Here are 9 critical questions that a veterinarian should know the appropriate answers to. Most conventional vets won’t pass the test. This is a frightening thought which has inspired me to create this website.
Is your vet keeping up with veterinary studies and understand them as well? How knowledgeable is your vet? How progressive is your vet? Is your vet capable of providing the best care for your dog? How ethical is your vet?
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I don’t know |
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I think they are the same |
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I need to check on that |
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The amount of time they remain effective |
Explanation:
The study that was initially performed for rabies occurred within the time frame of one year. Therefore, only the results for that single year could be documented. Since they conducted the testing for 3 years (as Ronald Schultz and Jean Dodds facilitated), the results indicated adequate protection. Schultz and Dodds are leaders of the Rabies Challenge Fund which paid for that now shooting for a 5-year rabies testing to prove that the antibodies survive for five years. The final results are in my article 2020 Rabies Vaccine Study – How Long Does the Shot REALLY Last???. Their aim was to carry out those studies, but red tape and roadblocks got in the way.
2. Do you follow and practice the vaccination protocols based on Ron Schultz’s & Jean Dodds’ work?
Acceptable Answer: Yes
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Any Variation of a “No” Answer |
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Who are they? |
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Evading the question |
Explanation:
They are two scientists who are the top authorities on veterinary immunology. An ethical vet should follow those protocols. The best information comes from the top veterinary immunologists Dr. Ronald Schultz and Dr. Jean Dodds. Please read my article Are Dog Vaccines Really Safe? for critical information about vaccines. It is thanks to their research that we now have the “3 year” label on the rabies vaccines. They are working on increasing it to a “5 year” vaccine. I used quotations because the contents of the bottles are identical.
3. Do you encourage titers rather than continuing to give annual vaccinations?
Acceptable Answer: Yes
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Any Variation of a “No” Answer |
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No because titers don’t indicate immunity |
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No because only vaccination ensures immunity |
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No because it is very expensive for my patients |
Acceptable Answer: Yes
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Any Variation of a “No” Answer |
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I’m not sure |
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Evading the question |
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All vaccines are completely safe |
To see more about vaccines read my article Are Dog Vaccines REALLY Safe. I have included a wonderful video interview of Dr. Karen Becker’s interview with Dr. Ronald Schultz.
Canine Diet & Nutrition
Acceptable Answer: Yes
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Any Variation of a “No” Answer |
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No – Raw diets are dangerous |
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No – Salmonella can be very dangerous to your dog’s health |
Explanation:
Conventional vets do not have any nutritional background. Could the reason be that those commercial food manufacturers are funding the veterinary programs? Hmmm. Dogs are not biologically designed to eat the food that people buy from the market. They are animals. They require a diet that addresses their biological needs in a form that is acceptable for their species. According to the top nutritional experts in the country (Dr. Marty Goldstein, Dr. Ian Billinghurst, Dr. Karen Becker, Dr. Richard Pitcairn…), dogs are naturally and biologically designed to be carnivores which means that without human intervention they primarily consume meat, bone, organs of other animals. In the wild, they eat raw. All those vitamins added to pet food are there because the “food” itself is rendered void of nutrition. Tons of supplements are required to “balance” the nutrients. Please read more about food in my article What’s REALLY in Dog Food.
If you would like, you may read my article What I Feed My Own Dogs.
With regard to salmonella, according to the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association, “Surveys have disclosed that over 20% of the dogs in a population may be infected (with salmonella). That number could be as high as 36%. Non-clinical salmonellosis occurs in most cases.” In other words, not only do many dogs have naturally occurring salmonella in their systems, but the salmonella does not affect their health. You can read my article Salmonella: What’s the Truth?
Acceptable Answer: No
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Yes
Note: The vet will likely assure you that no products are sourced from China, but the truth is not so. I called Hills and they told me that they did, in fact, have ingredients that were sourced from China. Either the vet is lying or never took the time to do the research. SHAME!!! |
Explanation:
An alarming number of canned and dry food (including prescription food) contains ingredients sourced from China. Call the manufacturer to find out (I did). When you call the company, they are required to tell you factual information. Alarms go off when there is a list of more than 5 supplements on the dog food ingredient label. Sometimes you can count 20 or more supplements that are added. If a dog requires a prescription diet, why can’t the doctor create a diet that is biologically appropriate for the dog? So when a vet recommends food, he or she should be aware of its contents especially since China has such a bad reputation when it comes to dog products. Now basic law regarding labeling dictates that a manufacturer is required to specify the location of the manufacturing plant where the product was made. Companies are NOT required to specify the source of its ingredients. It behooves the vet to know exactly what he/she is recommending. Either the vet does not know or the vet doesn’t care to divulge such information. Either scenario is a disgrace.
Personally, I have eczema. Actually, I don’t HAVE eczema. I am PRONE to eczema. At times I’ve have bad breakouts. I have been to some of the best dermatologists in New York. I have tried steroidal and non-steroidal creams and other prescriptions. Not one doctor told me that juicing veggies, drinking more water, and taking a good probiotic supplement would prevent it and that applying coconut oil would relieve it. The juicing and probiotics made the symptoms of eczema disappear within days and attacked the problem AT THE SOURCE as opposed to making the symptoms disappear until the next breakout. The coconut oil helped to moisturize and soothe. A holistic or integrative doctor has that additional training to understand how to best treat the issue.
Education & Breadth of Knowledge
7. Have you studied veterinary nutrition or holistic therapies outside of the standard veterinary certification program?
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Yes |
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I did further study of holistic therapies and animal nutrition.
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I am affiliated with ACAN – American Council of Animal Naturopathy |
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I am affiliated with AHVMA – American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association |
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Any Variation of a “No” Answer |
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No – Nutrition is not critical to treatment |
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No – Veterinary school provides adequate education in nutrition |
Conventional veterinary programs MIGHT include a class in general nutrition. In order to study species-appropriate nutrition, further study (beyond a general veterinary program) is needed. Nutrition requires training that is without the biases of those who fund veterinary programs. Most veterinary programs are funded by the enormous pet food and pharmaceutical corporations so providing extensive nutritional education would be a conflict of interest.
Ticks, Fleas & Heartworm
8. What type of tick and flea products do you prefer?
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We routinely suggest on-spot treatments (Frontline…), flea collars, and prescriptions |
Explanation:
Ticks and fleas can be repelled without pesticides (yes… I used the word “pesticides”). The EPA defines the ingredients in those on-spot treatments as pesticides. Basically, if you need to avoid contact or wash your hands immediately, it is a sign that it is unsafe for your dog. My little Beverly (aka Bevi) had a seizure after applying one of those treatments. There are MANY dangers in on-spot, medicated collars, and prescriptions. Most conventional vets don’t know about natural tick and flea protection. They don’t have any knowledge of pesticide-free protection. To read more about ticks and fleas read my article Natural Flea & Tick Repellent. You may also learn about how to make your own flea collar with a simple DIY project in my article DIY Natural Flea Collar.
Explanation:
The study that was initially performed for rabies occurred within the time frame of one year. Therefore, only the results for that single year could be documented. Since they conducted the testing for 3 years (as Ronald Schultz and Jean Dodds facilitated), the results indicated adequate protection. Schultz and Dodds are leaders of the Rabies Challenge Fund which paid for that now shooting for a 5-year rabies testing to prove that the antibodies survive for five years. Their aim is to carry out those studies until they cut through the red tape of the pharmaceutical companies and the regulators to establish CORRECT standards for the rabies vaccination.
9. Do you recommend heartworm treatment cold Winter months?
Acceptable Answer: No
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Any Variation of a “Yes” Answer |
Explanation:
Heartworm is transferred ONLY via mosquitos! Heartworm can ONLY be transferred under very specific conditions. First of all, the temperature must be higher than 57ºF! There are many other conditions that must be in effect in order for your dog to get heartworm. Diet and over vaccination play a critical role in strengthening the immune system to help make dogs strong enough (immune system) so heartworm would be less likely to be contracted. There are natural supplements and products that provide adequate protection from heartworm so that pesticides are not necessary. Yes… Those products that are usually recommended by vets are categorized as pesticides and insecticides by the EPA. They are dangerous.
Read Heartworm Drama to learn everything you need about heartworm so you can assure your vet is doing the right thing for your dog.
I had an interesting experience when I accompanied a friend to see her vet. The vet wanted to give her dog a heartworm prescription to begin right away. I couldn’t keep my big mouth shut – what else is new. Here’s a little information first before I tell you what I said to the vet. Heartworm is transferred via infected mosquitos. It was a freezing January afternoon in New York when the vet said that the dog needs to begin the heartworm prescription treatment. I told the vet, “Isn’t heartworm transferred through mosquitoes that are infected?” She replied, “Yes, but it’s just a good idea to make sure.” I sarcastically responded, “It is the dead of Winter! Ain’t no mosquitoes around right now.” When my friend’s bill was ready she was called to the front desk to pay. She was given the heartworm prescription and was told that the vet wants her to start on it as soon as possible. This vet was clearly taking advantage.
To find vets who have studied beyond veterinary school to address health issues you may visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association website which has a search tool. The very most important thing to check off is the nutrition option. Veterinarians who lack the additional education in nutrition (beyond conventional vet school) are not likely to have the expertise in the MOST important part of health. The articles about food on my website illustrate how critical biologically and species appropriate diet is.
