After communicating with the AHVMA as to what it would take to get a study started to base vaccine dosage based on body mass, this is where we are. I brought Maggie in on the past couple of communications to ensure I was not misunderstanding or misrepresenting SM.
1. Dr. Jean Dodds is the one who came up with the proposed study and wrote the grant. She will be the one to do the study and is volunteering her time. They will not begin the research until all of the funds for the initial phase of the study have been generated, and will be relying solely on third-party donations. They hope that Spoiled Maltese can spearhead this fundraising. Dr. Nancy Scanlan is the one who takes care of the financial aspects and told us that they could feature our drive on their website. So there is a possibility of getting donations from outside of SM as well. This could also be thought of, in a way, of them helping to fund this study without actually taking money from their own reserve. I know many of us are also members of various FB groups that we can take this too as well. So by the AHVMA featuring the drive on their site, it would make it easier for others outside SM to donate.
2. The cost of the initial phase of the study (very small pilot with 20 dogs) is estimated at $5500. This first pilot study is pretty inexpensive and cost is being kept down also due the fact that veterinarians participating in this study will be volunteering their time. As for how long the first pilot study will take really depends on how many volunteer toy breed puppies they can find. If they have lots of toy breed puppies to vaccinate and test right away, the research would be done within 7 months. If it takes longer to find enough to complete the study, then longer.
3. The Foundation accepts donations at any time, but they only process research grants twice a year: January 15 and June 15. So if we raised the funds before January, the proposal would be evaluated later in January and the project would start somewhere around February/March. If we did a February fundraiser, the research would not start until after June 15. If after a specified period of time the $5500 can’t be raised, any money that has been donated can be directed to another study that AHVMA finds acceptable. They are already partners with The Rabies Challenge, so this would be a logical alternative. Dr. Dodds is currently researching an accepted rabies titer now that the results are in from the 5 year study. All donations to the AHVMA are tax deductible. They are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
4. If the $5500 is raised and the first phase of the study is successful, (Dr. Jean Dodds, believes it will be), there will be additional studies needed (and additional funding needed) before the results are significant enough to be presented to the veterinary community. The second phase would be approximately 100 dogs; no estimate on funding requirements was provided.
Ever since I've been a member of SM (something like 9 years), there has been discussion on Spoiled Maltese about our concerns that our 3-10 lb + babies are getting the exact same dose of vaccine as a Great Dane and what it would take to change the vaccination practice for small dogs. This is what it would take. It's important to point out that this is an independent study not tied to any pharmaceutical company, which is why it needs to be funded by donations. We want unbiased research and findings. I think it is also important to note that if your fluff has had a true allergic reaction to a vaccine, whether their allergy is coming from the actual vaccine or adjuvant, by reducing the amount of the vaccine will not prevent them from having another allergic reaction. But will it lessen the severity of the reaction for those that are having their first vaccine? My biggest concern with the way vaccines are dosed now is that I believe this is why we are seeing so many auto immune related illnesses/diseases in our toy breeds.
I have had someone express some concern that the AHVMA Foundation wants someone else (Spoiled Maltese) to do the fundraising for them; most likely it's because we're not the researcher or even a member veterinarian- just a group of concerned pet owners. Usually a veterinarian approaches the AHVMA with a proposed study that is already well thought out as to how to conduct the study as well as being the one to actually do the study. When I asked the AHVMA if there was already a study being done on this and what it would take to get a study started, they contacted several of their members. Dr. Dodds stepped up and said she would be willing to do this and came up with the actual grant as well as how to do the study. And as previously stated, is volunteering her time. I have listened to several lectures by Dr. Dodds and have heard her state on several occasions that vaccines should be dosed based on body mass. But that veterinarians are bound by law to give the dose that is printed on the vial. And it's the pharmaceutical company that makes the vaccine that decides not only the dosage but up until the Rabies Challenge Fund, the frequency of boosters. I also want to be very clear that if the study is successful, the AHVMA hasn't addressed who will need to do the fundraising for the subsequent phases of the study.
So now we come to you to get some feedback as well as dialogue as to any questions or concerns. Maggie can also jump in here and answer questions since she's also been in communication with the AHVMA on this. There has also been some discussion between the Mods on this as well. Lynn, Maggie and I are all in agreement that doing any type of fund raiser so soon after the Rescue Raffle and right before and during the holidays may not be a good idea. So we are wondering if starting something after the first of the year might be better. It was also suggested that in addition to dialogue on this thread, to also conduct a poll. So please feel free to discuss and ask questions and then vote so we know how to proceed.
Thanks everyone!!!
1. Dr. Jean Dodds is the one who came up with the proposed study and wrote the grant. She will be the one to do the study and is volunteering her time. They will not begin the research until all of the funds for the initial phase of the study have been generated, and will be relying solely on third-party donations. They hope that Spoiled Maltese can spearhead this fundraising. Dr. Nancy Scanlan is the one who takes care of the financial aspects and told us that they could feature our drive on their website. So there is a possibility of getting donations from outside of SM as well. This could also be thought of, in a way, of them helping to fund this study without actually taking money from their own reserve. I know many of us are also members of various FB groups that we can take this too as well. So by the AHVMA featuring the drive on their site, it would make it easier for others outside SM to donate.
2. The cost of the initial phase of the study (very small pilot with 20 dogs) is estimated at $5500. This first pilot study is pretty inexpensive and cost is being kept down also due the fact that veterinarians participating in this study will be volunteering their time. As for how long the first pilot study will take really depends on how many volunteer toy breed puppies they can find. If they have lots of toy breed puppies to vaccinate and test right away, the research would be done within 7 months. If it takes longer to find enough to complete the study, then longer.
3. The Foundation accepts donations at any time, but they only process research grants twice a year: January 15 and June 15. So if we raised the funds before January, the proposal would be evaluated later in January and the project would start somewhere around February/March. If we did a February fundraiser, the research would not start until after June 15. If after a specified period of time the $5500 can’t be raised, any money that has been donated can be directed to another study that AHVMA finds acceptable. They are already partners with The Rabies Challenge, so this would be a logical alternative. Dr. Dodds is currently researching an accepted rabies titer now that the results are in from the 5 year study. All donations to the AHVMA are tax deductible. They are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
4. If the $5500 is raised and the first phase of the study is successful, (Dr. Jean Dodds, believes it will be), there will be additional studies needed (and additional funding needed) before the results are significant enough to be presented to the veterinary community. The second phase would be approximately 100 dogs; no estimate on funding requirements was provided.
Ever since I've been a member of SM (something like 9 years), there has been discussion on Spoiled Maltese about our concerns that our 3-10 lb + babies are getting the exact same dose of vaccine as a Great Dane and what it would take to change the vaccination practice for small dogs. This is what it would take. It's important to point out that this is an independent study not tied to any pharmaceutical company, which is why it needs to be funded by donations. We want unbiased research and findings. I think it is also important to note that if your fluff has had a true allergic reaction to a vaccine, whether their allergy is coming from the actual vaccine or adjuvant, by reducing the amount of the vaccine will not prevent them from having another allergic reaction. But will it lessen the severity of the reaction for those that are having their first vaccine? My biggest concern with the way vaccines are dosed now is that I believe this is why we are seeing so many auto immune related illnesses/diseases in our toy breeds.
I have had someone express some concern that the AHVMA Foundation wants someone else (Spoiled Maltese) to do the fundraising for them; most likely it's because we're not the researcher or even a member veterinarian- just a group of concerned pet owners. Usually a veterinarian approaches the AHVMA with a proposed study that is already well thought out as to how to conduct the study as well as being the one to actually do the study. When I asked the AHVMA if there was already a study being done on this and what it would take to get a study started, they contacted several of their members. Dr. Dodds stepped up and said she would be willing to do this and came up with the actual grant as well as how to do the study. And as previously stated, is volunteering her time. I have listened to several lectures by Dr. Dodds and have heard her state on several occasions that vaccines should be dosed based on body mass. But that veterinarians are bound by law to give the dose that is printed on the vial. And it's the pharmaceutical company that makes the vaccine that decides not only the dosage but up until the Rabies Challenge Fund, the frequency of boosters. I also want to be very clear that if the study is successful, the AHVMA hasn't addressed who will need to do the fundraising for the subsequent phases of the study.
So now we come to you to get some feedback as well as dialogue as to any questions or concerns. Maggie can also jump in here and answer questions since she's also been in communication with the AHVMA on this. There has also been some discussion between the Mods on this as well. Lynn, Maggie and I are all in agreement that doing any type of fund raiser so soon after the Rescue Raffle and right before and during the holidays may not be a good idea. So we are wondering if starting something after the first of the year might be better. It was also suggested that in addition to dialogue on this thread, to also conduct a poll. So please feel free to discuss and ask questions and then vote so we know how to proceed.
Thanks everyone!!!