ARF4Westies at Four Years Article

ARF4Westies at Four Years:

Silent Spring to Lively Summer

By Christine Swingle, Jane Fink, and Wendell Marumoto

As many of you are aware, we moderate ARF4Westies, an internet email discussion List where Westie owners exchange information about "how to practice" and "benefit from" a species-specific appropriate raw food [ARF] diet. ARF4Westies recently celebrated being online for four years. During that time we have seen raw food diets getting more attention and becoming somewhat “respectable.” This has brought to our attention a variety of different reasons that motivate people to investigate ARF, which we would like to share with you.

The most important of these is that Westie fanciers are slowly coming to realize, along with the rest of the dog world, that nature’s vulnerability to technological “progress,” i.e., “don’t fool with Mother Nature,” applies as much to the health of our little white companions as it did to DDT. The latter, of course, was the revelation of Rachel Carson in her 1962 environmental classic, Silent Spring. It showed that the durability of natural systems have their limitations. The immune system of Canus lupus familiaris west highland white, our beloved Westies’ frontline defense to their good health, is no less vulnerable to technological attacks. In the same way that Silent Spring resulted in outcries of indignation from the chemical industry, the processed pet food industry has dug in its heels to protect its enormous profits at the expense of the health of our companions. At the same time, ARF4Westies has become aware of growing evidence that technological “progress” in other products which rely on chemical ingredients are detrimentally impacting our Westies’ health. The following articles will hopefully give you food for thought to consider a raw meaty bones diet and become more aware of the potential negatives of products with chemical ingredients.

We have been long aware that the vast majority of pet dog owners have not heard of nor seriously considered a raw food diet. Like most people living in today’s world of fast food meals, cacophonous music (and other oxymora), cell phones, CDs, DVDs, PDAs, and overwhelming Madison Avenue hype, pets are mainly fed whichever brands of pet foods produce enough profits for their manufacturers to justify buying slick magazine back covers and prime time ad slots on TV reality shows to condition the viewers’ already dulled minds. Such condition is so rampant that it is known to even affect those whose higher intelligence and discriminating tastes are reflected in their choice of canine companions, i.e., candidates for ARF4Westies, where we eventually meet them.

We find interesting the numbers of people who become aware that “we are what we eat,” and switch to health foods, low-fat diets, and even veganism for themselves; but don’t make that connection for their dogs. They seem to place their dogs in the same category as the storied centenarians who allegedly have smoked six cigars (or two packs of cigarettes), along with drinking a pint of whiskey, every day of their adult lives.

It is only when their pet exhibits some infirmity resulting from a systemic weakness or failure that the light goes on for the owner to begin to look for possible “lifestyle” causes and relief. Along with prescribed medication, a vet may recommend a processed “special diet” food, such as a low-fat, or kidney, or some other organ-supportive processed food. This gets the owner asking friends about this new prescription and dietary world, and. getting a variety of advice, sometimes hearing about some faddists “doing raw.” They will often hear about “improved health” resulting from the raw diet, which, given their emotional state, they quickly process in their minds as a “cure.”

Unfortunately, no diet “cures.” Most improve health and heal conditions that are “healable.” Sometimes such improvement borders on the miraculous. We have seen several accounts from reliable individuals on ARF4Westies giving testimony as to remarkable turnarounds after a switch was made to ARF. And you will read about a couple of them in Jane and Christine’s presentations that follow. Then, continuing attention by the owner to the health of the pet improves the pet’s quality of life and prevents setbacks due to inattention. This can be seen better through Jane and Christine’s presentations, illustrated by real-life examples from their personal experiences.

They will show that ARF is an integral part of a holistic approach to the overall health and quality of life of our Westies. ARF’s effectiveness in any situation is improved by its early implementation. In many ways the principle is the same as maintaining one’s car. The earlier one starts to properly maintain its working parts with regular oil changes, fluid level and air pressure checks, and take care of its appearance with regular washing and cleaning, the longer and better it will run and keep its showroom appearance. A most important part of this routine is to fuel it with the kinds of oil and gasoline that the manufacturer intended to be used in it. That’s what ARF is for Westies. ARF is the diet that the Westies’ manufacturer designed as the optimal fuel to keep them going. Their manufacturer even provided the necessary tools to help them digest this fuel – their total digestive system, beginning with their large teeth and strong jaws. They weren’t created to crunch a baked product consisting of discarded grains and animal waste. The organs created for their immune systems were designed to rid their bodies of germs and bacteria that accompanied the foods they would naturally scavenge when they lived in their natural habitat. These organs were not made to handle artificial nutrients created with chemical components. In fact, constant feeding of unnatural foods to our Westies will do to their immune systems what would happen to automobile motors if you put a scone or two into your gas tank with each fill-up.

From the moment I embarked on the raw feeding journey over four years ago, I viewed the change as an exciting and positive approach toward everlasting health for my animals. I regarded it as my way of taking a proactive role amidst a recurring and tragic series of events taking place within my own animal family. One death after another, sometimes two or more a year. Years earlier I stopped routine yearly vaccinations. I didn't use chemicals of any kind on the animals or yard. I even filtered the drinking water for the entire household and kennel, so I began thinking about the fuel I fed my dogs. Food, in my opinion, is fuel, not only fuel to run the body but in the proper capacity, to heal the body. In the words of Hippocrates; "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food." It was so incredibly clear to me then, the fuel which I supplied my animals (kibble) was not giving them what they needed to stay well or to heal themselves. I was in search of a change, and I found it.

To understand how far this journey has taken me, I think I owe it to the animals who taught me along the way, the ones who had to leave me so I could learn. Animals have always been a huge part of my life; both my paying job and my hobby revolves around them. My animal family has always included both blue bloods (champions in both the dog and cat world) as well as rescues. My animal family has always been quite large by most standards. It reached 13 a few years ago, and now stands at 11; four Westies, a Shetland Sheepdog, five Tabby cats and an American Shorthair cat. Since 1995, I have lost seven of my own animals and three cats which I had placed with my parents. I have been forced to learn more than I ever cared to know about the dying process. I will always honor those brave creatures who taught me how to let go. It was only after I became involved with the ARF4Westies internet email list that I realized just how many different diseases and chronic illnesses I had dealt with over the years. The list is long, and while it includes cancers and certain feline diseases which are not curable, I have had success in maintaining good health for those with more chronic ailments. The animals who died ranged in age from 20 months to 19 years. All but one had been fed commercial food the entire lifetime and almost all had been vaccinated every two to three years. In fact the cats who received vaccinations to prevent certain feline diseases actually developed and subsequently died from the disease the vaccination was to prevent, specifically the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). All these cats were indoor cats, which makes one question the judgment of vaccinations for indoors only animals. Thankfully, many vets no long vaccinate cats for FeLV. FeLV took the lives of three of my cats, I lost one to Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), one to Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), one to lung cancer and one to acute pancreatitis. I had a cat who was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at age 10, and though he required daily insulin injections, he lived to the ripe old age of 19. I've lost Westies to bladder cancer and Copper Toxicosis, and a Greyhound to hemangiosarcoma.

It was my Greyhound's death which prompted my search for an answer, a reason, anything that could help me make a difference in the lives of my animals. In February 1999, a discussion brought forth by Wendell regarding the raw food diet invited me to sit up and pay close attention to this "new" concept. At the time I was still reeling from the death of my Greyhound just five days prior. I barely had a chance to tell her I loved her before the needle was slipped into her IV and she was gone forever.

Last year I had the pleasure of being introduced to and spending time with Australian veterinarian and author, Tom Lonsdale. Dr. Lonsdale has written an in-depth study on how the pet food industry is ruining the health of our animals. His book is entitled, Raw, Meaty Bones Promote Health. Maybe not the catchiest title in the world but the content is superb. Of course I was aware of his findings a decade earlier when I took a job working in the pet food industry. The brand I worked for was a small company, one of the first "natural" pet foods on the market. Eventually though, the head honchos sold out to a conglomerate, quality went down, brand recognition went up, and I left the business.

In a perfect world where there exists no pollution, no factory farming, no chemicals, or growth hormones and antibiotics, I would be inclined to say nutrition can cure, but if you are feeding cancer with more cancer (keeping in mind that 4D [Dead, Dying, Diseased and Disabled] meats are the meat sources which go into pet foods – those not fit for human consumption) – there is no way that type of fuel could promote health or bring forth a cure. Diet plays a part in every disease, sometimes minor, oftentimes central. Young animals fed a poor diet can generally compensate. It is when the body is older, worn down a bit, that it can no longer compensate and disease takes over. As Dr. Lonsdale pointed out in his lecture, "Animals carry their own 'mechanics' with them so they can keep going on the wrong fuel – the mechanics being the liver, kidneys, and so on. And while animals (and humans) compensate on the wrong fuel, the signs that the body is being affected will be presented as lethargy, hyperexcitability, aggression, diarrhea, vomiting, skin and coat problems, a break down in the immune system, liver and kidneys, and eventually cancer."

I don't think diet alone is the answer, though I feel it plays a crucial role. I think we have to be extremely mindful of the foreign substances we are putting into our animals, particularly vaccines and pest/parasite control. I adopted an 11 year old Westie last summer who came to me with generalized demodectic mange and malassezia. He was a mess. The holistic vet who treated him did not use the toxic chemicals most vets use to kill the mange mites. Instead, he was placed on immune supporting supplements to aid him in his road to wellness, since demodectic mange is caused by a breakdown in the immune system, which give the mites a chance to take over. He also came with a raging case of bloody, explosive diarrhea cause by the antibiotic. This dog was painful to look at, though he didn't seem to be in much physical discomfort. The antibiotics had wiped out the good bacteria in his intestinal tract, making him a mess inside and out. I decided to continue the holistic treatment of viewing Sammy as a whole, rather than focus on the illnesses that plagued him. I didn't worry about his exterior. I felt that if I could stop the antibiotics, replenish the good bacteria in his gut which the antibiotics wiped out, and give him fuel he could use, he would probably make it. He would live or he would die but he wasn't getting anywhere in his current state. I took him off everything except the immune boosting supplements and put him on a three day organic yogurt and raw honey fast. By day four his stools were back to normal, and he was ready to be introduced to his new "fuel," which was cooked for the first month. I used a variety of ingredients; lamb, salmon, sardines, avocado, leafy greens, ground pumpkin seeds for zinc, fresh garlic, lamb liver, vitamin C and salmon oil – an Omega 3 essential fatty acid. By the end of the first week his coat was coming back in. After being on cooked for a month, I switched him completely to raw food. He is by far the oldest animal I have switched to raw, and he is thriving. His coat is completely in, two inches all over his body. I wish I could say I was amazed at the change, but that would make me feel I wasn't trusting my instincts or the way I was feeding him, that I had an element of doubt. I knew he could heal himself if given the right tools to work with.

In similar fashion I brought two of my other animals back from serious health problems by holistic means and raw food. My Westie "Kelsey" developed pancreatitis at the age of 18 months after finding and consuming an entire box of chocolates. She nearly died on a couple of occasions, and I felt her days were numbered as she headed toward the age of 10. Her body, especially her pancreas, was worn out from trying to manage on heavy grain based dry dog food. I switched her to raw three months before her tenth birthday, and she turned 13 last June, a record in my animal family. Until Kelsey no one had made it past 12. She is still going strong, and I feel she'll make it to 14 and beyond.

Another success story is my cat "Clive" who was diagnosed with the feline leukemia virus in October 1999. He had clinical signs and the blood work did not look good. We were in the midst of a feline leukemia epidemic in my feline tribe, and as mentioned previously, those who actually came down with the disease had been vaccinated against it. I lost two cats. I couldn't lose Clive. I worked on him for over a year and in July 2000 all my cats were switched to raw. Later that year, I had Clive retested on two separate occasions for FeLV and again in 2001. He came up negative each time. He was one of the rare ones who reverted back to negative. My vet was shocked but pleased. Do I feel diet played a role? Yes, without a doubt. You can't just treat an illness or disease, you have to treat the whole patient.

When my first Westie "Windsor" was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October 1997, I immediately took her off commercial food. Back then I knew nothing about raw feeding, but I did know that my dog needed something more than just cereal based dog food. Canned dog food was no good either. She needed food as fresh as possible. So I began cooking meats, fish and vegetables for her. She never went off her food until the day before she died. She died at home, on her own. I sat beside her and waited. She never exhibited any discomfort and when she finally took her last breath, she went so peacefully that I had a hard time believing she was actually gone. She just slipped away. Interestingly, since her death, I've noticed that the animals I have lost who received their nutrition from sources other than a can or bag, died more gently and easily. This leads me to believe that even in death, the right nutrition plays a very important role.

As you have read, and as our experiences illustrate, the ARF way of feeding is not a guaranteed cure-all, nor do we claim it to be. Just as with conventional medicine, there may eventually come a point when nothing you do will change the outcome, especially if ARF were a part of a last ditch attempt to save an animal knocking at death's door. What ARF can do is supply the body with nutrients in the form provided by nature that it needs for lifelong health. While I have seen remarkable improvement in the Westie I converted to raw feeding at 11 years of age, I can't expect the diet to do a thing to erase the years he was subjected to vaccines, antibiotics, steroids, pest control, and kibble. What I am doing is giving him a better beginning to the final years of his life. I don't expect to see much of a change in my latest puppy, going on two, who was weaned to raw, because raw feeding has always been a part of her life. Actually, I have seen a difference compared to my other puppies who were strictly brought up on kibble; as she has no allergies, or skin or digestive problems. I feel that I am much closer to the health change I have been looking for my companions.

Good Health Does Not Happen By Diet Alone

The Role of Vaccination – The Good, the Bad or the Ugly?

“I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.”

I receive great volumes of email and many phone calls from people from all over the United States, as well as Europe. The two topics of great concern for their Westies today are allergies and digestive problems. Naturally, I first talk about the species-appropriate raw food (ARF) diet for dogs and how feeding the evolutionary diet of Canis lupus familiaris, our domesticated wolves, can dramatically begin to restore their animal on the road to better health. W. Jean Dodds, DVM, noted veterinarian and immunologist states that “wholesome nutrition is a key component of maintaining a healthy immune system.” To me, wholesome equates to raw, not artificial/processed foods. Not so surprising to me, in most instances, once the afflicted animal is properly switched over to ARF, the digestive problems disappear, or the allergies are lessened or alleviated. I also point out that diet is not a cure-all for every health issue, nor will it guarantee perfect health for the life of the animal. But, many people think that if one feeds their dog an ARF diet, all ailments or diseases from chronic ear problems to cancer will disappear, or that disease and illness won’t occur. Common sense dictates that this is simply not true, although I have seen and heard of some pretty remarkable outcomes of dogs that were switched to their rightful diet. While it is, in my opinion, certainly the optimum start toward a dog’s long life of wellness and well-being (you are what you eat), diet isn’t the only factor that comes into the equation as we seek that long, healthy, disease and illness-free life for our cherished companions. From puppyhood, feeding raw food is the first important step, but there are other factors to equally consider that will have a tremendous influence on the longevity of your companion.

In 1998, Juliette de Baïracli Levy, the “Mother of Natural Rearing”, wrote a personal note for me in her book, The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat. It said, “For Christine, a pioneer in West Highland Whites, a charming breed, with love, Juliette.” I am particularly honored that Juliette thought me a pioneer, but sometimes being a pioneer is not easy. In fact, it can be pretty lonely. Since changing to raising my Westies the Natural Rearing (NR) Way in 1996, I stopped vaccinating all my Westies – puppies, adults and geriatrics, to the great gasp of many of my breeder friends. Nevertheless, I decided supporting natural immunity was the logical way to go. I made this gigantic leap of faith after much scrutiny, research and soul searching, and with tremendous trepidation. What I learned, after investigation and research literally forced me to look at my Westies and to consider the generations to come. I knew I had to make a choice – MY informed choice – as to whether I would continue the practice of vaccinating, vaccinating minimally, or not at all. I chose the latter because by vaccinating, I believed I would be doing my Westies more harm than good, especially in the long run. Some of my reasons will be evident throughout this article.

When one decides to make a change of great proportions to raise dogs the NR way, to go back to feeding the little carnivores their raw foods, go against the status quo, the mainstream, and head back to the “old ways”, it was only a short matter of time before I investigated the vaccination issue. At the same time, I addressed pet products with chemicals in them – pesticides and other toxic chemicals. I think it is safe to say that there are numerous influences as to whether an animal will be healthy or not. There are many factors in life that we can’t control and there is pollution everywhere on many levels. However, I believe there are many more factors we can control and make informed choices about, if we want to. I stopped using all heartworm, flea and tick products because they contain toxic chemicals. I would no more put these pesticides and chemicals into or on children so why would I think less of my companions? Over an animal’s lifetime, diet, vaccinations, the use of chemicals and the overuse of drugs, steroids, etc., all play a significant role in whether that animal will maintain a healthy immune system, or eventually develop disease or illness.

Factor of Three

Just as many people are tired of being sick and are seeking more natural ways to help themselves gain improved health, so it goes for many guardians equally tired of their companions being sick. It is costing hundreds upon hundreds of dollars as these frustrated people make numerous visits to their veterinarian with their pets’ ailments, one after the other. If we love our companions, we don’t want them to be sick. To better illustrate what I have learned and firmly believe, I created the Factor of Three triangle, which, in my opinion (and I’m not alone), shows the primary catalysts that will influence and cause disease or illness in animals, over time. They are:

I believe that by following the Factor of Three, dogs will eventually develop disease or illness at some point in their lives. For example, in Dr. Tom Lonsdale’s book, Raw Meaty Bones, he states that 85% of dogs will develop periodontal disease by age 3. I personally believe periodontal disease is 99.9% preventable. The primary cause – feeding artificial/processed foods. None of my NR Westies have ever needed dental cleanings. Once my kibble-fed Westies were switched to raw and given two recreational raw meaty bones (nature’s toothbrush) per week, dental cleanings became a thing of the past. Isn’t it far better to try to prevent disease than to just wait for it to occur, especially when it’s possible to prevent it? My first Westie, Bonnie, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge at 16, due to old age, and another Bonnie Brier Westie lived to 18. So, what has changed? Why is disease and illness so epidemic today in all dogs? Why is cancer the leading medical cause of death in dogs today? Why are our Westies, on the average, dying at age 13 or younger with disease or illness instead of at 16, 18 or older from ripe old age? A question I keep asking myself is, if modern medicine is so wonderful, why are animals unhealthier today than 30, 40+ years ago? Why are they dying younger today? It is those factors that I addressed. All of us have the responsibility to make informed choices that will ultimately enable our dogs to either live long, truly healthy lives or not.

I have always felt that genetics play a small part in the overall good or poor health of animals and those influences from the Factor of Three can cross over to the next generation. I just don’t believe we can blame poor health totally on genetics. There is a fine but important difference between inherited and inheritable. Skin problems, digestive problems, arthritis, periodontal disease, autoimmune disease, White Shakers Syndrome, aggression, are just a few of the many problems I feel are greatly influenced or caused by the Factor of Three.

Immunity—A Little Word That Means So Much

I learned that immunity is not controlled entirely by antibody levels, as was once thought, but instead by memory cells. Memory cells are B and T lymphocytes, white blood cells that stand ready in the body to respond with protective antibodies when challenged by a disease agent. Memory cells, once programmed, persist for the lifetime of the animal. Therefore, as I understand it, it is possible to have low antibody levels (or titer) and still have protective immunity.

Puppies receive antibodies through their mother’s milk (colostrum) the very first time they nurse. This natural protection can last up to 8 to 14+ weeks. Dr. Dodds stated that this is one reason why puppies should NOT be vaccinated at less than 8 weeks of age. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and only a few will be protected. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. According to the studies of Dr. Leland Carmichael at Cornell University and Ronald Schultz, Ph.D., DVM, Professor and Chair of the Dept. of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the Journal of the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), in 1995, when a vaccination series is given at 2, 3, and 4 months and again at 1 year with a modified live virus, puppies program memory cells that survive for life, providing lifelong immunity.

Dogs’ immune systems mature fully at 6 months of age. If a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine is given after 6 months, it produces immunity, which is good for the life of the pet (e.g. canine distemper, parvo).

The Natural Way to Immunity

Before vaccines were created, I think it safe to say that man and beast developed natural immunity. They had to or else they would be extinct. It came down to survival of the fittest in more ways than one. Those that fought a disease and lived developed immunity. Those that didn’t died. I truly believe that NR dogs are more “fit” than dogs living the Factor of Three. The original and natural way to develop immunity to diseases is through natural, daily exposure. I find nothing wrong with doing it the old fashioned way, and I question the practice of injecting a virus directly into the bloodstream of my dogs. I also question what is in that vaccine.

In a paper prepared by Harold Buttram, MD, and John Chris Hoffman, entitled, “Vaccinations and Immune Malfunction”, the authors state, “The natural immunity of a healthy person is based on a series of body bypassing several important defense and balancing mechanisms. This is the same for animals.”

That brings up a good point. Christie Keith, Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds, in her article, “No Vaccines At All?” said, “We question the effect of injecting a disease into our dogs, thus putting a virus directly into the bloodstream that normally enters only through the mouth, respiratory system, etc. bypassing the entire primary immune response that occurs in the mucous membranes.”

I understand that many people still believe that vaccines are necessary to protect animals from disease and that vaccination is the only way to accomplish this, but that’s not true. No one knowingly wants their cherished companion to come down with disease, but how many of us have actually questioned the practice of vaccination? No vaccine guarantees immunity, and we have heard of vaccines causing the disease they were meant to protect against. To be fair and balanced, natural immunity isn’t a guarantee either, but my records show that since 1996, twenty-six of my NR puppies, which were allowed to develop natural immunity, and received no vaccines with their new guardians, are all thriving today.

Vaccines – Its What’s In Them!

Most veterinarians tell us vaccines are safe. The pharmaceutical companies tell us they are safe, although they won’t divulge how they are made or what goes into them. How can anyone claim that vaccines are safe when no long-term studies have been conducted to show the long-term effects of vaccines on dogs? Also, according to Dr. Dodds, there is tremendous evidence that vaccinations can cause skin problems, arthritis, cancer, leukemia, aggression, autoimmune disease, and even death.

While I admit to support natural immunity and believe that vaccinations cause more harm than good, far be it for me to tell you to stop vaccinating your animals. That has to be the informed and educated choice of each individual. Supporting natural immunity is not the only option on the table. Minimal vaccinations given at the appropriate times can also be considered. It is Dr. Dodds’ opinion that totally unnecessary vaccinations include those for Lyme disease, corona virus, canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, bordatella and parainfluenza.

Opinion is very much divided and the same controversy is raging on the topic of vaccinating children. Viera Scheibner, Ph.D., noted author of Vaccination: 100 years of Orthodox Research Shows that Vaccines Represent a Medical Assault on the Immune System, found no evidence that vaccines are safe or effective and vaccines are highly noxious. They contain formaldehyde, aluminum phosphate, thiomersal (mercury compound), foreign proteins (antigens) and contaminating animal proteins and viruses from the tissues used as growth medium to culture the viral and bacterial components of vaccines. None of these substances should ever be injected into human beings. They erode the immune system and alter the immunological response to diseases.

Pat McKay, in her book, Natural Immunity, Why You Should Not Vaccinate, added a few more ingredients to the pot. She wrote that vaccines include “decayed animals, diseased blood, sera, bacteria, viruses, fungi, mucous, pus, urine, feces, antibiotics, formaldehyde, mercury derivatives, acetone, aluminum and carbolic acid put into a mixture; shot through our greatest protector, our skin; directly into our blood system, and this is the answer to keeping us free from disease.” How safe can it be to inject a foreign substance into a body that contains, among other things, mercury and formaldehyde? Should mercury, which is poisonous, be injected into a body, no matter how small the amount? Adjuvants (substances added in order to elicit a more marked immune response) such as mercury derivatives and aluminum hydroxide are considered carcinogens.

No Scientific Basis for Annual Boosters – The Big Lie or a Big Mistake?

How many of us have taken the practice of annual revaccination on faith alone, without questioning, because our veterinarians said we should? They are only following what the vaccine manufacturers recommend. I’ll bet most of you reading this article give annual vaccinations.

There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of vaccines! Dr. Schultz, the renowned Veterinary Immunologist, states that “annual revaccination provides no benefit and may increase the risk for adverse reactions.”

To vaccinate, to minimally vaccinate, or not to vaccinate at all should be the informed decision of each person. In light of recent information that the twenty-seven veterinarian colleges in America are finally “re-thinking” and coming out with a changed vaccination protocol because of the “lack of scientific evidence to support the practice of annual vaccination and increasing documentation showing that over-vaccinating has been associated with side effects.” I think everyone would want to re-examine the facts about vaccination and do a little research. I’d wonder why it took the mainstream allopathic veterinarian community so long to finally admit this, although not all veterinarians have embraced the news and many more are still not sharing this important information with their clients, so that the client can make an informed choice. Many veterinarians are continuing to recommend and administer yearly revaccinations. In my opinion, this is unethical and shameful, especially when their own textbook, Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XI, Chapter – Canine and Feline Vaccines, by Dr. Phillips and Dr. Schultz, states, “A practice that was started many years ago and that lacks scientific validity or verification is annual revaccinations. Almost without exception, there is no immunologic requirement for annual revaccination. Immunity to viruses persists for years or for the life of the animal…”.

Susan G. Wynn, DVM, in her article Vaccination Update, <www.listservice.net/wellpet/vaccines/index.htm> mentions that money is an issue – vets are scared of not making a living. I would think that economic success should not be more important than helping keep our companions healthy. I have great respect for the veterinary profession, and I’m not saying veterinarians shouldn’t make a decent living. I just don’t think they need to do it at the sacrifice of our animals’ well-being.

I applaud the veterinarians who inform and work with their clients with the pet’s best interest in mind, if that client still prefers to vaccinate. Still, I would like to see more allopathic veterinarians respect the guardian’s right to chose not to vaccinate. Everyone needs to keep an open mind. Kennel owners, obedience class trainers, etc. also need to change with the times. Gone are the days when dogs need to be “up-to-date” on all vaccinations.

One last point to make – an unhealthy dog should NEVER be vaccinated. Even the manufacturer puts on its vaccine label that only healthy dogs should be vaccinated. Wouldn’t you think someone would take notice? An unhealthy dog can have an ear infection or runny eye, allergies or arthritis, diabetes or cancer. No animal that is stressed should ever be vaccinated, and that includes animals going in for dental cleanings, spaying and neutering or other surgeries, or bitches in heat or pregnant, etc. In What Vets Don’t Tell You About Vaccines, by Catherine O’ Driscoll, she says “vets are warned not to vaccinate dogs who are taking immunosuppressant drugs (corticosteroids, for example, suppress the immune system, yet these are recommended when dogs experience hypersensitivity reactions to vaccines). Problem is, there are veterinarians who do vaccinate in all the above situations.

Natural Immunity – Seven Years Later

How have my Westies done since I decided to discontinue all vaccinations in 1996? Simply terrific! My oldest naturally reared Westie is Ch. Bonnie Brier Sittin’ Pretty, now seven years of age. Weaned to her rightful diet of raw foods, Reba grew up to be a Group winning Westie. She was out with a handler for her show career so you know she was in a high exposure situation. Reba was never vaccinated and came home without “picking up” any disease. All my puppies since 1996 have not received any puppy or adult vaccination. As I stay in close contact with all my NR Westie guardians, I am proud to say that all puppies and adults are thriving. My oldest Westie, Sierra, was switched to the NR ways at age 9. Now 16 years old, I attribute her longevity to raw food and no further vaccinations or chemicals. She has no disease or illness, her eyes are in great condition, she carries good substance, can still go up and down a few steps and flirt with the boy puppies. However, she does have “selective” hearing, if you know what I mean.

Parvo – It Doesn’t Always Have To Be A Tragedy

That being said, this article would not be complete without my sharing an incredible experience that happened last year. One thing I firmly understand is that there are no guarantees in life and sometimes disease can happen. Therefore, one needs to be prepared for any situation. I typically breed and raise one litter a year. In early 2002, however, I ended up with two litters born about one week apart. Both litters were naturally reared, weaned to raw and fed, unvaccinated litters. At about eight and nine weeks of age, a few pups from each litter developed diarrhea, but continued to eat, be very alert and active. I did a microscopic exam of their stools and, as it has been for 39 years, no internal parasites were found. I began my herbal and homeopathic treatments for diarrhea. Stools formed for a few days but then became loose again. There was never any bloody diarrhea and only a few pups had some episodes of vomiting. To make a long story short, only one of the pups gave me concern because she stopped eating. I took her and another pup to my allopathic veterinarian and parvo was confirmed. I was sent home with glucose, fluids and antibiotics for the most distressed puppy. Although my allopathic veterinarian was not optimistic, I accepted this diagnosis as a true test of the pioneer spirit. I began to channel all the positive energy I could to my puppies.

Upon arriving home, I immediately contacted my homeopathic veterinarian, Dr. Michele Yasson, <www.vetscripts.com/holvet.htm>. After taking a complete history of the pups and the events, the ever-calm Dr. Yasson instructed me on homeopathic remedies I should give all the pups. I also gave all the adults parvo nosodes, because they were in a challenged situation, although none were sick. As it turned out, I never had to start the antibiotics on the sickest pup and only gave fluids twice, along with dextrose support a few times. Within two days of starting the homeopathic remedies, the sickest pup, to my amazement, rallied and started eating. The few affected pups that showed symptoms bounced back incredibly fast, too.

Both litters were in the same area and my unvaccinated adult dogs, including Sierra, then 15 years of age, were exposed to these puppies. Not one other dog showed any symptoms or broke with parvo. It was a humbling experience and one that has made me stronger in my convictions that natural rearing works.

This episode was a challenge to my Westies, and to me! I came away from this experience with great pride in my Westies and more respect for natural rearing and homeopathy. You see, instead of becoming fearful and thinking I better vaccinate my dogs from now on, I became totally convinced that natural rearing, natural immunity and homeopathy kept these pups from tragedy. I truly believe that if I had been feeding artificial foods, vaccinating and using chemicals, the outcome would have been different. The pups’ immune systems would not have been healthy enough to fight the virus. My allopathic veterinarian was quite surprised when I told him the wonderful outcome – all puppies were back to normal! Dr. Yasson, on the other hand, was very optimistic from the start. As for this pioneer, another mountain had been conquered.

There is so much information available, and many books to read, which will give all the facts about vaccinations in order to make an informed choice to use them or not. Each person has to choose their own path, and that path should be based on facts, not fear, close-mindedness or misinformation. My main focus is to continue to breed for truly healthier dogs, generation after generation. Winning in the show ring isn’t the main focus any longer, although I firmly believe you CAN breed for good health and conformation. Until all breeders decide that health must be the first concern, and then decide to make a difference, I fear we will continue to see disease and illness plague our breed and take them from us younger and younger. It will take many, many generations of NR Westies to get that “true” health back. It’s our choice, and the only way to make informed choices is by education, as Thomas Jefferson said so well in his quote. Don’t we owe our Westies, our breed, and all dogs that much?