A very good topic. (Edited to be less snarky)
I view Karen Becker as unreliable at best. She bashes regular vet science and offers up unproven things as factual. And sells products for them. She is part of the Mercola group. Mercola has been in litigation for quackery. So please, look for other back up before taking her word on this. This video is an example. She claims that esteemed Dr Shultz says puppies need one shot, and that it is based on him. That is simply a lie. Below are the reasons for my negative response to the tape.
Dr. Shultz, however is legit. Legit... how about freaking AWESOME? It is irresponsible to say what she did, and dangerous and absolutely not what he says. Puppies need multiple shots because maternal antibodies last very differently in one pup compared to another. And titres every 3 yrs if you plan to totally stop all vaccines (except legally required rabies... which may not/probably aren't necessary once adults, except not having it done can get you sued and your dog dead).
He did multiple on his own puppies, but stopped after final booster, doing titres for life
According to Dr. Ronald D Schultz, head of pathobiology at Wisconsin University and arguably the world expert on this subject, once immunity to a virus exists, it persists for years or life. I am told that he vaccinated his own Golden Retrievers as puppies, and then didn't vaccinate them again. He took yearly blood tests. His Goldens are reported to have died naturally at around 15 years of age, and showed good antibody levels from the first booster until they died. Moral of the story: this and other research shows that annual shots are not necessary.<<
Dr. Schultz indicates that dogs should not receive any vaccinations before they are six weeks of age. This is because a puppy/kitten gets some immunity through antibodies in their mother’s milk. Those antibodies help protect the puppy/kitten from disease but also will interfere with vaccinations. This is why puppies and kittens receive multiple vaccinations. Although the antibodies in the milk interfere with vaccinations, under no circumstances should you prevent the puppy/kitten from getting these antibodies.
Recommended vaccination schedule: Start at 8-10 weeks, give a second dose 3 to 4 weeks later and then a final dose an additional 3 to 4 weeks later, making sure it is at 14 to 16 weeks of age. By then the mother’s antibodies will not interfere with the vaccinations.
After these initial puppy/kitten vaccinations, Dr. Schultz recommends doing a titer test or revaccination when the puppy/kitten is a year of age and then revaccinating or re-titering no more frequently than every 3 years.
Some breeds (Rottweiler’s and Doberman’s) do not develop an immune response as easily, especially to the canine parvo vaccine. However, studies have demonstrated that if that last dose is at 14-16 weeks of age at least 98% of puppies will get immunized, regardless of breed.<< (Note, there are noncore like kennel cough he recommends regularly if needed as they are proven to not last. .. "Other non-core vaccines for the dog that are important are Leptospirosis (caused by four different serovars/strains). The other disease that is regional for which there is a vaccine is Lyme disease.
These non-core vaccines, unlike the core vaccines, only provide short-term immunity and must be given annually.
Why don’t these vaccines confer long term immunity? It has to do with the immunity of the animal. There are some diseases, with humans too, where once we get the disease we develop a lifelong immunity. An example with this with humans would be measles. But with humans and animals there are also many diseases which we can get over and over again like Lyme disease and the common cold."
http://www.greenacreskennel.com/pet-health/vaccination-interviews-with-dr-ron-schultz-–-may-2013.html
Btw, I used to drive vets nuts with doing single shots. I truly have found no solid research that it is necessary, so I feel better saying you can dismiss Becker over the combo shots since Schultz uses them. You will note here his discussing them. But I felt better doing single and it won't hurt your dog, though there is some research showing that combo shots actually produce enhanced response.
http://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/51665176980/leptospirosis-dog-vaccines#.WHpsXlUrIoo
I absolutely agree with her that we vaccinate too much. But then, that has been known for 25 yrs and sadly too many people will just let their vets do whatever. While the complications are not proven to be severe, why would you do it if your dog doesn't need it?
The most effective canine core products currently include modified live and recombinant vaccines alone or in combination. The combination products with CPV-2, CDV and CAV-2 currently often include canine parainfluenza (CPI) virus. New “core only” products have been and are being developed that don’t have CPI, however, the CPI will not cause a problem if and when used as a parenteral 5 way combination product.<<
http://truth4pets.org/2012/06/what-everyone-needs-to-know/
(((((((( More on Karen Becker... because no, I am not anti-holistic. I am against anyone selling something as a cure or preventative or medically proven when it is not only not proven, but disproven. If you choose to follow her, at least do so knowing the views from the other side:
http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2012/04/more-misleading-and-unethical-advertising-for-alternative-veterinary-medicine/
https://www.thedodo.com/five-dog-pages-you-need-to-stop-linking-to-1091066497.html
http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2015/05/dr-karen-becker-offers-some-classic-veterinary-detox-quackery/
