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?
| Unacceptable Answers: | |
 | I don’t know |
| I think they are the same |
| I need to check on that |
| 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. 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.
2. Do you follow and practice the vaccination protocols based on Ron Schultz’s & Jean Dodds’ work?
Acceptable Answer: Yes
| Unacceptable Answers: | |
| Any Variation of a “No” Answer |
| Who are they? |
| 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
| Unacceptable Answers: | |
| Any Variation of a “No” Answer |
| No because titers don’t indicate immunity |
| No because only vaccination ensures immunity |
| No because it is very expensive for my patients |
Acceptable Answer: Yes
| Unacceptable Answers: | |
| Any Variation of a “No” Answer |
| I’m not sure |
| Evading the question |
| All vaccines are completely safe |
Canine Diet & Nutrition
Acceptable Answer: Yes
| Unacceptable Answers: | |
| Any Variation of a “No” Answer |
| No – Raw diets are dangerous |
| No – Salmonella can be very dangerous to your dog’s health |
Explanation:
Traditional 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. Dogs are carnivores which means that 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.
Acceptable Answer: No
| Unacceptable Answer: | |
| 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.
Education & Breadth of Knowledge
7. Have you studied veterinary nutrition or holistic therapies outside of the standard veterinary certification program?
| Acceptable Answers: | |
 | Yes |
| I did further study of holistic therapies and animal nutrition. |
| I am affiliated with ACAN – American Council of Animal Naturopathy |
| I am affiliated with AHVMA – American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association |
| Unacceptable Answers: | |
| Any Variation of a “No” Answer |
| No – Nutrition is not critical to treatment |
| No – Veterinary school provides adequate education in nutrition |
Traditional 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
8. What type of tick and flea products do you prefer?
| Unacceptable Answer: | |
| 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 traditional 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.
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.
8 Questions to Evaluate Your Vethttp://essentiallydogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Vet-Examining-Dog-Steth.png
