What makes a good Vet?

[Zephyrpower]

This thought was triggered in my mind when I took my puppy to the vet yesteray because he was shaking his head a lot. Certain things my vet was saying made me wonder if he really knew all of his stuff. Another thing that bothered me was the way he has his shot schedule set up. Not that's it bad for my puppy, but it sure seems to cost more, so let me explain.

First, when I took Pudges in, they just looked at his ears by flipping them up and looking at the visible areas, instead of shining a light down his ear. I thought it would be nice if they could put forth some effort to check beyond what I could do myself.

Second, I suggested the fact that I wanted to get Pudges something better than Iams. He seemed to think Iams' was one of the best premium foods available, along with Science Diet, Eukanuba, etc. But then he said it was really a personal choice. He even said once that some people swear by Ol' Roy, which from my understanding was one of the worst dog foods out there.
Anyways, proper dog food seems to be a common misconception amongst vets in a lot of places, even my sister's vet (who is very pricey) thinks that Science Diet and Iams are the best. I guess Vets don't get much education about other pet brands, because whenever I ask them about other actually healthy brands (like Canidae, Natural Balance, etc...even Chicken Soup) they
act like they've never heard of them before.

Finally, I told him I wanted a Capstar to clear the fleas off Pudges. I don't know for sure that he still has them, but I notice him itching occasionally still, so even though he's been on Frontline for about a month, I figured they just keep getting on him. The vet took a flea comb to his back for a couple of strokes and said he looked pretty clean. I asked "Then why would he be shaking his head so much?? I thought for sure it would be an ear infection or Fleas bothering him, and I took him a flea bath last night (tues night)"
The vet and his assistant noticed the new collar I bought and said perhaps it was because of that. "I doubt it" I replied, "He's had that for two weeks and he even itches when it's not on". The replied by saying "Well, I don't see how it could be fleas if you've got him on Frontline, that prevents Fleas"

Now that last statement is where I really began to question my vets credibility! I thought it was pretty much common knowledge for anyone that has dealt with fleas on a dog that Frontline doesn't prevent fleas, but kills them once they bite the dog. But again, it could be just a mistake.

So I didn't get a Capstar pill, but he did tell me that since I had him on Frontline, that we should give him a pill for Heartworm, because Frontline didn't cover that. Last time I took him to the vet (about 1.5 months ago) he got Revolution, which apparently does kill both Heartworms and fleas.

Finally they gave me my bill. I noticed it was $20 higher than the quoted it would be when I originally asked how much the whole series would cost (this was a few months ago). I asked him why and he said it was because of the Bordatella and the heartworm pill.

Anyways, this is the way the vet set up the first series of shots, which is something I've always wondered if was nessecary, but I didn't know if I should take him to another Vet after his first set of shots to save money or just stick with my first choice.

1st shot (Parvo, Distemper, Hepatitis, Influenza?) and deworming $55

2nd Shot 1st shot + Coronavirus $65 (although he also gave me Revolution and didn't appear to charge me for it)

3rd 1st + Bordatella (and in this case, Heartworm pill) $85

4th 1st + Rabies, (I also requested Lepto because he occasionally gets creek/lake water and also visits my parents and sometimes spends the day/night there and there are raccoons in that area) at least $65

Now if I'm not mistaken, most places can finish you up in 3 shots that range from $50-$70 or so, which would potentially save me money. The reason they do it this way, is because he said it was much safer to give vaccinations to them gradually, and there was a much lower risk of a negative reaction. Still, I'm wondering if he's not milking me for more money

 

[bubbatd]

I've never known a vet that would give one heart worm pill .... after a heart worm check , you buy monthly doses .... ( good one covers all worms ) The flea meds are bought the same way ( cover fleas , ticks etc ) . Is this a vet hospital or a clinic through a Petsmart etc. ?? I wish people would chose a vet like they would a pediatrician .... not by the $$$ sign , but through trust and dedication . Why tell a doctor what you feel about food or meds ?? You are paying for their opinion . Take it or leave it .

 

[ToscasMom]

I do think that if vets don't know squat about dog or cat nutrition and the difference between premium foods and crap like IAMs, the least they could do is shut up and say nothing. Instead they push food that is closer to the bottom of the pile than the top. I will never understand that, unless of course it has to do with profit. Vets in general are always chuck full of free Science Diet samples, of course. A friend of mine who adopted a Himalayan cat I rescued mentioned Eagle Pack to her vet and he said he ...are you ready?....never heard of it. Then he tried to talk her into buying a bag of Science Diet. This is the sign of a vet who doesn't bother learning a thing about pet food. This is not a vet I would want watching over my animals either. I suggested she switch vets. I realize that vet schools apparently don't cover nutrition very well, but that shouldn't stop a conscientious vet from learning it on his own. It ain't rocket science.

As for the shots, I had to do it in a series of three visits too. In fact, I opted to go in a fourth time for the rabies shot because I didn't want to overload her with shots in that last visit. It was my choice, and I didn't have to have a pay for vet checkup to get the shots during the last two visits. To me it was worth the extra trip not to overload her with vaccines.

 

[Cole's Mom]

I like the fact that he does give vaccinations in a series. He is correct that it lessens the chance of reactions. But, what is up with the multiple heart worm pills. And why did he not check the ear canal? I'm with you; look for another vet. It does sound like your puppy has an ear infection or maybe mites. Ear infections are really uncomfortable for dogs.

As for food, I've also heard people swear by Ol Roy. Food is a very touchy subject for some people. I say feed what does good by your dog. I personally feed Innova Evo. Would not feed purina, science diet, eukanuba or iams. But that is my opinion only. Many people feed these foods and get great results.

Cole's Mom

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

I believe that vets are trained by people from comapnies like Iams/Science Diet/Eukanuba etc. about nutrition, meaning they push their own products on the vets.

~Tucker

 

[Jynx]

most vets don't know squat about dog food, in fact look at alot of vet's dogs and they are fat little hoggers *vbg*..

Also, your set of vac's,,well I'd be questioning the "piling" up of shots,,in other words, I never ever booster, rabies, lepto all in one trip..I spread everything out (altho I don't vac anymore) ..My vet's won't pile on shots either, everything is spread out..and absolutely nothing "with" rabies.

Vet's don't want their clients "smarter" than them, and they most certainly won't admit to it..The key is finding a vet who is open to all of YOUR input, after all YOU live with the dog and know it better than anyone else. Also key is self education,,KNOW your breed of dog,,read up on medical stuff,

It's really hard finding a good vet, one who values YOUR opinion /ideas/suggestions as much as you value theirs..Thankfully I have such vets. I'm paying the bill, they always are open to what I want and don't want to do concerning my animals..In fact, they call me alot to ask ME about certain conditions (my dogs get weird things!) if they have something that I've gone thru with mine..

Personally, this vet your using sounds like I'd be dumping him real fast.
Diane

 

[cowgurl6254]

I, personally, have only been really impressed with one vet. When Beau was shot that night by my neighbor, we rushed him to an emergency clinc and this wonderful vet came in at 2:00 am to work on him. He fought so hard to save Beau, and when he died, he cried with us. Unfortunately, that vet has since retired and I can't find anyone else who is as compassionate and as knowledgable as Dr. Lamar was. He really did everything in his power to try and save Beau, and he didn't give up trying to resucitate him until almost 30 minutes of no heartbeat. Most vets would have called it quits long before then. Andy's current vet is nice enough, but he just doesn't have the passion for it that Dr. Lamar did. I think vets like that are hard to find.