Mainstream media covers vaccine side effects in PETS, but never in humans

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 by: Julie Wilson staff writer
Tags: pet vaccines, mainstream media, adverse effects

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(NaturalNews) A report by the ABC7 I-Team investigates whether or not vaccines administered to pets may be having long-term adverse health effects, an investigation that likely would not have taken place if the victim were human.

In the midst of the "Disneyland measles outbreak," the topic gained attention after several dog owners complained of their pets exhibiting unusual symptoms shortly after being vaccinated, leading them to question the safety of pet vaccines.

The number of vaccines, and the frequency at which they're given, has pet owners concerned, according to ABC7, whose team spoke to one woman complaining that her "perfect pet" became "violent and vicious," and began having seizures.

Julie Harding, owner of a four-year old Vizsla named Piper, said her dog began acting strangely after receiving a vaccine. "She's not quite the same dog she used to be," Harding said.

"She was foaming at the mouth, she was flailing everywhere."

Harding said her dog was diagnosed with auto-immune meningitis, at which point neurologists at the Chicago Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center asked if Piper had been recently vaccinated.

Routine vaccine causes brain swelling in four-year old pup

It turns out she had.

Piper was recently vaccinated against leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that spreads through the body via the bloodstream and is common in subtropical, tropical and wet environments. The infection is usually cured on its own; however, it can be fatal in younger dogs with weakened immune systems.

According to the neurologists, the vaccine for leptospirosis could have been responsible for the swelling in Piper's brain, purportedly due to her "predisposition to allergic conditions."

Piper's case and four others were linked to the same vaccine in less than a month and a half, but after reviewing the cases, the vaccine's manufacturer concluded that they were unrelated to the leptospirosis shot.

"No causal association" was found between the profitable vaccine and the Chicago cases, according to reports. However, some veterinarians weren't convinced.

"In the last year to year-and-a-half, we have seen more cases in this practice related to dogs who have recently been vaccinated. We are trying to understand what the risks are," said Michael Podell, D.V.M., a veterinarian neurologist and neurosurgeon.

Similar to the human vaccine industry, new pet vaccines are often rolled out without much testing, and their safety is usually unquestioned by animal care clinics before administering them to clients.

Pets expected to get 10 vaccines in one year, every year, in some states

In just one year, pet owners may be advised to give their pets at least 10 different vaccines, many of which are given each year, an extremely questionable move considering a lot of vaccines provide a lifetime of immunity.

Long-time researcher of canine vaccines, Ron Schultz D.V.M. agrees that vaccines are important, but questions their frequency.

"It's very disappointing to me to still have distemper, parvo and adno given every year when we know it provides a life of immunity," said Schultz, who is an immunologist at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin. Vaccinating an animal that's immune can cause a hypersensitivity reaction, he adds.

Chicago-area vet recommends mercury-free vaccines

Barbara Royal, D.V.M., a veterinarian at Royal Treatment Veterinary Center has a unique and arguably more logical view on pet vaccines. Royal Treatment's website recommends getting thimerosal-free vaccines, as well as "tittering" vaccine schedules and vaccinating based on where you live and what's actually a likely threat in your area.

"It is still a volatile debate because there's so much fear involved and an awful lot of money involved," said Royal, who offers a blood test to measure pets' immunity. Many of her clients no longer get inoculations past the first year -- a move that Royal claims has improved the health of pets she treats.

"Someone makes a vaccine and we all have to give it, but the efficacy and the safety of those vaccines is not necessarily that well researched."

Additional sources:

http://abc7chicago.com

https://www.petfinder.com

http://www.petmd.com

http://www.royaltreatmentveterinarycenter.com