IMMUNE PROBLEMS IN OUR BREED - Page 1

I think the immune problems in our breed have increased tremendously, but I don't think it's just the GSD, lots of other breeds appear to be affected also. 
I don't feed a raw diet (although I am not against this at all); it is just more convenient for me to feed a complete additive free food, as I have quite a few dogs (I actually feed Arden Grange and Naturediet). I also give probiotics and homeopathic nosodes. I can't remember the last time I treated a dog for fleas and I don't routinely use any of the 'spot ons'. I am a great believer in: 'If it aint broke, don't fix it'. I do worm them however, twice a year, with Drontal alternating with Panacur. Pregnant bitches are wormed with Panacur from 6 weeks and obviously pups are wormed every 2 weeks.
My own personal opinion is that I think vaccines play a significant part in damaging the immune system. The advice I give to my owners is to have the first jab done as late as possible, say minimum 10 weeks, but preferably 12 weeks (giving nosodes in the meantime) and leave 4 weeks between the jabs and never do boosters.  By leaving the first jab until later, the pup only requires 1 x DHPP and can then be given 1 x Lepto (which is of dubious efficacy) only for the 2nd jab. 
I am sure many will disagree, but I have found that many dogs become ill after vaccination. The vets will say it's coincidence.....but I am not so sure.

I had several dogs titre tested a couple of years ago. It was around £30 for DHP including VAT, then whatever the vet charged for taking the blood. Incidentally the form states they don't test for Lepto as quote ' vaccines do not generally induce any detectable antibodies'.

Have just looked it up, they have put it up to £36 + VAT...obviously it's catching on, as that is quite a steep increase in a couple of years.
Here is a link to the new price list (hope it works)
http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_66367_en.pdf

morning /afternoon guys.here,s my tuppence worth.i havent had a litter in 8 years so my actions re pups might be old hat now.I feed a natural raw diet,various minced meats,offal,organ meat,raw meaty bones(chicken wings/backs/whole carcasses,lamb,pork rib bones)cottage cheese,pro.biotic yoghurt.Treats are from Fish4Dogs,dried tripe pieces/charcoal bonios.girls dont /WONT eat raw or even canned fish now???I inoculate as pups(8wks/12wks)wormed at 2/4 wks with Sherleys chocolate puppy wormer,6wks Canoval wormer and 8 wks drontal.I worm my older gsds with Dorontal  every 6 months usually.I too dont flea treat as i use Dorwest supplements on my 2 older girls(10yrs and 8 yrs.)Garlick/fenergreek tabs.and green veg.tabs.and now a glucosomine/green lipped mussel supplement for their aging joints.none of my gsds are boostered after their pup.jabs.Most have been extremely healthy on this regime and have been long lived,both those owned by me and those owned by others.Most have never needed veterinary treatment till old age(usually when i,ve had to PTS)mainly in my bitches from a form of cancer,males gsd related problems,ie.Torsion CDRM,and a male just suddenly collapsed and died but he was 12.i,have however had 3 siblings who had the symptoms of 2 of our genetic health defects....2 females(seizures)male EPI,but these have been put down to cancer as 2 were aged nearly 8 and 1 at 3 had other problems occur after the initial seizure and advised that she most likely had cancer.Carole S.