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THE HAZARDS OF "GORILLA GLUE"
Apparently dogs like to eat "Gorilla Glue". "Gorilla Glue is a polyurethane glue, which means that as it cures, it foams," says Sophie Ragland, a company spokeswoman. The foam does not stick to the stomach lining but hardens into a loaf-like mass that must be surgically removed. Label instructions warn users to keep it out of reach of children and pets and notes that it "may cause gastrotintestinal blockage" if swallowed.
NEW VACCINATION PROTOCOL FOR GROTON VETERINARY HOSPITALS CATS AND DOGS
What is the immune system? Why is it important? The immune system plays a pivotal role in maintaining your pets health. One of the most important functions of this highly complex system of specialized cells and molecules is to protect pets from disease and infection caused by foreign invaders -viruses, bacteria and a host of other microbes and parasites intent on assaulting the body and causing disease.
What does vaccination accomplish? Vaccines are given to prepare the body's immune system against invasion by particular disease causing organisms. Vaccines contain antigens which to the immune system "look" like the organism but don't, ideally, cause disease. When the vaccine is introduced by injection or some other means, the immune system responds by mounting a protective response. When your pet is subsequently exposed to the organism, the immune system is prepared and either prevents infection or reduces the severity of disease.
Why do young animals require a series of vaccinations? Young animals receive antibody from colostrum (the first milk the mother produces) that is ingested during the early hours after birth. Maternal antibody helps protect against infectious disease until the youngster's own immune system is more mature. Unfortunately, maternal antibody also interferes with the vaccines ability to stimulate the youngster's immune system. To counteract this problem, veterinarians often administer a series of vaccines, usually beginning when the youngster is around six to eight weeks of age, and then repeating vaccination at three to four week intervals until maternal antibody has waned, usually at around twelve to sixteen weeks of age. In most cases (e.g., rabies vaccine) the initial vaccine is not given until maternal antibody has disappeared.
Feline and Canine Vaccination Over the past 50 years, vaccinations have helped extend our pets lives by several years. Over the past decade, we have learned all pets do not need all vaccines that are manufactured. Some vaccines last longer than we know, some vaccines can cause problems, and some pets life styles dictate what vaccine they need or should have.
For cats, we have been decreasing vaccine load for the past 4-5 years, as the research for cats and vaccines was dome first. Now, dogs have been explored, and we are attempting to do the same thing; vaccinate as necessary and less frequently, if possible.
Once a cat or dog is 3 years old, we start their new protocols. With all of the new changes we want to make sure our youngsters are totally protected before we start excluding fractions. There is always the possibility the researchers will change their minds, and we don't want to be caught in a confusing situation.
All cats and dogs have to follow the rabies law of each individual state. In MA after the initial 2 rabies vaccines given, 9-12 months apart, the vaccine is then given on a 3-year basis. All of the rest of the vaccine fractions are according to age and life style. For cats, the distemper (panleukopenia) fraction, lasts for several years and so we push that 5-7 years. The upper respiratory fractions are variable and we push 2 years. Leukemia vaccine is for cats that go outdoors or for cats living in a house with a leukemia positive cat. Dog distemper (parvo, hepatitis and one upper respiratory fraction) can be pushed 3 years depending on age. Lepto, lyme and bordetella need to be every year. Therefore, each year will be a different combination and if your pet needs more than 2-3 vaccinations at a time, we ask you to return in 2-3 weeks later so we do not overload the immune system.
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