" This information contained below is for general purposes only. I am in no way proclaiming to be a medical practitioner in the animal field. In fact, I work hand in glove with my veterinarian and get a lot of my information from her. With the amount of research that I do, these are some of the issues I find and confirm with my veterinarian about the validity of the information. These are my opinions and my experiences only."

Health Issues

Since I became involved in the Show World of Poodles and Miniature Pinschers, I felt that if I were going to be breeding to the standard of both these breeds, I would do it to the best of my ability and knowledge. To that end, I have made it a priority to research and investigate everything and anything that I could find by way of health issues. All of my poodles have been Optigen tested and will never develop the prcd form of PRA. This is what causes night blindness and finally total blindness in poodles. Miniature pinschers do not carry this gene.

I have found a lot of controversy about having hip x-rays done. I have found a number of articles and heard a number of stories about breeders x-raying all their breeding animals for generations, and still having puppies develop hip dysplasia. I have had my miniature poodles x-rayed for hips and all are good or excellent.

Legg-Perthes Disease has many aliases; Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, and a vascular necrosis of the femoral head. By any name, this is a disease producing lameness of the hip joint in young, small breed dogs. A wide range of small breeds/mixed breeds up to a year of age can be affected. The problem begins with an interruption of the blood supply to the head of the ball portion of the hip. Symptoms of this disease are limping or favouring the leg. Trauma to the hip is thought to be a major cause of this disease, although some feel it could be genetically determined.

The best treatment is surgical removal of the femoral head and neck of the hip joint. The dog will return to full functional use of the leg after surgery, as the procedure does not affect the major supporting muscles in the hind leg. The body forms a “false joint” consisting of a cushion of scar tissue between the cut edge and the hip socket. The result, especially in small to medium sized dogs, is a pain-free return to good function.

Unless there are signs that the dog may have a problem, there is no way to tell if Legg-Perthes disease is present. None of my dogs show any signs of this disease and my veterinarian checks for any abnormalities at the same time as she checks for patellas.

Legg-Perthes is also known to occur in children, usually between the ages of 7 to 10 years of age.

My veterinarian checks for patellar luxation on my puppies beginning at 8 weeks and she also checks for any hip problems. If she were to find anything amiss, then that puppy would be x-rayed to see if there was something wrong. This is still an ongoing research project as I keep searching for more information on this subject. If I find anything relevant, I will be adding it.

Another disease that can come up in the Poodle and Miniature Pinscher breed, as well as numerous other breeds, is seizures. At present there is no test available to determine if any dog has it or will have it. There is no known cause or reason, but some experts feel that air pollution, chemicals in food and water and other environmental issues could be suspect, as well as stress or a possible imbalance in the brain of the dog. None of my dogs have shown any signs of seizures.

Sebaceous Adenitis and Von Willebrand’s disease are limited to the standard poodle.

The following articles are of personal interest to me as I have had the adverse reactions that are mentioned in the write-ups.

New Vaccination Protocols in America

VACCINATION NEWS FLASH I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs. Some of this information will present an ethical & economic challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics. Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs. those concerned about potential side effects. Politics, traditions, or the doctor's economic well being should not be a factor in medical decision.

NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY

"Dogs immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces an immunity, which is good for the life of the pet (i.e.: canine distemper, parvo). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titre is not "boosted" nor are more memory cells induced." Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. "There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines." Puppies receive antibodies through their mother’s milk. This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks. Puppies should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1 year 4 mo) will provide lifetime immunity. CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOGS Distemper & Parvo "According to Dr. Schultz, AVMA, 8-15-95, when a vaccinations series given at 2, 3 & 4 months and again at 1 year with a MLV, puppies program memory cells that survive for life, providing lifelong immunity." Dr. Carmichael at Cornell and Dr. Schultz have studies showing immunity against challenge at 2-10 years for canine distemper & 4 years for parvovirus. Studies for longer duration are pending. "There are no new strains of parvovirus as one mfg. would like to suggest. Parvovirus vaccination provides cross immunity for all types." Hepatitis (Adenovirus) is one of the agents known to be a cause of kennel cough. Only vaccines with CAV-2 should be used as CAV-1 vaccines carry the risk of "hepatitis blue-eye" reactions & kidney damage. Bordatella Parainfluenza: Commonly called "Kennel cough" Recommended only for those dogs boarded, groomed, taken to dog shows, or for any reason housed where exposed to a lot of dogs. The intranasal vaccine provides more complete and more rapid onset of immunity with less chance of reaction. Immunity requires 72 hours and does not protect from every cause of kennel cough. Immunity is of short duration (4 to 6 months). Lymes disease is a tick born disease, which can cause lameness, kidney failure and heart disease in dogs. Ticks can also transmit the disease to humans. The original Ft. Dodge killed bacteria has proven to be the most effective vaccine. Lymes disease prevention should emphasize early removal of ticks. Amitraz collars are more effective than Top Spot, as Amitraz paralyzes the tick's mouthparts preventing transmission of disease.

VACCINATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED

Multiple components in vaccines compete with each other for the immune system and result in lesser immunity for each individual disease as well as increasing the risk of a reaction. Canine Corona Virus is only a disease of puppies. It is rare, self limiting (dogs get well in 3 days without treatment). Cornell & Texas A&M have only diagnosed one case each in the last 7 years. Corona virus does not cause disease in adult dogs. Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse reactions in dogs. Most of the clinical cases of lepto reported in dogs in the US are caused by serovaars (or types) grippotyphosa and bratsilvia. The vaccines contain different serovaars eanicola and ictohemorrhagica. Cross protection is not provided and protection is short lived. Lepto vaccine is immunosuppressive to puppies less than 16 weeks.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS Giardia is the most common intestinal parasite of humans in North America, 30% or more of all dogs are infected with Giardia. It has now been demonstrated that humans can transmit Giardia to dogs & vice versa.

THE VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES; BUSINESS ASPECTS Most vets recommend annual boosters and most kennel operators require them. For years the pricing structure of vets has misled clients into thinking that the inherent value of an annual office visit was in the "shots" they failed to emphasize the importance of a physical exam for early detection of treatable diseases. It is my hope that you will continue to require rabies & Kennel cough and emphasize the importance of a recent vet exam. I also hope you will accept the new protocols and honor these pets as currently vaccinated. Those in the boarding business who will honor the new vaccine protocols can gain new customers who were turned away from vet owned boarding facilities reluctant to change.

CONCLUSION

Dogs no longer need to be vaccinated against distemper, parvo, etc. on a yearly basis. Once the initial series of puppy vaccinations and first annual vaccinations are completed, immunity from MLV vaccines persists for life. The AAHA and all 27 veterinary schools of North America are our biggest endorsement for these new protocols. Dr. Bob Rogers

In the above article concerning the New Vaccination protocols this is my experience:

My rescued miniature pinscher developed the autoimmune reaction to having a vaccination each and every year. His white blood cell count went so far down as to necessitate the possibility of a blood transfusion from a dog blood donor. My veterinarian at that time, a very knowledgeable and progressive man had one last try at a steroid based medication that he hoped would help to bring his count back up to normal levels. I will say that it was a very long and anxious afternoon, while he and I waited to see if the levels would begin to rise. In the meantime, he lined up a dog to do a blood transfusion, if necessary. Thank God and small mercies, the medication began take effect!

It was two weeks of treatment before my little man began to come around and act normally again. He had one more attack about 6 months later, but as I knew what symptoms to look for, I was able to get the medication started immediately and it was only a few days before he returned to normal.

I have never had him vaccinated since and he is still as healthy as after the last treatment. He goes in for his annual check-up and all is well. That was three years ago.

I no longer have my dogs vaccinated every year after their first year booster. I only started this program less than three years ago and have not had any problem with any of my dogs. I feel if the vaccinations we receive during our youth last our lifetime, why would the vaccinations our dogs receive during their youth not last them their lifetime?

CANINE RABIES CHALLENGE STUDIES BEGIN!

One of the most important vaccine research studies in veterinary medicine is underway at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison. Dr. Ronald Schultz, a leading authority on veterinary vaccines and Chair of the Department of Patho-Biological Sciences, has begun concurrent 5 and 7-year challenge studies to determine the long-term duration of immunity of the canine rabies vaccine, with the goal of extending the state-mandated interval for boosters. These will be the first long-term challenge studies on the canine rabies vaccine to be published in the United States. Dr. Schultz comments that: "We are all very excited to start this study that will hopefully demonstrate that rabies vaccines can provide a minimum of 7 years of immunity." This research is being financed by The Rabies Challenge Fund, a charitable trust founded by pet vaccine disclosure advocate Kris L. Christine of Maine, who serves as Co-Trustee with world-renowned veterinary research scientist and practicing clinician, Dr. W. Jean Dodds of Hemopet in California. The Rabies Challenge Fund recently met its goal of $177,000 to fund the studies' first year budget with contributions from dog owners, canine groups, trainers, veterinarians, and small businesses. Annual budget goals of $150,000 for the studies must be met in the future.

Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM states: "This is the first time in my 43 years of involvement in veterinary issues that what started as a grass-roots effort to change an outmoded regulation affecting animals will be addressed scientifically by an acknowledged expert to benefit all canines in the future."

Scientific data published in 1992 by Michel Aubert and his research team demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination, while Dr. Schultz's serological studies documented antibody titer counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 years post-vaccination. This data strongly suggests that state laws requiring annual or triennial rabies boosters for dogs are redundant. Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity. Adverse reactions such autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibro-sarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations. Study co-trustee Kris Christine adds: "Because the USDA does not require vaccine manufacturers to provide long-term duration of immunity studies documenting maximum effectiveness when licensing their products, concerned dog owners have contributed the money to fund this research themselves. We want to ensure that rabies immunization laws are based upon independent, long-term scientific data."

This is my experience with the rabies vaccine:

I had to send a miniature pinscher puppy down to the USA to get his ears cropped as that is a requirement for showing a miniature pinscher. He was 4 months old; the veterinarian would not crop a puppy any younger than that. Because he was 4 months old, the US Customs would not allow him over the border without a rabies vaccination. Now, my veterinarian is very much against vaccinating any dog before the age of 1 year with the rabies vaccine, but because of the situation, he agreed on condition that he only use only half of the vial. Up until that time, I had not heard of any problems with the rabies vaccination on dogs. About two weeks later, my puppy developed a painful swelling near his hipbone. He was taken to the vet and examined and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, other than it was very sore. A few days later, the swelling grew larger and he was returned to the vet for another examination. This time the lump was lanced and fluid began to drain from the opening. He was put on antibiotics and back home he came. Within a few more days, the open wound began to spread and eventually reached across to his ribs in a long line. He was placed on different antibiotics and we waited to see what would happen next. We had an ointment to put on his side and were to rub it in on a regular basis to help the skin to grow back together. Eventually, the medication began to work and the skin began to heal, but it has left a long scar over the whole of his side to his hipbone, about 6 inches long. The area is finally growing hair to cover some of it, but it is coming in white, instead of red and he is still left with a large scar on his hip that will not grow any coat. Unfortunately for me, this was an instance of a young puppy having a bad reaction to the rabies vaccine. This is why I will not allow any of my dogs to have the rabies vaccine before one year of age. I realize that this may not happen often, but if it happened to me it could happen to others.

What type of food to use?

I became very concerned about the type of food to use when the BSE problem arose. I used to feed a beef based product, feeling that it was what a dog would prefer. After the beef crisis occurred, I switched to chicken or lamb. For a while I used a Nutro product, but as time went on, a number of my dogs developed yeast infections. My vet recommended I switch to a wheat free product, as it was his experience that wheat was one of the causes of yeast infections in long eared dogs. I happened to be at a dog show where Champion Foods was profiling their new line of food called Orijen. This was around the time the pet food recall started. Orijen is manufactured in Alberta and is not beef based and does not have any wheat ingredients. I found most of my dogs took to it right away, and I was quite excited to finally find a food that all seemed to like, although I did have reservations concerning the high protein content. After a time, I found some of my dogs were not eating it anymore. Also, when we moved into Saskatchewan, it became very difficult to find Orijen and numerous calls and e-mails to the company were going unanswered.

This necessitated another round of checking different brands to find something that would work for all my dogs. I found what I was looking for at the Tradex show. Purina Pro-Plan had a booth set up for their breeder customers. I knew that Purina is available all over North America and as my puppies go all over, this was a plus, they were also not part of any pet food recall. I made it a point to sit down with one of their representatives and grill him about all the concerns I had and to find out if they had the solution for me. It turns out that they have come a long way from when I first knew of them. They now have numerous products for any diet concern, including a new product that contains no grains, whatsoever.

I have found what works best for me is a combination of different products that they carry. I now use Pro-Plan turkey and barley for most of my dogs, and I use the salmon kibble for my dogs with sensitive systems. I use small breed kibble, both puppy and adult for my toy poodles and miniature pinschers and all my puppies. Although, the small adult dogs like the turkey and barley too. Not only that, but I have a resource center as close as my phone or Internet. If I have any concerns, I need only contact them. With so many different choices available, I feel much more comfortable using Purina’s Pro-Plan products and am able to keep all my puppies on one food wherever they go.