Hi all - I recently received the following letter from a reader whose dog had been experiencing seizures. The concerned owner just informed me that her decision to stop all vet-prescribed meds for flea/tick & heartworm are working and that her dog, thus far, appears to be seizure-free:
September 18, 2015
Hi Russ,
I just read your article and this sounds like what happened to my 5 pound Yorkie. I have been giving her Heartguard and Frontline as recommended by my vet for the past 3 years. My dog is almost 8 years old, we adopted her, and have had her for about 3 years. She was very healthy and never had any problems until recently.
About 4 months ago, a few days after I gave her the above meds, she had her first seizure. When I asked my vet if Heartguard and Frontline could cause a seizure , she said probably not, so I continued giving her these meds. Last week I again gave my dog the Heartguard and Frontline and 4 days later, she had a full blown seizure. Labs were drawn at the vet and everything came back normal. The next day, she had another seizure. I again asked my vet about these meds causing seizures and I was told she probably has idiopathic epilepsy. I am a nurse and have done a lot of reading on epilepsy. I don't believe she has this at all- I truly believe it's the Heartguard and Frontline. I am not going to give her these meds again. I hope she will be alright. Thanks for your enlightening article. It makes me feel like I know what I am talking about and what is best for my dog. I'm throwing these meds away and praying her seizures will stop. - A.M.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Latest Heartguard/Dog Seizure Story
Doreen Grifin was kind enough to send me the following email today (7-30-15) about her Golden Retriever Jasmine:
"Hi Russ:
Everything was fine (24 days) until I gave the next Heartguard Plus and she had seizures 2 days in a row, 24 hours after Heartguard, even though she was on Phenobarbital!
"Hi Russ:
I found your story very interesting and wonder what happened over the next few years.
My 8 year old Golden had a seizure one day after Heartguard Plus and then another 6 days later, so my vet put her on Phenobarbital saying it was late on-set epilepsy.
Everything was fine (24 days) until I gave the next Heartguard Plus and she had seizures 2 days in a row, 24 hours after Heartguard, even though she was on Phenobarbital!
I am not going to give her any more, even though my vet said Heartguard has nothing to do with seizures. She has a Seresto flea collar, so I took that off as well.
She took Heartguard with no problems for 7 years, but I believe as you do, that over time, they can develop issues with it.
Thank you for sharing your story. Doreen Grifin"
My response to Doreen:
"Hi Doreen - I am happy to report that Lola is 13 years old and experiencing only old age related problems. She has been seizure free for six years since I totally stopped giving her any of the Heartguard flea & tick and heart worm medications. Unfortunately, I know nothing about Phenobarbital.
I have been giving her a half tablet (recommended dosage via Vet is a full tablet) of Carprofen which helps her sleep better (and me!) during the night as it is a pain relief aid for her bad hips. Thus far she has had no ill effects of this medication which I have been giving her for the past 6 months. I hope that you and Jasmine have a seizure-free future! Take care and big hugs for your Golden Jasmine from Lola and me :-) Russ"
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Another Story of Confirmation
To all concerned Animal lovers: here is another testimony to the possible link of Frontline Plus and Heartgard products as a potential source of seizures in certain breeds of dogs. Thanks very much to Lisa Perna and her beautiful dog Maggie:
Like you, I began suspecting the Frontline Plus and Heartgard applications that we were giving her on the same day, every month. To determine which one (or both?) was giving her a problem, I decided to give them two weeks apart. Each application, of both meds, resulted in seizures a day or two after application - sometimes within hours. I then decided not to give her any more monthly doses, and make an appointment with our vet to discuss our concerns. After stopping the meds, and while waiting for the vet appointment, Maggie went 40 days without a seizure. Once at the appointment, our vet was not sympathetic to our concerns - in fact, she was pretty belligerent. She said her Frontline rep, who supplied her office, had never told her of a problem. (ha! really?!) And that she had never heard of a problem with Heartgard either, in all her years of being a vet. She warned us of discontinuing the Heartgard, the severity of heartworms in our area, Florida, and encouraged us to resume giving it to her. She also recommended that if Maggie ever had a seizure again, to take her to an emergency clinic right away; that a blood test could be done that would help determine the causes of Maggie's seizures.
So, we gave her Heartgard that Wednesday night, and very early Saturday morning, she had a seizure. We waited until the seizure was over, gathered her up, and brought her immediately to an emergency clinic for bloodwork. I've attached a copy of Maggie's bloodwork from that morning. After hearing our reasons for bringing Maggie in, and our concerns of Maggie possibly having seizures in reaction to Heartgard and Frontline, the vet handed us the blood results and told us Maggie's bloodwork looked normal. Later that night, I went online to research Maggie's test results, and this is what I discovered. The high RBC, HCT and HGB are indicative of dehydration. I have since learned that seizures do cause dogs to become quickly dehydrated, and in our nervousness in getting her to the hospital, we hadn't taken the time to give her water. But most alarming, was her very, very low WBC. This indicates an overwhelming chemical or toxic poisoning. And why the vet didn't see this, or comment on this, I don't know!
Monday morning, I went back to our regular vet - to fill her in on Maggie's weekend seizure and to show her the bloodwork. And she was still not convinced - Amazingly, she said these results could be from 'unclean'' blood draws, or a machine that might not be calibrated correctly. To say this has been frustrating, is an understatement!
I also wanted to let you know that Washington State College of Veternary Medicine, www.vetmed.wsu.edu/
Even though the site states, "While the dose of ivermectin used to prevent heartworm infection is SAFE in dogs with the mutation (6 micrograms per kilogram), higher doses, such as those used for treating mange (300-600 micrograms per kilogram) will cause neurological toxicity in dogs that are homozygous for the MDR1 mutation (mutant/mutant) and can cause toxicity in dogs that are heterozygous for the mutation (mutant/normal)." , we decided to have Maggie tested; looking for any possible clue for the seizures. Some breeds are more apt to have this gene mutation, but we don't really know much about Maggie's background. She was a stray that showed up on our doorstep and she looks like a lab, pitbull mix - but you never know! Results came back Normal/Normal - "These dogs do not carry the mutation, and will not pass on the mutation to their offspring."
All this to say, Russ, I also agree with your comment, "...thought should be given to researching the possible term limitations of prescribing and recommending these medications once a dog lives past a certain age." For our Maggie - We adopted her when she was approximately two years old. We gave her Frontline Plus and Heartgard on the same day every month for two years without any noticable adverse effects (to us). It has been in just the past few months, that she seems to be having seizures after administering these meds. We have decided to discontinue their use, and hope for the best.
We have also decided to try the 'EaseSure' from PetAlive that you mentioned using. Maggie's been on it for about three months. We stopped giving it to her at one point, wondering if it really was doing anything. And after three missed doses, a day and a half, she had a seizure. So she's back on it; it does seem to have its benefits.
"Hi Russ!
Just wanted you to know how helpful and comforting it was to find your blog late one night, back in January, when researching why our dog, Maggie, was suddenly having seizures.
Just wanted you to know how helpful and comforting it was to find your blog late one night, back in January, when researching why our dog, Maggie, was suddenly having seizures.
Like you, I began suspecting the Frontline Plus and Heartgard applications that we were giving her on the same day, every month. To determine which one (or both?) was giving her a problem, I decided to give them two weeks apart. Each application, of both meds, resulted in seizures a day or two after application - sometimes within hours. I then decided not to give her any more monthly doses, and make an appointment with our vet to discuss our concerns. After stopping the meds, and while waiting for the vet appointment, Maggie went 40 days without a seizure. Once at the appointment, our vet was not sympathetic to our concerns - in fact, she was pretty belligerent. She said her Frontline rep, who supplied her office, had never told her of a problem. (ha! really?!) And that she had never heard of a problem with Heartgard either, in all her years of being a vet. She warned us of discontinuing the Heartgard, the severity of heartworms in our area, Florida, and encouraged us to resume giving it to her. She also recommended that if Maggie ever had a seizure again, to take her to an emergency clinic right away; that a blood test could be done that would help determine the causes of Maggie's seizures.
So, we gave her Heartgard that Wednesday night, and very early Saturday morning, she had a seizure. We waited until the seizure was over, gathered her up, and brought her immediately to an emergency clinic for bloodwork. I've attached a copy of Maggie's bloodwork from that morning. After hearing our reasons for bringing Maggie in, and our concerns of Maggie possibly having seizures in reaction to Heartgard and Frontline, the vet handed us the blood results and told us Maggie's bloodwork looked normal. Later that night, I went online to research Maggie's test results, and this is what I discovered. The high RBC, HCT and HGB are indicative of dehydration. I have since learned that seizures do cause dogs to become quickly dehydrated, and in our nervousness in getting her to the hospital, we hadn't taken the time to give her water. But most alarming, was her very, very low WBC. This indicates an overwhelming chemical or toxic poisoning. And why the vet didn't see this, or comment on this, I don't know!
Monday morning, I went back to our regular vet - to fill her in on Maggie's weekend seizure and to show her the bloodwork. And she was still not convinced - Amazingly, she said these results could be from 'unclean'' blood draws, or a machine that might not be calibrated correctly. To say this has been frustrating, is an understatement!
Even though the site states, "While the dose of ivermectin used to prevent heartworm infection is SAFE in dogs with the mutation (6 micrograms per kilogram), higher doses, such as those used for treating mange (300-600 micrograms per kilogram) will cause neurological toxicity in dogs that are homozygous for the MDR1 mutation (mutant/mutant) and can cause toxicity in dogs that are heterozygous for the mutation (mutant/normal)." , we decided to have Maggie tested; looking for any possible clue for the seizures. Some breeds are more apt to have this gene mutation, but we don't really know much about Maggie's background. She was a stray that showed up on our doorstep and she looks like a lab, pitbull mix - but you never know! Results came back Normal/Normal - "These dogs do not carry the mutation, and will not pass on the mutation to their offspring."
All this to say, Russ, I also agree with your comment, "...thought should be given to researching the possible term limitations of prescribing and recommending these medications once a dog lives past a certain age." For our Maggie - We adopted her when she was approximately two years old. We gave her Frontline Plus and Heartgard on the same day every month for two years without any noticable adverse effects (to us). It has been in just the past few months, that she seems to be having seizures after administering these meds. We have decided to discontinue their use, and hope for the best.
We have also decided to try the 'EaseSure' from PetAlive that you mentioned using. Maggie's been on it for about three months. We stopped giving it to her at one point, wondering if it really was doing anything. And after three missed doses, a day and a half, she had a seizure. So she's back on it; it does seem to have its benefits.
We sure hope Maggie will follow Lola's example and continue on, seizure free, if we stop using Frontline Plus and Heartgard. -Not very many answers, lots of heartache, but wanted to thank you, Russ, for the 'heads up' with the blog. As we share our experiences, hopefully answers will be found.
Hoping you and Lola are doing well!
Sincerely,
Lisa and Maggie" HPIM2148.JPG
Hoping you and Lola are doing well!
Sincerely,
Lisa and Maggie" HPIM2148.JPG
Monday, October 7, 2013
A Rewarding Story About Dog Seizures
Hi all - it was very exciting and rewarding to receive the following email today from a person whose dog was experiencing seizures. I would like to share it with you all:
Every year, for the last five years, when we took her into the Show Low vet clinic for her annual checkup we would tell the vet about the seizures she was having about once every month. This last year we had a special blood test run, costing aprox $180 to check everything out. It turned out negative.
They never told us the seizures were listed as a side effect of the Heartguard medicine.
She would run about fifty yards, chasing a rabbit, fall over with her back feet waving in the air, then recover and seem normal again. Scared the heck out of my wife and me.
We live in Apache County and do not have internet access. I went into the library in June of this year, after we had just bought a year’s supply of the Heartguard medication, got on the internet and found out about the effects of the Heartguard medication. It stated that in a collie like dog you should not even prescribe Heartguard as they have a mutated gene which causes seizures and possibly death from a reaction to the pesticide ivernectin.
It is now October of 2013; she has been without a seizure for three months and is beginning to act normally once again. I went in and returned our year’s supply of Heartguard, and with my low and polite voice and a copy of your posting and others laid on their desk, they returned our money.
Thank you very much for your posting. Yours and others helped me assist my dog which I love very much. Richard... "
"This is Amber (a photo of their beautiful dog was attached to their email which they sent to me - I will happily provide his email upon request to verify all if needed), for the last five years she has been having seizures.
Every year, for the last five years, when we took her into the Show Low vet clinic for her annual checkup we would tell the vet about the seizures she was having about once every month. This last year we had a special blood test run, costing aprox $180 to check everything out. It turned out negative.
They never told us the seizures were listed as a side effect of the Heartguard medicine.
She would run about fifty yards, chasing a rabbit, fall over with her back feet waving in the air, then recover and seem normal again. Scared the heck out of my wife and me.
We live in Apache County and do not have internet access. I went into the library in June of this year, after we had just bought a year’s supply of the Heartguard medication, got on the internet and found out about the effects of the Heartguard medication. It stated that in a collie like dog you should not even prescribe Heartguard as they have a mutated gene which causes seizures and possibly death from a reaction to the pesticide ivernectin.
It is now October of 2013; she has been without a seizure for three months and is beginning to act normally once again. I went in and returned our year’s supply of Heartguard, and with my low and polite voice and a copy of your posting and others laid on their desk, they returned our money.
Thank you very much for your posting. Yours and others helped me assist my dog which I love very much. Richard... "
Thursday, June 13, 2013
The truth about pet vaccinations...
Hi all - I came across this article regarding pet vaccinations - I am not a Veterinarian and I have not researched any assertions in the article, but I am putting it "out there" for all pet owners:
"The Truth About Pet Vaccinations
by ONPS Veterinary Advisors
Most dog and cat guardians have never been told the truth about vaccinations. On the contrary, you are likely to get annual notices from your veterinarian that your companion is “due for their annual booster shots.” The evidence against vaccinating, however, is overwhelming. Veterinarians have resisted making changes in the way they vaccinate, many because they are afraid of the liability from failing to vaccinate animals as recommended by the vaccine maker. Some are unwilling to make the effort to educate their clients on the importance of an annual exam, with or without vaccines—it’s easier to just send that postcard. And some simply don’t want to lose their vaccine income. What many veterinarians don’t realize is that there was never any scientific evidence supporting yearly vaccines in the first place.
What Vaccination Does
The purpose of a vaccine is to stimulate the body to produce antibodies (germ-fighting proteins made by specialized white blood cells) and “memory” cells, so that if the animal ever encounters the disease again, his system will be primed and ready to defend against it. It turns out that many vaccines are so good at this that they don’t need to be boostered every year, if at all.
Vaccinations do prevent serious illness and death in young animals, but they should be used with common sense, and only when truly needed for any individual animal. Before vaccinating, consider the risks. The decision about vaccinations is very individual, and should be guided by your own research on the subject before you go to the veterinarian.
Why Too Many Vaccines are Dangerous
Vaccinations are a major stress to the immune system. They can not only cause immediate side effects and allergic reactions, but they also contribute to long term problems. Many chronic health issues may be linked to vaccination, including skin allergies, arthritis, thyroid disease, recurrent ear and respiratory infections, irritable bowel disease, neurological conditions (such as aggressive behavior and epilepsy), auto-immune diseases, and cancer.
Holistic veterinarians who have been in practice for 20 or 30 years report more serious illnesses in younger and younger animals. It is becoming distressingly common to see cancer in dogs and cats under 5 years of age. Autoimmune diseases are on the rise as well. Our companions are suffering from generations of over-vaccination. When combined with inadequate nutrition, poor breeding practices, and environmental stresses like air pollution, the result is that new generations that are more susceptible to congenital disorders and chronic disease.
Most dog and cat guardians have never been told the truth about vaccinations. On the contrary, you are likely to get annual notices from your veterinarian that your companion is “due for their annual booster shots.” The evidence against vaccinating, however, is overwhelming. Veterinarians have resisted making changes in the way they vaccinate, many because they are afraid of the liability from failing to vaccinate animals as recommended by the vaccine maker. Some are unwilling to make the effort to educate their clients on the importance of an annual exam, with or without vaccines—it’s easier to just send that postcard. And some simply don’t want to lose their vaccine income. What many veterinarians don’t realize is that there was never any scientific evidence supporting yearly vaccines in the first place.
What Vaccination Does
The purpose of a vaccine is to stimulate the body to produce antibodies (germ-fighting proteins made by specialized white blood cells) and “memory” cells, so that if the animal ever encounters the disease again, his system will be primed and ready to defend against it. It turns out that many vaccines are so good at this that they don’t need to be boostered every year, if at all.
Vaccinations do prevent serious illness and death in young animals, but they should be used with common sense, and only when truly needed for any individual animal. Before vaccinating, consider the risks. The decision about vaccinations is very individual, and should be guided by your own research on the subject before you go to the veterinarian.
Why Too Many Vaccines are Dangerous
Vaccinations are a major stress to the immune system. They can not only cause immediate side effects and allergic reactions, but they also contribute to long term problems. Many chronic health issues may be linked to vaccination, including skin allergies, arthritis, thyroid disease, recurrent ear and respiratory infections, irritable bowel disease, neurological conditions (such as aggressive behavior and epilepsy), auto-immune diseases, and cancer.
Holistic veterinarians who have been in practice for 20 or 30 years report more serious illnesses in younger and younger animals. It is becoming distressingly common to see cancer in dogs and cats under 5 years of age. Autoimmune diseases are on the rise as well. Our companions are suffering from generations of over-vaccination. When combined with inadequate nutrition, poor breeding practices, and environmental stresses like air pollution, the result is that new generations that are more susceptible to congenital disorders and chronic disease.
If your pet does have an adverse reaction, Thuja can be helpful. It is the primary vaccinosis (adverse reaction to a vaccine) remedy for all species. If you must have your pet vaccinated, it is a good idea to give a dose of Thuja 30C within two hours of the injection. It is also helpful in case of immediate vaccine reactions such as vomiting or diarrhea occurring within a few hours of the shot.
A Basic Vaccination Strategy
An initial two- or three- vaccine series for kittens and puppies is necessary for most vaccines to be effective. Vaccines should be given at least 3 weeks apart; there is little published research suggesting an outside limit, but at least a 4-8 week interval is probably safe and effective. The animal should be between 8 and 12 weeks of age before vaccinating. The common breeders’ practice of vaccinating pups at 2 weeks of age and then every 2 weeks is useless, not to mention harmful to young puppies’ immune systems. Up until and for at least 2 weeks after the first vaccine, keep your pet away from parks and pet stores, where deadly viruses like parvo can remain infectious for years.
Rabies is another matter; it has been reported in every state except Hawaii, and if you get it, it will kill you. One rabies vaccine at six months of age and a booster one year later will protect most pets for life, in terms of immunology. Because rabies is such a severe public health threat, regular rabies vaccination is required by law in many states, cities, and counties. Your local animal control can tell you what the requirements are where you live.
Never vaccinate a sick, injured, or weakened animal. WAIT until the animal is healthy. Vaccinating an already-compromised immune system is almost sure to worsen the problem!
Why Your Pet Doesn’t Need Yearly Boosters
Vaccinations do not magically lose their effectiveness 366 days after the last shot. In fact, studies have shown that the vaccines for parvovirus, canine distemper, and feline panleukopenia provide extremely good, long-term protection from disease—8 to 10 years or more. “Booster” vaccines do not increase the animal’s immunity, but they do increase the risk of adverse reactions. There are no benefits and many risks to re-vaccinating for a disease your animal is already immune to.
A blood test called a “titer” can determine if your companion’s antibody levels for parvovirus, canine distemper, or feline panleukopenia remain high enough to resist infection. However, even with a low titer, most animals will still retain enough immunity to fight off infection. Parvo, distemper and panleukopenia are almost exclusively diseases of young animals, so while puppies and kittens definitely need the protection of vaccines, adults do not.
Vaccines They Need
Experts agree that only “core” vaccines—panleukopenia/rhinotracheitis/calicivirus and rabies for cats, and distemper/parvo/adenovirus/parainfluenza and rabies for dogs—are truly necessary. (For cats, Merial’s Purevax rabies vaccine does not contain the additives that have been shown to cause a certain type of cancer.) All other vaccines are optional, and should only be given if the animal’s lifestyle, environment, or health considerations make them advisable.
Many vaccine manufacturers package these essential vaccines with several others, including unnecessary and possibly harmful components such as Coronavirus, Bordatella, Leukemia, Chlamydia, and FIP (feline infectious peritonitis). Try to avoid these “multi-valent” (many component) vaccines; ask your vet if they can order a simpler version—or try another clinic.
The initial canine distemper-parvovirus-adenovirus-parainfluenza or feline panleukopenia-rhinotracheitis-calicivirus vaccine can be given at 8-12 weeks of age, followed by a booster 4-8 weeks later; and if desired, one last time 1 year later. However, older kittens and puppies as well as adults will be protected by a single vaccine, regardless of prior history. Many veterinary groups now suggest boosters for distemper/parvo or panleukopenia every 3 years, but even this is overly cautious, and still leaves open the risk of serious long-term reactions.
Vaccines They Don’t Need
Kittens and cats do not need vaccines against Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Giardia, Chlamydia, Ringworm, Bordatella, or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV, also called “feline AIDS”). Even if cats go outside, the risk of contracting these diseases is very small—in many cases, less than the risk of adverse effects from the vaccine. The Feline Leukemia vaccine is not necessary in adult cats.
Dog vaccines on the market include several that are worthless or dangerous. Coronavirus, Giardia, and Ringworm vaccines either do not prevent disease, or the disease is so mild as to not be worth vaccinating for. Rattlesnake, Bordatella (kennel cough), Borrelia, and Leptospirosis should only be given to high-risk animals, or when required, such as for show dogs or boarding kennels. Leptospirosis is becoming more common throughout the U.S., so it may be advisable for some dogs; but the vaccine is not 100% effective, and it causes some of the most severe reactions. Dogs in limited areas of the northeastern U.S. may need the Lyme disease vaccine.
Just Remember This!
Vaccination is a medical procedure with risks and benefits. Ask your veterinarian about the purpose of each and every recommended vaccine; specifically why your pet should receive it—based on current health status, lifestyle, and risk factors; and what the potential adverse effects are. Make sure that every vaccine is well justified, and don’t let anyone bully you into complying with their outdated or inflexible protocols.
It’s your pet, and your decision—no one else, including your veterinarian, has the right to order you around. In fact, it is your absolute right—even your duty—to decline any medical procedure you don’t want or aren’t sure about."
A Basic Vaccination Strategy
An initial two- or three- vaccine series for kittens and puppies is necessary for most vaccines to be effective. Vaccines should be given at least 3 weeks apart; there is little published research suggesting an outside limit, but at least a 4-8 week interval is probably safe and effective. The animal should be between 8 and 12 weeks of age before vaccinating. The common breeders’ practice of vaccinating pups at 2 weeks of age and then every 2 weeks is useless, not to mention harmful to young puppies’ immune systems. Up until and for at least 2 weeks after the first vaccine, keep your pet away from parks and pet stores, where deadly viruses like parvo can remain infectious for years.
Rabies is another matter; it has been reported in every state except Hawaii, and if you get it, it will kill you. One rabies vaccine at six months of age and a booster one year later will protect most pets for life, in terms of immunology. Because rabies is such a severe public health threat, regular rabies vaccination is required by law in many states, cities, and counties. Your local animal control can tell you what the requirements are where you live.
Never vaccinate a sick, injured, or weakened animal. WAIT until the animal is healthy. Vaccinating an already-compromised immune system is almost sure to worsen the problem!
Why Your Pet Doesn’t Need Yearly Boosters
Vaccinations do not magically lose their effectiveness 366 days after the last shot. In fact, studies have shown that the vaccines for parvovirus, canine distemper, and feline panleukopenia provide extremely good, long-term protection from disease—8 to 10 years or more. “Booster” vaccines do not increase the animal’s immunity, but they do increase the risk of adverse reactions. There are no benefits and many risks to re-vaccinating for a disease your animal is already immune to.
A blood test called a “titer” can determine if your companion’s antibody levels for parvovirus, canine distemper, or feline panleukopenia remain high enough to resist infection. However, even with a low titer, most animals will still retain enough immunity to fight off infection. Parvo, distemper and panleukopenia are almost exclusively diseases of young animals, so while puppies and kittens definitely need the protection of vaccines, adults do not.
Vaccines They Need
Experts agree that only “core” vaccines—panleukopenia/rhinotracheitis/calicivirus and rabies for cats, and distemper/parvo/adenovirus/parainfluenza and rabies for dogs—are truly necessary. (For cats, Merial’s Purevax rabies vaccine does not contain the additives that have been shown to cause a certain type of cancer.) All other vaccines are optional, and should only be given if the animal’s lifestyle, environment, or health considerations make them advisable.
Many vaccine manufacturers package these essential vaccines with several others, including unnecessary and possibly harmful components such as Coronavirus, Bordatella, Leukemia, Chlamydia, and FIP (feline infectious peritonitis). Try to avoid these “multi-valent” (many component) vaccines; ask your vet if they can order a simpler version—or try another clinic.
The initial canine distemper-parvovirus-adenovirus-parainfluenza or feline panleukopenia-rhinotracheitis-calicivirus vaccine can be given at 8-12 weeks of age, followed by a booster 4-8 weeks later; and if desired, one last time 1 year later. However, older kittens and puppies as well as adults will be protected by a single vaccine, regardless of prior history. Many veterinary groups now suggest boosters for distemper/parvo or panleukopenia every 3 years, but even this is overly cautious, and still leaves open the risk of serious long-term reactions.
Vaccines They Don’t Need
Kittens and cats do not need vaccines against Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Giardia, Chlamydia, Ringworm, Bordatella, or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV, also called “feline AIDS”). Even if cats go outside, the risk of contracting these diseases is very small—in many cases, less than the risk of adverse effects from the vaccine. The Feline Leukemia vaccine is not necessary in adult cats.
Dog vaccines on the market include several that are worthless or dangerous. Coronavirus, Giardia, and Ringworm vaccines either do not prevent disease, or the disease is so mild as to not be worth vaccinating for. Rattlesnake, Bordatella (kennel cough), Borrelia, and Leptospirosis should only be given to high-risk animals, or when required, such as for show dogs or boarding kennels. Leptospirosis is becoming more common throughout the U.S., so it may be advisable for some dogs; but the vaccine is not 100% effective, and it causes some of the most severe reactions. Dogs in limited areas of the northeastern U.S. may need the Lyme disease vaccine.
Just Remember This!
Vaccination is a medical procedure with risks and benefits. Ask your veterinarian about the purpose of each and every recommended vaccine; specifically why your pet should receive it—based on current health status, lifestyle, and risk factors; and what the potential adverse effects are. Make sure that every vaccine is well justified, and don’t let anyone bully you into complying with their outdated or inflexible protocols.
It’s your pet, and your decision—no one else, including your veterinarian, has the right to order you around. In fact, it is your absolute right—even your duty—to decline any medical procedure you don’t want or aren’t sure about."
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Update on Lola: April 20, 2013
Lola catching one of my snowballs a few months ago in Lake George, New York.
Hello. I am happy to report that, nearly four (4) years after Lola's first seizure and three (3) years after her last seizure, Lola is still seizure-free. Lola, now 10 1/2 years old, only appears to be experiencing slowing down symptoms that are typical of a Golden Retriever her age. I am very thankful to God for every day she has been with us since that dreadful first seizure in May of 2009!
If you are experiencing seizures in your Golden Retriever, please read details below.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Seizures in Dogs and HeartGard Plus Heartworm Medication
In May of 2009, our 6 ½ yr old
Golden Retriever: Lola, experienced the first of her many seizures. It was so
very frightening, seeing her first seizure. I had never seen an animal or human
experiencing a seizure and I thought our precious Lola was having a stroke and
dying in front of my helpless eyes… Lola was about to eat her morning breakfast
and suddenly stopped and, looking dazed and confused, she keeled over onto her
side while at the same time emitting saliva from her mouth, combined with a
hacking cough, and a groaning sound, she would then move her legs in a very
fast and convulsive manner, as if she were running quickly… she had no control
over her urination and when she came out of the seizure, she would spend hours
being very clingy, seemingly not wanting to be left alone. That entire scene
would soon repeat itself, on an average every five days for the next year…
In utter desperation, I researched
online every symptom that Lola was experiencing. I eventually came to the
conclusion that the common denominator with other dog owners was that we all
were using Frontline Plus Flea & Tick and Heartgard Plus heartworm
medications. Researching further, I found that these very popular and
veterinarians’ highly recommended remedies were, in fact, comprised of
pesticides, which the manufacturer includes as a main ingredient in order to
kill fleas, ticks, worms, etc... Depending upon the size and breed of your dog,
continuous use of these pesticides can be poisonous to your pet, causing
seizures and possible death.
After charting every seizure for
more than nine months, I decided to stop giving Lola her flea and tick
medication. Her seizures became less frequent, however they still continued.
In May of 2010, one year after
experiencing her first seizure, Lola experienced a very frightening seizure
which led to her falling down a flight of stairs in our house… Blood emitted
from her mouth (I was just very thankful that she had not broken any bones in
her legs or neck!), and it led me to finally stopping ALL medications,
including her heartworm medication. I figured I had nothing to lose…
The seizures immediately stopped and
have not returned to date: June 13, 2017.
In conjunction with completely
stopping the above-mentioned medications, I have been giving Lola daily drops
of an herbal supplement called PetAlive EaseSure, which is advertised to help
sooth the brain, and nervous system. It can be purchased online at:
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com (Amazon.com also sells this product)
along with other natural and holistic products including natural flea and tick
remedies and shampoos. I do not know with 100% certainty that PetAlive
EaseSure works in easing/eliminating seizures in pets, or if it is just a
coincidence, but I am not going to take the chance by stopping the use of this
product. PLEASE NOTE: I stopped using this product one year ago, in June of 2016, and Lola is still seizure free. I feel that PetAlive EaseSure may have been beneficial for the first few years after stopping the above mentioned flea/tick & heart worm medications but, like so many medications (natural or not), excessive use and/or the natural aging process of your dog seem to override the overall positive effects.
One thing I do know with 100% certainty is that Lola’s seizures stopped
immediately when I ceased using HeartGard Plus heartworm medication, and
she had been seizure-free for the past 8 years. Lola is now 14 1/2 years old.
I do not deny that this medication and the above-mentioned
Frontline Plus flea & tick medication, may both be very effective in the
early years of an animal's life in helping to prevent heartworm and flea &
tick infestation, however serious thought should be given to researching the
possible term limitation of prescribing and recommending these medications once
a dog lives past a certain age. In the case of Lola, it seems five (5) years
should have been her limit, and such a study might reveal different ages for
different breeds.
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