Autism In Dogs?
By Teresa Conrick
Autism in dogs? Anti-vaccine movement may impact pets by Ms. Mari A. Schaefer, Staff Writer, Updated: AUGUST 2, 2017 — 12:50 PM EDT
Veterinarians in Brooklyn, N.Y., are reporting a growing resistance to vaccinating pets, which may be rooted in the anti-vaccine movement that claims the life-saving inoculations may cause autism in children.
The Brooklyn Paper reported that pet owners in some of the boroughs feel injecting chemicals into their precious pet is going to cause problems, with some suggesting that the shots could give their pups autism.
“We’ve never diagnosed autism in a dog. I don’t think you could,” Dr. Stephanie Liff of Clinton Hill’s Pure Paws Veterinary Care told the paper.
Even if dogs were susceptible to the condition, owners probably wouldn’t notice given their general behavior, Liff added...............
Say WHAT??? Read the entire article here.
Here is the article that Ms. Mari A. Schaefer is ¨barking" about, The Vaccine Reaction An enlightened conversation about vaccination, health and autonomy by Kate Raines Published April 8,2017
Just as the incidence of Autism-Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) has risen alarmingly in children over the last half century, there is evidence that similar behavioral disorders have been observed in pets, most widely reported among pet dogs. It is too early for mainstream veterinary authorities to confidently confirm that dogs can develop autism, but there are numerous reports of behavior patterns in pets that mirror autism behavior in children. Studies are underway to evaluate the possibility that animals can become autistic.1
Autistic Behaviors Recognized in Dogs
Though the appearance of autism-like behaviors has been observed in dogs since the mid 1960s, the first researcher to specifically relate some of those behaviors to autism was Nicholas Dodman, DVM, who initially set out in 2011 to look for a genetic cause of obsessive tail chasing in bull terriers. This behavioral characteristic has been observed in as many as 85 per cent of a bull terrier litter and often results in self-maiming.
Presenting the evidence from his study at the 2015 American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, Dr. Dodman reported an autism-like condition, noting that “the vast majority of affected dogs were males, and many had other strange behaviors or physical conditions that accompanied the tail chasing, such as explosive aggression, partial seizures, phobias, skin conditions, gastrointestinal issues, object fixation and a tendency to shy away from people and other dogs.” 2 He and his associates were further able to establish that two biomarkers common to children with autism were also present in the affected dogs.3 ............
WOW! Read the entire article here:
Going back, here is the 2014 research paper and intro: Elevated serum neurotensin and CRH levels in children with autistic spectrum disorders and tail-chasing Bull Terriers with a phenotype similar to autism
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interactions and communication, as well as stereotypic behaviors.1–4 Recent results from the Centers of Disease Control in the USA indicate that 1 out of 68 children have ASD (Autistic Behaviors Recognized in Dogs). Fifty percent of such children regress at 2–3 years of age, often after a specific event such as reaction to vaccination, infection,5,6 trauma,7 environmental toxins8–10 or stress,11 implying the importance of some epigenetic triggers. In addition, many children exhibit gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.12 Recent evidence suggests that ASD involve some defective immune responses in many ASD patients13–16 and their relatives,17 as well as some neuroimmune component,18 especially allergic-like symptoms.19............
And so what do you think?
Teresa Conrick is Science Editor for Age of Autism.
Joy B;
I just came home last night from my parents'. My Mother is 87 and loves her TV. She saw the show and told me about Spouse House.
Posted by: Benedetta | August 09, 2017 at 08:13 AM
In 2006 I went to a San Francisco dog show and ran into an old pal, who had lately been winning big with the dogs he handled and bred, including a Group 1 at Westminster. He had been breeding several breeds for 30 plus years. I mentioned that my son had autism due to shots and waited for the obnoxious skeptical look most people gave me. No, Paul did not give me a skeptical look. He said "I don't vaccinate except sparingly. We noticed all kinds of problems in dogs as the vax schedule grew. We knew it could not be genetic as we could see 10 generations in 15 years and watch problems appear and disappear as we gave and then stopped giving shots. " meaning they have to know. If this beeeder knew and used his knowledge to get an edge on other dogs (he said the skin and coat issues stopped when he stopped unneeded vaccines) ... how can vet schools and horse drs not know ??? He did say that he still did parvo and rabies but he did titres. And delayed puppy shots.
Posted by: Kyles mom | August 09, 2017 at 04:13 AM
Or the importance of digestive enzymes that for dogs is raw meat.
and for us - those digestive pills.
Posted by: Benedetta | August 08, 2017 at 10:25 PM
Ours got one toooo many rabies shots. My husband will do what ever the vet or the receptionist suggest
The last shot she had, the next day, she was dragging her hind feet, acted very weak, especially the back legs. She got better, but she limped for a good two years., and acted like her hind legs hurt.
But really an injured immune system, there seems to be no end.
Last summer she developed hot spots. The steroids did not stop it. The hot spots were all over her, ;half of her face looked like it was eat off with some kind of infection. We had been feeding her real expensive gluten free dried dog food, and chicken broth. The vet was no help, so I was on my own - again. We tried all kinds of farm store remedies. Turpentine shampoo seemed to help, so we used it several times, till she threw up at the very smell. Finally I gave her B vitamins in with her chicken broth and a few raw chicken livers, hearts and gizzards. You would think that that expensive dog food would have had such probiotic enzymes and B vitamins , but I guess not. She healed and there has been no more hot spots.
SO never underestimate the importance of B vitamins in all this mess.
,
.
Posted by: Benedetta | August 08, 2017 at 10:22 PM
Over the past few decades there has been considerable controversy among veterinarians regarding vaccinations. Back in the 1960's, cats and dogs received very few vaccinations. But (as with humans) more and more vaccines were developed for various diseases. Since nobody was sure how long the immunity from these vaccines lasted, and since vaccines were assumed to be harmless, it became standard protocol to vaccinate dogs and cats annually for all diseases. An increasing number of veterinarians and pet owners began to report adverse reactions from this intensive vaccine schedule, for example:
Dr. Chrissie Mason B.R.C.P., Ph.D. - "I am becoming seriously concerned at the increase in the cases of auto-immune disease, and the Canine/Feline vaccination program which I consider to be inextricably linked. Certainly, I do not stand alone in holding these views, as a number of Orthodox Veterinary Practitioners have expressed their concern over the incidence of certain types of illness suddenly appearing after a vaccination has been administered. Often these are severe skin disorders, gastrointestinal disturbances, sickness and colitis symptoms, all of which have been observed and recorded. (1)
Dr. Pat Bradley, DVM - "In a general and frightening context, I see the overall health and longevity of animals deteriorating. The bodies of most animals have a tremendous capacity to detoxify poisons, but they do have a limit. I think we often exceed that limit and overwhelm the body's immune system function with toxins from vaccines. The most common problems I see that are directly related to vaccines on a day to day basis are ear or skin conditions, such as chronic discharges and itching. I also see behavior problems such as fearfulness or aggression. Often guardians will report that these begin shortly after vaccination and are exacerbated with every vaccine." (1)
Dr. Charles E Loops DVM - "The first thing that must change with routine vaccinations is the myth that vaccines are not harmful. Veterinarians and animal guardians have to come to realize that they are not protecting animals from disease by annual vaccinations, but in fact, are destroying the health and immune systems of these same animals they love and care for... Vaccinations represent a major assault on the body's immune system.... Vaccine induced chronic diseases range from life-threatening conditions such as auto-immune crises to conditions destroying the quality of life of an animal as in chronic skin allergies." (1)
Dr. W. Jean Dodds, DVM - "The challenge to produce effective and safe vaccines for the prevalent infectious diseases of humans and animals has become increasingly difficult. In veterinary medicine, evidence implicating vaccines in triggering immune-mediated and other chronic disorders (vaccinosis) is compelling. While some of these problems have been traced to contaminated or poorly attenuated batches of vaccine that revert to virulence, others apparently reflect the host's genetic predisposition to react adversely upon receiving the single (monovalent) or multiple antigen "combo" (polyvalent) products given routinely to animals. Animals of certain susceptible breeds or families appear to be at increased risk for severe and lingering adverse reactions to vaccines. The onset of adverse reactions to conventional vaccinations… can be an immediate hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reaction, or can occur acutely (24-48 hours afterwards), or later on (10-45 days) in a delayed type immune response often caused by immunecomplex formation." (2)
"Vaccination also can overwhelm the immunocompromised or even healthy host that is repeatedly challenged with other environmental stimuli and is genetically predisposed to react adversely upon viral exposure. The recently weaned young puppy or kitten entering a new environment is at greater risk here, as its relatively immature immune system can be temporarily or more permanently harmed. Consequences in later life may be the increased susceptibility to chronic debilitating diseases." (2)
Dr. Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD – "For much of my professional career, I perceived vaccines as both beneficial and harmless. I never considered that they could contribute in any way to more subtle and persistent health problems. Yet, the casual practice of yearly vaccinations is now seen by some veterinarians, myself included, as a significant contributor to the striking increase of chronic diseases observed during recent decades… It is difficult for me to understand how such a cavalier attitude could have existed among both veterinarians and the public. We all know that novel biological techniques can have unforeseen consequences and, indeed, this seems to be a common outcome of new medical procedures… This is not to say that every animal becomes ill after vaccinations. This is clearly not so. However, there are some animals – probably predisposed because of a weak immune system – that cannot handle certain vaccines and become chronically ill as a result of their use… Over the years, vaccines have also become more complex. There are more of them used, many different types, and each may contain numerous viruses and germs – five, six, or more. The immune systems of some animals may become confused by all this information… It is hardly a natural process for five or six disease agents to end up in an animal's bloodstream simultaneously, but this is what happens when a vaccine injection is given. Too much, too fast." (3)
Because of the work of veterinarians such as Dr. Dobbs, a modified, less frequent schedule has now been adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Veterinary Microbiology and the American Association of Veterinary Immunologists. This new schedule divides vaccines into "core" (for common serious diseases), "non-core" (less common and/or less serious) and "not recommended". Instead of giving annual boosters, titers are tested to see whether an animal is already immune to a disease, before deciding whether a booster is necessary.
The American Animal Hospital Association states: "Recently, studies have shown that vaccines protect dogs for longer than previously believed... In addition, there is increased awareness and concern that vaccination is not as harmless a procedure as once thought. These factors have led to a growing number of veterinarians who recommend reduced frequency of vaccinations while at the same time tailoring vaccine recommendations to specific risk situations... One of AAHA's key recommendations is that all dogs are different — and thus vaccine decisions should be made on an individual basis for each dog. Issues to consider include the age, breed, health status, environment, lifestyle, and travel habits of the dog... You can work with your veterinarian to tailor an immunization program that best protects your dog based on his risk and lifestyle factors." (4)
Dr. W. Jean Dodds, DVM makes the following recommendations: "Practitioners should be encouraged during the initial visit with a new puppy owner or breeder to review current information about the breed's known congenital and heritable traits. For those breeds at increased risk, the potential for adverse reactions to routine vaccinations should be discussed as part of this wellness program… As a minimum, if we are unaware of the particular concern expressed, we can research the matter or ask the client for any relevant scientific or medical documentation. The accumulated evidence indicates that vaccination protocols should no longer be considered as a 'one size fits all' program.
"For these special cases, appropriate alternatives to current vaccine practices include: measuring serum antibody titers; avoidance of unnecessary vaccines or over vaccinating; using caution in vaccinating sick, very old, debilitated, or febrile individuals; and tailoring a specific minimal vaccination protocol for dogs of breeds or families known to be at increased risk for adverse reactions. Considerations include starting the vaccination series later…when the immune system is more able to handle antigenic challenge; alerting the caregiver to pay particular attention to the puppy's behavior and overall health after the second or subsequent boosters; and avoiding revaccination of individuals already experiencing a significant adverse event. Littermates of affected puppies should be closely monitored after receiving additional vaccines in a puppy series, as they, too, are at higher risk. Altering the puppy vaccination protocol… is also advisable..."
Posted by: Twyla | August 08, 2017 at 11:17 AM
Posted by: AnneJ | August 08, 2017 at 10:37 AM
I can't get past Ms. Sh's headline, "Anti-vaccine movement may impact pets." Like it's not about how the vaccines impact pets?
My headline: "Pet vaccination effects may advance our understanding of how vaccines impact our children and ourselves!"
Posted by: Jeannette Bishop | August 07, 2017 at 05:21 PM
I've had three dogs die from cancer of the spleen at the age of 10. I now believe it was the vaccines.
We have a feral cat that we feed twice per day. I think he has autism. We found him in the field behind our house when he was six months old. He was already neutered and probably vaccinated, as well.
He can purr and rub against your legs like the friendliest house cat and seconds later, turn on you, hissing and swatting. We treat him kindly, and have never even yelled at him. In the summer, he spends his days in the field, but will sleep on my bed during the winter nights. Just don't try to pet him.
My husband and I have had numerous cats, all of who had individual "personalities," but this one is the most bizarre. He's a beautiful boy, but has an unstable brain. And what's the most likely explanation for an unstable brain? Yup. Vaccines.
Posted by: Montana NAR | August 07, 2017 at 04:34 PM
Perhaps my experience will be helpful.
We've had five adult rescue dogs over the last two decades, who have come to us from various places...a greyhound from a track in Florida, a malamute from a rescue group, a couple of dogs through the ASPCA. I've had good luck with using holistic veterinary practices with my dogs - these practices are generally not as pro-vax as are conventional veterinary practices, and offer alternative therapies besides.
The holistic veterinarian we used believed that prior vaccination had caused the seizure disorder in our rescued adult malamute, and she was happy to draw blood for his titers to prove that he did not need the rabies vaccine again. I would send in this paperwork whenever we needed to get his license renewed and there was never a problem. This vet said she had seen many cases of vaccinosis in pet animals. The clinic even had a pamphlet titled "Are We Over-Vaccinating Our Pets?" So possibly at least some vets are catching on to the problem.
I know kennels can be rigid about requiring shots, so we've always used a dogsitter for our pets when we traveled. She had the contact info for our vet in case anything happened while we were gone. And she was actually cheaper than a kennel!
Posted by: Aimee Doyle | August 07, 2017 at 04:08 PM
The Brooklyn Paper reported that pet owners in some of the boroughs feel injecting chemicals into their precious pet is going to cause problems
************
Injecting chemicals into any living creature, is going to cause problems.
What boggles my mind is that some people are actually reaching this conclusion for their precious pets, before reaching it for their children.
Posted by: Barry | August 07, 2017 at 03:23 PM
Dogs on Benadryl for skin rashes that lead to baldness. Cats with tics and injection-site tumors. At what point do veterinarians start questioning the cause of these increasingly frequent disorders?
Two of my last three cats displayed very unusual behaviors. In one, the difference was night and day after she'd received vaccines -- no longer wanted to be held, started fighting with its sibling, and sat glaring as if in discomfort.
The other had similarly anti-social and aggressive behaviors, along with chronic diarrhea which the animal shelter failed to disclose. A vet clinic's testing of stool samples revealed nothing.
What were the odds that I’d end up with two cats whose health and behavior were so damaged? At the time, it seemed as if lightning struck twice. But vaccine injury in animals is occurring with greater frequency, in proportion with the number of shots they get. Just like with humans.
I grew up on a farm where our cat population sometimes reached 30. I never saw these aberrant behaviors in the hundreds of cats I’ve encountered over the years. However I did see distemper (feline panleukopenia virus), a highly contagious and often fatal disease; that’s one disease for which I’d consider a vaccine — but for a kitten. In the following article a veterinarian references research indicating “There is no benefit, and substantial risk, to repeated distemper vaccines in adult cats.”
http://consciouscat.net/2014/01/13/vaccinate-adult-cat-distemper/
Pet owners whose animals never leave the house should have the option of choosing or refusing vaccination. I had to leave a veterinary clinic because I refused to over-vaccinate an indoor cat. The staff cited their concern about a pregnant vet tech; as a practical farmer’s daughter, I thought that if the vet tech was that neurotic, she should find a safer job.
Posted by: nhokkanen | August 07, 2017 at 02:22 PM
Vets I have spoken with tell me that vaccines are a major cause of cancer, especially in big dogs. And there are other problems that also come with vaccination. They say best not to vaccinate at all.
Posted by: Richard P. Milner | August 07, 2017 at 01:24 PM
Have you guys been watching "Spouse House"? A couple broke up and left the show last night because, although they were "in love" and ready to marry, the woman had an antivax stipulation for their future children. The man was provax. The rest of the cast and the hosts were visibly incredulous that she would "throw it all away" because of vaccines. They were all looking at her like she had sprouted a tree from her forehead.
It's happening, slowly but surely. I was frankly surprised that the segment was shown, at all. We're still at the "They laugh at you" stage, I guess. The woman should be commended. I hope others connect with her and support her.
Posted by: Joy B | August 07, 2017 at 01:14 PM
funnily friends of ours its easier to talk about not vaccinating dogs animals than it is humans -the biggest worry is not being allowed to put your pet in the kennels...Same people still vaccinate the kids but not the pets??
Pharma for Prison
MMR RIP
Posted by: Angus Files | August 07, 2017 at 12:15 PM
And think of all the dogs who develop other neuro-inflammatory conditions like children do -- not quite autism, but some other disorder that is problematic: maybe anxiety, depression, ocd behavior, tics, muscle disorders, etc.
And note the skyrocketing incidence of dog CANCER.
I have two indoor-outdoor cats, and I was thrilled when the (legally required) rabies vaccine came out in a non-adjuvant form two years ago. I opt out of all other vaccines, and went for the 3-year non-adjuvant form.
I've also watched with amazement and joy that so many pet food companies have gone either or both organic and grain-free. How to get more humans to go Paleo (grain-free)? Get their pets on this diet first, and begin to become aware of the parallels to human health!
Posted by: Sharon Kistler | August 07, 2017 at 12:14 PM
Our last two dogs and last cat, fully vaccinated, suffered terribly from skin conditions and intolerance to foods - allergies. Thankful to say our two current cats, unvaccinated, are completely free of any issues. They are indoor cats - what possible dangers lurk around the corner of each hall and bedroom?
Toxic metal poisoning and immune activation leading to encephalopathy are universal regardless of species. Since most of us pay for our vetenary care by cash, vets will listen to pet owners (parents) and will not be as influenced by Pharma since really in this case Pharma has no hold on them.
It still baffles me why insurance companies wouldn't want a healthier population, except that their reimbursement (at least that of the CEO's) s linked to a percentage of the total budget. The sicker the population, the larger the insurance budget. It would be earth shattering, and mind blowing if we could have an insurance company (that had the incentive to keep people healthy) and that incentive was shared with the consumer.
Eat organic produce (real food) diet, avoid (especially injected) toxins and early immune activation, reduce stress and live in a loving supportive community - we may not need Pharma!
Our pets, our children and our own lives could be restored to health. The tiny increase in some infectious diseases targeted by vaccines would most certainly be overshadowed by the huge reduction in other infectious diseases since these unimmunized or less immunized pets or children would have a more robust immune system.
Posted by: Paul Thomas | August 07, 2017 at 08:54 AM
I suspect pet owners refusing to vaccinate their beloved pets .. will not suffer the same .. media driven .. "public outrage and public ridicule" .. that is routinely applied to parents refusing to vaccinate their beloved children.
In any event .. after DECADES of the "media and pediatricians" demonizing, ridiculing and scolding parents for expressing parental concerns over vaccinating their children .. it will be interesting to see how the "media" and "veterinarians" address the growing concerns of pet owners regarding vaccinating their pets.
Posted by: bob moffit | August 07, 2017 at 06:38 AM