Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Pet Vaccine Alternatives


There have been increased concerns about the vaccination of pets, particularly the adverse affects that some pets are experiencing. There is some research that supports the idea that revaccinations could be giving the animal too much of the vaccination and triggering chronic diseases as well as negative behaviors. One owner expressed how her dachshund Bella had become increasingly aggressive and had increased thirst and urination. After seeking help from a holistic veterinarian she discovered that the yearly vaccinations Bella was receiving were overkill and triggering those symptoms. This is a common story amongst pet owners. Those looking for a cure should consider alternative pet vaccinations.
The first thing that you must understand is that alternative vaccinations must be a collaborative process between you and your veterinarian. Vets are experts in the field, however they are there to assist you and should be receptive to your thoughts, concerns and opinions. Make sure that you are comfortable speaking with your selected veterinarian and that you trust them. Second, you must realize that the holistic process for pets is different than those for humans. The holistic process for pets heavily consists of monitoring the levels of vaccinations to determine the necessity of certain medicines.

Blood levels are monitored utilizing antibody titer tests. These tests assess a pet’s immunity against a number of common viruses, including: canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, feline panleukopenia, calici and herpes viruses. Your veterinarian will review the results with you and then you can decide together if a vaccination is needed and how much should be administered. This is considered an alternative process because it allows you to tailor the treatment to your particular pet.

For decades doctors have used a set dosage every time a pet came in for revaccination; however this has proven to be detrimental. Depending on the specific pet, some revaccinations were unneeded and therefore the pet was over-treated. On the other hand, in some instances pets that were deemed to be current with their shots have been found to be unprotected due to vaccines that wore off quicker than expected. For these reasons, it is critical that your vaccination method is tailored to the needs of your pet. This can be accomplished through yearly titer tests and regular blood checks.

Protecting your pet is important. Do not allow what is meant to help your animal to harm it. Take the necessary precautions to ensure that your pet is receiving the necessary vaccinations at the proper times. Cultivating a strong relationship with a knowledgeable veterinarian can greatly aid you in this process. Check with your local 24 hour animal hospital for more details.

No comments: