Jean Dodds talks about vaccines for Dogs Naturally magazine

W. Jean Dodds DVM, long time vaccinology expert:

“I don’t really believe my training in veterinary college was adequate with regard to animal vaccination.  To be fair to current knowledge, I graduated from veterinary college in Canada in 1964. At that time we understood much less about the molecular aspects of immunology, and the long term medical effects of vaccinations, both beneficial and potentially harmful. We also had fewer infectious diseases to treat and prevent, and hence fewer vaccines for them.

“I was always a clinical research scientist, but colleagues and pet owners would tell me about malaise and illness that appeared shortly after pet animals were vaccinated. This was in addition to the rare case of anaphylaxis induced by vaccination.   They spoke about irritability, low-grade or even high fever, anorexia, stiffness, and occasional seizure-like episodes. These usually occurred from 2-10 days post-vaccination, sometimes longer (up to 45 days).

“The clinical signs associated with vaccine reactions typically include fever, stiffness, sore joints and abdominal tenderness, susceptibility to infections, neurological disorders and encephalitis, collapse with autoagglutinated red blood cells and icterus (autoimmune hemolytic anemia) (AIHA), or generalized petechiae and ecchymotic hemorrhages (immune-mediated thrombocytopenia) (ITP). ^{1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 12, 13}

“Hepatic enzymes may be markedly elevated, and liver or kidney failure may occur by itself or accompany bone marrow suppression.  Furthermore, MLV vaccination has been associated with the development of transient seizures in puppies and adult dogs of breeds or cross-breeds susceptible to immune-mediated diseases especially those involving hematologic or endocrine tissues (e.g. AIHA, ITP, autoimmune thyroiditis). ^{1, 7, 10} Post-vaccinal polyneuropathy is a recognized entity associated occasionally with the use of distemper, parvovirus, rabies and presumably other vaccines. ^{2, 3, 7}  This can result in various clinical  signs including muscular atrophy, inhibition or interruption of neuronal control of tissue and organ function, muscular excitation, incoordination and weakness, as well as seizures. ⁷

“Certain breeds or families of dogs appear to be more susceptible to adverse vaccine reactions, particularly post-vaccinal seizures, high fevers, and painful episodes of hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD). ^{7, 9} Vaccination of pet and research dogs with polyvalent vaccines containing rabies virus or rabies vaccine alone was recently shown to induce production of antithyroglobulin autoantibodies, a provocative and important finding with implications for the subsequent development of hypothyroidism. ¹⁰

“Furthermore, injection site fibrosarcomas have recently been documented in dogs as well as cats, and other cancers such as leukemia have been vaccine-associated.” ^{7, 18}

References

1. Dodds WJ. Immune-mediated diseases of the blood.  Adv Vet Sci Comp Med 1983; 27:163-196.


2. Phillips TR, Jensen JL, Rubino MJ, Yang WC, Schultz RD.  Effects on vaccines on the canine immune system.  Can J Vet Res 1989; 53: 154-160.


3. Tizard I. Risks associated with use of live vaccines.  J Am Vet Med Assoc 1990; 196:1851-1858.


4. Duval D, Giger U. Vaccine-associated immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in the dog. J Vet Int Med 1996;10: 290-295.


5. Cohen AD, Shoenfeld Y. Vaccine-induced autoimmunity.  J Autoimmunity 1996; 9: 699-703.


6. Schultz R. Current and future canine and feline vaccination programs. Vet Med 1998; 93:233-254.


7. Dodds WJ. More bumps on the vaccine road. Adv Vet Med 1999; 41: 715-732.


8. HogenEsch H, Azcona-Olivera J, Scott-Moncrieff C, Snyder PW, Glickman LT. Vaccine-induced autoimmunity in the dog. Adv Vet Med 1999; 41:733-744.


9. Dodds WJ.  Vaccination protocols for dogs predisposed to vaccine reactions. J Am An Hosp Assoc 2001; 38: 1-4.


10. Scott-Moncrieff JC, Azcona-Olivera J, Glickman NW, Glickman LT, HogenEsch H. Evaluation of  antithyroglobulin antibodies after routine vaccination in pet and research dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002; 221: 515-521.


11. Paul MA (chair) et al. Report of the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force: 2003 canine vaccine guidelines, recommendations, and supporting literature. AAHA, April 2003, 28 pp.


12. May C, Hammill J, Bennett, D.   Chinese shar pei fever syndrome: A preliminary report. Vet Rec 1992;131: 586-587.


13. Scott-Moncrieff JC, Snyder PW, Glickman LT, Davis EL, Felsburg PJ.  Systemic necrotizing vasculitis in nine young beagles.  J Am Vet Med Assoc 1992; 201: 1553-1558.


14. Dodds WJ. Estimating disease prevalence with health surveys and genetic screening. Adv Vet Sci Comp Med 1995; 39: 29-96.


15. Wilbur LA, Evermann JF, Levings RL, Stoll LR, Starling DE, Spillers CA, Gustafson GA, McKeirnan AJ.  Abortion and death in pregnant bitches associated with a canine vaccine contaminated with blue tongue virus.  J Am Vet Med Assoc 1994; 204:1762-1765.


16. Day MJ, Penhale WJ. Immune-mediated disease in the old English sheepdog. Res Vet Sci 1992; 53: 87-92.


17. Dougherty SA, Center SA. Juvenile onset polyarthritis in Akitas. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991; 198: 849-855.


18. Vascellari M, Melchiotti E, Bozza MA et al. Fibrosarcomas at presumed sites of injection in dogs: characteristics and comparison with non-vaccination site fibrosarcomas and feline post-vaccinal firosarcomas.  J Vet Med 50 (6): 286-291, 2003.


19. Twark L, Dodds WJ. Clinical use of serum parvovirus and distemper virus antibody titers for determining revaccination strategies in healthy dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000; 217:1021-1024.


20. Flemming DD, Scott JF. The informed consent doctrine: what veterinarians should tell their clients. J Am Vet Med Assoc 224: 1436-1439, 2004.


21. Klingborg DJ, Hustead DR, Curry-Galvin E, et al.  AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents’ report on cat and dog vaccines.  J  Am Vet Med Assoc 221: 1401-1407, 2002.


22. Schultz RD, Ford RB, Olsen J, Scott F.  Titer testing and vaccination: a new look at traditional practices. Vet Med, 97: 1-13, 2002 (insert).


23. Moore et al, Adverse events diagnosed within three days of vaccine administration in dogs.  J  Am Vet Med Assoc 227:1102–1108, 2005.

“If I was in private practice today, I would only use a conservative puppy or kitten series (2-3 doses only) of vaccines: one before 12 weeks in puppies and 10 weeks in kittens; and a second between 14-16 weeks in puppies and 12-14 weeks in kittens. All vaccines should be 3-4 weeks apart.  I would not vaccinate beyond the puppy and kitten series, and I would not worry about income impact, regardless, as our veterinary oath requires that we “do no harm”.  Judicious use of vaccines is paramount.

“I don’t feel any professional pressure to keep quiet on the vaccine issue.  I’ve been teaching it for more than 40 years!  It must be understood that this is an educational problem that needs to start with the veterinarian so that he or she can educate the clients and public in general.

“I totally embrace my profession and always have, but the pharmaceutical industry has considerable influence on it; there is a huge marketing effort here – that’s their job. We are the ones that need to ‘sift’ this information appropriately. We, the consumer professionals, have allowed this influence to go unchecked.  It’s time for senior members of our profession to step up and place controls on the commercial influence upon relatively naive veterinary students and new graduates. This influence is even stronger in the pet food and supplements industry.  The government also needs to be more proactive and keep up to date.

“With regard to traditional veterinary products such as steroids, NSAIDs, preventatives and antibiotics, we as professionals using these products need to more effectively reign-in commercialism.

“The culprits behind ill health in companion animals are environmental factors, including drugs, chemicals, pesticides, toxins and preventatives like vaccines and those used to control fleas, ticks, and heartworms, superimposed on genetic predisposition.  This is especially problematic for inbred and linebred breeds of dogs and cats, which are more genetically alike, and can respond adversely to any one or more of these immunological ‘insults’.”

Excerpted from Vets on Vaccines, Dogs Naturally Magazine.

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HSUS DOG RAID PICS,How CA legislation Will Create More SEIZURES

Join the Crusade Against HSUS Anti-pet laws and Pass it Forward to Everyone You know, and post this link to any sites that you can, and be sure to realize that HSUS and friends have 6 laws pending before CA legislature, and all of them are garbage. Garbage. All need to be trashed and kicked out.

URGENT: AB243 MUST BE OPPOSED! AB243 Opposit AUG09 pdf

Do you own  animals?   Then you don’t want to support HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) which uses both JP Goodwin (a criminal felon) and Michael Vick (dog torturer, criminal felon, from dog fighting) and probably others that we don’t know about right now.  Please read what is posted here, as this is your warning to watch out…. HSUS is aiming mostly for dogs, kennels [search warrants, possibly forcible]  and horses to seize, also using search warrants.  Below, we see the helper with HSUS seizing one of the pups taken ………….. helper is supposedly a vet for ASPCA if we understand it correctly.

HSUS is telling Californians that anyone ‘accused’ of animal abuse even if acquitted, and thus exonerated— that  their animals should be FORFEITED…………… HSUS has a pending law for that.  You didn’t know????

 HSUS will have their cronies make those errant warrants to seize your animals, and even if you make it out as “not” guilty, you still pay thousands to get back what was yours from the start, and then you face (if law passes) either another hearing or another administrative determination whereby, you cannot be innocent  and must not be around animals, whereupon your animals can be forfeited ANYWAY.  

Unfortunately we can’t get this so it’s viewable online. But see below. The 6 proposed laws:

All Californians need to get up to speed on the 6 laws pushed by HSUS and proponents, [AB1122, 241, 242, 243, SB250, SB318], operating under different “shell” corporate names, where all of the laws work together to trigger one of the other laws proposed, basically to either seize animals, have them forfeited, or find you guilty even after you are acquitted. 

AB242…will trigger 250, 243 and 318; can easily spur CPS (child protective services) into seizing kids from homes and put into fostercare, this happened already in San Francisco when a rescued dog went after another smaller dog; triggers forfeiture. Your animal in altercation with another animal will trigger this law. Don’t care how it is worded, that is the reality. You get abuse citation.

SB250…will trigger 243, possibly 318; assumes natural state animals (unsterilized) are unsafe, penalty for any violation is sterilization, and may trigger forfeiture as well. Requires all animals sterilized at 6mo. [Just a re-run of AB1634 but worse]  Opposed by Dept. of Finance!

AB241…will trigger or can trigger 250, 243, 318; arbitrary number used to indicate “abuse” without it being abuse, just for a kennel owning more than X number of natural state animals, even pups/kittens would count, and boarding kennels/handlers have no exceptions. That means a third party can lose their dog because it was at a handler’s kennel, which might be over the X limit. Automatic forfeiture of animals; has nothing to do with abuse; would trigger 250 which would trigger forfeiture as well. Opposed by Dept. of  Finance  http://www.dof.ca.gov/legislative_analyses/LIS_PDF/09/AB-241-20090813120605PM-AB00241.pdf

AB1122…will trigger 250, 243 and possibly 318, impossible to amend, should be thrown out completely. Is categorized under “abuse” statute.  Would make “sales” illegal and therefore “abuse”  but if a non profit or animal rescue sells, it would be legal, with no ramifications for “abuse.” Makes legal conduct illegal, such as transferring an animal in any parking lot in the entire state. A volunteer private person using the Lexus car dealership (with sponsorship) to get homes for 15 cats would be illegal. Opposed by Dept. of Finance.

AB243… can trigger forfeiture after acquittal, and applied to search warrants if passed.  So exoneration via the courts will mean nothing, if they can confiscate and seize your animals anyway, plus you pay for it as well?  Problem nationwide is, search warrants are being used for barking complaints. Forcible entry is used for no kennel license (for 5 dogs) and etc.   An obvious ploy to kill more animals, seize more animals, and for proponents to sell more seized animals themselves. [See posting on forcible entry warrant on this blog]

SB318.. would allow forfeiture proceeds to go to non govt. proponent private corporations rather than the State, likely violates the CA constitution, and proceeds would be given to these groups even if all they do is kill all the animals and not save them. There is no cap on the proceeds, so it could amount to windfall financials to proponent groups, just for killing animals.  Since HSUS makes a habit of advocating to kill all pitbull dogs (like the Vick dogs, which were mostly saved) and has helped Louisiana pass a law whereby “seized” alleged fighting dogs can be killed immediately [claiming they are considered contraband]— so that a conviction of up to 10 years of hard labor would have to be defended after all the dogs had already been killed by the government?  [See below for LA code]

Proponents such as HSUS, ASPCA, local humane societies, etc,  can lobby District Attorneys to get forfeiture for their own groups, which are private corporations, not the State govt. This means the proponents groups are an interested party financially, and they should have nothing to do with being witnesses or have any bearing on the defendant. Yet surely that is what will happen, then they will ensure defendants are convicted, so they can gain financially from the forfeiture.

It looks like HSUS  helped get a law passed in Louisiana  awhile back, so that “seized” fightin’ dogs are deemed  contraband, and then can be euthanized “AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.”  Notice it did not say seized dogs, where owner is convicted, or where owner is proven guilty. Nope. Just seized. The apparent issue with this is that the alleged dogs cannot be contraband unless you can prove it.

But Not in Louisiana,  One doesn’t need to be proven  guilty to have the dogs all killed.  A picture of a dead dog must be good enough?  So just seize dogs, kill them, make allegations, oh well too bad, so sad?  Apparently the crime of having the “fightin” dogs may carry a 10 year sentence of hard labor, BUT they don’t need the dogs for evidence.

That is from the Louisiana animal cruelty statutes Section 102.6 A(2)…….. and they normally don’t even go to trial, because they simply don’t have the evidence.  HSUS raids need only swarm down like locusts upon the alleged owners, seize everything in sight, and then kill, kill, kill— and not worry about anything else.    

AND since HSUS gets the prosecutors to delay the cases for years, the statute of limitations runs for filing a civil 1983 claim, as you cannot bring a Federal action for the issue if your case has not been concluded finding you acquitted or you have not been otherwise exonerated!  Most statute of limitations do not go much over three or four years [many are only one year, barring tolling] , so if you can’t get your case filed before that, you are SOL.  HSUS knows that of course! Note– we are not saying dog fighting (if actually done) is a good thing.  Of course it isn’t. But one should have to prove the elements of a crime, not kill off the evidence beforehand, and with a law that allows it to boot!!! 

People of California— you need to contact your senators immediately in August 2009, while we still have a chance to flatten the tires of the HSUS Party Team as they take us all for idiots and make laws that say we are all guilty even if proven innocent, where RAIDS are the order of the day, and FORCIBLE warrants are used when there is no cause for such warrants!!!!! [See prior posting on that subject with picture of warrant from SoCal]

PHOTOS …………HSUS…………RAID………..

So let’s look at the promised HSUS dog raid, taking 12hr time, 9am to 9pm, where HSUS, ASPCA and many others, descended upon the family of the Woodall’s on their shaded property in Georgia, so they could seize those  ”fightin’ dogs”…………. Maybe you can tell yourself (if you know dogs very well) that no one in their right mind would put their face 5 inches from a vicious “fightin’ dog” ………nor would one bend directly over the head of the “dangerous  fightin’ dog”…………. nor would one be able to put a [red colored] loose lead on the “fightin’ dog’s” neck, and the “fightin’ dog” just walks ahead without even pulling out of the lead.  Nor would the “fightin’ dog”  puppies, [HSUS apparently claimed  both pups qualified], that they seized–elicit the smile on the seizer’s face as she held both pups in her arms. 

People–the time has come to realize that all that crap you hear/see that HSUS puts out about RAIDING RAIDING RAIDING is not all what it seems.

Think very hard when you view these photos. We have a lot more of them, could that be your family, your kids, your property?  You better believe it. 

THE PROPOSED LAWS BY HSUS AND FRIENDS WILL LEAD TO

NOT ONLY MORE ABUSE OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM,

BUT MORE  ERRANT  SEARCH/SEIZURE, MORE RAIDS, AND MORE FORFEITURE.

MORE ABUSE CITATIONS, AND MORE PENALTIES FOR LEGAL ACTS

THAT ARE TERMED “ABUSE” – WHEN THEY ARE NOT ABUSE. 

Remember–they are doing WARRANTS for raids- seizure for “barking”

It happens with increasing, and unwarranted frequency.  HSUS is trying to turn up the heat to make it appear as if every neighborhood needs raiding. JP Goodwin leading the pack, JP Goodwin getting close and personal with dangerous “fightin’” dog, the ASPCA rig (white vehicle with overhead cab) and others. These photos are taken directly from videos played on the TV and they all will show fragmentation.  There were no dogfighting charges filed against owners, and the court ordered all the seized dogs to be released in less than 2 weeks. Instead, the animal control kept the dogs for 4 months in a shelter almost 5 hours away!!

We have spoken personally with the raided party, who enters dogs in weight pull, treadmill, and conformation.

——————————————————-

We can’t load many more pics due to excessively slow time loading. We will put more pics up and try and get them loaded on Photobucket. Have a lot of pictures taken directly from the video shoot.

Directly above, is the raiding and seizure of  2 puppies. Puppy seizer smiling, but you know how those “fightin’ dogs” are. Vicious!  I am so scared!

This is a sweep view out on the property. Most of the area is heavily shaded.

Above, JP Goodwin being filmedwith HSUS Dream Team, pretending they are movie stars.

Now  does that look like a vicious dog being led away to be killed on that loose lead?  Or is that just another poor family dog being seized by HSUS? The picture is cut off because it was taken from inside the home, where HSUS and crew forced the family to stay inside from 9am to 9pm on the RAID day (and night.)

Below, the kids with one of  their dogs, which usually sleeps inside on the bed.

 

Lower right is JP Goodwin yet again, with cohort. Lots of camera crews, and people from different groups, including but not limited to ASPCA.  HSUS financed an ASPCA rig just for seizing dogs in kennel or alleged “fightin” raids.  Maybe the one in the picture which is ASPCA (hard to read the ASPCA but it’s definitely there on the truck) is one paid for by HSUS.  Maybe that $ 250,000 donated to ASPCA is used to round up dogs.  Or maybe it’s just used to fleece the public?

Looks to us like they were all sorely disappointed that they had failed in 12hr to actually find any “fightin” dogs but they seized them ALL anyway.

Which Dog Breeds are Prone to Epilepsy?

Are Certain Dogs Born with Epilepsy?

Choosing a canine can be a hard process, especially when taking into account the medical issues that can occur within many breeds. For example, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff, and German Shepherds are all prone to epilepsy.

There are two classifications of this disease: Idiopathic and Acquired, these can be catagorized into four types of seizures. Such episodes are dependent on many factors such as: age, general wellness, and parental history. German Shepherds have an inherited link to contortions that potential owners should be aware of. Others with this inheritance include: Beagles, Dachshunds, and Belgian Tervurens. Special care, such as knowing the signs and symptoms, should be practiced daily to insure a healthy lifespan.

Working and Hunting classes are breeds that require a lot of energy expansion. This amount of energy can cause the blood sugar levels in the body to lower, in turn causing an attack. Such pedigrees include: Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Collie, Miniature Schnauzer, Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter, Wire Fox Terrier, St. Bernard, Malamute and Siberian Huskie.

Is There A Cure For Idiopathic Seizures?

Since these canine are more prone to convulsions, be sure to allot plenty of time for rest periods, water, supplementation, and adequate nutrition. Although not as common, many puppies are diagnosed with idiopathic seizures every year. Avoid rough-housing with your pup, as head injuries can bring about a fit. Also, deter from socializing at too young of an age, for they can be very susceptible to viruses that yield traumatic episodes.

Once a pet acquires this condition, they are plagued for life; the younger the age, the worse its progression will be. Treatment often involves a myriad of medications that solely reduce the number of occurrences; sadly, a cure has yet been found.

If you suspect your canine has these issues, here are the stages; first, they may have a change in mental status. For example, your sweet tempered Rottweiler may turn irritable and uneasy a week or two before the event. Progressing, there may be an “onset” that he experiences that alert you the trauma is imminent. If they hide from you or appear frightened, he will shortly become stiff and convulse. Please take note during the rant, you must provide grave details to the veterinarian. Lastly is a recovery phase which can last up to a day; lethargy, confusion, drool, and deep sleep will all occur.

Seizures: What to do

By Melissa McClelland

What are seizures?

Seizures are a sudden, uncontrolled movement of a portion of the body or the entire body. Seizures can be very mild, but they can also be very dangerous.  A seizure is caused by an abnormality in brain activity. Typically epilepsy, toxins, low blood sugar, brain tumors, and a few other medical conditions can cause abnormal brain activity. Pets may become unconscious, urinate, or defecate during a seizure. Long lasting seizures (more than 3 minutes) may cause fluid to build up in the lungs or brain.

What should you do if your pet has a seizure?

First and foremost, you want to prevent any injuries from occurring during a seizure. Keep your pet away from water sources and keep them from falling from a height such as the couch. Your pet may be confused and act aggressively when the seizure is over. It’s important to remove other pets from the area and don’t move too quickly or you may spook your pet. Do not put your hands near your pet’s mouth, and do not yell, hit, or throw water on your pet. You cannot stop a seizure; it will end on its own.

It is important to contact your veterinarian if a seizure does occur so you can find out what is causing your pet to have seizures. For more information follow the links below.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=376

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=560

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The Reluctant Service Dog

Tag Archives: Seizure triggers

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Sydney’s mom

  Time for an update on service dog Lexus… We have come to lovingly refer to Lexus as “the reluctant service dog.”  Every time she sees/hears us pick up her harness (or service dog vest), she tucks tail and runs … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 4 Paws for Ability, dravet, Dravet Syndrome, epilepsy, facebook, help4sydney.com, Michaels Dravet, Seizure triggers, Service Dogs, Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, Special needs, sydney, Sydney Dravet, Sydney Michaels, sydneyagainstdravet, twitter | Leave a comment

Living life with Dravet Syndrome

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Sydney’s mom

  The past two years, I have run a half-marathon each summer for the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, part of their Race Towards a Cure RACRE (Research and Cure Refractory Epilepsy) series.  In 2011, I was the solo member for “Team … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged brain damage from seizures, Donation, dravet, Dravet Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome Foundation, epilepsy, help4sydney.com, Michaels Dravet, Seizure triggers, Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, Special needs, Special needs parenting, sydney, Sydney Dravet, Sydney Michaels, sydneyagainstdravet, twitter | Leave a comment

4 Paws Training Day 9- A bunch of dead dogs…

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Sydney’s mom

  I LOVE TRACKING!  It is just crazy how good these dogs are with this skill.  This morning’s training began with two more tracks of a missing Sydney.  My hip is feeling okay as long as I don’t try to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 4 Paws for Ability, Dog tracking, dravet, Dravet Syndrome, epilepsy, facebook, help4sydney.com, Michaels Dravet, Seizure triggers, Service Dogs, Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, sydney, Sydney Dravet, Sydney Michaels, twitter | Leave a comment

4 Paws Training Day 6- Family to the rescue!

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Sydney’s mom

This morning was bittersweet.  We, somewhat suddenly last evening, came up with a plan to send Aaron home.  This was done for various reasons, but the main reason was to help Sydney & Lexus bond better.  Aaron was quite the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 4 Paws for Ability, dravet, Dravet Syndrome, epilepsy, facebook, help4sydney.com, Ketogenic Diet, Michaels Dravet, Seizure triggers, Service Dogs, Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, Special needs, Special needs parenting, sydney, Sydney Dravet, Sydney Michaels, sydneyagainstdravet, twitter | 2 Comments

4 Paws Training, Day 4- Success with seizure detection…sort of

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Sydney’s mom

 Have no fear; we are here!  Although, we are VERY tired… We had a rough night.  Not really with Sydney this time.  Aaron must have decided that he wasn’t getting enough attention on this trip, so he decided to go … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 4 Paws for Ability, dravet, Dravet Syndrome, epilepsy, facebook, help4sydney.com, Michaels Dravet, Seizure triggers, Service Dogs, Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, sydney, Sydney Dravet, Sydney Michaels, sydneyagainstdravet, twitter | 2 Comments

4 Paws training Day 3- And the tracking begins…

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Sydney’s mom

  Well, due to the first class in tracking this morning, Sydney & I took the morning off.  Paul & Lexus left to meet everyone at 4 Paws at 9:30 so they could head out to a big park that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 4 Paws for Ability, dravet, Dravet Syndrome, epilepsy, facebook, help4sydney.com, Michaels Dravet, Seizure triggers, Service Dogs, Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, Special needs, sydney, Sydney Dravet, Sydney Michaels, sydneyagainstdravet, Tracking, twitter | Leave a comment

4 Paws Training…Day 1- a very poopy (excuse me) puppy day!

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Sydney’s mom

  Hell.  That is as simple as I can put it.  Today was pure hell…at least for me.  Early morning started off well.  We actually got out of our hotel fairly quickly.  We arrived at 4 Paws for Ability 45 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 4 Paws for Ability, dravet, Seizure detection, Seizure triggers, Service Dogs, sydney, Sydney Dravet, Sydney Michaels, sydneyagainstdravet, twitter | Leave a comment

The night (& days) before…..

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Sydney’s mom

  Well, it is 5 a.m.  The night before our first training day with Lexus, our 4 Paws for Ability service dog match.  I am blogging in the middle of the night because, well….Sydney just had a big, convulsive seizure … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 4 Paws for Ability, dravet, Dravet Syndrome, epilepsy, Eye patching, help4sydney.com, Ketogenic Diet, Michaels Dravet, Seizure control, Seizure triggers, Service Dogs, Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, Special needs, sydney, Sydney Michaels, sydneyagainstdravet | Leave a comment

Meet Service Dog Lexus!!!

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Sydney’s mom

My apologies to my readers…When I signed on to write this new blog, I realized that I never posted on here about our little mix up with the original training dates.  (I figure most of you are connected with us … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 4 Paws for Ability, dravet, Dravet Syndrome, epilepsy, facebook, help4sydney.com, Ketogenic Diet, Michaels Dravet, Seizure triggers, Service Dogs, Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, Strength from God, sydney, Sydney Dravet, Sydney Michaels, sydneyagainstdravet | 2 Comments

Service Dog Update!

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Sydney’s mom

So, it has been a little while since I have had the opportunity to update our blog.  There is pretty big news on the dog front! As many of you know, last year, we were fundraising for 4 Paws for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged DJ Macky D, dravet, Dravet Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome Foundation, Eye patching, help4sydney.com, Local Motion, Michaels Dravet, Seizure triggers, Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, sydney, Sydney Dravet, sydneyagainstdravet | Leave a comment

Help Fund A Service Dog | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com

Help Fund A Service Dog | Medical Expenses – YouCaring.com.

Service Dog Fundraiser at Youcaring.com

Canines 4 Hope has begun a Service Dog Fundraiser through youcaring.com. All donations will be applied to the purchase of service dog for clients who want and need a service dog but may not have the funds available. Our goal is to always have the Service Dog Funds available so people do not have to wait to get on the road to the quality of life they deserve. We appreciate any and all donations as do our clients. Thank you!

A little bit about Canines 4 Hope and our Service Dogs and Service Dog Training services:

We are Canines 4 Hope, Certified Service Dog Trainers and we offer trained Service Dogs and Service Dog Training for children and adults with medical afflictions such as Diabetes, PTSD, Seizures and Autism. Our service dogs are trained to the specific medical needs of each person. Since medical insurance companies do not pay or reimburse for the cost of a medical service dog, many times our client’s have to make the hard decision to put their medical needs on hold while they attempt to save up for the purchase of the service dog. Our goal for this fundraiser is to help our clients get on the fast track to a better quality of life and with your help, we will use the money donated to help fund a service dogs for our clients.

We provide trained service dogs for people with limitations that require a dog to help with everyday tasks, early warning situations or companionship. Customized service dog training include:

Diabetic Service Dogs, also known as Hypo Alert Dogs are carefully trained to do the following:
• recognize the scent changes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• recognize breath scent changes of high blood sugar
• alert diabetic to take medicine
• retrieve glucose
• retrieve medication
• retrieve phone or dial 911

PTSD Service Dogs are trained to:
• Assistance in a medical crisis
• Provide treatment related assistance
• Assistance in coping with emotional overload
• Perform security enhancement tasks

PTSD Service Dogs can:
• help adjust serotonin levels
• help lower blood pressure
• help with episodes of depression
• provide companionship
• calm their handler
• preventing people from crowding around or rushing up on their handler

Autism Service Dogs
are trained to respond to the following symptoms:
• Impulsive Running – dog will help retrieve and get child back to parent
• Self Harming Behavior – dog will interrupt behavior and alert parent
• Awakening at Night – dog will bark to alert parents
• Interpret Mood Swings – dog will crawl into child’s lap to calm child
• Interrupt Social Isolation – child tends to focus on dog companionship
• Non-Verbal Child – child learns to give dog commands
• PICA – dog will stop child from eating inappropriate items
• Self Stimulation – dog can interrupt behavior

Benefits of Having an Autism Assistance Dog
• Increased social interaction
• Redirecting repetitive behaviors
• Improved independence
• Increased vocabulary
• Improved quality of sleep
• Overall calming ability
• Recovering children quickly

Seizure Alert response dogs are trained to respond and help someone who has epilepsy or a seizure disorder. The seizure alert dog can:
• Summons help, either by finding another person or activating a medical alert or pre-programmed phone
• Pull objects away from the person’s body that may be potentially dangerous
• Block the individual with absence seizures and complex partial seizures from walking into obstacles, streets, and other dangerous areas that can result in bodily injury or death
• Attempt to rouse the unconscious handler during or after a seizure
• Provide physical support and emotional support
• Carry information regarding the dog, the handler’s medical condition, instructions for first responders, emergency medication, and oxygen
• Sense an impending seizure and their handler or care taker

Psychiatric Service Dogs help with psychiatric conditions such as:
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Anxiety
• Severe Depression
• Panic Attacks
• Phobias
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

Psychiatric Service Dogs are trained to:
• Assistance in a medical crisis
• Provide treatment related assistance
• Assistance in coping with emotional overload
• Perform security enhancement tasks

We appreciate any help! With every dog we provide and with you’re help, we can help those in need of a service dog so they can get on the road to a quality of life they deserve.

Please feel free to visit our website:  canines4hope.com
To donate visit: Service Dog Fundraiser

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My Life with Dogs » Bandit

Well, I learned the hard way not to leave food on my counters.   After losing a bag of nuts and a whole tin of hot cocoa (that was fun to clean up…), I make sure before I leave the house that all food is well out of reach….but what about canned food?   Shouldn’t be an issue, right?

Well, I had all my chili fixings on the counter, cans of beans, tomatoes, and of course, the Rotel diced tomotoes with chilies already chopped up – yum!    Well, I went out shopping – I know I was not gone more than 45 minutes, but when I came home all three kids met me at the door from the garage into the kitchen….and I saw it.  

The poor can of Rotel tomatoes and chilies after Bandit got ahold of it!

A can was lying on the floor.  At first, I thought it was an empty can of dogfood that I did leave on the sink.  But, after closer investigation, I saw it was a full can of something – the label was gone.  The remains of the label told me it was the Rotel.   The teethmarks in the can had pierced the can numerous times.  The liquid had obviously spilled out – and probably licked up too!   Hopefully, the picture does this justice.

All I could do was laugh….Bandit looked so innocent with his soft brown eye…but behind those eyes is a ruthless food thief…a bandit if you will!   So, what to do?  I made chili of course!   It was a little tough to open the can, but you shouldn’t waste food, right?

While I was on vacation, I boarded Bandit and Shelby at the Yorkville Animal Hospital.  They are really great with them, and I feel better that Bandit is at a vet in case anything happens.  Well, sure enough, when I returned, they told me that he had a grand mal seizure on 2/23, and they gave him valium and he was fine.  It was actually the day before I had requested that he be upped on his meds.  I know that he can have seizures when he gets excited, and I try to plan for it, but I missed it…

Thankfully, he is o.k. and did not have any further seizures now that I have him home.

Unfortunately,  Bandit had a series of seizures after I returned from WV.  The seizures started at 7:50 a.m and he actually had the seizure in bed with me.   The other dogs seem to know to stay away.

Baby Bandit

The seizure was short, but it is the recovery that is long.   I helped him out of bed and he stumbled around while I followed him.  He went into the bathroom, then fell down and had a second seizure.   He started to come out of it, then he went into a third seizure.    I called the emergency vet clinic, and they said I should bring him in.    I called Lilia to help me carry him to the car.

When she came over, Bandit had again started recovery.   He paced and stumbled, but he did not have another seizure.  I decided not to take him to the hospital, but I gave him some extra phenobarbital.   The entire episode lasted nearly one hour.

I called the Yorkville Animal Hospital, and they said he did not have any seizures when he was there.   Then, they said something that made sense – they said that after he has been excited or stressed, when an epileptic dog gets back to his calm home situation, that is when they have seizures.   

This has been the pattern – after Bandit has been excited, i.e. he is boarded somewhere while I am on a trip, when he gets home, he has the seizure!   His neurologist did say to give him additional phenobarbital when he is in a stressful situation.   I guess I didn’t think that boarding him at the Yorkville Animal Hospital would stress him.   But, now I know better…

The whole rest of the day, Bandit followed me around – even more than usual.   It was so funny – I would stand up and walk a few steps, with Bandit at my side.  I stop – he stops.   I walk a few steps, Bandit walks a few steps.  I stop, he stops!  It was so funny!

Cluster Seizures

02:05, 07:10, 10:50, 13:50 Continuing on from yesterdays cluster the seizures are about in line with previous ones in terms of their frequency.

Fortunately dad’s got another day off work so he’s been around to look after me.

17:10 I got all excited when dad was working on his car. I had to sit in the boot as that’s where I sit when we go out to the woods. As I lay there another seizure hit and before dad could get to me I’d fallen out of the car. I wasn’t really hurt, but it gave dad a scare.

23:10 After mum went to bed I was asleep in the kitchen when another seizure struck.

FDA warning for owners of dogs on seizure meds:

Via Vet Blog:

I recently received an urgent E-mail notification from the American Veterinary Medical Association. It seems that Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer that supplies some veterinary products, has made a production error. It has distributed generic Vicodins in pills that for all outward appearances appear to be (and are labeled as) phenobarbital.

Phenobarbital is used to treat epilepsy and seizures in dogs and cats. It also may be used as a sedative. Vicodin is used to treat pain in humans. One of Vicodin’s ingredients, acetaminophen, is deadly poisonous to cats. In dogs the safety margin of acetaminophen is low. Animals that receive the mislabeled pills could be at risk of seizures (from lack of appropriate phenobarbital treatment) as well as liver failure and death from acetaminophen.

Click over to read the whole thing and find out what you need to check with your vet.