Now your dog needs a flu shot - from the Wall Street Journal. Merck & Co. is pushing their doggie flu vaccines. Look for the ramp-up in mandatory dog flu vaccines:
Hudson Highlands Veterinary Medical Group in Hopewell Junction, N.Y., administers an average of 60 dog flu shots a month and will soon require vaccination for dogs undergoing elective procedures, such as spaying and neutering, that require hospital admission.
Morris Animal Inn in Morristown, N.J., says it will require flu vaccinations starting next year. Camp Bow Wow, a national doggie daycare chain and overnight facility, plans to partner with a veterinarian to offer a flu vaccination clinic next year in its Long Island City, N.Y., location. And at Biscuits and Bath LLC, a boarding facility with multiple locations in New York City, management recently sent email blasts to clients about the flu and posted warnings on its Facebook page.
Too bad that critical thinking and truth does not spread as quickly as the lies and myths. As an aside, both my veterinarian and I have decided that my two dogs (both are very large breeds, aged 15 and 16, living well beyond their normal life span, even with having cancer, hip dysplasia, etc.) will not be getting their “usual” shots again this year – rabies, distemper, bordetella, etc. Together, we have made the decision to deny these shots for the last 2-3 years. The immunity from a rabies shot lasts for years. He gives me shot certificates should I need to kennel them (occasionally). He doesn’t buy into the hysteria, and in fact, he admits that the vaccinations are much harder on them (and their geriatric, fragile systems) than than any perceived benefits they can possibly get from them. I drive one hour each way to visit the right veterinarian who is willing to challenge the conventional wisdom and do what is right for my dogs. My dogs, being part primal, get eggs and meat once or twice per week.
