Messonnier, known as “Dr. Shawn, The Natural Vet,” practiced for decades in North Texas, opening Paws & Claws Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Center in 1991. Now based in Melissa and offering private consulting, his areas of interest include holistic and functional medicine, nutrition, dermatology, cancer and internal medicine. 

The book’s central argument is not that pets should never be vaccinated. Messonnier acknowledges the important role vaccines can play in protecting dogs and cats from serious and potentially fatal diseases. Instead, he questions routine, one-size-fits-all vaccination schedules and encourages decisions based on the individual animal’s age, health, lifestyle, exposure risk and existing immunity. 

Written for everyday pet owners, Too Many Shots! explains how the immune system works, distinguishes vaccination from immunization and examines potential benefits and risks associated with vaccination. Messonnier also explores antibody titer testing, a blood test that can help assess existing antibodies and, for certain diseases, inform conversations about whether a booster may be appropriate. 

Especially useful is a section of questions owners can bring to their veterinarian, including whether their pet is healthy enough for vaccination, how likely the animal is to encounter a particular disease and whether previous vaccination may still provide protection. 

Messonnier’s perspective is decidedly holistic: preventive care, he argues, should extend well beyond “shots” to include nutrition, regular examinations, laboratory testing, exercise and attention to the animal’s overall health. 

Some of the book’s conclusions about vaccines are likely to generate debate, and Messonnier openly acknowledges his “less is better” perspective. That willingness to question conventional protocols is also what makes the book thought-provoking. Rather than offering pet owners a universal answer, Too Many Shots! ultimately makes a case for asking better questions and working with a veterinarian to make thoughtful, individualized decisions for each animal.