Since this post covers two topics, pet health and vaccinations, I am not sure where to put it, but here goes. Our puppy who is just a year old and has had her puppy shots, is due for her next series, which the vet is pushing for. But, I see a lot of sick pets around, with diabetes, thyroid issues, arthritis etc. Just like humans. I feel that MY lousy health is due to immunizations, allergy shots and mercury-laden teeth. Is there any way to forgo the pet shots while still protecting them from the illnesses that the shots supposedly protect them from? Has the danger from these illnesses been exaggerated? Our previous dog supposedly had Lyme disease ( we do have tons of ticks) and died of kidney complications, although she had been treated for Lyme. Now, the vet tells me that dogs/cats should not eat garlic, which is really great at destroying bacteria, viruses, and fungus in the system. Is this just another Big pharma ploy to get us to use their vaccinations instead of using healthier means to keep our pets disease-free? Two of our three cats are full of allergies and I blame the shots for that too. The illnesses, which I believe are caused by vaccines, aside from being painful for the animals, cost a fortune - too much for people struggling to get by and who have their own health issues caused by Big Pharma. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

You're on the right track, Dallas - now act on what you know to be true. I have a houseful of ancient cats - unvaccinated,if you must know, except for some stupid shot they got when they were v. young.

I think that animals will respond to the same things we respond to - for good or bad. There is much info to be had on healthful diets for your companion animals; the best is what you prepare yourself, but in case that is too hard for you, there are some organic foods available. Our healthiest cat lives on a diet of 75% mice, and the rest is bought pet food.

It is so sad to see so very many dogs and cats dying of the same painful diseases that people do, and far too young, also. But not before the vet (they are mostly greedy scum) has sold you about $3,000 worth of end-stage disease treatments. And then they oh so kindly euthanize your pet for you - for a nice little fee, of course.

Getting your veterinarian's degree is a license to print money. At least where people are concerned, there is a certain amount of public scrutiny, but with animals - hey, they're just animals...right? And so the vets continue to ply their poisonous trade unabated and unopposed. If you can afford it, you might wish to make the acquaintance of a vet specializing in natural, nontoxic methods. And I hope you will spare your poor puppy any further pain & poisoning.

Carla, are your cats outdoor cats? Also, how do you get around a rabies shot? It is mandatory here in Mass.

And, Carla, how old are your cats?

We live in a rural area. Two of the three cats spend time outdoors in the better weather (all summer, spring, fall and warmish winter days, ie, around freezing + sunshine).

The youngest cat, approx. age 12, insists on going outdoors or in the unheated garage, even on cold winter days. This is definitely to hunt mice. What a fabulous mouser he is. I don't know much of this cat's history when we found him on the road one winter day about 11 years ago, but I assume when he was neutered, they gave him a rabies & some other nasty shots. But he has had nothing since, and will not, if I have anything to say about it.

The other cats are Male - 17 years old. No health problems, but he is slowing down, as they say. No shots.

Oldest cat - Female. Age 20 in April. She had one litter of kittens. When neutered, given one shot, and nothing since.

I tried feeding them red meat, raw, but it made no difference. So, they all get natural cat food, incl. some labled "organic", whatever that means.

When they go outside in the warm weather, they eat grass.

I don't know if there are laws in our area re rabies vaccine.

My 2 yr old cat had a lump on its back a month after being vaccinated. The outcome was a sarcoma caused by the vaccination. The cat had a 6 in by 1in area removed and they tell me it may come back. My poor cat is definetly suffering. It is an indoor neutered and declawed cat. I don't want to have it vaccinated again, but my state requires it. What can I do?

Apologize to the poor creature for taking its claws out.

In connection with the above post on "de-clawing", it's not just the claw that is removed; it includes the first joint, like the doctor cutting off the first inch or so of your fingers. Excruciatingly painful during the healing period.

How would YOU function with all your fingers lopped off like that? I am not saying you are the one who had this done to this godforsaken creature, but whoever did, please hope you don't meet me on a dark street one night.

Anonymous,

I'm very sorry to hear about your cat. I know an herbalist who specializes in treating cats and dogs completely naturally. She has a clinic in Ontario where she has worked with animals for I think it's over 15 years. She is definitely against vaccinating animals (and humans). The only shot she allows her own animals to have is the rabies shot which is required by law in her area. She has dealt with everything from parvo to distemper with herbs like Echinacea & Goldenseal and VS-C (Chinese anti-viral formula).

She has written two books on using various herbs and supplements with dogs and cats, called The Healthy Pet Herb Guide and More of...The Healthy Pet Herb Guide.

In her original book, she cautions:





Below is information on the herbs she mentions:
Red Clover
LIV-C (now called Liver Cleanse)
E-Tea

You might also want to consider calling and setting up a phone consultation with the author of the books. Her name is Vivian O'Neill and her office number (in Ontario, Canada) is 613-967-8111.

Perhaps she would have information on how to avoid vaccinating your cat. Like humans, I would hope there is some sort of "medical waiver" you could get to exempt your cat from vaccinations, especially considering the cat's prior medical history of side-effects to the vaccines.

Besides...your cat is obviously an in-door cat, so why does it need to be vaccinated...just to visit the veterinarian? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Seems to me there is a conflict of interest here, if this is the case. I'd personally opt to go to a "natural" or "holistic" veterinarian, if I had to go to one at all.

Let us know if there's anything else we can do to help.