This is a true story sent to us by Elaine.

Here is a picture of my precious standard poodle boy Albert, who is sadly no longer with us.

Albert came to us from Poodles in Need on 9th March 2008 at about 11 months old. He was the life and soul of the party, and a very much loved addition to our poodle family. He was with us for just over a year when his life was tragically cut short.

A few months later he went with the other dogs to vets for his booster, and two weeks to the day after this he had his first seizure. It was a worry and we gave him the best care and treatment we could, but the seizures were never really under control and he had them approximately every two to three weeks. It was frightening and horrible and each set of fits seemed to get progressively worse. He was medicated and the medication was regularly increased. When he was well he was the life and soul of the party. He filled a room with his presence just by being in it, and we loved him more and more because he was so vulnerable. After each set of fits he became clingy and needed his mummy - holding onto the hem of my skirt with his teeth and following me around like a shadow. We were terrified of leaving him at night (he usually had his fits in his sleep) and my husband and myself took turns to sleep downstairs with him over the space of the last six months of his life.

Then one evening he started fitting whilst he was awake. It was utterly distressing as the seizures threw his body around the room against walls and furniture. I treated him with appropriate meds, but even after he had had the maximum 2 doses he was still fitting. He fitted all the way to the vets and then through the night even though he was heavily sedated. In the morning I looked at this poor broken boy and told the vet I thought it was time to put him to sleep. He was still "not back with us" and after all those fits we did not know if he would ever come back or what he would be if he did; and it could all start again the next day or the next week. I held my baby whilst he slipped away gently, and silently broke my heart. My only comfort is that at least he is now at peace.

I am not saying to anyone do not vaccinate your dog. I vaccinated dogs for over 30 years, but now realise that what was in vaccines back then was very different to the strength of the cocktails we are now using. I am also only too aware that some vets are doubling up on vaccinations when rescue dogs come in without a vaccination history - a dog's resistance can be tested in much the same way as a human can be tested for immunity before vaccination.

I will never boost my dogs again, but am taking the homeopathic route. I just want people to be aware that an increasing number of dog owners are experiencing the pain and distress of losing their dogs after boosting them, and that there are alternatives.

Dogs can be treated homeopathically with NOSODES. There are homeopathic vets around the country who will supply these to pet owners to administer orally. Nosodes pillules can also be obtained from Weleda, a herbal company based in Derbyshire, once advice regarding dosage has been obtained from a vet. Many breeders have told me they are now using this method after a pups initial vaccinations.

I asked some people about how they manage with holidays if boarding kennels require vaccination certificates. I gather some kennels will accept written confirmation of homeopathic treatment from a registered homeopathic veterinary practice, other people have told me they use house/pet sitters or take their dogs with them on UK holidays.

Only you can decide what is right for your pets, and you should only make your decision after talking with appropriate professionals.

A good source of support and information is Catherine O'Driscoll at 'Canine Health Concern'.

British Association of Homoeopathic Veterinary Surgeons - Chinham House, Stanford in the Vale, Faringdon, Oxon SN7 8NQ. Tel 01367 718115 (you can obtain a list of qualified homoeopathic vets from here - please send a sae).

Weleda UK Ltd
Heanor Road
Ilkeston
Derbyshire
DE7 8DR

Phone: 0115 944 8222
Fax: 0115 944 8210
Email: weleda.direct@weleda.co.uk

Beautiful Beau died aged 7 years from cancer related to vaccine, as verified by post-mortem.

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