I didn't read the entire article either, it was very long. In my opinion, the best thing for my pets is for me to be an educated pet owner.

Last year I had to find a new vet because I moved. It's been difficult finding a small independent vet that doesn't push unnecessary vaccines, procedures and meds. I settled on one, and every time we have the same conversation about heartworm, which isn't a problem in my area. But he wants to do the tests and sell the medicine anyway. I'll just keep telling him no thank you.

I scanned it, but I do agree with it. I walked into Banfield once to have my dog vaccinated for Rabies because the groomer wouldn't accept him without proof of Rabies. It was a convenient stop since we were on our way to the groomers. I have never been to a vet where they pushed so hard for uncharges, more vaccines and pet insurance. Of course they had taken my dog in the back area and held him there while I kept trying to pay for the Rabies vaccination and repeating 'no thanks....don't need it'

I thought I'd never get out of there and I'll never go back.

It was a painfully long article :)

A few years ago, a vet asked me how my 100% indoor cats were going to get all the diseases I was vaccinating for. I didn't have an answer! She said the risk from the vaccines Was not worth it for me.

I haven't given them any vaccines since the age of three and always hoped I was dcan ing the right thing. This article made me feel a lot better. When I moved and saw a new vet, she strongly urged me to get more vaccines because, you know, a rabid bat could fly down my chinmney and bite them (I told her a dresser could fall on them too but I'm not protecting against that either :). I told her we could do blood work and check their titers to see if they really need anything. It turns out they are still protected

What I found most interesting was after going to Africa, the CDC called me to question my interaction w an animal that died of rabies a month after I was there (impressed they tracked me down!). When she learned I had a preventative rabies shot before trip, she said to be safe, they would have had me finish the series had I been in contact, but I really would have been fine w nothing else and I was most likely protected for life

That made me wonder about why we get pressured to give yearly rabies shots in some states and every three years in others and the CDC isn't even worried

My cats will have access to an outdoor courtyard When we move, so I'll look into giving them another rabies shot at that time because they'll have exposure to bats but maybe I'll do a titer first

Watch out for Banfield. Had a first time free coupon and took a new pet in (rabbit) The vet said I don't know much about rabbits but this one has a great, fast heartbeat. Must be OK.

There's more news this morning.

Mars Inc. is buying the VCA chain for $7.7 billion. They also own Banfield. I did not read that the two chains will be consolidated, but maybe down the road. As I said above, let's continue to give our business to our local, independent vets.

As most know, Mars is in the candy business, but it also makes Pedigree, Whiskas and Sheba.

In Texas, rabies is a very real hazard, and rabies vaccines are mandatory by every municipality, County, veterinary clinic, boarding facility, Grooming Salon, Etcetera. None of these places will accept the results of titers. Here, you are in violation violation of something somewhere if you don't have your pet vaccinated every single year. Corporate Veterinary Care, in my opinion, is no greedier than many vet clinics, and even low-cost vet clinics. An elderly friend told me that she took her pet to a new vet who opened a new practice close to her home. Her poodle's annual visit typically cost about $125. New vet cost? Almost $400. The sign in front of his office read " yearly visits are not enough. Bring your pet in every 6 months." Which of course doubled his potential income out of your pocketbook. And I once took a neighbor to the low-cost clinic to get her two male cats neutered. The clinic was running a special of $10 per cat, mandatory rabies vaccine maybe $7. She had to pay in advance with a debit card, and when she couldn't catch one of the cats, she asked for a refund. The receptionist however "counseled" her to get this and that and the other...They kept all her money.

Follow anything Dr Schultz has written about vaccinations, except for rabies. At this time, many states still have very strict rabies laws - Texas is the worst and for good reason - dogs crossing the border from Mexico which has lots of rabies. If you choose to ignore these laws and your dog or cat bites or scratches someone and is unvaccinated, you may be required to place your pet in quarantine for up to 90 days...at your expense. In some parts if the country (CA is one), the dog can be required to be euthanized and the head sent to the state lab - again at the owner's expense. It's just not worth the risk where rabies is concerned,

Dr Schultz and Dr Carmichael at Cornell are THE leading experts in the world on vaccinations. Just follow their advise. And shop around until you find a vet you truly like and who respects you.

Rabies is required here in NY unless there's a valid medical reason why it can't be done.

Dr. Carmichaels son is actually my dogs veterinary dentist..lol.