| Comments: | CANINE RABIES CHALLENGE STUDIES BEGIN ! One of the most important vaccine research studies in veterinary medicine is underway at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison. Dr. Ronald Schultz, a leading authority on veterinary vaccines and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, has begun concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies to determine the long-term duration of immunity of the canine rabies vaccine, with the goal of extending the state-mandated interval for boosters. These will be the first long-term challenge studies on the canine rabies vaccine to be published in the United States. Dr. Schultz comments that: "We are all very excited to start this study that will hopefully demonstrate that rabies vaccines can provide a minimum of 7 years of immunity." This research is being financed by The Rabies Challenge Fund, a charitable trust founded by pet vaccine disclosure advocate Kris L. Christine of Maine, who serves as Co-Trustee with world-renowned veterinary research scientist and practicing clinician, Dr. W. Jean Dodds of Hemopet in California. The Rabies Challenge Fund recently met its goal of $177,000 to fund the studies’ first year budget with contributions from dog owners, canine groups, trainers, veterinarians, and small businesses. Annual budget goals of $150,000 for the studies must be met in the future. Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM states: "This is the first time in my 43 years of involvement in veterinary issues that what started as a grass-roots effort to change an outmoded regulation affecting animals will be addressed scientifically by an acknowledged expert to benefit all canines in the future." Scientific data published in 1992 by Michel Aubert and his research team demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination, while Dr. Schultz’s serological studies documented antibody titer counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 years post-vaccination. This data strongly suggests that state laws requiring annual or triennial rabies boosters for dogs are redundant. Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity. Adverse reactions such autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations. Study co-trustee Kris Christine adds: “Because the USDA does not require vaccine manufacturers to provide long-term duration of immunity studies documenting maximum effectiveness when licensing their products, concerned dog owners have contributed the money to fund this research themselves. We want to ensure that rabies immunization laws are based upon independent, long-term scientific data.” More information and regular updates on The Rabies Challenge Fund and the concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies it is financing can be found at the fund’s website designed by volunteer Andrea Brin at: www.RabiesChallengeFund.org WWW.RABIESCHALLENGEFUND.ORG . Mainer raising funds for dog study http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=152617&ac=PHnws The Rabies Challenge Animal Wise Radio Interview http://www.animalarkshelter.org/animal/Animal+Wise+Segments.nsf/HighlightsListen?OpenForm&Segment=43AF377786A21CFC862573AC007EE99B" (scroll down to The Rabies Challenge 12/9/07 to hear interview with Dr. Ronald Schultz and Kris L.Christine of The Rabies Challenge Fund) THE LATEST ON CANINE RABIES http://feeds.feedburner.com/birddogsforever Bird Dogs Forever Audio Episode A075 RABIES CHALLENGE FUND REACHES FIRST-YEAR GOAL: http://www.mainelincolncountynews.com/index.cfm?ID=26297 PETS: RABIES VACCINE RESEARCH MAY SAVE SOME PAIN http://www.newsday.com/search/ny-lspets5278482jul02,0,6559208.column THE VACCINE CHALLENGE http://www.animaltalknaturally.com:80/2007/05/01/the-vaccine-challenge-show-91/ HOW OFTEN DOES HE REALLY NEED A RABIES SHOT? - http://animalwellnessmagazine.com/m/m86/main.htm GET OUT YOUR WALLETS, RABIES CHALLENGE FUND A REALITY http://www.mainetoday.com/pets/dogslife/007915.html Are We Overvaccinating our Pets? http://www.spanieljournal.com/28lbaughan.html THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND http://blogs.mainetoday.com/dogslife/002976.html RABIES CHALLENGE FUND KICKS OFF FUNDRAISER http://www.courierpub.com/articles/2005/10/12/lincolncountyweekly/local_news/4news.txt NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO FUND RABIES VACCINE STUDY http://www.mainelincolncountynews.com/index.cfm?ID=14204 Challenging the Rabies Vaccine http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-lspets4432971sep19,0,1274963.column The Rabies Challenge Fund & Master Dog Training at the Womens Podcasting Expo - Show #42 http://www.replay-video.com/guide/index.php?start_page=http://applian.com/guide/view_podcast_details.php?show_id=2156 . U.S. Free of Canine Rabies Virus http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0741162020070907 US Declared Canine-Rabies Free -- CDC Announces at Inaugural World Rabies Day Symposium http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070907.htm Fort Dodge recalled RabVac 3 TF serial number 873113A rabies vaccine May 25, 2006 after a vaccinated dog contracted rabies (The Charlotte Observer http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/14786163.htm; http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/RabvacRecall.html). This batch of vaccine "was released into the veterinary market in November 2004 and expires June 29, 2006." Concerned owners can call Fort Dodge at 800-533-8536. Wyoming's State Vet Lab posted the recall letter at http://wyovet.uwyo.edu/Diseases_2006.asp. For a copy of Aubert's 1992 French challenge study demonstrating dogs to be immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination or Vascellari's study documenting fibrosarcomas in dogs at presumed rabies vaccine injection sites, e-mail me at ledgespring@lincoln.midcoast.com . PERMISSION GRANTED TO POST AND CROSS-POST THIS MESSAGE Kris L. Christine Founder, Co-Trustee The Rabies Challenge Fund www.RabiesChallengeFund.org The following, along with many pet owners, trainers, breeders, and kennel owners, have contributed to The Rabies Challenge Fund: Belleville and District Kennel Club Dachshund Club of America Health and Welfare Trust Fund Antelope Valley Kennel Club Norwegian Elkhound Association of Minnesota Kuvasz Club of America Star of the North Chinese Shar-Pei Club Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America American Shih Tzu Club Akita Club of America Great River Stockdog Club Dog Agility Racing Team of Chino Collie Club of Georgia Chesapeake, Virginia Dog Fanciers Association Capital City Cocker Club Bernese Mountain Dog Club of SE Wisconsin Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley Leigh Valley Kennel Club Kuvasz Fanciers of America Kishwaukee Kennel Club Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation Kennel Club of Buffalo Heart of Minnesota Great Dane Club Pacific NW Jack Russell Terrier Rescue Network Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada Northern Illinois Schutzhund Club Miniature Schnauzer Club of Southern California Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Greater Twin Cities Great Plains Bearded Collie Club Door County Scottie Rally Great Dane Club of New England Wachusett Kennel Club Evergreen Empire Manchester Terrier Fanciers Chicagoland Old English Sheepdog Club Standard Schnauzer Club of Southern California Staffordshire Terrier Club of America Saint Bernard Club of America Pacific Rim Golden Retriever Club American Bulldog Association Northeastern Indiana Kennel Club The Alaskan Malamute Club Saluki Club of Canada Great Dane Club of America Bernese Mountain Club of South Carolina Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club Iron Range Dog Training Club Alaskan Malamute Club of America Northeastern Indiana Kennel Club Bernese Mountain Club of Northern California Animal Farm Foundation American Bullmastiff Association Bichon Frise Club of America Twin Cities Llasa Apso Club Youngstown All-Breed Training Club Valparaiso Kennel Club Ochlockonee River Kennel Club of Florida Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America Paw Print Dog Club Health and Rescue Foundation of PBGVCA Akita Welfare League Greater Pittsburgh Golden Retriever Club Dog Agility Racing Team of Chino Western Reserve Kennel Club Onondaga Kennel Association Parson Russell Terrier Association of America Pembroke Welsh Corgi Clug of Southern California Sporting Dog Fanciers of New Mexico Lake Eustis Kennel Club The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Doberman Pinscher Club of America National Labrador Retriever Club Daybreak Kennel Bearded Collie Club of America Victory Crossroads Kennel Club Potugusese Water Dog Club of Northern California Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Greater Twin Cities Muncie Obedience Training Club The National Capital Bearded Collie Club Siberian Husky Health Foundation Great River Stockdog Club Gig HArbor Kennel Club Krusin Kanines Agility Club Paws Abilities Dog Training Weimaraner Foundation Fund Southland Weimaraner Club Nutmeg Portuguese Water Dog Club, Inc. Golden Gate Gordon Setter Club St Louis Herding Club Portuguese Water Dog Club of America Chinese Crested Club of Southern California Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Inc South Shore Kennel Club German Pinscher Club of America Orlando Dog Training Club Clear Lake Kennels Mid-Florida Shetland Sheepdog Club Ridgeback Rodeo 2007 Chambersburg Area Kennel Club Souhegan Kennel Club United German Shepard Dog Alliance Terra Cotta Kennels Labrador Retriever Club of the Pioneer Valley Chicagoland Dalmatian Club Heart of Minnesota Great Dane Club, Inc. Lehigh Valley Kennel Club Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc. St. Catherines Kennel Club The Albany Obedience Club Rio Salado Vizsla Club, Inc. Durham Kennel Club, Inc. Huntsville Obedience Training Club, Inc. Kilshannagh Veterinary Clinic Standard Schnauzer Club of Southern California Paw Prints Dog Club American Eskimo Dog Club of America Raleigh Kennel Club Five Flags Dog Training Club Anatolian Shepherd Dogs International Mile High Agility Training The Harrisburg Kennel Club Sta Can Kennels WWW.RABIESCHALLENGEFUND.ORG -- www.RabiesChallengeFund.org |