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Post by ohclueless1 on Mar 17, 2004 6:12:41 GMT -5
I think its time for me to find a new vet. I have had concerns about it since Myah got fixed last fall. Never sent her home pain killers or antiboitics which when I had originally called they told me they would. I don't know any better either way I guess it had just rubbed me the wrong way.
Then when Brenden had gotten bit... I had asked her advice on what to do now... she had told me not to worry about it that Myah was still a baby and would grow out of it.
Well yesterday took the cake.. I went in for the flea stuff. Got her tested for heartworm and got her nails clipped. She commented that Myah looks really good and that she was glad she had lost her chunkyness. Well I told the vet that I had found some information on the web about a raw diet and was interested in her opinion as the whole issue makes a lot of sense to me. She stated she doesn't recommend it (no surprise there) and then she tells me about how dogs can't digest raw meat and bones, that it can CAUSE diseases in dogs and that dogs can get sick from the bacteria. Then she says that its not a balanced diet for a dog and they need grains and vegatables too. Then points me in the direction of the big kibble display where they want 40 bucks a bag for stuff I had never heard of before. I didn't expect her to tell me she was all for it... but I tell you what.. If I didn't like my kids dr I would find a new one. She just grated my last nerve.
Anyways... I think thats the last straw for me. I am going to make some calls today and see what our other options are. There was another incident back when we first got Myah too.. She was ill when we got her. Some intestinal parasite that I had never heard of before and can't find information about now either. Its supposed to be similar to Rocky Mountian Fever in people. You pick it up drinking water out of brooks and streams. Its not Gaurdia (sp) or maybe it is and I don't recall. They gave me some long name and I am terrible with things like that.
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Post by Nicole on Mar 17, 2004 9:00:08 GMT -5
I would follow my instincts. You just know when something doesn't feel right. I feed kibble and even I know that dogs don't need grains or veggies. I too have had some poor experiences with my vet but they still are the best in my town although that isn't necessarily saying much at all. If you are not comfortable, I would look elsewhere. And you can even try to set up an interview to speak with the new vet before you commit or bring your dog there. Was the disease leptosporosis (sp) That comes from critter urine that can find its way into streams of water.
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Post by Richard on Mar 17, 2004 9:48:38 GMT -5
I think its part how you and the vet interact and how they (the vet) view your dog's health and how you are keeping him or her healthy.
Of course, the vet (like any human doctor) will have his or her opinions of what is right or wrong, what will work or what won't but essentially, it is you as the dog owner to decide what you will accept for the best of your pet.
If you don't like the way a particular vet explains things then you should (as you would, once again for a human doctor) find a vet that explains things in a way that makes sense to you and allows you to have some sort of control over your dogs feeding habits (i.e.: raw) that will support, not hinder you or make you feel like a villan for trying this route.
-Richard
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Post by Brooke on Mar 17, 2004 13:46:16 GMT -5
I would also say go with your gut. Just keep in mind that many vets are along the same wavelength with some of the issues you have explained. It's pretty common to see these kinds of things. It is GREAT to have high expectations from them and I think that more people should expect more from their vets. The best thing you can do is not only find someone you are comfortable with but also educate yourself.
People instill a lot more trust into their vets than I ever would. While they are professionals I know this doesn't mean they know all there is to know and I can see a lot of things such as feeding their high priced kibble for what it is. Possibly not enough education on the nutrition aspect or profit motivated...either way, I know best in that case.
I just make sure I know from an unbiased but educated stand point all sides of an issue before a decision is made. That is the best thing you can do for your dog. My vet will never have the final say and if they don't agree with that or actually more so seem to be a bit put off by it then I would definately find another vet... I don't mind if my vet doesn't agree much but if they take offense or something along those lines I'm outta there. Ultimately I know how much research I put into something before it is shot down. My vet should not put a mere two seconds thought into it and have their "opinion" be the end all of it.
Go with your gut.
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Post by Laura on Mar 17, 2004 15:52:23 GMT -5
Absolutely, if you're not comfortable, find someone else! I liken it to a business, which it really is. Would you spend your hard earned money at a business that you felt treated you less than professional? Then why do it when it comes to medical care, whether it's for yourself or your pets? People tend to get what I call " diploma shades" when dealing with the medical profession, the title of doctor gives people a false sense of security, so they don't ever question them or their practices. I once walked out right in the middle of an exam when the doctor refused to sign off on a second opinion .
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Post by sibemom on Mar 17, 2004 16:10:37 GMT -5
I always question my vet and my doctor. My feeling is that if you do not ask questions sometimes they do not just voulenter the information you have to pull it out of them. I also feel that I am the coustomer and should be treated as such. If I feel in my gut that a treatment either for my family or my dog is not appropriate I look for alternitives. I am hoping that the vet we are going to on Friday is as accepting in person as he was on the phone. I am not expecting him to agree with everything I choose to do for my dog but at least I expect the respect of listening to my opinions as I will his.
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Post by ohclueless1 on Mar 17, 2004 22:58:21 GMT -5
Its not the leptospirosis. At least I don't think so... The symptoms don't match and it was a fecal test that caught it and not a blood test. I will do a search in a few. I have been so busy.
Its not the raw feeding alone that bothers me.. Just a few small things that make me a bit uncomfortable. I never expected her to agree about the raw feeding. That would have been silly just based on what I read from you guys... Actually I think what really bothers me is when Brenden got bit. Not just the comment about Myah growing out of it which I think everyone agrees would never have happened, but there were warning signs and we all missed them. I guess I just expected too much. I know its my fault to. I don't really blame them. But I get real mad everytime I see my sons face.
I am taking Myah in to an interview with a different vet in the morning. This one is actually closer which would be nice.
Thanks for the support guy and girls....
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Post by ohclueless1 on Mar 20, 2004 15:04:01 GMT -5
The interview went really well... I talked with the vet for about a half and hour. He probably thinks I am nuts.. I get so nervous with stuff like this. So I tend to babble.
He was very nice about it all though. We talked about her dominance issues and he was very glad to see I was getting help. We talked about the raw diet for a bit. He says he always tries to encourage a premium kibble but he understands my decision and respects that I am trying to do the right thing by my pup. He even gave me the name of an excellent butcher near by and recommended I try to keep her food source organic. I was surprised... It was much more than I expected.
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Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2004 15:10:31 GMT -5
That is so great!!! Wish more vets were like him! (Remember there are no *premium* kibbles!
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