by ONPS Veterinary Advisors
Most dog and cat guardians have never been told the truth about vaccinations. On
the contrary, you are likely to get annual notices from your veterinarian that
your companion is “due for their annual booster shots.” The evidence against
vaccinating, however, is overwhelming. Veterinarians have resisted making
changes in the way they vaccinate, many because they are afraid of the liability
from failing to vaccinate animals as recommended by the vaccine maker. Some are
unwilling to make the effort to educate their clients on the importance of an
annual exam, with or without vaccines—it’s easier to just send that postcard.
And some simply don’t want to lose their vaccine income. What many veterinarians
don’t realize is that there was never any scientific evidence supporting yearly
vaccines in the first place.
Why Too Many Vaccines are Dangerous
Vaccinations are a major stress to the immune system. They can not only cause
immediate side effects and allergic reactions, but they also contribute to long
term problems. Many chronic health issues may be linked to vaccination,
including skin allergies, arthritis, thyroid disease, recurrent ear and
respiratory infections, irritable bowel disease, neurological conditions (such
as aggressive behavior and epilepsy), auto-immune diseases, and cancer.
Holistic veterinarians who have been in practice for 20 or 30 years report more
serious illnesses in younger and younger animals. It is becoming distressingly
common to see cancer in dogs and cats under 5 years of age. Autoimmune diseases
are on the rise as well. Our companions are suffering from generations of
over-vaccination. When combined with inadequate nutrition, poor breeding
practices, and environmental stresses like air pollution, the result is that new
generations that are more susceptible to congenital disorders and chronic
A Basic Vaccination Strategy
An initial two- or three- vaccine series for kittens and puppies is necessary
for most vaccines to be effective. Vaccines should be given at least 3 weeks
apart; there is little published research suggesting an outside limit, but at
least a 4-8 week interval is probably safe and effective. The animal should be
between 8 and 12 weeks of age before vaccinating. The common breeders’ practice
of vaccinating pups at 2 weeks of age and then every 2 weeks is useless, not to
mention harmful to young puppies’ immune systems. Up until and for at least 2
weeks after the first vaccine, keep your pet away from parks and pet stores,
where deadly viruses like parvo can remain infectious for years.
If your pet does have an adverse reaction,
Thuja can be helpful. It is the primary vaccinosis (adverse reaction to a
vaccine) remedy for all species. If you must have your pet vaccinated, it is a
good idea to give a dose of
Thuja 30C within two hours of the injection. It is also helpful in case of
immediate vaccine reactions such as vomiting or diarrhea occurring within a few
hours of the shot.
Rabies is another matter; it has been reported in every state except Hawaii, and
if you get it, it will kill you. One rabies vaccine at six months of age and a
booster one year later will protect most pets for life, in terms of immunology.
Because rabies is such a severe public health threat, regular rabies vaccination
is required by law in many states, cities, and counties. Your local animal
control can tell you what the requirements are where you live.
Never vaccinate a sick, injured, or weakened animal. WAIT until the animal is
healthy. Vaccinating an already-compromised immune system is almost sure to
worsen the problem!