deworming / vaccines for a 5 1/2 week old puppy

Question
QUESTION: Hi,  we are about to get a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier puppy.  The person who owns the puppy would like to use Drontal Plus at age 5 1/2 weeks old.  Is this necessary to use a wormer when there are no signs of worms.  The Drontal Plus is only being used as a preventative measure.  Once we pick up the puppy at 8 weeks old we will test her stools for any signs of worms.  Please advise.  Thank you, Christina

ANSWER: Your idea of testing the stool is far better than just worming so if you know the breeder personally you may want to go with that. Keep in mind that some worms only show up in a stool test during the egg laying phase of the worm's cycle. There are homeopathic worming alternatives available as well. Also, research information on vaccines and the dangers of same. This is very important.

By the way, I bread Wheatens for many years.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,  We were told by a local Holistic Vet that vaccines are not necessary at 6 weeks of age because the puppies are nursing and get colostrum from their mother which cancels out any vaccines that are given.  Plus they are toxic for a puppy of such a young age.  My question is what vaccines are absolutely necessary, if any?  We plan on feeding the puppy a raw food diet which will establish a healthy immune system.  So my thought is no Drontal Plus for worming and no vaccines.  Would you agree?  Please advise.  Thank you once again, Christina  

Answer

Susan R Griffin   I am so very happy that you have found a truly holistic vet; one who is willing to tell you the truth about vaccines and not try to play both sides of the field. I have found many who because they have started to do acupuncture, call themselves holistic but still push annual vaccines, spot on the back flea poisons, etc.

In an article written for Akita World, Jean Dodds DVM announced that new vaccination protocol is now being adopted by ALL 27 North American veterinary schools. They are now going to be teaching that "over-vaccination of pets (once a year boosters) is not only not necessary, but in some cases deadly!" She also states that, "Some of this information will present an ethical and economic challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics. Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations every three years to appease those who fear loss of income versus those concerned about potential side effects."  She adamantly states that,"Politics, traditions, or the doctor's economic well-being should not be a factor in medical decision."

She also states that, "Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine is given after six months of age, it produces  immunity which is good for the life of the pet (ie: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper).  If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize he antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not boosted nor are more memory cells induced." Not only are annual vaccines not necessary, but they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Puppies should NOT be vaccinated at less than 8 weeks, and vaccines given 2 weeks apart SUPPRESS rather than stimulate the immune system.

Not recommended by Dr Dodds are: Multiple components in vaccines such as in the commonly used DHLPP vaccine because they actually compete with each other for the immune system and result in lesser immunity for each individual disease as well as increasing the risk of a negative or fatal reaction.

Also not recommended is the Canine Corona virus vaccine because it is a  very rare, self-limiting disease only found in puppies and who get well in 3 days without treatment.

Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse reaction, and the Lepto vaccine is immuno-suppressive to puppies less than 16 weeks of age!

Another interesting fact is that for 10 days after receiving a vaccine, the vaccinated animal does what is called 'shedding the disease'. It gives off a very mild case of the disease which exposes any other animal near it and actually immunizes that animal the totally natural and safe way...through the immune system which starts in the nose and mouth! A vet could actually vaccinate one puppy with an extremely small amount of vaccine serum and immunize the entire litter and the mother too!

Every time you take your healthy puppy to a park, etc, the chances are pretty good that some poor dog who gets annual vaccines by a well meaning owner who is being taken by greed will be there and immunize your puppy.

I could go on, but I think you get the picture. There are several very good books out about the dangers of vaccines. The best of these, "What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccines" by Catherine O'Driscoll I am told is no longer in print, but it would be worth finding a used copy. She has written a later, more toned down book called "Shock to the System". If you really want cold, hard, scientific facts and some information that will totally get to you, and I'm sure rattled the system a bit too much, find the first book!

My current dog, Angel, is a 7 year old retired breeding Boxer I got from my daughter that looks like a 2 year old (even her teeth  which have never been brushed or cleaned) after producing 3 fabulous litters, largely because she has always been fed a natural diet and has never been vaccinated for anything before or after 8 weeks of age. Her mother is still active at 13 and her grandmother passed at 16. The vet who helped her go the night that she told us that it was time had never even seen a 16 year old Boxer because they  generally die of cancer by around 8. The main cause of cancer in dogs and cats is annual vaccines! Of course, a conscientious breeding program also helps.

Well, I think I have probably answered your question.  Hopefully you will educate others and help me create more healthy pets. Also, if you would take a moment to give me and my answers a review on the site, I would greatly appreciate it. I am currently working on a short e-book called "Simple Steps to a Healthy Pet" which will be a free download on my sites critteroil.com and naturalsforanimals.com . I'm hoping to have it on-line by the first of the year or earlier. I think you would enjoy it.