Comments on: Lowering Vet Bills: 10 Tips for Keeping Costs Down

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:15:53 +0000

Hi Sue. The answer to your question is that ads are really good. They talk about great flavor and real meat and we humans think the food is good for dogs. It isn’t. It just has good flavor and some nameless meat — roadkill, maybe? If the meat isn’t named, beware.

Flavor and “real meat” are the biggest tip offs. But humans don’t listen. They hear what they want to hear. It makes them feel good.

I wrote an article you might like on my Blog4Dogs: http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog4dogs/category/dogfood/ You might want to pass it along to your well-meaning, but ultimately dangerous friends.

By: sue

sue — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:48:06 +0000

Hi Jan, I just finished reading your book and intend to pass it on to my sister in law who just adopted a poodle mix. She feeds her dog Iams and thinks this is a good product. How do you expain the extensive brainwashing of several generations of people who absolutely believe that kibble is good for their dog? People who would risk their life to save their dog from a speeding bus and spend their last dime at the vet feed the same kibble day in, day out and then are shocked when their dog gets cancer. How can I tell people about dog nutrition without offending them? Is the convenience factor of kibble the reason why so many people are so resistant to thinking about canine nutrition?

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:23:58 +0000

Sue, parvo IS ubiquitous. But there is proof that the vaccine gives immunity for 9 years or longer. Also, as you suspect, if your dog didn’t have immunity, he/she would likely be ill. The puppy series of shots gives close to 95% immunity. If you want proof, have a parvo/distemper titer test (pronounced TIGHT r). It’s a simple blood test. Your vet needs educating. The two top pet vaccination experts did a benefit seminar on vaccination and we recorded 2 hours. The proceeds benefit the study of the rabies vaccine. You should get it and show it to your vet. Or find another vet. http://www.dogs4dogs.com/saferpet

By: sue

sue — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:13:06 +0000

Hi, my vet says that since Parvo is ubiquitous, it is necessary to keep “current” on this vaccine in particular. However, since Parvo virus is everywhere, isn’t true that once our dogs are immune from their puppy shot series, they will get naturally boosted from their exposure, so, in fact, the opposite logic is applicable. In other words, if a virus is common in the environment, then the dog is very unlikely to need artificial boosting to maintain a high antibody titer. Sue

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:41:17 +0000

Hi Jenn. Vaccinating protocols have changed. The new protocols, from WASA and the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force, are to vaccinate NO MORE OFTEN than every three years for the "core vaccines." In fact, for most adult dogs who have been vaccinated against parovirus and distemper after age 15-16 weeks, the dog likely has lifetime immunity. The titer test, which needs to be done only once, not yearly, can prove immunity. If it does, then there are no more shots and no more titer tests. This is according to Dr. Ron Schultz, arguably the country's top expert in pet vaccination. This is a simplistic answer. Please read more about titer testing and Vaccinating Dogs: 10 Steps to Eliminating Unnecessary Shots for more information.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:00:49 +0000

I have recently found your site and find it quite interesting. Although I don’t necessarily agree with all your overall advice, you promote knowledge and questions and partnership with your vet, which I love.

This article is great and suggests things that many practices who like wellness medicine promote (like routine bloodwork, good nutrition, and prevention around the house). I am confused about your mention of titers in this particular article, though. It is true that vaccinating every 24-36 months will save you money and that titers are the appropriate way to determine that, but how will titers decrease your vet bill? More often than not, titers are more expensive than all your vaccines combined.

By: Janet

Janet — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:45:05 +0000

I always appreciate your tips in any area. I took time for a response of length to Swartzenegger’s proposal re the new tax, but it was refused because I don’t live in Washington. Why don’t they tell us this in the beginning?

I think we have to use common sense as to lowering vet bills, but some have none. Your tips are most helpful, as usual. We had a bill at an emrgency clinic of over a thousand bucks for tests alnd overnite. Can you believe????

janet berend

By: Janet

Janet — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:40:16 +0000

I always enjoy your writings, Jiggie……..

Merry Christmas to you……….and I like the way you look in your SAnta hat………

hugs galore,
janet berend