What are Dogs in Australia Vaccinated Against?

The basic vaccination given to dogs in Australia is promoted as protective against three serious infectious diseases.  Those three diseases are Canine Distemper, Parvovirus and Canine Infectious Hepatitis.      This vaccine is refered to as a C3.  (The 'C' is short for 'Canine' and the '3' is for the three components of Distemper, Parvovirus and Hepatitis).  In some vaccines a Kennel Cough component is added, but Kennel Cough, of itself, is not a life threatening disease.

What is in the Vaccine Given to Dogs?

The vaccines given to dogs in Australia contain live viruses.  Live viruses in vaccines are modified and are known as MLV's  (Modified Live Viruses).  In addition to the modified live viruses, these vaccines also contain other ingredients.  These other ingredients include chemicals that are known carcinogens while others have been linked to neurological disorders. 

How Do Vaccines Work?

Vaccines do not directly confer immunity to disease.  Vaccines work by programming the body's immune system.  When the body is challenged by a disease (a vaccine is a 'disease') then the immune system is stimulated to produce antibodies and memory cells.  It is the antibodies and memory cells that fight the disease and then provide lasting immunity to it. 

Why Do Vaccines Cause Problems?

Immunity acquired from vaccination, or through successfully overcoming exposure to the disease, lasts because of cellular memory.  It is not possible to 'boost' immunity in an already immune dog.  The dog is either immune to a particular disease or it is not!  

Through 'booster' vaccinations, the dog's immune system is being unnecessarily over-stimulated by repeated challenges.  This can lead to a weakening of the immune system - and many individual dogs, as well as certain breeds, are susceptible to that outcome. 

If a dog's immune system is compromised then that system cannot work as it should do. 

Skin, and other allergies, are perhaps the fastest growing chronic health problem in our dogs today.  Allergies are one sign of a compromised immune stsyem.