Dear All Members and Staff: This 'WILL' be my final forum entry, for I am compelled, after talking with Audrey, that my 'Farewell'/'Good-Bye' entry was misleading, and that I was leaving the impression that my Vet and all vets can't be trusted, etc., etc.. I apologize for my coordination and timing of words, BUT, all Pet Owners need to get more involved into what is going own around us concerning new and ever changing protocols in PET HEALTH. There are many 'RED FLAGS' waving out there, and many of us, including myself, didn't take heed until after the fact. What I'm trying to say is this, Pet Nutrition Advances and New Vaccination Protocols are new on the block, brought about by 'RESEARCH VETS'....NOT BY YOUR LOCAL VET. Why all of the sudden changes and interest? Its real simple....theres a problem. The problem is that for years, our Pets have been treated differently, in regards to their health, than us Humans. Its all relative, they are really no different than us.....They have an immune system that must be maintained constantly on both a 'Nutritional' and an 'Environmental' basis, in order to maintain good health and fight off diseases. All these years we have been programed to 'Vaccinate'....'Vaccinate'...and 'Vaccinate'. Why all of a sudden most all Veterinarian Colleges of Medicine are changing their vaccination and nutritional recommendations....protocols. Now recommending every 3-Years for mainly the 'CORE' Vaccines and Rabies, instead of 'ANNUALLY'. BECAUSE THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND MONEY AND POLITICS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS GROUPS HAS PREVENTED THE PROBLEM AND TRUTH FROM EXITING THE CLOSET. As I discussed with Audrey, WHY are the Vet. Colleges(Research) calling for only 3 Years, instead of 2.....or 4 to 5 years? Think about it, the Vaccine Manufacturers haven't backed down a bit....They still insist that their vaccines be administered 'ANNUALLY', case closed, BUT, at the same time, they specifically state on each and every one of their bottles that, 'This vaccine must not be given to an Animal with Health Problems'. Try to find a Vet right now that is 'FLEXING' to this new protocol.....GOOD LUCK! As per the 'Rabies Vaccination', there are some Vets that are switching to the 3-yr., but in a lot of cases they can't because of their Geographical Location due to idiotic Politics/Laws/Special Interest Groups......Stupidity & MONEY. As per the 'CORE VACCINES' (Parvo...Distemper...etc.), why is it that its so hard to find a Vet that is already switched to 3-Yr. versus, annually. Could it be, 1)The bottle still says 'ANNUALLY'?,...2)Liabilities?,.....3)Loss of Revenue? I'll let each and every one of you, as I told Audrey, 'PONDER' the situation. In closing, have you ever trully wondered why 'Human Vaccines'(As if there is a difference as compared to Animal Vaccines) are more or less given for life...Gee, even consider the longevity of the 'Tetnus Vaccine'!? Don't be afraid of knowledge....Get involved.....Interrogate your Vet, you are paying him for a service, and you are his customer, and not the other way around. Remember, your regular Vet, not 'Research Vets', have never, ever been into the 'Pet Nutrition Thing'......Try finding one that is....a few only. I wish you all the Best, and please remember one thing, I did not compose this to worsen anyone's additional grief, for if that was my sole intension, I JUST DUG MYSELF A CRATER, PERSONALLY< THAT I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO ESCAPE. May Schatszie and ALL of our FRIENDS rest in peace. Thank You, Earl

Dear Earl,

I thank you for a very thought provoking post. It wasn't until after Shiloh was diagnosed with lymphoma that I started doing research on pet foods and vaccinations...I was shocked. It took a while for me not to feel like I had somehow been part of the cause of her illness. I've had to find solace in the fact that I would have never done anything that would intentionally harm her.

I'm very fortunate in that I have a vet who practices both Eastern and Western medicine. She has switched to the 3 year vaccine, and she promotes natural, organic, holistic pet food.

I agree with you...we need to educate ourselves so that we can better care for our furry friends.

Again, I'm so sorry for your loss of Schatszie.
I wish you peace and healing.
Kathleen

Dear Earl--
Kudos for the heads up.! Yes, it is something we as pet owners need to be aware of. I was thrilled when I took my animals (six dog, six cats) to get their vaccines last year and found that they wouldn't be required to have them again for three years. (My vets are wonderful, BTW. They're even building a no-kill shelter because we don't have one here.)

Three of my dogs are 9 yrs. or older with serious health issues and this was something I had worried about. Thanks for the heads-up and hopefully more vets will make this standard operating procedure in the future. Take care.

Dear Earl,

I am so very sorry for the loss of your best friend Schatszie. I lost my girl 6 mos. ago and it is still very hard for me too.

I am very interested in what you have researched about vaccines. My kitties always have a reaction to the rabies vaccine and this year when my 1 1/2 yr. old kitty had his yearly vaccine, I noticed a week later that he had a lump at the injection site. I panicked and because my vets office was closed I looked up some info on the internet. I read that rabies and feline leuk can cause cancerous sarcomas. When I called my vet the next day they said if it didn't disappear after 3 weeks that I would need to bring him in. When I asked about the vaccine causing cancer I was told by the receptionist that she had seen 2 cases in the 6 yrs. she had been there. My kitty is fine and the lump disappeared , but I think this sarcoma problem and a whole lot of other things are more common than we know. I have not had my other cats vaccinated for rabies this year because of this scare. They are inside cats but we do take them out for fresh air under our supervision.

We have switched our brand of cat food to one containing no by-products. I can't believe the stuff I've read that is thrown into some of the food out there. It's disgusting!

If you have any other info to share please email or send me a PM.

Thinking of you,
Kimi