The video shows Dr. Robb, a veterinarian in Connecticut, being led away from Petsmart® in handcuffs. He was warning customers of Banfield Pet Hospital about the dangers of over-vaccinating their pets. Banfield wanted him off their property.
Banfield, owned by Mars Corporation, took Dr. Robb’s franchise away from him when he refused to automatically recommend and provide full vaccinations for all of his patients. Dr. Robb has referred to the vaccination policy as a “cash cow” for Banfield and accuses Banfield of putting profits before healthcare. With strong evidence on his side, Dr. Robb was providing lower dose vaccines for puppies and small dogs. He disagrees with the manufacturers label for vaccines which dictates that a 3 pound Chihuahua should receive the same dose as a 165 pound Great Dane. Dr. Robb believes a good wellness package for pets should include titer testing before vaccinating. This is done with a blood test that determines the antibody level for certain diseases. If you have good antibodies, you do not need the vaccination! Dr. Robb believes that there are large numbers of pets dying at a young age due to over-vaccinating, and many vets are on his side.
Learn more about Dr. Robb’s lawsuit and battle with Banfield at www.protectthepets.com
Vaccine reactions can be fatal, and vaccines can expose pets to higher levels of toxins including aluminum and mercury. Veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds lists leukemia, thyroid disease, Addison’s disease, diabetes and lymphoma as diseases that can be triggered by vaccines.
Dr. Ron Schultz, an honored researcher at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine says a dog with positive titers will likely have protective immunity for life. He recommends running titers every 3 years.
So, who is responsible for your pets’ vaccine safety? It gets confusing. The use of vaccines given to animals is governed by the USDA and the Virus-Serum Toxin Act of 1913, not the FDA. A detailed explanation written by veterinarian and attorney Dr. Duane Flemming can be found at dogs4dogs.com/vaccination-informed-consent.
In short, your veterinarian is responsible for informing you of possible vaccine dangers and for insuring the safest vaccine and dosage for your pet, not the manufacturer, and not Banfield Corporation.
Rabies vaccines for dogs are different. These are governed by the state. Your vet has no say unless a medical exemption letter is indicated. Hoping to change this, Dr. Ron Schultz is running the “Rabies Challenge”, a study proving that state regulations are forcing us to over-vaccinate our pets. Learn more at www.rabieschallengefund.org.
What you can do:
- Ask your vet about titer testing before giving a vaccine. Very often, the vaccine can be avoided.
- Ask your vet about a lower dose vaccine for puppies and small breed pets. It is an option, except for Rabies, but titer testing should follow to be sure your pet is fully immunized.
- Be sure your pet is healthy on the day he gets a vaccine.
- Avoid giving multiple vaccines on the same day.