March 25, 2011

Pet Vaccinations - Are they dangerous?

We are all used to taking our pets to the vet for their regular vaccinations. But lately, you may have heard a lot of talk about the dangers or side effects about vaccinations, that some of the shots are not necessary and to stop. Is this true? Are you confused and troubled by the issue and don't know who to listen to or trust? Today Susan's guests are John Clifton, author of Stop the Shots! Are Vaccinations Killing Our Pets? who will speak about the risks of vaccinations and then in the second segment of the show we'll talk to a vet who I trust, Dr. Barbara Royal, DVM. We'll hear what she has to say about vaccinations and how she advises her pet parents. Between the two of them, we'll take this issue head on and get some answers.

Episode Segments:

Wild About Pets: Author John Clifton Almost every time you talk your pet to the vet, the topic of vaccinations comes up. Mr. Clifton talks about the pros and cons of vaccinations and how owners can make wise choices for their pets. He explains the potential dangers and how to determine if a previous vaccination is still functioning in your pets system.
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Wild About Pets: Dr. Barbara Royal Dr. Royal offers her perspective on pet vaccinations and whether pet owners should be concerned. She talks about the things she thinks pet owners should consider when vaccinations are recommended by their vet. (Photo by Mark Boyer of Noble Tree Media)
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Links to Related Websites:

Stop The Shots!: Are Vaccinations Killing Our Pets? Most pet owners aren't aware of the dangers in animal vaccinations that have been discovered in recent years. In this compact, easy-to-understand volume, John Clifton explains the very real risks involved every time a dog or cat gets a shot. This is an important book for every pet owner to read. In a conversational, direct, non-technical voice it guides the reader in formulating an intelligent approach to animal vaccinations.

The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center Owned and operated by Dr. Barbara Royal, DVM, The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center provides traditional veterinary services along with integrative medical care and rehabilitation, including underwater treadmill therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, herbal and nutritional consultation and chronic care.

Look While You Listen! This link will take you to WildAboutPets.net, where you can view the photos Susan and here guests are discussing, as well as other useful links.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

John Clifton John Clifton, a prominent advocate for owner involve- ment in the health of their pets, co-authored Sparky Fights Back: A Little Dog's Big Battle Against Cancer, which became an Amazon best-seller. As a follow-up to that book, Clifton and his wife and writing partner Josée Clerens founded an e-zine to update readers on new discoveries and techniques for curing cancer in dogs. This publication, Fighting Back: Canine Cancer Monthly is now in its second year online. Mr. Clifton (and sometimes Sparky) have made guest appearances on hundreds of television and radio programs across the country warning pet caretakers about the dangers to their pets' health and advising them on how to protect dogs and cats from cancer and other diseases. He has also had a long and varied career as a theatrical composer and lyricist, musical arranger, graphic artist, writer and educator. John, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, lives with his wife Josée and their dog Sparky in New York City. John's Website - Stoptheshots.com

Barbara Royal Barbara Royal, DVM, founder and owner of The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center, is an internationally-renowned pioneer in complementary medicine and physical rehabilitation. A passionate advocate of commonsense and cutting-edge approaches to optimal animal health, Dr. Royal provides a bridge between Western and Eastern medicine. Dr. Royal has extensive experience in veterinary care, including zoo, marine, and wildlife animals, emergency medicine, pathology, conventional practices, nutrition, herbal remedies, physical rehabilitation techniques, and alternative treatments. She is also an acupuncture expert for pets and exotic zoo creatures. She is the go-to veterinarian for Oprah Winfrey. A nationally-published author in numerous magazines and an international lecturer in her field, Dr. Royal is often featured in the media for her successful treatments of animals and groundbreaking work in veterinary medicine. She lives in Wilmette, Illinois with her husband, two children, her cat, Flag, and her dog, Henry. Her first book will be published by Simon & Schuster in Spring 2012. After graduating with high honors from the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine (1995), Dr. Royal’s early career was exclusively devoted to cultivating her expertise in state-of-the-art, modern veterinary treatments. Her work with greyhounds, who are hypersensitive to many medications, led Dr. Royal to explore the most effective modalities in ancient traditions. She completed training in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from IVAS, Advanced Western & Chinese Herbal Medicine through Tufts University, and studied Animal Physical Therapy and Healing Techniques at the University of Tennessee. Her uniquely practical and open-minded approach, skill as a diagnostician, and compassion for animals is much acclaimed: she operated on a room-sized grouper named Bubba at the Chicago Shedd Aquarium; she reconstructed a woodchuck’s de-gloved feet at the Woodstock Illinois Animal Hospital; and, at the Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo she became the first veterinarian in the world to perform acupuncture on a zebra. With her multi-faceted knowledge and her individually-tailored practice, Dr. Royal provides comprehensive care for her many patients. Dr. Royal on Facebook