More Developments in Kansas & Wyoming News Rabies Law Story

Kansas Dog owners have started a petition to get annual rabies laws in the state changed to the national 3 year standard. They are planning to have petitions available for dog owners to sign at the upcoming Yappy Days event on March 29th from 9-4 at the Kansas Coliseum, Pavilion II http://www.kzsn.com/cc-common/mainheadl ... le=3323054 . They also intend to post the petition online, and I will post the link when it is available.

In an unexpected development, the Wyoming News ran the following article in their March 22, 2008 edition http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/200 ... -23-08.txt Vaccine overkill? By Baylie Davis CHEYENNE -- Even though city residents might have the option of getting rabies vaccines for their pets that last three years, according to city ordinance, the vaccine has to be administered every year. Dog owners are mobilizing to tackle annual rabies laws/ordinances there, and again, I will post more information as it becomes available.

Kris

_________________
Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND
www.RabiesChallengeFund.org

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Kansas Petition & Wyoming News Rabies Law Article & Arkansas Yahoo Group

Kansas Dog owners have started a petition to get annual rabies laws in the state changed to the national 3 year standard. They are planning to have petitions available for dog owners to sign at the upcoming Yappy Days event on March 29th from 9-4 at the Kansas Coliseum, Pavilion II http://www.kzsn.com/cc-common/mainheadl ... le=3323054 . They also intend to post the petition online, and I will post the link when it is available.

In an unexpected development, the Wyoming News ran the following article in their March 22, 2008 edition http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/200 ... -23-08.txt Vaccine overkill? By Baylie Davis CHEYENNE -- Even though city residents might have the option of getting rabies vaccines for their pets that last three years, according to city ordinance, the vaccine has to be administered every year. Dog owners are mobilizing to tackle annual rabies laws/ordinances there, and again, I will post more information as it becomes available.

Arkansas Dog owners in Arkansas are organizing to change their annual rabies laws there. A Yahoo group, Arkansas Rabies Vaccine Info http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ARVaccineInfo has been started to coordinate efforts there, please join if you are interested.

Kris

I just received the notice below. When Maine revised their rabies laws, they included a representative of the dog-owning public (me), how unfortunate that Wichita is not including a member of their dog-owning public.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kay Johnson, Director of Environmental Services, 268-8351

City to Form Rabies Vaccination Committee


The City of Wichita is forming an ad hoc committee to review the schedule for rabies vaccinations, Interim Wichita City Manager Ed Flentje announced on Tuesday.

The committee will review the latest information on rabies prevention and control and make recommendations, said Kay Johnson, Director of Environmental Services.

Committee members will be announced at a later date.

“The committee will be primarily comprised of local veterinarians and public health officials,” Johnson said. “Rabies is a very serious issue and potentially fatal. We want to make sure that people and pets are protected.”

The committee recommendations will be provided to the City Manager as part of a broader and ongoing animal ordinance review. The ordinance review is scheduled to be presented to the Wichita City Council later this year.

For further questions, Johnson can be reached at kjohnson@wichita.gov or 268-8351.

#

If there are vets on the committee you can pretty much count on dog owners being on the committee. I've never met a vet that didn't own a houseful of critters and I've met quite a few of them.

_________________

Link to Petition

The petition is posted online at http://www.thepetitionsite.com:80/1/Sto ... in-Wichita .

The dog owning public does not earn income from administering rabies vaccines, whereas veterinarians do, which puts a bias on their input.

So you believe they would put the small profit from giving shots ahead of the health concerns of the dogs and go against correct administration of the vaccines? I seriously doubt that. I'd rather have vets on the committee than a lot of private citizens that are not qualified to make veterinary determinations. There are many who are completely against vaccinating and medicating altogether. At least the vets are licensed and experienced. The problem exists because the people in charge are clueless about vaccinations. Wanting them to populate the committee with people with no veterinary credentials is not necessarily a step in the right direction.

No, no, no -- the veterinarians should definitely be represented on the committee. However, a citizen representing the dog-owning public who has no business links with the veterinary trade should also be on the committee -- a dog breeder, for instance.

This will be a city government body and should have a representative from the citizenry that it represents on there as well. Transparency is important, and the veterinarians are a special interest group involved in setting the policy.

Personally, I have no problem with veterinarians making a profit -- I do have a problem when that profit is made by giving redundant, medically unnecessary booster vaccinations. My family doctor doesn't pump me full of vaccinations I don't need every year just to get me in the door -- I go in for a physical instead. We have a homeopathic vet who charges $150 for an initial visit. It has been our experience that we have saved tons of money by going to a homeopath who doesn't overvaccinate against distemper, hepatitis, and parvo and the difference in our dogs' health has been startling. Meadow was given a 4 month death sentence after developing metasticized mast cell cancer. I switched to a homeopathic vet and he lived more than 3 1/2 fabulous years.

I also firmly believe that the media should be allowed in on the deliberations of the committee.

WYOMING Rabies Laws

Following a 3/22/08 article entitled Vaccine overkill? in the Wyoming News http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2008/03/23/local_news_updates/19local_03-23-08.txt by Baylie Davis and inspired by encouraging developments in Kansas, Wyoming dog breeders have contacted Wyoming's Governor, Attorney General as well as the Mayor of Cheyenne imploring the state to adopt the national standard of a 3 year rabies vaccination protocol. They need your assistance to help them get the annual rabies booster ordinances in the state changed.

What You Can Do To Help

Please contact any/or all of the Wyoming public officials listed below. You can copy and paste e-mail addresses listed. I will be sending a letter of support as well and will keep you updated on developments. After the Wyoming contact list, there will be updated information on rabies law efforts in Kansas and Arkansas as well.

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Wyoming Contacts

Attorney General Bruce A. Salzburg Phone: (307) 777-7841 Fax: (307) 777-6869; Consumer Protection Division 307-777-7874 or 1-800-438-5799 Fax: 307-777-7956 baylwa@state.wy.us

Governor Dave Freudenthal Phone: 307-777-7434 Fax: 307-632-3909 (fax) cboswe@state.wy.us; rlance@state.wy.us; ccroft@state.wy.us; ceastw@state.wy.us; bwarbu@state.wy.us; jyoung@state.wy.us; mbaine@state.wy.us; mgeist@state.wy.us

Cheyenne Mayor Jack Spiker mayor@cheyennecity.org Phone: (307) 637-6200; Fax: (307)637-6378; City Council: citycouncil@cheyennecity.org Phone: (307) 637-6357 Fax: (307)637-6356 jcase@cheyennecity.org; playbourn@cheyennecity.org; jvaldez@cheyennecity.org; pcollins@cheyennecity.org; mrinne@cheyennecity.org; tsegrave@cheyennecity.org; jbrown@cheyennecity.org; gbroyles@cheyennecity.org; dpierson@cheyennecity.org

Wyoming Legislators

http://legisweb.state.wy.us/email/email.htm dalden@wyoming.com; randerso@wyoming.com; g.bagby@bresnan.net; rberger@wyoming.com; sblake@wyoming.com; bbrechtel@wyoming.com; kermitbrown@wyoming.com; ebuchanan@wyoming.com; childers@wyoming.com; royc@alluretech.net; bcraft@wyoming.com; kdavison@wyoming.com; diercks@wyoming.com; ddockstader@wyoming.com; aedmonds@wyoming.com; warpaint@wyoming.com; fesquibel@wyoming.com; kesquibel@wyoming.com; mgilmore2@wyoming.com; kgingery@wyoming.com; pgoggles@wyoming.com; mary.hales@realestateincasper.com; tphallinan@bresnan.net; dhammons@wyoming.com; sharshman@wyoming.com; harvey00@tctwest.net; jiekel@wyoming.com; pete_chloeilloway3@msn.com; ajaggi@wyoming.com; aljones@wyoming.com; pjorgensen@jorgensenassociates.com; jlandon@wyoming.com; tlockh1617@aol.com; tlubnau@vcn.com; madden@wyoming.com; mmartin@wyoming.com; dmcomie@wyoming.com; emercer@wyoming.com; slmey@wyoming.com; davidmiller@wyoming.com; lorimillin@bresnan.net; molsen@wyoming.com; opetersen@wyoming.com; fphilp@wyoming.com; lquarberg@wyoming.com; dswyo@wyoming.com; msemlek@wyoming.com; lshepperson@wyoming.com; csimpson@skelaw.com; slater@wyoming.com; jebsteward@union-tel.com; tim@stampedeforstubson.com; mteeters@wyoming.com; billthompson@wyoming.com; mthrone@wyoming.com; sue.wallis@vcn.com; jwbeardog@bresnan.net; elkuw@wyoming.com; dzwonitzer@wyoming.com; dzwonitzer@wyoming.com; jamesda1@msn.com; paullman@wyoming.com; senbebout@wyoming.com; bburns@dbburns.com; ccase@wyoming.com; hcoe@wyoming.com; scooperwy@gmail.com; kDecaria@wyoming.com; bob@robertfecht.com; ggeis@wyoming.com; jhastert2@wyoming.com; jhines@wyoming.com; kit@kitsenate.com; rjob@wyoming.com; wajohnsonsd6@yahoo.com; blanden@bresnan.net; senlarson@wyoming.com; mamassie@msn.com; cmeier@wyoming.com; jmockler@wyoming.com; phil.nicholas@lariat.org; drew@schwartzbon.com; rpeterson@wyoming.com; tross@wyoming.com; jschiffe@wyoming.com; charlesscott@wyoming.com; ksessions@wyoming.com; ctown@wyoming.com; bvasey@wyoming.com; mvonflatern@wyoming.com

Kansas Rabies Law Update & Arkansas Dog Owners Organizing to Challenge Arkansas Rabies Laws

Kansas: Dog owners have started a petition to get annual rabies laws in the state changed to the national 3 year standard. They are planning to have petitions available for dog owners to sign at the upcoming Yappy Days event on March 29th from 9-4 at the Kansas Coliseum, Pavilion II http://www.kzsn.com/cc-common/mainheadl ... le=3323054 . The petition is posted online at http://www.thepetitionsite.com:80/1/Sto ... in-Wichita . Activities in Kansas were sparked by a March 18, 2008 article in the Wichita Eagle entitled, Are Annual Shots a Risk for Dogs? http://www.kansas.com/news/story/344780.html by Diane McCartney.

Arkansas: Dog owners are organizing to change their annual rabies laws. A Yahoo group, Arkansas Rabies Vaccine Info http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ARVaccineInfo has been started to coordinate efforts, please join if you are interested.
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Wichita to Form Rabies Vaccination Committee

I received the notice below on March 25, 2008. How unfortunate that Wichita is not including a member of their dog-owning public on this committee.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kay Johnson, Director of Environmental Services, 268-8351

City to Form Rabies Vaccination Committee


The City of Wichita is forming an ad hoc committee to review the schedule for rabies vaccinations, Interim Wichita City Manager Ed Flentje announced on Tuesday.

The committee will review the latest information on rabies prevention and control and make recommendations, said Kay Johnson, Director of Environmental Services.

Committee members will be announced at a later date.

“The committee will be primarily comprised of local veterinarians and public health officials,” Johnson said. “Rabies is a very serious issue and potentially fatal. We want to make sure that people and pets are protected.”

The committee recommendations will be provided to the City Manager as part of a broader and ongoing animal ordinance review. The ordinance review is scheduled to be presented to the Wichita City Council later this year.

For further questions, Johnson can be reached at kjohnson@wichita.gov or 268-8351.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you all for your incredible efforts in Maine and Kansas! You are making a huge difference in the lives of dogs everywhere. You are proving Margaret Mead correct when she said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Regards, Kris

Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
The Rabies Challenge Fund

http://www.kansas.com/living/pets/story/355652.html

PET BRIEFS
City rabies law to be discussed

Anyone interested in discussing proposed changes to Wichita's ordinance requiring yearly rabies vaccinations for dogs is invited to a meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian.

Petitions will be available to sign at the meeting and also at Yappy Days, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Pavilion II in the Kansas Coliseum.

The city announced earlier this week that it is forming an ad hoc committee, made up primarily of local veterinarians and public health officials, to review the latest information on rabies prevention and control and discuss the vaccination schedule.

The committee's recommendations will be provided to the city manager as part of a broader and ongoing animal ordinance review, the city said in a news release. The ordinance review is set to be presented to the Wichita City Council later this year.

To read more about rabies laws and vaccines, go online to www.kansas.com/living/pets/story/344780.html.

WYOMING Rabies Laws--Update

To update you on efforts to change Wyoming's rabies laws, on Saturday April 12, 2008, an article entitled Changes to Vaccine Ordinance Unlikely http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2008/04/13/news/19local_04-13-08.txt was published in the Wyoming News.

Below is a copy of a letter to the editor I sent to the paper this morning.

What You Can Do To Help

1.) Contact Cheyenne Mayor Jack Spiker mayor@cheyennecity.org Phone: (307) 637-6200; Fax: (307)637-6378
2.) Leave a comment on the newspaper article at http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/200 ... -13-08.txt
3.) Write a letter to the editor of the Wyoming News (Scott Smith) ssmith@wyomingnews.com Fax: 307-633-3189

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April 14, 2008

To the Editor:

There are a number of issues in the April 12, 2008 article entitled Changes to Vaccine Ordinance Unlikely that need to be addressed.

The state veterinarian, Dr. Walter Cook, seems to be unaware that the national organization of which he is supposed to be a member, the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV), currently recommends a 3 year rabies vaccination protocol in their 2008 Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control and has done so since at least 2001. The American Veterinary Medical Association also endorses the NASPHV’s 3 year rabies immunization protocol.

Contrary to Dr. Cook’s statement, veterinarians are not required to report adverse reactions to vaccines and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) stated in 2007 there is “gross under-reporting of vaccine-associated adverse events which impedes knowledge of the ongoing safety of these products.” In an article entitled, A New Approach to Reporting Medication and Device Adverse Effects and Product Problems, (JAMA - June 2, 1993. Vol.269, No.21) Dr. David Kessler, former head of the Food & Drug Administration, reported that "only about 1% of serious events are reported to the FDA."

Studies demonstrating long-term (more than 3 years) duration of immunity for the canine rabies vaccine have already been published. In 1992, a French research team led by Michel Aubert published the results of a rabies challenge study in Scientific Technical Review (Rev. sci.tech. Off. int. Epiz.) 1992, 11 (3), 735-760 in which they demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination. The serological studies of Dr. Ronald Schultz of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine showed that dogs had antibody titers counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 years after vaccination, the results of which have been incorporated into the 2003, 2006 American Animal Hospital Association’s Canine Vaccine Guidelines as well as WSAVA’s 2007 Vaccine Guidelines.

Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity. Adverse reactions such as autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations.

Rabies is a “killed” vaccine and contains adjuvants to enhance the immunological response. Mercury (Thimersol) is commonly found as a preservative in killed, adjuvanted veterinary vaccines such as Rabies, Leptospira, and Lyme. The combination of mercury with adjuvant components (aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate) are of considerable concern because of the reactive properties of aluminum, when in contact with mercury. Reactivity with aluminum is so acute that mercury may not be packed in checked or carry-on baggage on commercial airplanes, and there is currently a petition to Congress Petition to Congress, Removal of Aluminum Additive in Vaccines Resolution and Petition, citing as cause for removing aluminum in human vaccines that: "The combination of mercury plus aluminum is far worse than the sum of the two toxicities added together. The synergistic toxicity could be increased to unknown levels."

In 1999, the World Health Organization "classified veterinary vaccine adjuvants as Class III/IV carcinogens with Class IV being the highest risk," and the results of a study published in the August 2003 Journal of Veterinary Medicine documenting fibrosarcomas at the presumed injection sites of rabies vaccines stated, “In both dogs and cats, the development of necrotizing panniculitis at sites of rabies vaccine administration was first observed by Hendrick & Dunagan (1992).” According to the 2003 American Animal Hospital Association’s Canine Vaccine Guidelines, "...killed vaccines are much more likely to cause hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., immune-mediated disease)."

A clarification on the Postmarketing Surveillance of Rabies Vaccines for Dogs to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy referenced in the story. Only the 246 adverse reactions to the rabies vaccine reported directly to the Center for Veterinary Biologics by the public, veterinarians, and pet owners had 72% of the dogs receiving other vaccines or drugs at the same time as the rabies shot. That is not stated to be the case further on in the report where they discuss the 10,000 adverse reactions reported by the rabies vaccine manufacturers, 65% of which were in dogs.

If the 6,500 of canine adverse rabies vaccine reactions reported by the vaccine manufacturers represents "only about 1% of serious events are reported to the FDA,” then that would translate into 650,000 if all reactions were reported.

Cheyenne Mayor Jack Spiker and State Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. Cook, should be guided by the recommendations of the CDC’s National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians and the American Veterinary Medical Association to determine the state’s and city’s rabies immunization protocols rather than seeking the advice of local animal shelters and veterinary practitioners to determine appropriate protocols.

Sincerely,

Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND

There is an interesting article on veterinary vaccines which you can read in its entirety at the link below.

Are Our Pets Being Overvaccinated, by Melissa Burden, The Press http://www.presspublications.com/pages/ ... orts10.asp

(Dr. W. Jean Dodds) “But there is really no breed that is not at risk,” she said. The only vaccination needed, she asserts, is the rabies vaccine because it is legally required. Dogs’ and cats’ immune systems mature fully at 6 months old, she explained. If canine distemper, feline distemper and parvovirus vaccines are given after 6 months, a pet has immunity for the rest of its life.

(Dr. Robert Rogers) “Dogs and cats no longer need to be vaccinated against distemper, parvo, and feline leukemia every year,” Rogers said. “Once the initial series of puppy or kitten vaccinations and first annual vaccinations are completed, immunity…persists for life. Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to the potential risk of adverse reactions, he added.

4/29/08 Wyoming Rabies Law Update and ISDRA--International Sled Dog Racing Association

Once again, dog lovers are helping to bring about great changes for dogs with active participation on rabies laws -- THANK YOU to all of you who have been assisting in these efforts -- it's working!

Kris

Wyoming update: The e-mail below, shared with permission from the recipient, from the President of the Cheyenne City Council, Don Pierson, was received 4/29/08 by the lead activist in Wyoming, Karon Volk:

"Hello Mrs. Volk Just a followup to let you know that the Mayor and I are working together and have instructed the city attorney to prepare an ordinance or a resolution to take care of the 1 year vs 3 year problem. All the research I have found says that to require our city residents to get the vaccination for their pets every year is unnecessary. I will let you know when it will be ready for introduction and would hope that you would like to attend our meetings and testify about the situation. Let me know if there is anything else I can do at this time about this situation. Thanks for all your info you provided and your concern."

ISDRA-International Sled Dog Racing Association: After Steve Goldman, a concerned ISDRA member, contacted the International Sled Dog Racing Association about ISDRA sanctioned races requiring annual rabies vaccinations for sled dogs and asked for assistance, I wrote the letter to the Executive Director Below. Mr. Steele responded immediately and will be publishing announcements in 2 issues of Dog and Driver before the proposal comes before the full ISDRA Board.

What You Can Do

If you are concerned about racing events that require sled dogs to receive redundant annual rabies boosters, please e-mail Dave Steele at dsteele@brainerd.net

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March 18, 2008

Mr. Dave Steele, Executive Director
International Sled Dog Racing Association
22702 Rebel Road
Merrifield, MN 56465, USA
E-mail: dsteele@brainerd.net

Greetings Mr. Steele:


One of the objectives listed in the International Sled Dog Racing Association’s (ISDRA) Constitution and By-Laws under Article II C is to: “Promote the welfare of sled dogs in all activities and endeavors.” Further on, under Article IX Section 2 A 4, it declares one of the duties of the Animal Welfare Committee shall be to: “Inform the membership of new advances in canine nutrition and all areas related to the physical and mental well-being of sled dogs."

With those objectives and the physical and mental well-being of sled dogs in mind, I am writing to request that ISDRA’s Board of Directors seriously consider alerting its membership to the potential health hazards associated with redundant annual rabies vaccinations, which some U.S. and Canadian races require for team entrants.

Annual rabies vaccinations after the initial puppy series are medically unnecessary and contrary to the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Association of State Public Health Veterinarian's (NASPHV) Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control which declare that: "Vaccines used in state and local rabies control programs should have at least a 3-year duration of immunity,”[1] and should be administered no more often than specified by the product label or package insert. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) endorses a 3 year protocol as does the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).[2]

Many, if not most or all, annual rabies vaccines are the 3 year vaccine relabeled for annual use. According to Dr. Ronald Schultz of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, whose canine vaccine studies form a large part of the scientific base for the 2003 and 2007 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines as well as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) Vaccine Guidelines, “There is no benefit from annual rabies vaccination and most one year rabies products are similar or identical to the 3-year products with regard to duration of immunity and effectiveness.”[3]

Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity. Adverse reactions such as autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations.

Rabies is a “killed” vaccine, for which internationally accepted scientific data have demonstrated a minimum duration of immunity of 3 years by challenge and 7 years serologically. The rabies vaccine, and other killed vaccines such as Leptospira and Lyme, contains adjuvants such as aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, and aluminum potassium sulfate to enhance the immunological response. In 1999, the World Health Organization "classified veterinary vaccine adjuvants as Class III/IV carcinogens with Class IV being the highest risk,"[4] and the results of a study published in the August 2003 Journal of Veterinary Medicine documenting fibrosarcomas at the presumed injection sites of rabies vaccines stated, “In both dogs and cats, the development of necrotizing panniculitis at sites of rabies vaccine administration was first observed by Hendrick & Dunagan (1992).” [5] According to the 2003 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines, "...killed vaccines are much more likely to cause hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., immune-mediated disease)."[6]

With the physical challenges of the trail to meet, sled dogs should not be exposed to the health hazards associated with medically unwarranted annual rabies boosters in order to enter racing events. I strongly urge you to inform your membership of the potential risks associated with unnecessary annual rabies vaccinations and request that ISDRA only sanction races that conform to the 3 year standard recommended by the Center for Disease Control’s National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association.

If you have any questions or would like copies of the material referenced above, please contact me at [redacted].

Sincerely,

Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
The Rabies Challenge Fund


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[1] Center for Disease Control’s National Association of State Public Health Veterinarian's Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control http://www.nasphv.org/Documents/RabiesCompendium.pdf

[2]The American Veterinary Medical Association’s 2007 RABIES VACCINATION PROCEDURES http://www.avma.org/products/scientific/biologics.pdf

The 2006 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are downloadable in PDF format at About AAHA

[3] What Everyone Needs to Know about Canine Vaccines, Dr. Ronald Schultz What Everyone Needs to Know About Canine Vaccines

Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and Don't Know, Dr. Ronald Schultz Duration of Immunity

World Small Animal Veterinary Association 2007 Vaccine Guidelines - WSAVA - Scientific Advisory Committee Scroll down to Vaccine Guidelines 2007 (PDF)

[4] IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans: Volume 74, World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Feb. 23-Mar. 2, 1999, p. 24, 305, 310

[5] Fibrosarcomas at Presumed Sites of Injection in Dogs: Characteristics and Comparison with Non-vaccination Site Fibrosarcomas and Feline Post-vaccinal Fibrosarcomas; Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Series A August 2003, vol. 50, no. 6, pp. 286-291(6)

[6] The 2003 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are accessible online at Special Report

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More information on the rabies vaccine can be found at the following links :

Animal Wellness Magazine Article Vol. 8 Issue 6, How Often Does he REALLY Need A Rabies Shot Animal Wellness Magazine - devoted to natural health in animals

The Rabies Challenge Animal Wise Radio Interview
Listen to Animal Wise (scroll down to The Rabies Challenge 12/9/07)

The Vaccine Challenge Animal Talk Naturally Online Radio Show » The Vaccine Challenge - Show #91

US Declared Canine-Rabies Free -- CDC Announces at Inaugural World Rabies Day Symposium CDC Press Release - September 7, 2007

Rabies Prevention -- United States, 1991 Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP), Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly March 22, 1991 / 40(RR03);1-19 Rabies Prevention -- United States, 1991 Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP) "A fully vaccinated dog or cat is unlikely to become infected with rabies, although rare cases have been reported (48). In a nationwide study of rabies among dogs and cats in 1988, only one dog and two cats that were vaccinated contracted rabies (49). All three of these animals had received only single doses of vaccine; no documented vaccine failures occurred among dogs or cats that had received two vaccinations. "

In an August 1, 2008 article in DVM360 entitled Vaccination: An Overview http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/av ... ?id=568351
Dr. Melissa Kennedy states that of the two types of vaccinal adverse reactions: "The first is immediate hypersensitivity. This may be a local or systemic response, and is due to pre-existing antibody to the agent. This is the classic "allergic reaction" to the vaccine and can be life-threatening. The second is a delayed response, requiring days of longer to develop. The vaccine, seen as foreign, elicits a significant inflammatory response and is especially true for adjuvanted vaccines. This response can manifest as a granuloma, or more seriously, a fibrosarcoma ."

Further, she reports that The likelihood of adverse reactions in dogs has been found to correlate with the size of the dog and the number of inoculations given, with higher risk associated with small size and multiple inoculations. "
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Duration of Immunity: The Rabies Vaccine Challenge - Show #185 Animal Talk Radio Show 7/30/08 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/animaltalk ... e-Show-186

Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and Don't Know, Dr. Ronald Schultz http://www.cedarbayvet.com/duration_of_immunity.htm

What Everyone Needs to Know about Canine Vaccines, Dr. Ronald Schultz
http://www.puliclub.org/CHF/AKC2007Conf ... ccines.htm

Vaccination: An Overview Dr. Melissa Kennedy, DVM360 http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/av ... ?id=568351

World Small Animal Veterinary Association 2007 Vaccine Guidelines http://www.wsava.org/SAC.htm Scroll down to Vaccine Guidelines 2007 (PDF)

The 2003 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are accessible online at http://www.leerburg.com/special_report.htm .

The 2006 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are downloadable in PDF format at http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocumen...s06Revised.pdf .

Veterinarian, Dr. Robert Rogers,has an excellent presentation on veterinary vaccines at http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/

October 1, 2002 DVM Newsletter article entitled, AVMA, AAHA to Release Vaccine Positions, http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/arti ... p?id=35171

July 1, 2003 DVM Newsletter article entitled, What Do We Tell Our Clients?, Developing thorough plan to educate staff on changing vaccine protocols essential for maintaining solid relationships with clients and ensuring quality care http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/arti ... p?id=61696

July 1, 2003, DVM Newsletter article, Developing Common Sense Strategies for Fiscal Responsibility: Using an interactive template to plan service protocol changes http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=61694

Animal Wellness Magazine Article Vol. 8 Issue 6, How Often Does he REALLY Need A Rabies Shot Animal Wellness Magazine - devoted to natural health in animals

The Rabies Challenge Animal Wise Radio Interview
Listen to Animal Wise (scroll down to The Rabies Challenge 12/9/07)

The Vaccine Challenge Animal Talk Naturally Online Radio Show » The Vaccine Challenge - Show #91

Rabies Shot Killed my Poodle May 28, 2008 Channel 5 News WCVB http://www.thebostonchannel.com:80/news ... os&taf=bos

US Declared Canine-Rabies Free -- CDC Announces at Inaugural World Rabies Day Symposium CDC Press Release - September 7, 2007

Rabies Prevention -- United States, 1991 Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP), Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly March 22, 1991 / 40(RR03);1-19 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00041987.htm "A fully vaccinated dog or cat is unlikely to become infected with rabies, although rare cases have been reported (48). In a nationwide study of rabies among dogs and cats in 1988, only one dog and two cats that were vaccinated contracted rabies (49). All three of these animals had received only single doses of vaccine; no documented vaccine failures occurred among dogs or cats that had received two vaccinations. "

Here is Dr. W. Jean Dodds' Latest Recommendation Vaccination Schedule for those of you who are interested.

http://www.weim.net/emberweims/Vaccine.html

Dr. Jean Dodds' Recommended Vaccination Schedule

Distemper (MLV)
Initial (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy) 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 - 20 weeks
1st Annual Booster At 1 year MLV Distemper/ Parvovirus only
Re-Administration Interval None needed.
Duration of immunity 7.5 / 15 years by studies. Probably lifetime. Longer studies pending.
Comments Can have numerous side effects if given too young (< 8 weeks).

Parvovirus (MLV)
Initial (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy) 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 - 20 weeks
1st Annual BoosterAt 1 year MLV Distemper/ Parvovirus only
Re-Administration Interval None needed.
Duration of immunity 7.5 years by studies. Probably lifetime. Longer studies pending.
Comments At 6 weeks of age, only 30% of puppies are protected but 100% are exposed to the virus at the vet clinic.

Rabies (killed)
Initial 24 weeks or older
1st Annual BoosterAt 1 year (give 3-4 weeks apart from Dist/Parvo booster) Killed 3 year rabies vaccine
Re-Administration Interval 3 yr. vaccine given as required by law in California (follow your state/provincial requirements)
Comments rabid animals may infect dogs.

Vaccines Not Recommended For Dogs

Distemper & Parvo @ 6 weeks or younger
Not recommended.
At this age, maternal antibodies form the mothers milk (colostrum) will neutralize the vaccine and only 30% for puppies will be protected. 100% will be exposed to the virus at the vet clinic.

Corona
Not recommended.
1.) Disease only affects dogs <6 weeks of age.
2.) Rare disease: TAMU has seen only one case in seven years.
3.) Mild self-limiting disease.
4.) Efficacy of the vaccine is questionable.

Leptospirosis
Not recommended
1) There are an average of 12 cases reported annually in California.
2) Side effects common.
3) Most commonly used vaccine contains the wrong serovars. (There is no cross-protection of serovars) There is a new vaccine with 2 new serovars. Two vaccinations twice per year would be required for protection.).
4) Risk outweighs benefits.

Lyme
Not recommended
1) Low risk in California.
2) 85% of cases are in 9 New England states and Wisconsin.
3) Possible side effect of polyarthritis from whole cell bacterin.

Boretella
(Intranasal)
(killed) Only recommended 3 days prior to boarding when required.
Protects against 2 of the possible 8 causes of kennel cough.
Duration of immunity 6 months.

Giardia
Not recommended
Efficacy of vaccine unsubstantiated by independent studies

There are two types of vaccines currently available to veterinarians: modified-live vaccines and inactivated ("killed") vaccines.

Immunization Schedules

There is a great deal of controversy and confusion surrounding the appropriate immunization schedule, especially with the availability of modified-live vaccines and breeders who have experienced postvaccinal problems when using some of these vaccines. It is also important to not begin a vaccination program while maternal antibodies are still active and present in the puppy from the mother's colostrum. The maternal antibodies identify the vaccines as infectious organisms and destroy them before they can stimulate an immune response.

Many breeders and owners have sought a safer immunization program.

Modified Live Vaccines (MLV)

Modified-live vaccines contain a weakened strain of the disease causing agent. Weakening of the agent is typically accomplished by chemical means or by genetic engineering. These vaccines replicate within the host, thus increasing the amount of material available for provoking an immune response without inducing clinical illness. This provocation primes the immune system to mount a vigorous response if the disease causing agent is ever introduced to the animal. Further, the immunity provided by a modified-live vaccine develops rather swiftly and since they mimic infection with the actual disease agent, it provides the best immune response.

Inactivated Vaccines (Killed)

Inactivated vaccines contain killed disease causing agents. Since the agent is killed, it is much more stable and has a longer shelf life, there is no possibility that they will revert to a virulent form, and they never spread from the vaccinated host to other animals. They are also safe for use in pregnant animals (a developing fetus may be susceptible to damage by some of the disease agents, even though attenuated, present in modified-live vaccines). Although more than a single dose of vaccine is always required and the duration of immunity is generally shorter, inactivated vaccines are regaining importance in this age of retrovirus and herpesvirus infections and concern about the safety of genetically modified microorganisms. Inactivated vaccines available for use in dogs include rabies, canine parvovirus, canine coronavirus, etc.

W. Jean Dodds, DVM
HEMOPET
938 Stanford Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310/ 828-4804
fax: 310/ 828-8251

Note: This schedule is the one I recommend and should not be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It's a matter of professional judgment and choice. For breeds or families of dogs susceptible to or affected with immune dysfunction, immune-mediated disease, immune-reactions associated with vaccinations, or autoimmune endocrine disease (e.g., thyroiditis, Addison's or Cushing's disease, diabetes, etc.) the above protocol is recommended.

After 1 year, annually measure serum antibody titers against specific canine infectious agents such as distemper and parvovirus. This is especially recommended for animals previously experiencing adverse vaccine reactions or breeds at higher risk for such reactions (e.g., Weimaraner, Akita, American Eskimo, Great Dane).

Another alternative to booster vaccinations is homeopathic nosodes. This option is considered an unconventional treatment that has not been scientifically proven to be efficacious. One controlled parvovirus nosode study did not adequately protect puppies under challenged conditions. However, data from Europe and clinical experience in North America support its use. If veterinarians choose to use homeopathic nosodes, their clients should be provided with an appropriate disclaimer and written informed consent should be obtained.

I use only killed 3 year rabies vaccine for adults and give it separated from other vaccines by 3-4 weeks. In some states, they may be able to give titer test result in lieu of booster.

I do NOT use Bordetella, corona virus, leptospirosis or Lyme vaccines unless these diseases are endemic in the local area pr specific kennel. Furthermore, the currently licensed leptospira bacterins do not contain the serovars causing the majority of clinical leptospirosis today.

I do NOT recommend vaccinating bitches during estrus, pregnancy or lactation.

W. Jean Dodds, DVM
HEMOPET