You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
►<br />
MISC ║ ask the petxpert<br />
ask the petXpert<br />
IT’S CONFUSING -<br />
DO WE VACCINATE OR NOT?<br />
The questions surrounding vaccination<br />
programs for our pets and<br />
even ourselves and our children<br />
have become center stage lately. The<br />
debate has certainly created and is perpetuating<br />
much controversy as we begin<br />
to look into the safety and efficacy<br />
of these products. The pharmaceutical<br />
industry wants us to believe that we<br />
must vaccinate to prevent disease, but<br />
is that true?<br />
Our pets in most areas are only required<br />
to have protection against one<br />
disease and that is rabies. This is because<br />
of possible transmission to humans<br />
through a bite. It should be noted<br />
that the United States has been certified<br />
rabies free since 2004 by the Center for<br />
Disease Control.<br />
The theory behind vaccination is that<br />
we identify a potential disease causing<br />
a pathogen and expose the body to a<br />
safe form of that pathogen to build an<br />
immune response which subsequently<br />
allows the body to have a defense<br />
against that disease. Unfortunately, this<br />
theory is flawed in many ways as has<br />
been demonstrated in the human population<br />
with recent outbreaks of measles,<br />
mumps, and other conditions in vaccine<br />
compliant groups. Ultimately, the<br />
best protection for disease control is a<br />
strong healthy immune system.<br />
The decision as to whether to vaccinate<br />
or not needs to be based on several<br />
factors. The first is the risk to your pet.<br />
What disease conditions are they going<br />
to be exposed to and how dangerous<br />
can this condition be? If the likelihood<br />
of exposure is minimal as in a house cat<br />
or dog, then we must look to physiological<br />
factors such as the age of the pet,<br />
whether the disease only affects only<br />
certain age such as puppies and kittens,<br />
is it only seasonal like the flu, or is it<br />
self-limiting like kennel cough.<br />
It is obvious that the pharmaceutical,<br />
medical and veterinary industries have<br />
a huge profit motivation in the sale of<br />
vaccines. We must look beyond their<br />
advice that we NEED these vaccines<br />
and weigh the benefits and the risks<br />
involved in vaccination. Are vaccines<br />
safe? Do we know how they were tested<br />
and if they are truly effective? Do they<br />
really prevent us getting a particular<br />
condition or would the likelihood be<br />
minimal anyway? What are the ingredients<br />
in them and are we comfortable<br />
injecting them into the body? We know<br />
These pets are available for adoption<br />
that most contain toxic heavy metals<br />
and chemicals such as Mercury and Aluminum<br />
that are banned from disposal<br />
in our environment. Are they necessary<br />
and what is the risk to our health having<br />
these in the body?<br />
Another concern are the potential<br />
adverse events or side-effects that can<br />
occur. In humans, we can articulate how<br />
we feel, whether there is pain, tingling,<br />
head and muscle aches or other issues.<br />
Unfortunately, our pets cannot express<br />
these adverse events.<br />
We look to our medical professions<br />
to give us the right advice but we ultimately<br />
must make the right decisions<br />
ourselves. Ask the right questions, do<br />
our own research, and use that knowledge<br />
to make the right choices. Vaccination<br />
is neither a natural process nor<br />
guaranteed safe or effective. We must<br />
approach this procedure with caution.<br />
Bill Piechocki, nutritionist and Dr. Diane Sudduth,<br />
DVM are partners in Fiesta Pet Deli in Pompano<br />
Beach, FL, and co-hosts of the PetHealthCafe.com<br />
radio show. Our 40 years in the animal field has<br />
provided us unparalleled vision and information<br />
which we pass to our clients on a daily basis. We<br />
can be reached at www.PetHealthCafe.com or 800-<br />
940-7387. Call us for a free consultation, we would<br />
be more than happy to help.<br />
SEND YOUR Questions OR COMMENTS FOR OUR PETXPERT TO: PETS@ATLANTICavemagaZINE.COM<br />
21287 Boca Rio Road,<br />
Boca Raton, FL<br />
561-482-8110<br />
www.tricountyhumane.org<br />
Puff ~ This sweet girl was rescued from a<br />
terrible hoarding situation in Tennessee.<br />
She’s SO happy to be safe and healthy but<br />
she’d really like to move on to her forever<br />
home at last. Puff is 1.5 years old and a<br />
sweet ball of ..... puff! Stop in to meet her<br />
and our many other adoptable dogs!<br />
Bailey ~ This handsome guy is a<br />
Pomeranian / Dachshund mix with a<br />
great big personality and lots of love to<br />
give his new forever person or family.<br />
Bailey is a sweet dog and loves children.<br />
He’ll be a great addition to your home<br />
(and heart!).<br />
Rhumba ~ How cute is this guy? Rhumba<br />
is an 8 year-old Basset Hound mix who’s<br />
a total love bug! He loves kids and other<br />
dogs to play with and he’s ready to be<br />
yours! Can you give him the happy life he<br />
deserves?<br />
A NO-KILL animal shelter.<br />
Open Tues - Sun<br />
11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.<br />
All animals are<br />
up-to-date on vaccinations<br />
and heartworm tested.<br />
Adoption fees $110 and up.<br />
www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com | February 2017 121
Change language