets, donate, volunteer to help with the event or learn more, please visit www.PetSeminar.org (or dogs4dogs.com/seminar) or call 858-755-8820. Seating is limited.