Reason #1 to Fire Your Vet: Annual Vaccinations

(or, Never Hire This Vet in the First Place!)

In presenting my online course, Nosodes, Tautodes & Titers, it’s been a somewhat radicalizing experience as a teacher. Somehow, I’m seeing with fresh eyes just what you are up against in the world of conventional veterinary medicine.

I wrote a post for the course called Strategies for Skirting Rabies Vaccinations, filled with ideas that have worked for regular people who’ve recognized the need to stop re-vaccinating already rabies-vaccinated animals to keep them safe from chronic disease.

The more I read about the shenanigans conventional vets are using to get you more of these vaccinations, the more angry I get.

Dr. WhiteCoat often just lamely falls back on the law about rabies, as if he’s The Enforcer or something, wearing a deputy’s badge for the county or state or what ever governing body has the law on their books that says “YOU MUST repeat rabies vaccinations every ____ year(s)!”

Very few vets care to get up to speed on immunology’s understanding of how those laws are both inept and impotent to increase your animal’s immunity against a disease they are already immune to. From their earlier rabies vaccine.

The Truth Behind the Rabies Laws

If you haven’t already taken this free course, inside, you can see how my colleague Dr. John Fudens dug in years ago as a paralegal to find out the history of the rabies laws in his county.

Using the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act, available to every citizen of the U.S.), he found his law was promulgated by, you guessed it, veterinarians who stood to profit from its passage.

There were no cases of canine rabies in his country from 1964 up until 1978 (14 years), and yet, in the latter year, a rabies law was enacted for every dog in the county.

From 1964 to 1989 (25 years), the were no reported cases of rabies in cats in his county, and yet, in 1989 a law was made for all cats to have rabies vaccinations, tags, and licenses, just like the dogs.

Follow the Money, Honey

Who was behind these laws, nominally made to protect the populace from a scary human disease that hadn’t been seen in many, many years?

As you may have guessed, it was three local veterinarians with a fourth from the state’s vet school, and others from the county animal control bureaucracy, all of whom were destined to profit from the vaccinations now mandated on the public!

Did they happen to take into account the understanding of veterinary immunologists, who’ve known for decades that,

Immunity to viruses persists for years, or for the life of the animal.”

No.

Did they reason that subsequent vaccinations throughout life would just keep boosting and boosting that immunity set in by the first shots given? Or, did they miss the part where the veterinary immunologists said,

Furthermore, revaccination with most viral vaccines fails to stimulate an anamnestic (secondary or “booster”) response…. The practice of annual vaccination in our opinion should be considered of questionable efficacy…”

When these same veterinary immunologists, Ronald Schultz and Tom Phillips, writing in a mainstream, well respected textbook called Current Veterinary Therapy XI, said,

A practice that was started many years ago and that lacks scientific validity or verification is annual revaccination. Almost without exception there is no immunologic requirement for annual revaccination,”

…were these eminent law makers offering their own research to prove otherwise?

Nope.

They were passing laws that would help line their pockets.

An Embarrassing Profession

It’s been reported that, counter to not only the recommendations of immunologists in the veterinary field, but just about every professional veterinary group like the AVMA, AAHA, AAFP, etc, and the majority of veterinary schools in the world, that 60% of my colleagues still vaccinate annually.

That’s just plain embarrassing.

In case you don’t believe me, you can do your own browser search for this term: “annual vaccinations.”

Truly scary to see just how many vet sites come up.

And truly embarrassing.

And, if that’s what you’re faced with, please be aware that that practice is causing harm to your animals, each time you line them up for more vaccines.

Why Avoid These Veterinarians?

The harm from repeated vaccinations is apparent. And has been for years, for anyone who is looking to find it.

Here are just a few examples, from both research literature and practice experience.

Fire This Vet!

Any vet choosing to ignore the lack of efficacy and the risk of harm that comes from repeated vaccination throughout your animal’s life, especially annual vaccinations, deserves to lose your business.

If you have a vet who’s willfully continuing to practice this way, in the face of all evidence condemning this, you have one best course of action:

Fire Him!

For extra credit, and to have a greater effect on changing the world that your animals now must live in, besides telling him you’ll no longer contribute your hard earned income to his practice revenue,

Tell Him Why.

We can only change this out of date, useless, and harmful veterinary practice by speaking up.

Have no doubt of the power you possess.

If you’ve done this already, your example is likely to inspire others. Please share your experience in the comments below. We stand far stronger as a pack than as lone, educated and inspired individuals.

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71 Comments

  1. Wisteria on January 8, 2020 at 11:10 am

    This is an older post, however, my vet has told me that my cat needs to have those “annual” rabies shot. He got sick from the first one, and I don’t intend to go back – being sick shows that he reacted to the virus and he is fighting it. Therefore, he has antibodies. Antibodies always remain in the system. Do humans get more than one measles shot, or chickenpox, or polio vaccines? Antibodies remain in the system forever. But vets decided that now our animals need to have more shots with dangerous fillers, when the antibodies occurred during the first shot. I am very upset (not going back, though) because I am in my 70s . I never ran into a case until recently that a vet demands to have more vaccinations when the animal already has antibodies. It’s just general science. Thank goodness I know about this because I’ve lived through enough diseases. I also remember being one of the first to get the polio shot. That was it – one shot – and it wiped out polio (in the U.S.). Are vets no longer trained in science? Or is this a national scheme to get more money out of clients for “vaccinating” an already vaccinated animal? Not to mention the fillers to “preserve” the shot for long periods of time, that can hurt an animal. In the U.S. education has severely declined. Now, I have to see it in supposed “animal doctors” who should know basic immunology. This is an outrage and I would like to see more public information for others about this topic. Thank you.

    • Michelle on September 4, 2022 at 6:55 am

      I will never vaccinate a pet again with anything!
      However, polio was a scam the disease was iradicated before the vaccine came out. It was a lie/scam by big pharma & our corrupt government. No vaccine is good for humans either. They are full of toxic cancer/disease causing garbage! “The truth about vaccines” is very educational.

  2. Lynne Riney on August 16, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    I live in a small town in southwest Kansas. The town I live in – it is the law that you have to vaccinate your dog every year and to top it off the vets in this town use a THREE year vaccine every year – not a 1 year, a 3 year rabies vaccine. You cannot board your dog or take it to a grooming shop if the dog is not current on its rabies shot.

  3. Ana on August 9, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    I recently had to bring my cat in for a scratch on his eye. At the time was 1 week before his rabies shot is due. The vet insisted on giving him a rabies shot. When I asked about the 3 year rabies shot, she said the 3 year rabies are not safe and causes cancer. I let her give my cat the 1year rabies shot and went home to research. I found that either she was lying or just not informed at all. A safer 3 year rabies vaccine was approved in 2014 and was also recommended over the 1 year rabies shot. My cat is totally indoor and really doesn’t need the vaccine. I am pretty upset for trusting her and not speaking up since I kind of suspected but can’t be sure until I went home and researched it. Needless to say, I will never let my cat get anymore rabies shot in the future.

  4. Maureen on February 22, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    Our local vet refuses to see or treat my dog Ruby because I will not have her revaccinated for Rabies. Ruby was diagnosed with bladder cancer 28 months ago. She is being treated for the cancer at a university vet teaching hospital, two hours away. I need a local vet for blood work and emergencies. In my opinion, this local vet would rather kill my dog. So frustrating, really makes me sick.

  5. Ros on February 14, 2016 at 9:58 am

    Hello Dr Falconer, I agree with your views on vaccinations. One of the vets scared me by saying that the wind blows all the diseases from the areas where there are sick unvaccinated animals, and our animals will contract the diseases as well. Its hard to argue with them.I am in South Africa. Thanks Ros

    • Will Falconer, DVM on February 14, 2016 at 1:35 pm

      Ah, that ugly old fear, a tool to subjugate the consumers of medicine, human and animal. The premise sounds way off: “sick unvaccinated?” So, the only healthy ones are the vaccinated? I’ve seen just the opposite.
      Thanks for your comment, Ros.

  6. Peter on December 17, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    Hi Dr Falconer,
    I think I’m at a crossroads now. My dog is due for her rabies vac February 6th. I just bought a titer test from Hemopet for rabies, distemper and parvo. My vet just emailed me to say the distemper and parvo titers are fine but she does not suggest going forward with the rabies titer because she checked with the state for me, and although the vet is suspicious that my dog could have IBD or some GI disease, she doesnt think doing a biopsy is a good idea to diagnose (i agree) and allie has responded well to the diet change (raw diet) and is doing a lot better. I agree. But I still dont want to give her the rabies vac because Allie is not a truly healthy animal and is immune compromised some how and I know the vaccine would do her harm. She has had the rabies shot several times in her life. I dont think she needs it again. But as my vet says “The state of MA will not accept a medical exemption on Allie without extensive documentation to substantiate the claim that Allie would be harmed by getting a rabies vaccination. Rabies laws are set up to protect humans not animals. I don’t agree but I can not change the laws.” She also said “I also wanted to address the information about IBD, cobalamin testing, GI panels, etc that you put in this email. First, I am very well aware of these tests and have run these tests on many patients. I normally reserve GI panels for dogs that are not responding to diet changes, acupuncture, or TCVM as they are very expensive tests. ”
    I’m very nervous because i know the right thing to do for my dog’s health is to just not vaccinate her, which means not re-licensing her, and that could mean she may not be able to attend day care anymore, and also what if there is an emergency some day, would an ER vet take her for treatment if she wasnt up to date??
    I am so upset that i can’t get the waiver. i only have a little over a month to decide what to do. i would HATE myself if i got her the vaccine and something happened. i know in my heart its not right. i may have to lie to the town and say she died

    • Will Falconer, DVM on December 18, 2015 at 7:11 pm

      Hey Peter,
      No way should she receive another rabies vaccine! She’s got an automatic unhealthy waiver. Vaccinating her would be malpractice (though, this likely happens daily in multiple animals, if my referral records are at all representative of the conventional mindset on vaccines).
      I’d forget the waiver battle. If your state makes it difficult, you’ve got to resort to a plan B that works. That may include deception. So be it.
      You have fulfilled the intent of the law. She’s immune to rabies now, for the rest of her life. Fulfilling the letter of the law is foolish in a sick dog.

      • Peter on December 20, 2015 at 4:08 pm

        Thanks Dr. Falconer. I’m doing the Titers still because her daycare wants some record that she is good but will definitely not be vaccinating her anymore. My current vet agrees with only vaccinating once but still follows the law for her own dogs, however she said she would still take my dog as a patient there, and I’ll likely have another convo with her in a week when she draws my dogs blood for the Titers. I’m not sure if I will photoshop the vaccination certificate I have to make it seem current (could be risky if town checks) or just quietly drop out. I do take my dog to daycare and will also take her off leash in the woods and we frequently run into other dogs. She is a very good dog but hopefully we have an issue. I definitely don’t want to keep her locked in the house 24/7 just to protect her from getting into a scuffle with another dog or a potentially rabid animal.

  7. Peter on December 10, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Also i have some green tripe on the way for my dog to try, and thinking about doing acupuncture for her.

    • Will Falconer, DVM on December 13, 2015 at 4:01 pm

      Hi Peter,
      Autoimmune disease, IBD included, is classic “immune confusion” disease. The symptoms line up well enough to back into the diagnosis.
      The goal is to cure it. As you’ve likely seen, diet changes don’t quite get you there, and in my experience, neither does acupuncture. Better by far is hiring a homeopath to help you reach the goal. My Resources page has the AVH list. I’d start interviewing a few homeopathic vets and see if you can get help.
      Curing chronic disease is not DIY. Tough work, even for those of us at it for 20 years or more.
      All the best to you.

      • Peter on December 13, 2015 at 5:16 pm

        Thank you Dr. Falconer. I will look for homeopathic vets.

  8. Peter on December 10, 2015 at 5:06 pm

    Hi Dr. Falconer,
    A year ago, my dog was, behaviorally, a terror. I found a balanced trainer and now my dog is amazingly well behaved. I can take her off-leash in the woods, she goes to day-care, goes for “pack walks” with up to 8 or 9 dogs at a time, or more! Loves the treadmill, and is fed raw (Bravo). All her life I thought she was a picky eater (she ate kibble), and that she had a sensitive stomach. Always brought her to the vet for diarrhea, loss of appetite, mild dehydration, gurgly stomach.. etc. A year ago I tried a particular raw brand and initially my dog did good, but then she would just pick and then eventually she stopped eating. Lost 10 pounds or so accumulatively over a month and a half of this pickiness, and was hospitalized with an Internal Med. dept at Tufts. They tested her for Addisons. She is fine, they just said they couldn’t figure it out, to keep an eye on her and bring her back if it continues… I got that same answer for years and I was tired of it. I had to do all my own research. I wasn’t going to accept that answer anymore. I found Dr. Dodds, I did the thyroid test, again my dog was fine, but I decided to do the food sensitivity test just because I had nothing else to lose, and there were a lot of ingredients in the kibble as well as that pre-made raw diet i was feeding that my dog couldn’t tolerate.. So I found another raw, limited ingredients, did some research on the right supplements.. and I haven’t been back to the vet in a long, long time. I found a new vet actually because they did not support the raw food and they got even madder when I said I wasnt interested in the bordetella vaccine and i was stopping the chemical flea/tick/mosquito drops. I just recently decided to stop giving HG too and got your eBook about heartworm prevention. The only issue right now is… my new vet believes my dog has IBD. I am doing a good job of maintaining it I think, but my dog will do well on raw (sometimes i lightly cook it and also give a probiotic) but there will be times (days and weeks sometimes )where she does not want the raw but will eat cooked chicken with 100% canned pumpkin and maybe some slippery elm. A week of this or so to get her system feeling better then she goes back on raw. It’s a cycle it seems. I dont want to put my dog through a biopsy to confirm IBD. But I believe that a rabies vacc. is a terrible idea in general, but especially for my dog who appears healthy but in reality her gut is not healthy. I don’t know if I will be able to get the rabies vaccination waived but am trying to read about it, ask and see what can be done. I always have fresh purified water for her, she gets a lot of exercise, socialization, a raw diet with supplements like ACV, curcumin, spirulina, krill oil, raw organic pumpkin seeds, a probiotic, 100% canned pumpkin… not all at once tho
    Anyway just curious your thoughts.. it is a lot of work and $$ but i feel it is worth it and i have become so passionate about it. i was one of the clueless people who used tufts nutrition service paying hundreds of dollars and they sent me a list of prescription diets and commercial kibbles i could feed.. and told m there was no proof that fresh whole foods were better than kibble. And i listened but i knew thy were were wrong and i finally had enough and decided/realized i guess i have to figure it out myself because all they want to do is give me drugs to cover up the symptoms for maybe a week and then I’m right back at the vets for th esame problem, spending more money, and they have no answer for me…. So happy I found you, Dr Becker and Dr. Dodds

  9. Alison Martin on December 8, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    My vet says, by law, she has to administer the rabies vaccine every three years for her to be able to treat my dog. I have a feeling that is a bunch of nonsense (not the word I would really choose!!). I live in Nebraska and have been searching for an answer to this but not finding anything concrete. Has anyone else heard this from their vet? We have no holistic vets in the area. Thanks for any input!

    • Will Falconer, DVM on December 9, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      Hi Alison,
      This is a common stance, using the “law” to force you into compliance to get treatment. I, too, would use a stronger word to describe this stance, starting with a B. Time to fire your vet and look for another more thoughtful one.

  10. Kristina Young on November 25, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Hi, I will be getting a new puppy, an Affenpinscher, at the end of December and wanted to know about vaccinations. I instructed the breeder to not give him any vaccinations. We will be picking him up at 11 weeks of age. I plan to introduce him to good dog parks for a few minutes each week and then check to see if he has immunity to parvo and distemper. I don’t want to give him the rabies vaccination but because I live in Texas and also travel to France, I have no way out. Previously I titered my former dog for the last eight years with very good passing titers. But because my last two dogs and cat had severe vaccinosis, I want to know what you think about partial (1/2) amount of the rabies vaccine and then titer testing him?( Done at 6 months old) Should I do two titers spaced 2weeks and then a month later, if he does not pass the first time? Should I give him the other (1/2) vaccine? If he could be herd immunized with rabies vaccination antigens that would answer every thing, but that is not possible. Please give me your advice, as I will need to do something later this spring.

    • Will Falconer, DVM on November 30, 2015 at 1:15 am

      While a half dose of a vaccine may reduce the toxic load, I think it will not moderate the bigger risk of vaccinosis one iota.
      If you can find someone about to vaccinate for rabies and commingle right afterwards, odds are your problems will be over.
      The frequency of titer testing should have no bearing on the outcome: he’ll either convert (make a titer) or he won’t, after an exposure. One test 3-4 weeks out should tell the story yea or nay.

  11. Marcia Wieting on November 22, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    Hi I have a 14 week old maltese puppy and I was wondering what I need to do about vaccines. She has had 3 sets given by the breeder not me. I took her to my vet and they are wanting to give her boosters. I don’t want to. I have her on the transfer factor powder and pro biotic. What do you suggest. She weighs 2.6 lbs.

    • Will Falconer, DVM on November 30, 2015 at 1:17 am

      Titer test her, Marcia, to see if all those vaccines produced immunity to parvo and distemper. If it’s positive, you’re done for life. TF Canine and probiotics, yes!

  12. L on November 12, 2015 at 3:49 am

    http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/latest/states-with-medical-exemptions-in-lieu-of-rabies-vaccination
    I see that your state is not listed. In my experience, if a dog has medical issues and/or is elderly, there are vets that will discuss your options regarding vaccinations. I see your dilemma. I don’t have any answers. I hope your dog stays well.

  13. L on November 9, 2015 at 10:14 am

    @ Samantha
    “then at 4 had a pretty nasty reaction (feverish, lethargic and obviously uncomfortable) for 3 days after rabies vaccine”
    That might buy you some time to delay the rabies vaccine.
    I told my vet that my senior small breed had some mild seizure activity (the truth) after his last rabies vaccine. He has not mentioned vaccines for this dog again and I have been able to get his routine care needs met.
    I think the vet will sign the medical waiver, if and when I need it.

    • Samantha on November 11, 2015 at 9:16 pm

      Are you saying you were able to license your dog without a rabies vaccine? I am told that in Arizona there is NO licensing a dog without a vaccine, no way, no how, no waivers, no titers. I have a lovely veterinary acupuncturist and chiropractor who loathes the vaccines and is gearing up to start doign advocacy with the county animal control about this, but she is very clear that currently our county will not accept ANYTHING. I *could* opt not to vaccinate, no vet can MAKE me, but without a vaccine the dog is unlicensed. Heaven forbid there is ever an altercation (and the only reason this would happen is unleashed dogs running up to my dog who is ALWAYS on a leash, this happens a LOT in spite of leash laws) and my dog is unlicensed As a bully breed owner I feel like I am an ambassador for the breed and must do everything by the books because there are so many horror stories. …Dr Falconer? I notice you haven’t given any answers re licensing requirements, only about vets.

      • Will Falconer, DVM on November 30, 2015 at 1:21 am

        Most of my clients, having learned of the risks of vaccination, quietly “drop out,” Samantha. A license is pure bureaucracy and crowd funding for local municipalities (and the vets who give the shots, of course). The most important tag on your dog’s collar has your contact info on it.
        You are right though: no rabies, no license.
        But, meh. So what?

  14. Samantha on November 9, 2015 at 1:11 am

    I don’t know why no one is pointing this out, but it’s not the vet you have to worry about, it’s the city or county. Vets dont “make” you do it, of course we have the choice, but if we choose not to, we can’t license the dog, and an unlicensed dog can be a target in many states/counties. My back-asswards state is like this. Of course i agree about and loathe these vaccines and the obvious corporate interests combined with plain ignorance. I feel like any layperson can understand the concept of immunity and how it is not improved by repeated assaults in this way. But there is so much politics as well as money involved. The vets I know agree about over-vaccination and vaccinosis. But my state will absolutely not accept titers as a substitute for the rabies vaccine. It’s rabies vaccine every three years or no license. No license can be a death sentence for bully breeds in this state. One cross-eyed look and they are on death row. I feel like because of the breed he is I have to do everything by the books. I want to keep him healthy, but I also need to keep him alive. My Staffordshire mix was found at 1 (had probably been vaccinated, was vaccinated again when found) and then at 4 had a pretty nasty reaction (feverish, lethargic and obviously uncomfortable) for 3 days after rabies vaccine. Coming due again by law and the lats thing I want to do is give another vaccine i KNOW is not needed and put him through that again but I also want to protect him legally. Are you suggesting that an unlicensed dog is the better answer?

  15. Rosemary Slade on November 4, 2015 at 9:15 am

    I was turned down by a rescue group because I do not use heartworm medication. Thank you for the insight on the Rabies vaccine. I thought there was no way around it.

    • Melissa on March 13, 2022 at 8:27 am

      Same. What is wrong with rescues?? Why don’t they see year round heartworm medicine isn’t needed…they are loosing good adopters who REALLY are good to their dogs!

  16. Kory on November 4, 2015 at 8:24 am

    Good morning,
    I am in desperate need of help with my geriatric feline. About 2 months ago I had to bring him into the vet for a tape worm. This was the first time my old boy had ANY medical issues in his 18 years. He was regularly vaccinated until I started doing them at home. His last vaccines were given when he was but 5 years old. He is an indoor animal and is at low-risk of exposure to other animals. He NEVER goes outside and the last animal he was exposed to was over 2 years ago.
    My concern now is that he has had 2 seizures since then. A completely healthy and active feline (minus his age) having seizures.
    When I took him to the vet, the doctor insisted on giving him a rabies shot…AT HIS AGE??? She told me it was required, yet the vet assistant expressed he may not even need one. I questioned the doctor about the side effects and subsequent reactions my old boy may encounter. She replied and told me he would be just fine. Well, HE’S NOT!
    Could the rabies vaccine have effected him in this manner? What can I do to help make him comfortable? I know he is old, but before this he was amazingly happy and active. Now he just sleeps, has muscle craps, and now seizures. PLEASE HELP!!!

    • Erika on November 6, 2015 at 1:05 pm

      Good morning,
      I read your story yesterday, and thought about your poor kitty all night. I spoke with my mother this morning, and we came up with a plan for you.
      Gather the following herbs and make a tincture to relieve your feline:
      Liquid Skullcap (for the nervous system), Slipper Elm powder (for nutrition & healing), liquid Lobelia (4 drops, will tell the tincture where to go), liquid Frankincense (anti-seizure), liquid Wheat Grass (cell-restructurer and energy), liquid cayenne (for circulation) and DISTILLED WATER (no other water can be used; it will assist in detoxification).
      Take 2 Tsp. slippery elm powder and put it in a small mixing bowl. Add 1 dropper of Skullcap and 1 dropper Frankincense. 2 drops of liquid Cayenne, 4 drops of Lobelia and 1/8 cup wheatgrass (you need to liquefy it). Mix all ingredients so that the consistency is like a syrup. If it is too thick, add small amounts of distilled water until you get the desired consistency. Administer by plastic syringe into your kitty’s mouth morning, noon, afternoon, and evening. If you work, do this two times a day; three times a day would be best tho.
      I hope you have success with your kitty! Keep me posted as to how he does! I will check back to this wonderful website to see his progress!

  17. Shitter's Full on November 4, 2015 at 8:02 am

    Dr Falconer,
    How would you suggest someone have their dog housed at a temporary dog care facility if they are to go on a vacation or business trip and have to hire a dog care facility to house them? They require updated vaccination papers. We don’t get our dogs vaccinated yearly, but have had to in order to house our dogs.

    • Katelyn W. on November 15, 2015 at 10:38 am

      Hello,
      I own a home-based dog boarding business in Central Texas and have way less requirements regarding vaccinations since I take in 1-2 families at a time and am also leaning towards no longer vaccinating. Had I known about the “once and done” vaccination schedule, I would have waited until 16 weeks for my newest addition to the family to vaccinate!
      Double check with your local area. Rover.com has home-based pet sitters on their site as well and they may understand your needs compared to the large scale facilities who think they are covering their behinds requiring yearly records! Just be sure to check out references and ask any and all questions before leaving your pups there–if they or you get a bad vibe, don’t think twice, try the next person. You’ll find one, it’ll just take a bit of hunting.

  18. Cynthia Barnes on October 20, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    I would like to know about switching my dog from Hills prescription diet z/d to a real food diet. Please help.

  19. Tish Monte on October 19, 2015 at 6:27 pm

    My 8 year old cat got cancer induced by vaccinations per these brainiac specialist Internal Medicine , Oncologist and Surgeon veterinarians. She had to have her leg amputated 3 weeks ago. Makes me sick to know this goes on all day. Vaccinating for your money honey! The vets know it and just want your money a revolving door of greed. Dr. Falconer brought up a good point. The vaccinations say for a healthy animal so if you are the type of person to get intimidated by the DR. in front of a name you can just tell them no vacs today! My pet is under the weather “not healthy” as per recommend on the vac shot. I have not frequented a vet unless I take a rescue in for blood tests this is what I say, works like a charm. I do not have money for vacs today! “Money” is a very powerful word in a vet clinic. They will not argue with you. They want to get to the next victim in the other waiting room!
    Think about it most all pets have something wrong with them and this is why vaccinations and foods riddled with chemicals they labeled “pet food”. Then the fleas & heart worm poisons. Why should our pets be healthy. What a racket!
    The bad thing about this cat of mine I rescued her from an abusive home. I did not vaccinate her. Her abusers did. I have not vaccinated anything since 1992. My cats live to be anywhere from 20-23 years old. They eat grass fed meats, Mountain Valley Spring Water. They stay in my chemical free yard with Diatomaceous earth for fleas. My cleaning tools are White vinegar & baking soda and no shoes worn in my house! I read about no vacs By Pat Lazzarus ~Keeping your Pet Healthy the Natural way book years ago and discussed it with an MD. in which he said he never vaccinated his pets either. He had 3 cats & 2 healthy German Shepards! Any vet or tech that wants to vac “to save you a trip ” their famous words when your there for another reason like a sick pet you should Run! Run very fast. They are heartless greedy liars!

    • Ana on August 9, 2017 at 12:58 pm

      Thank you for your tips in rejecting vaccine. I was recently forced to let my cat have the rabies vaccine. I will never let my cat get another rabies shot and will never see this vet either.

  20. Selena Osteen on October 10, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    Dr. Falconer,
    I have an almost 8 year old Great Pyrenees that I rescued from the pound at 18 months of age. He had allergies (probably from being vaccinated by the pound when he’d already been vaccinated by his owners who relinquished him due to problems with their landlord). I immediately put Angus on a breed-specific diet and since we raise our own meat, he was able to avoid conventional meat. His allergies cleared up completely. My vet was fairly good about tolerating my holistic approach to my dog’s care until one of his employees complained. After that, the vet told me he would continue to treat Angus, but that he was no longer allowed to be groomed there “because if he had something communicable, it might pass through the duct work and harm other patients”. Hmmm…wouldn’t that also be a threat if Angus was seen as a patient in one of the exam rooms?!
    I have not used any heartworm medications, flea and tick medications or vaccinations except for a 3 year rabies vaccine that I dragged out 4 years. Since reading your website, I won’t be doing any more of those either.
    Three weeks ago, a family member accidentally ran over Angus due to white dog, white driveway, heavy white fog. Angus suffered a lateral shoulder luxation and bleeding in the lungs. He was in the hospital three days and not expected to live. When the vet ( one at an emergency hospital) wanted to attempt a closed reduction (having warned me there was a slim chance of success in a 140 pound dog), I agreed for him to try.
    The vet called me back to tell me that he was shocked, but the shoulder had reduced on its own! I had seen the original x-rays and was quite surprised by the new ones. Our concern was that there was probably significant soft tissue damage if the shoulder ball was able to return to the socket so easily.
    Angus has done remarkably well and the vet has been very supportive of my holistic approach. However, it has really bothered me that my “all natural” dog is now on daily doses of Tramadol and was on 14 days’ worth of an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory. I tried to wean Angus off the Tramadol and used arnica, a Hip and Joint supplement, coconut oil and almost constant rest. He only walks across the yard to use the bathroom and is on supervised rest the remainder of the time.
    He has started to itch terribly and the vet assures me the medications are not the cause. I’m trying to treat the itching with essential oils, apple cider vinegar and a coconut solution. Unfortunately, Angus has not responded well to being weaned off Tramadol. Basically, he went from being able to limp along to being almost completely crippled. Do you think I should continue Tramadol for a few weeks to relieve his pain or am I causing long-term damage? I’ve been concerned about his liver and kidneys having to process so much. I’m thankful for the life-saving measures the conventional hospital was able to offer, but I want to get back to a drug-free dog…but not at the expense of his comfort. I would welcome your opinion.

    • Will Falconer, DVM on October 11, 2015 at 3:17 pm

      Hi Selena,
      Kudos on how far you’ve brought this lovely beast, and I’m sorry he’s suffering at this point.
      My strong recommendation would be to get a vet homeopath to help you now. As this acute trauma seems to have awakened some latent chronic disease, you’ll do well with getting the acute dealt with homeopathically and then the chronic.
      It should be able to happen without drugs, in a careful prescriber’s hands. My Resources page has the AVH list on it, and you can search both locally and long distance. Find someone using mostly or only homeopathy, and ideally, certified by the AVH. My colleague Dr. Todd Cooney will be found there, and will likely be able to help you.
      All the best with him.

      • Selena Osteen on October 11, 2015 at 11:51 pm

        Thank you so much for responding so quickly! I’ll see if I can locate a vet that deals with homeopathy. Today was a better day for Angus, but I’m concerned that he is now wanting to be more active than he is really ready to be. The vet keeps telling me Angus needs maybe a month to rest and not exert at all in order to give the soft tissues time to heal after the shoulder luxation. Angus keeps telling me he wants to get back to patrolling our perimeter and warning away all predators. I don’t want to sacrifice long-term healing just to satisfy his natural instincts right now. On the other hand, Angus had a nasty gash in his foreleg (sustained from the impact from the truck that hit him) and once I quit treating it with a colloidal silver salve and left him to chew off the scab and lick it a few times a day, it began to heal rapidly. I’m trying to follow his lead as much as possible. Most of his instincts have been on target.
        I’m new to your website and really enjoying digging into it!
        Thanks again for responding.

        • Will Falconer, DVM on October 12, 2015 at 10:02 pm

          I’ve found that the only dogs who overdo and damage themselves are those on painkillers. If he’s not (or on antiinflammatories), I’d let him get back to work if he feels the urge.
          If on drugs, all bets are off. The signals of pain are a natural part of healing. They discourage premature use.

    • Judie on November 8, 2015 at 12:37 pm

      OMG! so now I connect the dots to find out why my dog now has severe allergies, the black belly, yeast smell from time to time, ear infections, eye goop, could this be from rabies or any kind of vaccines? I stopped giving her any boosters years ago after finding out about how vaccines affect them but figured the 3 yr rabies was something I couldn’t get around. How do i get out of this since in order to have a license I have to fill out this paper and send it in with date and so forth for the vaccination? They give you options, one is you no longer have the dog, the other one is deceased and the last one is…you moved. I can not subject my dog to this vaccine anymore, she’s 11 and now on Apoquel because the itching is becoming so bad Im afraid she will scratch herself to death and I have no idea how to help her

  21. carolann on October 8, 2015 at 12:00 am

    When you have an over vaccinated dog look you in the eyes with love; asking you why can’t I eat, why can’t I hear, why am I falling down, why am I itching so severly? That is when your heart breaks and you vow that you will NEVER make another of your family members suffer like that again. Packs do stick together, and not only in the animal kingdom.

  22. Diane Langston on October 5, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    I wish someone like Dr. Falconer or Dr. Blanco could launch a campaign to educate these shelters and Humane Societies and Rescue Groups to stop vaccinating so much. Maybe the change we need could start with them. These organizations are always in need of funding and they could all save thousands of dollars a year by decreasing if not eliminating all these vaccinations. All these organizations have been established to help and promote the welfare of animals…..they could do that with Titer testing.

    • Darci Michaels on October 5, 2015 at 9:25 pm

      Natural rearing is the way to go. As much as I know rescues are helping get animals safely out of dangerous situations. They are put into the chronic ills from dangerous drugs and procedures…
      Thats what I’m afraid of, that one rabies vaccine. Right now risk is low to none. I’m holding off.

    • Darci Michaels on October 5, 2015 at 9:26 pm

      I agree Diane! I think they need to be educated. They and the vets.

    • Sue Granger on April 16, 2017 at 5:39 pm

      Dr. John Robb in CT has started a movement, Protect the Pets, from overvaccination. Or at least giving a rabies vaccine dose that is appropriate by weight. AT present the same 1ml dose is given to 10 lb dog or a 100 lb dog. BIg Pharma knows this is not appropriate but say the vet is responsible – the vet blames it on Big Pharma. Please look at the Protect the Pets site and contact your legislators to get the laws changed. Or go off the radar and don’t vaccinate!!

  23. Darci Michaels on October 5, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    Just lost my beautiful, gentle black lab Winnie to vaccinosis. She received “puppy shots” and later in life a spay and 1 rabies vaccine to cross the border. I adopted her after all this took pace. Despite having been raised on raw food, which I continued, and no toxic heart worm pills, flea or tick poisons either, her chronic psora over took her vital force and I had to help her leave her tired body. Plagued with itchiness, foul ears, tumours. She was a mess. We fought, she fought hard. Homeopathy and acupuncture were key in maintaining her but eventually the confused immune system takes over. My last 3 dogs have had vaccines early in their lives as part of the adoption process and I can see the signs of chronic illness beginning. They are 4 and 2 are 5 years old. I will again enlist the help of Dr. Will to help me get them as healthy and balanced as we can. I am not a fan of vaccines. None of them. i wish there was a safe way to create immunity to rabies.

    • Will Falconer, DVM on October 5, 2015 at 7:03 pm

      I’m with you, Darci. Difficult situation, and as much as I used to encourage adopting pound animals, I’ve backed off on that, seeing how damaged they often are. I wish it were easier to cure the damage, but even with decades in the homeopathic practice trenches, my colleagues and I are often plagued with tough cases that don’t go very far, much like our experience with Winnie.
      I’m leaning toward natural rearing breeders for recommending a source of youngsters nowadays.
      And, I’m also rethinking “just get one rabies to be safe.” I think, unless it’s prevalent in your area (learn via the CDC MMWR data), you may be better off not vaccinating for it. Between fears of rabies or fears of euthanasia, I think we may be overreacting to the disease. I’ve certainly had cases who were severely damaged by just one or two rabies vaccines.

      • Darci Michaels on October 5, 2015 at 9:28 pm

        You know something is not right when they insist an indoor cat gets vaccinated for rabies.

        • Will Falconer, DVM on October 5, 2015 at 9:40 pm

          Amen, Sister, amen.

          • Lori on November 3, 2015 at 11:03 pm

            Hi, I firmly believe we are over vaccinating. (I am an office manager at a Veterinary Clinic/Hospital) I am excited to read all your info and had a client that I’ve known a long time direct me to your site. I will say, as far as indoor cats being vaccinated for Rabies. We used to tell people that their inside cats probably didn’t need the rabies vaccination (in Iowa, USA, the state requires the vaccines if they come to a boarding facility though.) We have had 2 incidents where owners heard the cats jostling around and discovered they were playing with a bat! We sent the bat in and they were rapid. That is why our Doctor recommends 3 yr vaccines. BTW, I am a BIG believer that we are over- vaccinating, I got Doc to go to 3 yr vaccinations over yearly. We see SO many allergies and autoimmune cases that were rarely heard of before! Can’t wait to do more reading on your site. I love learning!



  24. Toni Pierce on October 5, 2015 at 9:12 am

    We moved to our current residence earlier this year after buying a house to be near my daughter. It’s a small town with very few vets and 2 hours away to the nearest big city. Town regulations require EVERY pet in town receive a rabies vaccine annually, while the rural area pets are ‘only’ required to have 3 year vaccines. (aren’t country pets more likely to come in contact with rabid animals such as skunks??)
    A month ago, we rescued a tiny 4-lb Chihuahua from the local animal shelter and she wasn’t allowed to be released until she had a rabies vaccine AND spay. Poor little thing is 9 yrs old and it broke my heart that she had to go through that.
    So now we have 3 dogs with an annual rabies vaccine requirement and I’m not quite sure how to get out of it since our Vet choices are so limited here. I’ve checked with them all and they say “it’s the law”. My dogs all need regular nail trims and I can’t do it myself. Now I’m afraid they won’t see our dogs if we don’t comply.

    • Will Falconer, DVM on October 5, 2015 at 12:12 pm

      Hi Toni,
      I’d tell them you understand it’s the law, and you still know it’s foolish law, not based on immunology at all. If you’re confident that immunity is long lasting (read Vaccinations: Efficacy if you doubt it), you can tell them you’ve fulfilled the intent of the law but will not follow the letter of the law, risking your animal’s health.
      They are not law enforcement. That’s important to understand. Tell them you’ll deal with the law if it comes to you, but you’d like written on each one’s records: NO FURTHER VACCINATIONS.
      p.s. To really understand this, drop the word “vaccination” into the search box and sit back and read for a while. This is your most important decision on behalf of your animals, bar none.

      • Kathleen Smith on November 7, 2015 at 3:34 pm

        Hi. I don’t know if I can reply here, I am just finding this sight and love it. I have a German Shepherd/Great Pyrenees who is just 7 months old. She has had her first vaccines and is due her next rabies in one year, the next in three years. I now see that this is not needed health wise but it is also the law in CA. I can’t take her anywhere in public, stores, planes, parks etc. unless she has proof of rabies vaccine and or tags. What can be done about this as she and my little dog go everywhere with me?

  25. paula sparks on October 4, 2015 at 11:39 pm

    problem i’m having is a note from the vets here stating my dogs as service dogs in strictly a home setting still must have the vacines..son has a akita i rescued as a pup never had one shot has never been sick 1 day is almost 15 years old….i have now 6 service dogs the pyrs are mobility dogs as i live alone they have never left my house or yard… when i go somewhere i have people who help me…the other 4 are medic alert dogs 2 on current duty are 3 and 4… 2 who are 11 and 12 retired really showing degeneration and as terriers their supposed to be much longer lived then the akita afore mentioned…2 who after their first shots are having horrible allergies to nearly everything… also terriers…the terriers are spayed and neutered..and 2 pyrs 4 and 5 years i’ve avoided vaccing… the male’s dad was healthy til he was placed… he died less then 6 mo’s after shots due to reactions to the shots the female is related to my male …their a bonded intact pair who have never bred they act like brother and sister….but their going to push it now required in my state and my county and my town… there are no holistic vets close truthfully theres not that many vets here to begin with the one i’ve had for years was somewhat lax on the shots for which i was grateful….they will accept any vet from anywheres excuse for not vaccing but i’ve yet to find one who’d write the letter and sign it….wonder what happened to free country…any suggestions?

    • Diane Langston on October 5, 2015 at 8:34 pm

      It’s not up to your Vet to vaccinate…its up to you. You are the owner, not your Vet. It’s your decision, not his.

      • Will Falconer, DVM on October 5, 2015 at 9:57 pm

        Beautiful. Simple truth. Who’s paying the bills?

        • Zoya on November 7, 2015 at 10:42 pm

          I am still unsure on how to avoid Rabbies Vaccination. I have a good vet, that agrees to give only Rabbies vaccine. My dog is 10, and I dislike vaccination to say the least for everybody. I don’t want to stress her more. There is no way, except to prolong the revaccination time on “not well grounds”. What if she is kind of well? And sometimes I have to take her to a doctor – injuries, or so. What is happening in the world? Sad.

      • Joyce Landreville on June 16, 2019 at 3:13 pm

        My Cat Carlee is a 17 year old cat with pancreatitis. She’s had it for 5 years. She’s been on prednisolone since then. She’s now due for her rabies shot. I’ve decided against it this year. My Vet said it’s a Florida State law. We go tomorrow for a check up. Blood work to check her kidneys, liver etc. He will want to give her that shot. I’m telling him no. Who checks that anyway. She’s a a couple from him already. What do I tell him when he says it’s a law?

        • Will Falconer, DVM on June 16, 2019 at 3:33 pm

          Tell him you know it’s a law, but you also know about a little thing called “duration of immunity” and you’re opting out of that “law” which is not in your cat’s best interest. Leave it at that. Or: have them write it in Red Ink on the record: No More Vaccines!

          And, how did he manage to miss the label of the vaccine which says clearly it’s only for use in healthy animals? Demand he explain how pancreatitis for 5 years equates with “healthy.”

          If you haven’t already considered it, this really is a guy to FIRE. Lame profit grab going on here.

  26. Madeleine Innocent on October 4, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    Vaccines are crazy in every way possible, if you are looking for the Truth. Immunity comes from good health, which comes from natural, species-specific food, natural living conditions, species natural requirements and no (or as little as possible) stress. That’s how wild animals have such wonderful immunity.

  27. miranda on October 4, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    I am on my third Service Dog for my disability.
    When I received my 3rd Service Dog, who came from ___________ (do NOT publish this name please), I was informed that he had been vaccinated every year, (he was three when I got him), and he had been Heart Guarded and Advantaged, EVERY MONTH, and fed dry food for his entire life. Because they “could not keep weight on him,” they added CORN OIL to his dry food!
    When they INSISTED on vaccinating him ONE MORE TIME FOR GOOD MEASURE before we left the facility for the last time to begin our new life together, I was horrified and I asked them not to. They insisted. So, I asked them to please take his temp BEFORE they vaccinated him and then again two hours after the injection, before we took the train. They did. The Vet on duty siad his temp had infact gone up, but he “Couldn’t explain why or know what it was about.” Really?
    ON our train ride home, I told my Service Dog that:
    1- he would NEVER have dry food again, no matter how ‘organic’ the energy-less stuff was.
    2- That he would never receive the HG or Advantage again, as the cures for fleas and heart worms had advanced and were not as bad as the collective side effects of monthy applications.
    3- I knew we might have some ramifications as time when on, and we would deal with them together.
    4 – That he finally had a human teammate who lives with animals as peers and teachers and that I looked forward to learning FROM him.
    Sure enough we have been working with and managing his IBD, for 5 years and as of this year, the DM is showing up more week by week.
    I am proud to say he is 11 years old, and we are blessed to have made it as a team so far and with such great energy and articulation.
    Here’s to a few more years of working and playing together!
    Thank you for your work Dr. Falconer!

    • Will Falconer, DVM on October 4, 2015 at 9:40 pm

      Oh, Miranda, good on you for all you’ve done with your guy. He was lucky to come and serve you while you served him. A lovely circle was formed.
      I’m so sad to hear you’re seeing degenerative myelopathy. Be sure to read my earlier post on it and follow the link to the vet in Florida who’s helped slow it with a slew of recommended supplements.
      So insightful of you to ask for the temperatures before and after vaccination! Bravo. That had to have sunk in at some level… Maybe in another lifetime, Dr. WhiteCoat will understand and do better.

  28. Katie on October 4, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    Great article. I requested a titer for my westie. The first one my vet has sent in for a general rabies reading. I also like to keep members (6,000 to date) of my Facebook group inform on this subject. Westies Health — From Ears to Tail.
    All the best and keep up the great work
    Katie

    • Catherine O'Driscoll on October 9, 2015 at 7:43 am

      Great article. Thank you. Trouble is, in the UK, you’d find it very hard to find a vet who doesn’t over-vaccinate. We don’t have enough holistic vets; there are none local to me, and many of our homeopathic vets advocate vaccination. Sigh.

      • Will Falconer, DVM on October 9, 2015 at 8:22 am

        Hi Catherine,
        I guess the best case in the UK may be getting your vet to go along with your wishes then. I know that’s wearing and unnecessary stress, but hopefully, with a kind and strong stance (based on more knowledge than most vets have), you can keep your animals out of harm’s way.

        • Sue Marston on June 3, 2017 at 4:43 pm

          My research has convinced me, long ago, that ALL vaccines are ALL poison, ALL the time. I agree with Dr. Moulden that “Every vaccine produces harm,” even if that harm is not overwhelmingly visible, or manifesting immediately.
          Those first puppy or kitten shots could be the last. We do have a natural law, “survival of the fittest,” but vaccines are, at best, compromising, at worst, destroying, the fitness of even the fittest.

      • Alison Tapp on October 12, 2015 at 2:57 pm

        Catherine, I know you don’t vaccinate and neither do I. We raw feed, avoid chemicals and have a local vet in case of emergency. The biggy is educating everybody. I had the biggest accolade last week when a total stranger looked at my 6 dogs and described them as vital. I went home in a state of euphoria!

        • Will Falconer, DVM on October 12, 2015 at 9:53 pm

          Love moments like this! Thanks, Alison. It does my heart good to hear your good work being recognized!

      • Lyn on September 14, 2018 at 10:15 am

        I was on PDSA at my vet, all of a sudden they would not give my dog anymore care unless I got him vacinated, the one they give every year! So I thought about this & I don’t feel guilty anymore after reading what u had to say. 🐶🐾🐾

    • Bob on December 9, 2015 at 5:44 pm

      I had a wonderful male Bichon Frise who had been vaccinated for rabies. Where I live in CA the law calls for rabies vaccines every 3 years. At age 9 he was due so I dutifully complied. Three weeks later he was suffering from AIHA (hemolytic anemia) which is life threatening. He ended up needing 4 transfusions over time and had to live on prednisone. The pred stopped working so we put him in atopica which saved his life. He ended up dying at age 16 from congestive heart failure. The illness was a NIGHTMARE. You never know when the anemia might strike and it cost me thousands in vet bills along with several hospitalizations. NEVER AGAIN will I get a dog vaccinated for rabies after the first shot. CA allows for the titer to be done. Needless to say Max’s titer was very “high” and so I never had to vaccinate him again.

      • Will Falconer, DVM on December 13, 2015 at 4:04 pm

        Thanks for sharing that, Bob. Autoimmune disease scared the pants off of me in vet school. Less so now, but it’s no walk in the park to cure.
        I’m glad you’re committed to avoiding future vaccines after seeing the nightmare in Max.

      • Emma's Mom on December 29, 2015 at 5:19 pm

        Bob,
        My family also lives in CA and we were told that our state does not allow for titers instead of re-vaccination. I’ve just done a Google search and don’t find anything that says it does so I’d really appreciate it if you could help me get this information. I have a friend whose first 2 small dogs died after getting a rabies vaccine. My vaccinated cats and dogs have all suffered vaccine damage so titers are accepted instead, I know many people who will gladly do that.
        Thank you.

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