Comments on Beware

A friend of mine said to me they took their dog to the only holistic vet in the area. She was given the option of using the holistic methods or conventional methods from the same vet. I blinked twice and shut my mouth because she was not asking my opinion.

The holistic vets i am coming across surely appear to be fauxlistic. One Dr needs records documenting the allergy. And proof of past rabies vaccines before writing exemption. What if the records do not show enough notation for them to be satisfied? His allergies have been managed with diet and supplements from my own research ...
30min wellness visit $110 for the exemption. Over an hour drive for me.
The local holistic vet Says she only gives exemptions for "severely allergy"
dogs. He isn't severe the goal for me is to prevent him from becoming severe. By not un-necessarily vaccinating.
My thought process is this. With even a healthy dog or cat that has had 2 rabies vaccines in the past 2 yrs...
Wouldnt a truly holistic vet be recommending a waiver to me.. not the other way around?
For the mere fact that the duration of immunity is longer than the 3 yrs we are being told?
Dr. Falconer i sincerely wish a vet that was more like minded to you lived nearby.

9 p.m. 7-24-15 Thank you for your Article, it is a breath of fresh air.....This is Regarding the Drug Quellin, & Our 12_lb. 4oz 8 yr. Old pom, we refer to as TheBear. After suffering through ITP & vets that insisted on Prednisone, We Believe" through simple observations of Bella, that we were killing her,they were profiting, & Bella was getting tortured over Our ignorance. After being told " You Will Kill Her" I opted to Wean Bella & started her on 50 mcg of vitamin K Daily. After 2 wks on vit k. I took her in for blood tests. But didn't let them know, Bella was off the prednisone. I was told " if she's off prednisone we won't be able to do blood test, as she may bleed out....Fear was constantly used. However, I left & was anxious to hear the results soon. BTW I immediately removed bellas cotton swab, & there was not more than a lteral speck" of blood on it. Anyhow, 2 days later the vet called and left a long winded voicemail regarding bears blood results, Fantastic" Just Great! She went through it all.... I kept that vmail for over a year. I called her back & she was incredulous, Then I let her know, Bella has been off the prednisone for weeks. Let's just say I wasnt her fan" yrs pass no problems. Vitamin K & turmeric were a constant. Milk thistle was given with the prednisone against their advice, whatever that's worth. FAST forward a few years & Bella went lame in her right rear, after jumping off the couch. We made an appt for xrays, & after getting them, we were given Quellin. 25 mg a day for 2 wks. Im not familiar with drugs, but after researching RIMADYL I was not anxious to give her Quellin. With prodding from the other half I relented & 12 hrs later we awoke to a pool of vomit & Bella clearly in distress. Then again vomiting.,without any contents, then again a few hours later......She appears to be doing better today. I also received a call from the vet today, reminding me of Bellas Next Visit, of blood tests & other options like RIMADYL....& to that I would say " Any DVM that isn't willing to learn past commencement, may be practicing barbarism. Via your friendly Pharmaceutical Companies. Or as I call them Fauxvet' Agree or not, Bella will be treated with other options. Cod liver oil, Turmeric, Devils claw, & as healthy a diet as I know how. Do No harm"................

Just today I had this correspondence on Facebook with a local vet clinic owned by a vet we thought was holistic, but now we're not so sure... we think "fauxlistic" is a better description...
Vet Clinic's original post (with photo):
Charlotte reassures Hazel after receiving her puppy vaccinations. Puppies receive a series of vaccinations every 3-4 weeks until they are older than 16 weeks. Canine distemper and parvo viruses are always around and can be deadly, so vaccination is a must for these young puppies.
Our Comment:
Do you also offer titer testing to avoid over-vaccination? We've heard about an in-office test called VacciCheck that is ready in 20 minutes, and we're always looking for vets who offer it so we can refer our customers to them. (we don't have any relationship with the company, we just like to promote optimum health).
Their first reply (which we gave a thumbs up):
We do offer vaccination titers, and are looking into the in-house testing.
Their second reply (which made us want to tear our hair out!):
Most holisitc veterinarians still feel that puppies need to go thru their vaccination series though. It is when they are older that vaccination titers come into play, in our opinion.
I'm so frustrated to see them speak for "most holistic vets" because clearly they do not. Either you believe in titer testing or you don't. Ugh!

Another excellent column! I just wish I could find a doc for humans who thinks like you do. There are so many fauxlistic practitioners out there!

I just LOVE this article, Dr. Falconer! I will be sharing it :) I really cannot drive home the whole idea of voting with our pocket books, any more than you already do.
But vets can be wonderfully understanding people, even the conventional ones. Classic case: I just moved 3 months ago to a rural area from Houston. My dogs have both been OFF chemical heart worm preventative, on a raw diet, and treated constitutionally by Dr. Falconer.
I took them to local mixed animal practice told them that I'd like heart worm tests for both dogs since it'd been over a year since any preventative.
Big eyes stared at me with a smile! I then educated the vet that I work with Dr. Falconer, a veterinary homeopath, I'm also a vet tech, and I make my own homemade raw diets for my dogs and do everything possible to support their vitality. But, told him that one dog has seizures on HW preventative and the other, bladder infections and skin growths when she takes the meds. And, that I was unwilling to put them at risk with those drugs.
He drew the blood, nodded his head, smiled, engaged with me, asked great questions, no problem at all. Negative tests. He compliments me on their condition and coats and basically says "Great job, let me know if you ever need anything!"
I can promise you that should my animals need conventional intervention for an emergency that I cannot handle with homeopathy/energy healing, or any diagnostics that Dr. Falconer would like, this vet is going to get my business.
Why? He respected me and my choices that I've made for my animals' best interest. I felt good about working with him even though he probably had little experience with my type! This is the kind of vet who is worth keeping. And, he must be smart not to judge his clients-he wants to earn a buck too.
Awesome work educating us all, Dr. Falconer.

Fauxlistic, I love the term.
Where I live we don't have anyone resembling a holistic vet. There are some on the don't ask don't tell list but I would only use them in an emergency. So I drive about 2 and half hours to Reno to see an integrative vet. When I was asked if my 13yo border collie, who has not had a vac in 11 years needed one I said "no". End of asking. I will be taking my other 13yo boy there next year to do a titers for the rabies. At least in our area of California they accept a titers in lieu of a vac though they won't give you a license. I wish I had gotten my 8yo Akita mix in early enough for a titers test this year. She got the shot and we seem to be back at square one with some of the rabies symptoms: reverse sneezing, watery eyes, aggression towards the other female in the pack (though that I think might be caused by her past). I need to peruse the list again and find a vet that is more into homeopathy and help her heal.
Thank you for this post and welcome back. Blessings

Wow, this is a great post and wonderfully-informing comments from readers, as well. Thanks all!
And welcome back, Dr. Falconer. I know that we all missed you and are thrilled you are back.
As for running into a "fauxlistic" vet...yes, indeed! The first vet we used in Austin was touted as a holistic vet, which was why we went to her. There was nothing holistic about this multiple-vet veterinary practice we were soon to discover. Vaccinations, toxic chemical baths for mange (totally ineffective), antibiotics, junky pet food and treats sold, scary disease posters in each treatment room brought to you by your favorite (NOT!) big pharma company, waiting room and clinical exam rooms filled to the max with people and their animals. Holistic schmolistic ! Hah! - not even close. And yet their multitudes of patients made it quite clear that people are not discerning or even curious as to why their pets need to keep coming back and back and back.
And this whole insurance industry which has arisen around pets was initially shocking to me, actually still is. When I thought about it, I realized that it's the same as our very-flawed human medical system. Sick people, for profit pharmaceutical companies, pharmaceutical reps, doctors, suppressive drugs, chronic disease, insurance companies, AMA--all complicit in a hugely financially rewarding business arrangement, and all at the patients' expense physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially.
And now we're doing this insurance thing to our pets. A friend, who had pet insurance, had a dog that experienced terrible itching (undiagnosed vaccinosis). It just kept getting worse and worse. And she just kept vaccinating the dog as per her twice-yearly reminders from the vet as well as vaccinating every time they took a trip so they could board the dog. The dog had open sores that were putrid smelling and chunks of fur coming out. She was considering an operation that would cost thousands of dollars (paid for by the insurance company) to try to alleviate her dog's disease. Upon hearing about this operation, I thought it would be quite unwise and quite risky for the dog. But the fact that the operation was "free" because insurance covered it, made the specter of it quite appealing to its owner. I don't know what became of the dog as I lost contact with the owner. But where we're headed as a society in the care of our pets is frightening.
This is reason it feels so good to have a champion for our pets' health such as you, Dr. Falconer. Thank you again!

Welcome back, Dr. Falconer! You've been missed!

Hi there-
I now go to Dr. Jenna at Smith Ridge (Dr. Marty's practice). I have learned so much. I wanted to share with you my article about waivers. http://www.essentiallydogs.com/medical-exemptions-rabies-vaccine. A great many vets know nothing about them and simply don't care.

I have a concern about the rabies vaccine waiver (if one can get it). My understanding is that if your dog bit someone, the dog would be considered unvaccinated. Now if they quarantined I could live with that, but my concern is that they could potentially euthanize my dog. I don't think that is a far-fetched concern. What are other folks thoughts on that? I have 3 years to figure it out as they whomped my rescue dog before I got her, but it really concerns me. I have a friend who has an awesome vet who does rabies titers and then "vaccinates" accordingly which means waving the needle over the dog. I need that vet!

I took my lab mix puppy to a "holistic" vet in the Dallas area. When I asked him if the puppy vaccine she had received could be the cause of her incessant itching, he said, "Oh, no. If it was a vaccine reaction, it would have been immediate." He did a scraping (OK), gave her a de-wormer (no test for worms), then gave me a liquid steroid to give her for a couple of days, saying that if it helped, then the itching probably wasn't food related. He also was sending me home with a special shampoo and an herbal extract. The bill was so high, I didn't have enough money with me to pay it, so didn't take home the shampoo and a couple of other things. I didn't know enough at the time to have ended the visit after the vaccine question. So I spent a lot of money for nothing. A year later, my dog is still itchy and I continue to struggle to find a cure for her.

Such a good article. I have had these same frustrations with vets advertising they are holistic then the first thing they want to do is shove antibiotics down my dogs throat. Then they keep me coming back for treatments that aren't working or pushing unneeded supplements. I had another supposedly holistic vet lecture me because I fed a raw diet. How could I possibly know how to provide the proper nutrients for my dog? Was I having my dog's meals analyzed in a lab like they do the kibble food he sold??? I was too shocked but later I thought I should have told him I don't have my child's meals analyzed either but I think I am perfectly capable of providing sound nutrition for her.
I want to thank you Dr. Falconer for your guidance a couple months ago. I had contacted you about taking on my 10 year old Whippet as a new patient but it was right before you were leaving. On your recommendation I went to the AVH website and found a vet there that listed 75% to 100% of her practice is homeopathic. I did a phone consult but she is about 2 hours away so if needed I would be able to bring my dog to her. I am happy to report that she hit the nail on the head with her first recommendation. I had the remedy on hand. Within hours our dog was improving and has been doing wonderfully since with only one dose!

Those that choose to fly under the radar have to keep a low profile.
Emergency veterinary clinics are user friendly, just fill out the form and confirm rabies vaccine is up to date; no current vet at present.
However, if your dog bites anyone or neighbors complain to Animal Control, game over.

Hi, lots of scary stories out there, making me even more scared! Over the past 2 years I have gone all natural with my dogs. I have refused anymore vaccines however, it's dreaded rabies time! Vet of course said I can sign a waiver but now Everyone has me worried I'll be turned in to animal control. Does any one know the laws in Pittsburgh pa? If my one dog did bite a person would I just get fined for not having a recent rabies vaccine? My biggest fear is they'll take her away. Everyone's thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi Dr Will,
Thanks for reminding everyone to get that Vaccine Waiver. We will have to drive hours to a wonderful holistic vet to get one as none of the vets here will give one for any reason.
We love your newsletter and have learned so much.
My large dog has outlived most large dogs around here that we meet from all the parks, trails and beaches that we frequent. It is sad to loose so many great dogs just because their pet owner was unaware that they were being lied to by their conventional vet. We feel like we may be the last one standing in the old big dogs group. My dog looks so healthy and happy, many cannot believe that my large dog is still active.
In the beginning we made a lot of mistakes with all the false info available and dr white coat salesmen and salewomen that lied to us, but now we are actively making healthy changes as the years go by. We feel bad that in the beginning we did not know better, but we just hope we still have a few more good years left.
I could list many other lies conventional vets have tried to push over on us and in the past was sold unnecessary tests just for profit and were totally unnecessary.
I will say I am not a favorite patient parent to many conventional vets, but one or two have commented that your dog is very lucky to have such an informed pet owner that is really looking out for their health.
Other conventional vets are happy to have my business and have the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. While I watch other pet owners being sold lots of vaccines and tests they don't need, I walk out with a very low vet bill.
But if there is an emergency which does occasionally happen to the most careful pet parents as we are out and about with our dog daily in nature and things do happen. The conventional emergency vet with the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy will get my business if they don't push vaccines on me. So they will make money treating my dog for the occasional emergency.
But any vet that cares about the health of my dog, will get more patients, because I do tell others if I find anyone that really cares about the best for my dog. If they are good to my dog then I want to share that info so they can get more patients.
I still believe in the Golden Rule, Do onto others as they do onto you. And it works both ways. If you treat me and my dog well, then good things will come from me.
If you treat me or my dog badly, then I will share that info with others too.
Thanks for the informative newsletter to help us pet parents become more informed to provide a healthier life for the love of our lives, our pets.

Thanks Kerrie. Very helpful. I forgot to mention that too. I never let the vet or technician take my pet out of sight. I have heard the horror stories from other dog lovers in our dog hiking group who said the vet tech takes the dog to the back, and loads the dog up on vaccines then brings the dog back, saying oh by the way, we gave your pet all their vaccines while we were in the back. Or just gives them a bill loaded up with vaccine charges, and they are so angry that the vet lied to them, never asked for permission to give the vaccines, etc.
Another horror story, is a lady said they took her big dog to the back and were not treating her dog well and were being way too forceful, as she could see thru the tiny exam door window. She was so upset, running to the back to get her dog, and it was a huge argument over how her dog was treated and telling the owner she was not allowed to go to the back. Another reason to never give your real home address to any conventional vet just incase something unexpected happens and you need to gather your pet and leave.
The other horror stories I have heard were when one said they did not want their dog vaccinated, so the vet called the local animal control to go to their house to fine them for refusing to buy the vaccines.
So I can not state strong enough, find a real home address that is not yours in the phone book, an address on the other side of town. Animal control is very dangerous. They go after many good people who believe in healthy pets. And remember animal control and the animal shelters main mission is to kill pets. So they don't care that you want a healthy pet.
Another tip, if animal control ever comes by your home, never answer the door. As many counties are sending animal control to knock on doors of known pet owners, the list they get from the local vets, to make money for the county to charge fines to make money for the county. A pet license and a rabies license is just a tax for the county to make money.
Remember the rabies vaccine is for profit not for protection.
Big Veterinary Pharma makes millions in profits from that dangerous rabies vaccine.
Like I said you must be your pet's guardian. Meaning you must guard your pet from those that want to cause harm for profit to your pet.
And you are not alone, along the way, I have found many other informed pet owners who are pet guardians too.

I did the same as T . Laid it out and said if you want my business this is what I need from you. In my chart it says NO Vaccines, no removing animal from exam room to do blood tests or other tests. No topicals, No HW drugs, No antibiotics, no pain medication( one of my dogs had a very hard time with a pain med , didn't want to wake up I thought he was going to die)There are a lot of No 's but there are no time wasting discussions about these things. We have an ok working relationship, I wish she was more open minded. I see her out and about more than the office and she always mentions putting the dogs on something. My question to her is always, "Why don't you like my healthy dogs?"

I know it is frustrating, but there are many ways to socialize your pup without going to formal puppy school or play dates. The local park is a great place as well as dog parks and pet stores. All are full of people and other dogs which are the things you want your dog exposed to. If you know how to train your dog in a positive manner, then you don't need a class. If you don't know this, then you can go to class (most classes are actually designed to teach YOU how to teach your dog) without the dog. You can also hire a trainer to come to you. but just getting out there with your dog and letting him/her meet other dogs and all sorts of other people in a positive manner is what socialization is all about!

​Thank you for your most wonderful blog and I think it's your best one yet. I especially enjoyed the human touch you give to the "owners" of these marvelous animals who are part of our lives, and the part about being prone to overly worrying really struck a chord. With multiple caregiving tasks and souls to tend in this household, things can get out of balance. Disempowering is truly what worrying boils down to.
On another note, please do write more about India! Very intriguing place.