Originally Posted by megansmomma (Post 4551630)

I believe this is what you are referring to regarding Skeptvet and stem cell therapy.


Selling Veterinary Stem Cell Therapies: Medivet’s Dodgy Advertising | The SkeptVet

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 4551650)

OMG I had no idea she suggested it be done yearly. I will stick with my $300 dentals yearly. Those give me what is needed for my pups1

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551653)

Oh, you'll love this:

Dr. Dodds recommends that companion animals are tested annually as – similar to humans – their food sensitivities and intolerances change over time.

from NutriScan Food Sensitivity and Intolerance Test for Cats and Dogs

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551653)

Oh, you'll love this:

Dr. Dodds recommends that companion animals are tested annually as – similar to humans – their food sensitivities and intolerances change over time.

from NutriScan Food Sensitivity and Intolerance Test for Cats and Dogs

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551655)

Of course, she provides no proof of this statement either. All of you people getting Nutriscan tests, are you prepared to fork over $280 annually for an unproven test? I don't have that kind of disposable income, myself.

Originally Posted by megansmomma (Post 4551654)

I need a mallet to my head! I'm just stunned! :eek::eek::eek::eek:

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551655)

Of course, she provides no proof of this statement either. All of you people getting Nutriscan tests, are you prepared to fork over $280 annually for an unproven test? I don't have that kind of disposable income, myself.

Originally Posted by megansmomma (Post 4551662)

I like this test of quackery AKA pseudoscience. This too is a blog/opinion but I think it's point on!

1. Is the product or practice promoted as a “Major Breakthrough,” “Revolutionary,” “Magic,” or “Miraculous”?
2. Do the promotions try to simply elicit an emotional reaction rather than present clear information to help you make an informed decision about the product?
3. Is only anecdotal or testimonial evidence used to support claims of effectiveness?
4. Are claims made about scientific support without giving specific details?
Watch out for the following:

Few or no references given to original research studies. Studies done by only one researcher.
Studies done at obscure, unknown institutions.
Studies reported in small or virtually unknown journals.
Studies reported decades ago.
Studies that have not been repeated.
Funding of research by someone with a financial or professional stake in the results.
5. Is the information about the therapy or product being provided by a professional lacking in the proper credentials?


Warning Signs of Quackery and Fraud – Part 1 | Dr. Walt's Health Blog

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551661)

I'm not stunned or surprised anymore by what Dr. Dodds says about Nutriscan and Canine Nutrigenomics, but I AM exasperated. I'm exasperated because she has done good work in other fields such as blood transfusions. She's a complex individual, but just because she's an expert in one area doesn't mean that she's an expert in another area. And it doesn't mean that she's not a scammer, either.

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551655)

Of course, she provides no proof of this statement either. All of you people getting Nutriscan tests, are you prepared to fork over $280 annually for an unproven test? I don't have that kind of disposable income, myself.

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551653)

Oh, you'll love this:

Dr. Dodds recommends that companion animals are tested annually as – similar to humans – their food sensitivities and intolerances change over time.

from NutriScan Food Sensitivity and Intolerance Test for Cats and Dogs

Originally Posted by megansmomma (Post 4551654)

I need a mallet to my head! I'm just stunned! :eek::eek::eek::eek:

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551661)

I'm not stunned or surprised anymore by what Dr. Dodds says about Nutriscan and Canine Nutrigenomics, but I AM exasperated. I'm exasperated because she has done good work in other fields such as blood transfusions. She's a complex individual, but just because she's an expert in one area doesn't mean that she's an expert in another area. And it doesn't mean that she's not a scammer, either.

Originally Posted by mimimomo (Post 4551566)

I've been staying quiet but your statements are really bothering me.

1st off, if it was a scam, it would not have helped Turbo @ all & many other dogs that did get tested w/NutriScan.

Turbo is not suffering anymore. It was the best $280 I've spent. For you to say these things, you are also talking down to me & my decisions to help my pet. I won't even bring up what you said on my other thread. Insulting.

Originally Posted by Verbena (Post 4551580)

I looked into NutriScan. . . I did a little research about what others that have tried it said. There was a number of people said that it worked. This is on other forums and groups.

Just because it is new. Doesn't mean it doesn't work. Look at the facts . . . If it wasn't for moldly bread we would not have penicillin. And they thought he was nuts. . .Something that we were just told from a top ankle surgeon in the country. He told My DBF to try stem cell therapy for his ankle. . .now it is classified as experimental. A lot of doctors do not believe in it. . . But people are finding it is working for them. . . This doesn't mean it is a scam.

I don't blindly believe and follow everything my Dr and Vet says. . . That is why we have second opinions and experimental procedures. If I listened to the first Dr. I would not be walking today. . . Fact ! . . . I went to another Dr., though he didn't believe in alternative medicines and therapies, he had me try them and it worked . .

Just because you vet thinks is is a scam doesn't mean it is. . . There is a lot of vets that sell you on things that are not always better for your dog. They want to make money. I question my vet. I don't give Galen or the kitties all the shots they want me to give them. I am lucky. My Vet is not a pusher. He tells me what is really needed and what is not. And also he doesn't make me give them any shots I don't want. . .

Please don't assume things before knowing all the facts . . . Please open your minds up to new things . . . You might be surprised . . .


What it is worth . . Just my opinion !!

Originally Posted by 107barney (Post 4551624)

I wouldn't be as bothered if the price point of the test was, say, $10 or $20. But $280???

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 4551735)

Just because people are speaking out against the validity of the saliva test does not mean they are disrespecting the people who use it. I don't like people saying things about my choices, such as the choice to use Hill's, Purina and RC products...BUT what I find offensive is when they label them as crap or other such terms and have NO real evidence that their claims are true.

The bottom line here is that Dr. Dodds is selling something that has no real research to prove her claims. I don't see the talk about it as disrespectful to anyone....people are merely pointing out the truth.

I am sorry that Jenny feels as she does because I don't believe anyone has any issue at all or means to be disrespectful to her. She is an awesome young lady. Yes, she made her choice to use this test....and it is not going to harm her pups. That does not make the test valid nor does the fact that she swears by it going to lead people to agree that it is a great product and worth the money spent.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4551723)

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4551740)

One of the snarkiest comments I've ever seen here at YT was made in this thread - it was deleted, as were the comments that "thummed up" the snarky comment. It was totally disrespectful and disdainful and downright rude. There is just no valid reason to stoop to that level in the midst of this conversation...it's uncalled for.

There is no prob at all with questioning this test to the end of the world - we are all free to do that. :)

I totally agree w/ you in terms of how much I cannot stand it when others say "that is crap food" or whatnot - it makes me just crazy when that happens.

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551741)

I have not been disdainful or snarky towards anyone who has used Dr. Dodds Nutriscan test. Maybe the test does work at some level. Who knows? If Bella had food allergies and I had tried everything else that had been scientifically proven, maybe even I would try the Nutriscan test in a last ditch act of desperation in seeking relief for Bella. Scammers prey on such desperation. My point has been that she is marketing an expensive test that has not been scientifically proven, and all of the bells and whistles are going off in my head that there is at least some level of scamming going on. The test has been around for how long? Five years or more? Why, in that time, has Dr. Dodds, or ANY veterinarian scientist for that matter, not published studies that prove that it works? Why, in all of the pages on her commercial website, does Dr. Dodds not cite any research that at least supports the concept of the Nutriscan test? Why does she recommend that it be performed yearly, at great cost, with no evidence backing up that recommendation? Why is she charging $20 or more for a mass market book on "Canine Nutrigenomics" that is filled with pseudoscience and is basically a several hundred page advertisement for the Nutriscan test?

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551745)

It must have been the "broken clock" comment, since I went back through the thread trying to figure this one out and that one is missing. Let me rephrase, then. Even scientifically invalid tests can, by random chance, give results that are accurate. It can even happen often. That does not prove that the test is valid. That is why testimonials are not acceptable proof that a test works. More power to the people who DO get relief for their dog's allergies, however it comes about.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4551747)

The re-phrasing comes off much better than the original :) :thumbup:.

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551749)

Thanks! It wasn't my intention to insult the person I was responding to--it was directed towards the Nutriscan test. Hopefully Dr. Dodds will start responding to questions that people have about her test. If a good research paper comes out, even better.

Originally Posted by pstinard (Post 4551749)

Thanks! It wasn't my intention to insult the person I was responding to--it was directed towards the Nutriscan test. Hopefully Dr. Dodds will start responding to questions that people have about her test. If a good research paper comes out, even better.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4551740)

One of the snarkiest comments I've ever seen here at YT was made in this thread - it was deleted, as were the comments that "thummed up" the snarky comment. It was totally disrespectful and disdainful and downright rude. There is just no valid reason to stoop to that level in the midst of this conversation...it's uncalled for.

There is no prob at all with questioning this test to the end of the world - we are all free to do that. :)

I totally agree w/ you in terms of how much I cannot stand it when others say "that is crap food" or whatnot - it makes me just crazy when that happens.

Originally Posted by 107barney (Post 4551752)

Not everyone read it as disdainful or insulting to Jenny. I read it as again pointing out that if the test worked, it was random not because it could have a replicable scientific result. When one person keeps promoting a test here that's invalid, I feel like we have to warn others that it's bogus.

Originally Posted by gemy (Post 4551759)

I thought it would be advisable to ask Dr Dodds herself about Nutriscan and the lack of testing.


Here is the email I sent today:


Good Day Dr Dodds;


There has been some discussion about the above test and concerns expressed with-in a forum I am a member of. I will link below the thread for your perusal.


Essentially the concern is that at this point in time there are no published peer reviewed studies that validate this test.


I was hoping that you could give me an expected publish date for the research that underpins the accuracy and reliablility of this test.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yorkie-health-diet/282550-dogs-food-intolerance.html