According to the CDC, "Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative" and "is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose (multi-dose vials) to prevent growth of germs, like bacteria and fungi." The CDC says thimerosal is safe.

However, in 1935, the Pittman Moore Animal Pharmaceutical Company warned against its safety “even in dog serum”  because they found that over 50% of vaccinated dogs suffered inflammatory reactions to Thimerosal because it "a very inflammatory neurotoxin and genetic mutator" (read more on that here).

Despite this warning, most of the vaccines our dogs receive still contain it.  So if our dogs continue to receive vaccines as typically scheduled: at 6 - 8 weeks, 10-12 weeks, 16-18 weeks, 12-16 months, and yearly boosters, that's a whole lot of thimerosal.

Here is the issue:

Puppies are already born with antibodies and protection against common disease from their vaccinated parents whose parents were also vaccinated and their parents who were also vaccinated and with this protection also comes thimerosal, which again is a "a very inflammatory neurotoxin and genetic mutator."  So, if it is possible that thimerosal altered genes of parent dogs, It is quite possible that these mutated genes are being passed down from litter to litter as well, causing sickness literally from conception.  And, since most bulldogs are born via c-section and do not receive healthy bacteria from their mothers' birth canal, the stage is set for perfect storm of illness, which is why your dog is sick in the first place.

So what can you do?

Create the best environment for your animal as possible

• Vaccinate carefully. Follow Jean Dodd's vaccine schedule instead of the AKC's schedule.
• Always ask for a titer test determine if your dog needs a vaccine, based on their individual antibody levels before administering a shot they may not and probably don't need if they were once vaccinated already.
• Detox your dog after each shot.
• Feed real food.  Raw or home-cooked.