2013 World Small Animal Veterinary Association VACCINATION GUIDELINES FOR NEW PUPPY OWNERS http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files...0May%202013.pdf

" 2. The WSAVA also states that the last puppy vaccine against the core diseases should be given at 14-16 weeks of age. This is because, before this time, the mother passes immunity to her puppies, and this ‘maternal immunity’ can prevent the vaccine from working.

3. A high percentage (98%) of core puppy vaccines given between 14-16 weeks of age will provide immunity against parvovirus, distemper and adenovirus for many years, and probably for the life of the animal .

6. The WSAVA supports the use of titre testing. ...."

University of California Veterinary Teaching Hospital
The canine rattlesnake vaccine comprises venom components from Crotalus atrox (western diamondback). Although a rattlesnake vaccine may be potentially useful for dogs that frequently encounter rattlesnakes, currently we are unable to recommend this vaccine because of insufficient information regarding the efficacy of the vaccine in dogs. Dogs develop neutralizing antibody titers to C. atrox venom, and may also develop antibody titers to components of other rattlesnake venoms, but research in this area is ongoing. Owners of vaccinated dogs must still seek veterinary care immediately in the event of a bite, because 1) the type of snake is often unknown; 2) antibody titers may be overwhelmed in the face of severe envenomation, and 3) an individual dog may lack sufficient protection depending on its response to the vaccine and the time elapsed since vaccination. According to the manufacturer, to date, rare vaccinated dogs have died following a bite when there were substantial delays (12-24 hours) in seeking treatment. Recommendations for booster vaccination are still under development, but it appears that adequate titers do not persist beyond one year after vaccination. Adverse reactions appear to be low and consistent with those resulting from vaccination with other products available on the market. The product license is currently conditional as efficacy and potency have not been fully demonstrated. Based on existing evidence, the UC Davis VMTH does not currently recommend routine vaccination of dogs for rattlesnake envenomation, and the vaccine is not stocked by our pharmacy.
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/small_animal/internal_medicine/vaccination_protocols.cfm

Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital
We have had a number of calls about the rattlesnake vaccine. Because of the potential for adverse reactions to this vaccine and the lack of experience with it, we do not recommend using it unless your dog is at a very high risk.
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vth/vaccinations.aspx

The rattlesnake vaccine can have a specific reaction related to only this vaccine. A seroma (a pocket of clear reddish fluid) or local swelling can occur. It will occur in less than 1% of the time the vaccine is given, regardless of whether the pet has had a reaction to it or not. The seroma can be quite large and sometimes uncomfortable.

Typically this seroma will resolve with time and warm compressing. On rare occasion a drain might need to be surgically placed.

If this reaction occurs, then the pet can still get subsequent rattlesnake vaccines in the future as the risk of forming a seroma will be neither increased or decreased.

If your pet has had a reaction to this vaccine I would recommend that you email Red Rock Biologic or call them at (866) 897-7625.
http://www.acerlux.com/vaccines/vaccinereactions.html

My wife has had several dogs die from the Rattlesnake vaccine and do not use it in our clinic anymore.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=136868

Dr. Dodds Says: The rattlesnake vaccine is a killed, inactivated product that I’ve been told will not protect against the Mojave Green, the most common form of rattlesnake in the Southern California desert. As it is not a highly purified snake extract, it does cause adverse reactions, some quite serious with sloughing of skin and muscle at and below the injection site. Boosters are required after the initial series on a annual basis. We recommend teaching your animals rattlesnake avoidance.
http://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/43941597764/snake-vaccines

http://germanshepherdhome.net/forum/ubbt...soon_#Post85495

Russel Blaylock, in a video about the flu vaccine, noted that one way to reduce the risk or vaccine reaction was to ice the area afterward. What this does is prevent the body from sending out a bunch of immune cells to the area, thus decreasing a systemic reaction which will last and be ongoing in the body. I went searching for the video, and found the following, which I hadn't seen before:



excerpted from here, which also has the videos: http://weeksmd.com/?p=1966
I've read one of the books that this guy has written on fighting cancer, I know he knows what he is talking about.


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Juliette de Bairacli Levy was one of the first experts in Natural Rearing, and I should probably throw in her advice here....

"Juliette de Bairacli Levy deals with compulsory vaccination laws...by neutralizing the vaccinations as much as possible., which she does by immediately pressing outward around the injection site, then rubbing the area with raw lemon juice. This is followed by a day of watered milk and honey and use of laxatives for two nights."

http://tinyurl.com/289war6


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My experience is that homeopathy is the most powerful way to combat vaccine reactions. The problem with that, is that you have to know the type of reaction and have someone that knows what they are doing figure out what remedy to give. Most folks either use Thuja or Lyssin. When my nephew vaxed his pup, I was in a quandry, I used Lyssin, which is difficult to find. Thuja is pretty common. Lyssin is more specific to the rabies vaccine, which is why I went with that one.

A homeopathic practitioner (furryboots) discusses using Lyssin here:
http://forums.hpathy.com/forum_posts.asp...ate-give#100322

You can get Lyssin here www.homeopathyovernight.com

http://germanshepherdhome.net/forum/ubbt..._old#Post202535

If you do decide to go ahead and vaccinate then I would always give something to support her liver and help her body process the vaccine. In would recommend the following homeopathic remedies:

Arnica (30c) - one pill before the shot and one pill every four hours untill bed time. Arnica is a terrific remedy for shock of any kind and I have found it really helps

Nuc Vomica (6c)- one pill every moring for a month

Sulpher (6c) - one pill every evening for one month

Both these remedies are liver remedies - as a practicing homeopath who this is my favorite prescription for toxicity resulting from either vaccines or too much pharmacutical medication.

If you can find it (the other three remedies are generally readily available in your local health store)- then give Thuja 30c every day for one week - again a great remedy for preventing vaccine damage.

Leptospirosis is a disease that can infect dogs and humans. The bacteria causes severe kidney and/or liver disease.

It is unknown at this time if the actual incidence of leptospirosis is growing in dogs. George E. Moore, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, of Purdue University, stated in an article in Veterinary Practice News Magazine (October 2010) that, "There's good evidence to support an increase of diagnosed cases of leptospirosis in the U.S." Dr. Ron Schultz of the University of Wisconsin states that there has been no increase in the number of human cases during the past 10-20 years; and a recent study looking for serologic prevalence in raccoons in Wisconsin found 25 percent prevalence, which was the same as found in a study 25 years ago. (Personal communication November 2010). Experts all seem to agree that the incidence of the disease is increasing in urban dogs, as wildlife concentrations increase in these areas. An urban dog is now just as likely to become infected as a hunting dog.

Until recently, Leptospirosis has been considered a zoonotic disease, meaning an infected dog can pass it on to a human. While this potential for transmission exists, it is being called into question. The belief now is that humans contract leptospirosis through the same sources as their dogs, not from their dogs. People like triathletes who swim in open water are at risk.

Before you rush out to get your dog vaccinated, here are five important issues related to this vaccine.


Ten serovars (types) of Leptospirosis are most likely to infect dogs. A vaccine that only protects against two serovars-or even 4 serovars- might be missing the one that could infect your dog.
Infection is much more common than disease.
Duration of immunity, or how long the vaccine lasts, is a concern. For most of the Leptospirosis vaccines, duration of immunity varies from 3-18 months, and varies with different serovars, some creating longer-lasting immunity than others. The immunity to three of the four common serovars most likely lasts 12-18 months. (Schultz, Ford)
Leptospirosis is significant because it is a disease that can be transmitted to humans. Ideally, the vaccine should prevent the dog from getting infected by the leptospirosis organism. However, studies have shown that dogs vaccinated with certain vaccines and then exposed to leptospirosis, while not necessarily getting sick themselves, still "shed" the organism from one serovar in their urine. This could pose a false sense of security to dog owners and actually increase their risk of contracting the disease. Two of the veterinary vaccines now prevent infection and shedding of the organism.
The safety of the vaccine has come into question. All of the vaccines have been shown to cause a hypersensitivity reaction in genetically predisposed animals, and this can last up to four years. (Personal communication with Dr. Ronald Schultz, School of Veterinary Medicine University of Wisconsin-Madison, October 2005, November 2007, August 2012)

In our experience, this disease is extremely rare in our patients, and seems to be found mostly in dogs with poor immune systems.

If you do get the vaccine (we do not offer it at WAH), consider the following:

Do not get it at the same time as any other vaccines, especially viral ones, as they drive the immune responses differently. The body preferentially creates immunity to the Leptospirosis over the viral components (like Distemper and Parvovirus).
Do not give to dogs less than 12 weeks of age. In fact, if you can wait until after the initial core vaccines have been given, this may be safer for your dog.
Remember that the more vaccines given in one office visit, the higher the risk of a reaction, especially in dogs less than 22lbs. ("Adverse events diagnosed within three days of vaccine administration in dogs," JAVMA, Oct. 1, 2005.)

http://wilmingtonanimalhospital.com/info_vaccines.php