Dog Vaccinations: Are All of Them Necessary?

I prefer to use the most natural care as possible on my dogs. I bathe them in natural shampoos and I even fight fleas as naturally as possible because I do not like putting any more chemicals into their bodies then is necessary. They do, however, receive the shot vaccinations as recommended by the vet. As reports continue to surface that pets are possibly being over vaccinated I read each and every one of them with great interest.

Veterinary Schools are Learning it Differently

According to About Small Dogs, 27 veterinarian schools in North America are now teaching that regular vaccinations and boosters are not only not beneficial to your pet but it could also be harmful. I have had pets get sick after getting a vaccination or a booster and often wondered how it could be good for them if it made them sick.

I personally do not like to over medicate myself, or get shots for the flu or pneumonia. I do not even take over the counter pain relievers if I can avoid it. I try to treat my pet's health and well being the same way I treat my own. I try to keep their systems as chemical free as possible.

Studies of over vaccinating dogs are not new. A report from The University of Wisconsin dated March 14, 2003 also discusses the problem of over vaccinating our pets. It has been studied and reported for quite awhile and people are now starting to pay attention as they think more about natural and green living.

What Studies Show about Over Vaccinating

Any pet, or human for that matter, could have a life threatening reaction to a vaccination. The vaccination could even make them sick. Have you ever had a child that has developed a fever after getting one of their required baby shots? Our pets could be adversely affected by the very vaccination we think are helping them.

Other studies will tell you that the boosters that many pets get on a yearly basis do absolutely no good and you are just lining the vet's pockets. According to the 2003 report from Wisconsin University, Professor Ronald Schultz has been studying canine vaccines since the 70s.

Schultz's theory is that people receive vaccines for a variety of diseases that last them a lifetime. He believes it should be the same for our pets. He also points out that some of the side affects of vaccines can be much worse then what they are attempting to prevent.

I have often wondered about vaccines, because even though my children had chicken pox vaccines as a baby, both of them did indeed end up with chicken pox a few years later. I have had flu shots and gotten the flu anyway. So, how do you know just what to do?

Only You Can Decide What is Best for Your Dog

Am I advising that you stop your dog's vaccinations? Absolutely not, that is not my decision to make, or your vet's for that matter. I am advising, however, that you make an informed decision. Read all the reports, discuss vaccinations with your vet and then decide if you think your dog needs all of the shots that a vet typically administers.

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