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From: "helenmel" <helenmel@email.msn.com>
Subject: BEWARE! Raisins and Grapes Not a JOKE! Please read!
I have this information from  Dr Tom Beckett, DVM of Austin, Texas.If you
pass on this information please copy the full email with credit to Dr
Beckett.

Raisins and Grapes
A professor at one of the veterinary colleges tells me that
their Teaching  Hospital recently treated a dog with acute renal failure
apparently precipitated by eating several snack boxes of raisins. She
reports that the Animal Poison Control Center has collected about a half
dozen similar cases.
Here is a note the Animal Poison Control Center ( APCC) has
posted on their site about raisins/grapes. www.apcc.aspca.org

ASPCA
Animal Poison Control Center
1717 S. Philo Road
Suite 36
Urbana, IL 61802
888- 426- 4435
www.apcc.aspca.org

Date:       February 1st, 2001
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is aware of recent reports of dogs
alleged to have developed kidney failure following ingestion of large
amounts of grapes or raisins. Veterinary toxicologists at the APCC are
currently investigating these cases in an attempt to determine the
causative agents or disease processes. At this time the exact role of grapes or
raisins in these cases is unclear. Pet owners whose dogs have ingested
large quantities of grapes or raisins, or veterinarians managing such cases, are
encouraged to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435)
immediately.
http://www.napcc.aspca.org/raisins.htm

We'll post it as we hear it--the latest information on matters concerning you and your dog--so please tune in from time to time.

Forwarded with permission...from the GDCA study.. though the GDCA bulletin.
Date: 03-30-00
From the Great Dane Club of America's Vaccine  Study on Vaccines:
PROGRESS REPORT

Effects Of Vaccination On The Endocrine And Immune Systems of Dogs Phase II
PURDUE UNIVERSITY, NOVEMBER 1, 1999
Drs. Harm HogenEsch and Larry T. Glickman

Concern has been growing among owners, breeders, and veterinarians that
current vaccines cause immune-mediated diseases in dogs. Vaccination is
highly effective in preventing infectious disease, but the safety of many
vaccines and the frequency of their administration are being questioned.
The Vaccine Research Group at the Purdue University School of Veterinary
Medicine has been conducting several studies to address these issues. In
one such study, we are trying to determine if current vaccines cause changes
in the immune system of the dog that will eventually result in
life-threatening immune mediated diseases. The Beagles being used in this study were bred
by us and then vaccinated following a typical schedule used for pet dogs.
These Beagles have been closely followed for three years with blood and other
tests performed at regular intervals.

To date, routine vaccination of these Beagles has not caused any overt
signs of clinical disease. However, the blood of all the vaccinated dogs
contains significantly elevated concentrations of antibodies directed against
proteins that are present in commercial vaccines as contaminants of the
production process. None of the unvaccinated control dogs has had a
similar increase in these antibodies. These contaminant proteins are typically of
bovine origin since fetal calf serum is used as a component of the growth
media that is used to grow the viruses for vaccine production. The close
similarity in structure of the bovine proteins to dog proteins results in

situation whereby the antibodies produced by the vaccinated dogs may
cross-react with dog tissue proteins in a process similar to autoimmunity.
Experiments in other animal species suggest that these autoantibodies
might eventually cause diseases in the vaccinated animals, but these Beagle dogs
will need to be followed longer to determine if this is the case. In
addition, the pattern of individual responses of the immune system to
vaccination in this study suggests a possible genetic predisposition to
autoimmunity.

The study described above is unique in that it attempts to determine if
vaccinations that dogs routinely receive throughout their life have a
cumulative adverse effect. The only way this is possible is under
experimental conditions where one group of dogs remains unvaccinated. The
vaccine studies we are conducting both in Beagles and in pet dogs under
natural conditions are designed to answer the question: "Does vaccination
play a role in autoimmunity, how safe are currently used vaccines, and how
often should these vaccines be administered?"

Media Union
1075 Beal Ave. 2112
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Fax: 734 647 8045  Phone: 734 647 8041
         jringold@umich.edu

Friends,
A most disturbing item has appeared on the AKC website. It is
referenced below. Dateline will air a program that will be very
negative about the sport of purebred dogs and purebred dogs generally.
Please read the link below and forward to any list you can, any friends or
concerned lovers of purebred dogs. AKC has strongly objected to this
but  the Animal Rights Interests have gotten this one through. Please
read  and send your comments to those referenced.
http://www.akc.org/news/dateline.cfm

Some information that came in today ... VACCINATIONS---the BIG MYSTERY~
"I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats.

"Some of this information will present an ethical & economic challenge to vets and there will be skeptics.  Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs those concerned about potential side effects.  Politics, traditions or the doctor's economic well being should not be a factor in medical decision.
NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY "Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months.  If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces an immunity which is good for the life of the pet (ie: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper).  If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect.  The titer is not "boosted" nor are more memory cells induced.  "Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.  "There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines "Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk.  This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks.  Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks.  Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system.  A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age.  Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1 year 4 mo) will provide lifetime immunity.

CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOGS "Distemper & Parvo. According to Dr.
Schultz, AVMA, 8-15-95, when a vaccinations series given at 2, 3 & 4 months and again at 1 year with a MLV, puppies and kitten program memory cells that survive for life, providing lifelong immunity.   "Dr. Carmichael at Cornell and Dr.   Schultz have studies showing immunity against challenge at 2-10 years for canine distemper & 4 years for parvovirus.  Studies for longer duration are pending.   "There are no new strains of parvovirus as nmfg. would like to suggest. Parvovirus vaccination provides cross immunity for all types.  "Hepatitis (Adenovirus) is one of the agents known to be a cause of kennel cough.  Only vaccines with CAV-2 should be used as CAV-1 vaccines carry the risk of "hepatitis blue-eye" reactions & kidney damage.  "Bordetella Parainfluenza: Commonly called "Kennel cough", recommended only for those dogs boarded, groomed, taken to dog shows, or for any reason housed where exposed to a lot of dogs.  The intranasal vaccine provides more complete and more rapid onset of immunity with less chance
of reaction.  Immunity requires 72 hours and does not protect from every cause of kennel cough.  Immunity is of short duration (4 to 6 months).  RABIES "There have been no reported cases of rabid dogs or cats in Harris, Montogomery or Ft.  Bend Counties [Texas], there have been rabid skunks and bats so the potential exists.  It is a killed vaccine and must be given every year.
"Lymes disease is a tick born disease which can cause lameness, kidney failure and heart disease in dogs.  Ticks can also transmit the disease to humans.  "The original Ft.  Dodge killed bacteria has proven to be the most effective vaccine.  "Lyme disease prevention should emphasize early removal of ticks. Amitraz collars are more effective than Top Spot, as amitraz paralyzes the tick's mouth parts preventing transmission of disease.

VACCINATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED "Multiple components in vaccines compete
with each other for the immune system and result in lesser immunity for each individual disease a
s well as increasing the risk of a reaction.
"Canine Corona Virus is only a disease of puppies.  It is rare, self limiting (dogs get well in 3 days without treatment).  Cornell & Texas A&M have only diagnosed one case each in the last 7 years.  Corona virus does not cause disease in adult dogs.
"Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse reactions in dogs.  Most of the clinical cases of lepto reported in dogs in the US are caused by serovaars (or types) grippotyphosa and bratsilvia.  The vaccines contain different serovaars eanicola and ictohemorrhagica.  Cross
protection is not provided and protection is short lived.  Lepto vaccine is immuno-supressive to puppies less than 16 weeks.  (ed note:   Owners:    You are responsible for the welfare of your dog, not the vet.....make educated decisions and don't leave it up to your vet to tell you what your dog needs.....discuss this subject and don't let your vet make YOUR decisions for YOU...that goes for your own health as well.  We ran articles about vaccinations before but will repost them for your edifiation....so come visit HEALTH on Rottweb again for the "full" story.)

Convinction at last!!   Last night  48 hours ran a story about a couple that owned 3 rottweilers they had told people they were training in schutzhund.  These people had a "dumbness?" "boldness" "carelessness" to let the dogs escape from their kennels to roam and terrorize the neighborhood.   Neighbors complained on several occasions and police were called and the reports were logged.   The reason the story ended up making 48 hours headlines is that on one forage these dogs killed a child.   This time the humans got the blame and the woman was sentenced to 12 years in jail.   The judge recognized for a change that humans have to bear the responsibility for their dogs' behaviours and actions.   Let's hope that more judges have the intelligence to know where to place the responsibility....these dogs were used as weapons.

We got this from ADOA:

I have just put this on our website (adoa.org).  I believe that this may be the first or close to the first piece of propsed legislation in the country to deal with the problem of insurance companies refusing insurance or charging excessive premiums without reason because of homeowners owning specific breeds of dogs.

It would be great if each and every person who reads this to copy the format below and approach their state legislators and get them to introduce the same legislation in their legislature.

The guy that really deserves credit for starting this is Senator Dean Skelos of the NY State Legislature.......if anyone feels like giving him a little pat on the back, his ema is  SKELOS@Senate.State.NY.US      Here's the story:

!!! BREAKTHROUGH!!!    New York State....The Honorable Dean Skelos, Senator form NYS, has introduced legislation that would prohibit insurers from canceling or charging increased premiums for a homeowner's liability insurance based on the ownerhsip of a specific breed of dog.

SUMMARY:    The bill will amend the NYS Insurance Law by adding a new section to prohibit insurers from canceling, refusing to issue or renew, or charging higher premiums for homeowner's insuranced based on the breed of the dog owned.  However, if any such dog has been designated as a dangerous dog pursuant to the Agriculture and Markets Law, the provisions of this section shall in no mannger prohibit an insurer from refusing to issue or renew or from canceling any such contract or policy, nor from imposing an increased premium or rate.

ed note:   please return for further news on the above topic