~ Vaccinosis ~
The following is information on a condition that more and more dog owners are facing these days. This condition is called Vaccinosis. I will explain my understanding of this growing problem and what I have researched as the appropriate vaccination schedule that I have adopted.
Vaccinosis: This is a very contiversial problem affecting many, many people and their much loved pets. I have read many articles on this growing problem and have come to a conclusion that this is a very true problem and one that warrants some attention. Below, I have simplified my plan on how I am going to handle vaccines with any of my animals (namely my dogs). Please read as much as you can on Vaccinosis and come to your own conclusion (with your Vets advise) on how to best vaccinate your dog.
My vaccine routine for my dogs will be as follows:
~Exam and combination vaccine at 7 weeks old.
~Rabies vaccine at 12-14 weeks old.
~Combination & Rabies booster 1 year later.
~Combination & Rabies booster every 3 years.
~Once the dog reaches an older age I will probably only have the 'required by law' vaccines [Rabies].
** I will treat any problems concerning Lyme Disease just
as is done with our children...and that is treating them
if they are ever exposed to a tick bite. **
~Again, Please consult your Veterinarian and read, read & read some more on the problem of Vaccinosis. 
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"Vaccinosis" Web Sites that may help inform you better: Click on the underlined links below for more information.
Please keep in mind that these are opinions of experienced dog breeders, etc and should not take the place of your qualified Veterinarians advice.
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The email below was in response to a survey that I sent out to everyone that has ever purchased a puppy from me. It was a survey to ask questions that would enable me to make any changes that were needed to my breeding program. My goal is to breed well adjusted, very healthy Miniature Schnauzers that are within the standards for their breed. The question # 25 that is referenced in the email below was:
25) Your dogs general health: Use this area to tell me about any health problems or concerns you have about your dogs health. Please include any surgery complications (from spaying/ neutering or ear cropping), any skin problems, ear problems, reactions to vaccines, etc..________________________________________________
This is the email that I received:
HI TAMMY,
WE RECEIVED YOUR PAPERS TODAY AND WILL GET THEM FILLED OUT FOR YOU. I AM SENDING YOU THIS E-MAIL IN RESPONSE TO QUESTION 25. WE HAD A VERY TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE THAT ALMOST COST CHLOE HER LIFE. WE HAD TAKEN HER DEC 28TH FOR HER YEARLY CHECK-UP. WE HAD HER APPOINTMENT AND WE RECEIVED A REMINDER THAT SHE NEEDED HER 3 YEAR RABBIES AND DHLPPC BOOSTER. ON ARRIVAL FOR OUR APPOINTMENT THE TECH INFORMED US THAT SHE WOULD GET THE 2 BOOSTERS THAT DAY AND WE WOULD HAVE TO BRING HER BACK IN APRIL FOR HER LYME DISEASE BOOSTER. WE SAID THAT WOULD BE FINE. WHEN [the Vet] CAME IN, SHE INFORMED US THAT SHE WAS GIVING ALL THE BOOSTERS TO HER THAT DAY. BOB AND I JUST LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND BEFORE WE KNEW IT SHE HAD GIVEN THEM TO CHLOE. AS SOON AS WE PUT HER ON THE FLOOR, SHE IMMEDIATELY STARTED THROWING UP. THEY TOLD US THAT HER GUMS WERE PALE AND WOULD HAVE TO STAY FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON IVS. I GUESS YOU PUT YOUR TRUST IN YOUR VET AS YOU SO YOUR OWN DOCTORS. WE EXPECTED THEM TO DO WHAT WAS BEST FOR CHLOE AND THEY CLEARLY DIDN’T. WELL, TO MAKE A VERY LONG SAD STORY SHORT, AFTER 2 DAYS OF LIFELESSNESS AND 2 DAYS OF ME JUST LAYING WITH HER AND CRYING, I CALLED MY HUSBAND AT WORK AND SAID WE NEED TO GET HER TO A HOSPITAL. (IT WAS SUNDAY) SO WHEN HE GOT HOME WE TOOK HER TO BRADFORD HILL HOSPITAL IN WEXFORD. THEY RAN TESTS AND TOLD US HER LIVER WAS DAMAGED AND WORKING WAY TOO HARD AND HER BLOOD PLATELETS WERE VERY VERY LOW. THEY INJECTED FLUIDS UNDER HER SKIN AS I WOULD NOT LEAVE HER. THEY ALSO GAVE US 3 MEDICATIONS TO GIVE HER. AGAIN, WE LAYED FOR 2 MORE DAYS AND I WAS A BASKET CASE. ON WED WE TOOK HER TO A THIRD VET (DR LASH IN KITTANNING) AND HE DID MORE BLOOD WORK AND SAID SHE WAS SHOWING IMPROVEMENT BUT IT WOULD TAKE 2 OR 3 MONTHS FOR HER TO GET BACK TO NORMAL. HE ALSO HAVE US A PILL TO HELP HER LIVER RECOVER. SHE IS STILL ON THAT ONE. WE WILL TAKE HER BACK TO DR LASH AT THE BEGINNING OF FEB FOR MORE FOLLOW-UP BLOODWORK AND HOPEFULLY FOR THE LAST TIME. SHE IS BACK TO NORMAL IN HER BEHAVIOR AND WE PRAY THAT HER INSIDES WILL BE HEALED AS WELL. TAMMY, SHE DID NOTHING BUT LAY AND DRINK AND PEE FOR THAT FIRST WEEK. THANK GOD SHE WAS DRINKING. SHE DIDN’T EAT OR BARK OR PLAY OR ANYTHING. I HONESTLY THOUGHT SHE WASN’T GOING TO MAKE IT. DR LASH HAS ADVISED US TO NOT GET HER ANYMORE VACCINES FOR AT LEAST 3 YEARS AND TO NEVER GET HER MORE THAN 1 AT A TIME. SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. IN THE MEANTIME, WE WILL LOOK FOR A VET THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO TRUST. THE WHOLE ORDEAL COST US [-------] AND MANY MANY HOURS OF MENTAL ANGUISH. I JUST HOPE THAT THERE ARENT ANY LONG TERM BAD AFFECTS FROM THIS. I DON’T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD HAVE DONE HAD SHE NOT MADE IT. SHE IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR LIVES.
