Comments for Truth4Dogs

Comment on Vaccinating Dogs: 10 Steps to Eliminating Unnecessary Shots by Kat (posted by Jan)

Kat (posted by Jan) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:03:09 +0000

This message was sent to us by Kat after viewing one of K9Author’s videos on YouTube:
“We found a stray dog and so we have no idea what her vaccination history is or even if she has been spayed. She is probably about a year old at the most…looks like a small yellow lab.

I want to just have her vaccinated for parvo and distemper only and of course we have to have her vaccinated for rabies. But my question for you is how long to wait between the spaying and the vaccinations? And how long between before she gets her rabies shot? And which order do you recommend having all of this done? I know I have seen this information somewhere on the Internet before but it was a long time ago and I just can’t seem to find it now.

I would really appreciate any advice. At this point I don’t even know which thing should be done first, the spaying or the vaccinations.

Thank you so much,
Kat

Comment on Dog Flu Vaccine: Do You Really Need a Shot for the H3N8 Canine Virus? by Jan

Jan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:03:48 +0000

Thanks for writing, Michelle. I’m delighted you like my Truth4Dogs.com blog and Dogs4Dogs.com website. I hope you’ve signed up for updates and for our free e-newsletter. And please tell your friends. Let’s help change the world for dogs.

Comment on Heartworm Medication Part 2: Options to Fear-Based Recommendations by Jan

Jan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:01:44 +0000

Janet, I’m delighted my articles on heartworm were helpful. (You did see both of them I hope.) I just posted an article on the dog flu vaccine just approved. I hope you’ll read it before you think of giving it. — Jan

Comment on Heartworm Medication Part 2: Options to Fear-Based Recommendations by Janet J

Janet J — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:53:02 +0000

This is the most informative article I have found on the subject. We have recently moved from an area where heartworm prevention was not indicated to one which was (according to our veterinarians) “problematic.” Now learing the actual climatic indications to cause infection probability, I realize that this area does NOT indicate prophylactic measures.

Comment on Dog Flu Vaccine: Do You Really Need a Shot for the H3N8 Canine Virus? by Michelle at FromTheHorsesBack.com

Michelle at FromTheHorsesBack.com — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:51:06 +0000

I love this site! It is very informative and provides excellent information! Can’t wait to read your next post. =)

Comment on Heartworm Medication Part 1: Truths, Omissions and Profits by Jan

Jan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:36:46 +0000

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR DOG HAS HEARTWORM Susan, it’s relatively rare to contract heartworm in the Pacific Northwest. I’m sorry for you and your dog, but don’t panic.

Dogs survive heartworm all the time. In fact, the current movie star dog Benji is a healthy heartworm survivor many years removed from his life on the streets in a Gulf Coast State. Wild animals live their whole lives with parasites. Parasites don’t want to kill their hosts because they, in turn, will die; they want to co-exist.

I’m not a vet, but here are some ideas for treatment.

You’ve had a heartworm antigen test, right?

Have you given your dog a cardiac ultrasound? My vet recommends it before starting any treatment. If the infestation is mild, you will treat differently than if it is major. Some vets would treat with homeopathy, good food and supplements like Transfer Factor or bovine collagen if the infestation is minor. A single female worm can make an antigen test positive. Everhaving had heartworms, but not having them now, can make an antibody test positive. You can learn more about diagnosis at http://www.heartwormsociety.org/article_11.html

Third, there’s an interesting video by a vet on heartworm treatment that you should watch. You can fast forward through the commercial beginning to about halfway through. This is about the long-term non-arsenic treatment.

What would I do if it were my dog? I’d have the cardiac ultrasound and consult a holistic vet. Vets who seem to know a lot about this can be found at http://www.thepetwhisperer.com and http://www.alt4animals.com/ and http://www.homevet.com/ I think they both consult by phone. You can find a holistic vet in your area, or a vet trained in homeopathy, at Find A Vet. I can also highly recommend a vet who treats all sort of hard cases by phone (he treats both my dogs): Dr. W.K. Kruesi at http://www.crvetcenter.com.

Let me know how it goes. Don’t worry. Learn the facts and then proceed calmly. Remember, your dog will sense your stress and then become worried herself. Think positive and relax.

Comment on Heartworm Medication Part 1: Truths, Omissions and Profits by Susan

Susan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:45:27 +0000

Okay, that’s all great BUT my dog in the Northwest was just diagnosed with stage 1 heartworm. Now what? Do you suggest the arsenical “slow kill” treatment? What about the newer but not necessarily agreed upon treatment of using a monthly preventative (plus antibiotics) to take up to two years to kill the worms (but possibility causing pulmonary problems over the longer span)? My vet recommends the first but I’d love some other informed opinions. Thanks.

Comment on Dog Flu Vaccine: Do You Really Need a Shot for the H3N8 Canine Virus? by Max Abdersin

Max Abdersin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:00:34 +0000

This is very interesting. I had a dog cough flem in my face while it was on my lap and I shortly thereafter got Bronchitis for nearly a week and a half. My wife thought I was crazy when I had said the dog infected me. H1N1 strain A can mutate to pigs,birds, and man. I am not beyond the belief that it could spread in pandemic to other animals as well. In my advanced research, I have found the Spanish Flu in 1918 had 25% rare plant species in it mixed with RNA. In the newer H1N1 strain A we are finding similar strians of the rare plant 12% mixed with RNA. There is a consistent pattern. I feel on the plant origin and possibly RNA that is asexually reporduced (like frog eggs RNA) in a newer 8 genome string pattern could be why the virus is so rampant in hot climactic areas. I have submitted to HHS and CDC my thesis research work to see if we might target the plants photosynthesis and the asexual RNA genome reproduction features, to make these newer strains less suseptible to spreading by light dark therapy. The research is pending review by HHS and CDC.
Best,
Max

Comment on Heartworm Medication Part 1: Truths, Omissions and Profits by Sally Walker

Sally Walker — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:47:05 +0000

I am so glad I found you. I live in Oakland Ca, adopted a 1 yr old rescue lab from San Jose. He had been on heartworm meds there. Took him to my vet who said not needed in Bay Area, disease not endemic here. Great old vet I loved who’s philosophy was similar to that of the oncologist I worked with (I am an oncology nurse) if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Now have a different vet wants to do everything all the time. Gave me heartgard at our 1st visit which I didn’t use, returned 6 mos later semi convinced me to use it, but still haven’t given it to my dog. Going back soon, needed something more than my gut instinct to discuss with him and here you are! I have a lot of experience with what we call Big Pharma. Talk about selling fear and hope: ain’t nothing like cancer to set those feelings. Many drugs may be useful in certain circumstances but are completely oversold and driving up costs for care with miniscule value, and indcreasing side effects. I want to do right by my dog. Thanks for the valuable info. S

Comment on Lowering Vet Bills: 10 Tips for Keeping Costs Down by Jan

Jan — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:41:17 +0000

Hi Jenn. Vaccinating protocols have changed. The new protocols, from WASA and the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force, are to vaccinate NO MORE OFTEN than every three years for the "core vaccines." In fact, for most adult dogs who have been vaccinated against parovirus and distemper after age 15-16 weeks, the dog likely has lifetime immunity. The titer test, which needs to be done only once, not yearly, can prove immunity. If it does, then there are no more shots and no more titer tests. This is according to Dr. Ron Schultz, arguably the country's top expert in pet vaccination. This is a simplistic answer. Please read more about titer testing and Vaccinating Dogs: 10 Steps to Eliminating Unnecessary Shots for more information.