IMMUNE PROBLEMS IN OUR BREED - Page 2

Where do many of you live? Parasite/vaccines should be based on breed and environment.  Heartworms is a major  issue where I live (Alabama, US). We have to give monthly heartworm preventive, which happens to also prevent other parasites as well.

My dog and I go walking in the woods a lot. Ticks are very bad from spring through the late fall. I have to check myself for ticks every time I come out the woods so I know I have to protect her. 

I have gone to people's houses with more than one dog. Fleas can infest an area fast both inside and outside. I'm not sure which is better (spraying insecticide throughout the house for all to injest and inhale) or to just treat each dog. 

I grew up with american pitbulls. They seem to have a high susceptibility to parvo.

I do believe the puppy vaccination schedule may be to intense. but it is a percentage game

The early you vaccinate your puppy the less likely your puppy will react and produce the necessary antibodies. But if your puppy does react it will be protected.
My breeder recommended not getting vaccinations untl the puppy turned 6 months old (which yielded about a 90% chance for the puppy to produce antibodies), but my vet recommended around 4 rounds of shots by then whicy yielded higher chance the older the puppy got.. The vet is trying to provide protection as early as possible. Nobody knows how early your puppy will react to a vaccine until after it recieves it.

I truthfully believe that genetics and amount of exposure are greater factors effecting immunity than the food we feed.Not saying food doesn't have its effects, but if I have to feed $3/lb dog food to make sure my dog does not catch a cold, than I might need a stronger dog.

about 10 yrs ago, give or take, i had a discussion with bernhard flinks on how the dogs' nerves affect the entire dog and it's health.  at that time, i had a bitch suffering some skin/allergy problems that i thought were food related.  maybe they were.....in part.  there was no doubt that she had what he called "thin nerves" though.  if you ask any serious breeder or anyone who trains dogs for real work, what is needed in the breed today, they will tell you:  solid nerves.  very simply put; dogs with thin nerves break down under pressure.  over a period of time, this stress manifests itself in physical symptoms.  eventually the immune system shuts down. 
so, once again it is a combination of genetics & environment.  we need really strong dogs today; that can endure the rigors of the training that we put them thru as well as the environmental issues that we don't seem to be able to escape.  health care and diet go a long way, but only when the dog is strong and healthy to begin with.
pjp

Jamesfountain, we're in the UK... so not as many parasites as in the USA.  Mmmmm.... that sounds a bit iffy, but you know I'm talking about bugs right?  lol
 
I'm on the edge of the New Forest, so lots of ticks around, but I spray dogs with a herbal remedy and haven't had one on my dogs for years.  When spraying the house, I do it. leave the windows open and spend the next hour or do "doing" in the garden... so there's no living thing in the house.

I get Fish4dogs treats also, they're actually quite good value when you buy in bulk, dogs love them and a box lasts for ages.  I've never tried feeding raw fish... what do you do and what fish do you feed please?  Eggs are fine, I know some give the shell too... anyone here do that, if so why please?

PJP, I think there's definitely something in what you say, I guess nerves need correct nutrition too and so many of the SchH people feed Duck Ex or raw.

I agree with JamesFountain98 about Genetics, especially since I'm a Biology teacher and I teach about Genetics. Genetics plays an important role in any living organism's immune system.  As far as vaccinations are concerned,  rabies is a very real threat to our pets in the US.  Rabies is a terrible disease so prevention by way of vaccination  is a must.  

misbeeb,when i first started feeding raw i would buy raw fresh sardines or pilchards.chiki and curtis would eat them raw but not the others.i used to just give them as they were.didnt have any problems with the small bones.when i moved to where i am now i tried lily and chiki with mackrel as well.At first they ate them but now they sniff and walk away.dont know why ?when i was at the farm i also used to just chuck a rabbit in fur and all when the whippet had catched quite a few naturally.Dogs loved em.Carole S.

This really strikes a chord with me since my now 7  year old bitch (Sasha) developed a benign tumour on her face 3 days after having an annual booster.  I asked my vet (now the President of the BVA!) if it was possibly connected to the booster and he refused to even consider it.  For me it was too much of a coincidence to risk it again so neither she nor my 5 year old male have had a booster since.

They are both fed on a raw diet with their kongs filled with Fish4Dogs salmon or baked liver for treats.  I can honestly say they have never been healthier, we haven't needed to visit the vet for about 3 years, their coats shine and they're both very lively.

Obviously if their health were to deteriorate I would make whatever adjustments necessary, but while things are going well I'm just going to carry on doing what I'm doing.