Eko's mysterious illness (NOT a CCL tear)

Dog_ma

We will definitely be cautious with future vaxes though, since we know his immune system is touchy.  

I would be more than cautious with vaccinations. Can't remember his age, but I think he is old enough that his last vaccination (or previous) was late enough to stimulate his immune system to mount a response.

I just went to a wonderful seminar with Dr. Schultz, who is the foremost researcher in veterinary immunology and vaccinations. He broke vaccinations into two groups, core and optional. The core vaccines include distemper, parvo, and adenovirus, and then rabies of course. Everything else was non-core and optional. To be decided case by case. The only non-core vaccines that are even recommended for some dogs are lyme, lepto and bordatella . I don't think lyme and lepto are big concerns in CA. Kennel cough is not a serious disease.

That leaves the core vaccines. Distemper and parvo are caused by viruses. Our bodies (and dogs) develop an amazing immune response to viruses. We create memory cells that live in our bone marrow, and these cells probably last for our lifetime. These are the cells that are programmed to produce the antibody for that disease. Dr. Schultz also said that titer tests for distemper and parvo are very reliably pegged to the body's immunity. It is true that titers may not be accurate for some other diseases, but for distemper and parvo they absolutely are.

If I were you, I would get titers done for distemper and parvo, and if they are good then do not give any more vaccinations. Just test periodically for the titer level. (personally, I don't think the titer test needs to be done every single year.) To give you a little peace of mind, Dr. Schultz does not give his personal dogs any boosters for distemper and parvo, ever. Their last puppy shot at 14-16 weeks is the last except for rabies.

Rabies is a sticky one. Has he had his first rabies shot? I think that you are required to get two, one as a puppy and then one at a year or so. Personally, I would put off the rabies shot until he is six months old. Then get the second one, and after that see if you can get by with running a titer for rabies. Depends on your local laws if that would be acceptable. Rabies is indeed the vaccine most likely to cause reactions.

This website is very educational, and will help you understand the science behind immunology. Don't worry, it is explained very well in layman's terms. http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/index.htm

Hope your boy is feeling all spunky soon.

Thanks for the vaccine info. He's had his 1st rabies. I'll look up the laws around here. He had parvo and distemper, but I declined the kennel cough.

And he's spunky. TOO spunky! Hopefully the sedative will get called in today, because he is not taking it easy on his legs.

At this exact moment, he is whining in his xpen and Sasha is growling at him. She tells him off when he gets too obnoxious. Heehee. I think he expects to go to the dog park. Sorry buddy!
 

Glad things are looking better. If he does have a bone bruise that can be very painful. I had one once on myself, it also took a long time to heal but it did heal.

Eko take it easy, then you can play again later.