Weird growth

Ask them if they are willing to go against their own governing board?

http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf

American Animal Hospital Association -- they only recomment the "core" vax every 3 years.  That link is their entire 25 page PDF.

If you go to http://www.hemopet.org and see Dr. Jean Dodds vax protocols they are less than that. 

A lot of vets are still trying to relyon annual vaccines to get people in and a lot of people will capitulate to that.  But if you say 'no' they should respect that.

Lyme is the one shot that always has the MOST reactions.  I wouldn't give that unless you absolutely MUST...and tell them Bailey goes no where to *need* bortadella.

Now to do surgery they may require at least rabies ... but don't let them give her a ton of vax just before surgery?

Thanks Erica.

The thing is, the other vet (the one that requires bordatella vaccine) is known to be very good. I know several people who go there and say its great, and I havent heard any bad things about them. Bailey was only going in origionaly just for a HW test so I could get him more Interceptor. Obviously now its to get his foot checked out too. The other vet cant get him in until the 17th (cause he would be a new cliant there), and our current vet has us coming in on next wednesday. So on wednesday he will be getting his foot checked out and his HW test. So it all depends on what the vet says... If he needs surgery right away, it will have to be done there, but if they say it can wait or if they give me something to put on it for infection or whatever, then I may make an appointment with the other vet to get him seen there, to that the surgery can be done by them. The other vet is a much bigger clinic, with more vets/staff, & it just seems like a better facility. Not that our vet is really bad or anything... they are very small, & only have a few vets there (the man that we always get is the one I dont like at all, the woman vet has always been very nice tho.)
Do you think that if I end up being able to bring him to the other vet, if I explain WHY I am not ok with giving him the kennel cough vaccine (becuase he is never boarded or around strange dogs, & I dont want to give him a vaccine for no reason other than going to the vet once or twice a year) that they will still accept us?

erica1989

As far as the heartworms go - I would not worry about that, at all. We see a TON of heartworm dogs (we do a lot of work with rescues) and have never had an issue. We see them before, during and after treatment. Many become life-long clients. A surgery like that seems like it would be pretty short. Callie's dead on with the dental though - anytime an older pet is under, we recommend a dental cleaning, we do it as an 'add on' so it's WAY cheaper than if they were to just come in for it - healthy teeth makes for a healthy dog.

I would call your vet back - an infection is serious, and cannot wait. We would never DREAM of telling someone to wait two weeks - the longest someone ever has to wait for an appointment is a DAY, and usually not even THAT long!

Good luck - keep us posted!

 Two years is plenty long that it could cause a problem, later on.

Jewel's dental was $50, on top of her spay. MUCH cheaper than doing it alone. 

When I call the vet's office, I ask for an appointment with Dr. Whoever. I don't take an appointment with the other Drs, because at every vet's office I've been to, I've disliked one of the Drs for whatever reason. Just ask to see the one you like!

I would for sure mention it - but it's not something to panic over. The less stressed YOU are, the better :)

I think a GOOD vet will respect your choice to not vaccinate - my vet does - but that's not every vet. Some make no exceptions - and that is their prerogative. Hospital protocols, are hospital protocols.

We only charge $85 for the dentals, if they are already under. Although - we are a low cost clinic, and most of our things are several hundreds less than what the other places charge. Our normal dental price is $150. Most other places will charge anywhere from $200-500 just for the cleaning. Extractions are extra at most places. If his teeth are fine - then there's no reason to worry about it. It's just a good idea, if they need it - to do it while they are under already. ALTHOUGH - there are some places that I know that will NOT clean teeth in conjunction with other surgeries because of the bacteria - so it all depends on the doc.

I tend NOT to like big practices at all -- in fact, two vets is usually my limit.  Because when a practice is getting that large they sacrifice.  More rules -- less judgment relied on by the vet -- so they hire a vet, not because he's superb, but because he will work for their price and follow their rules.

I don't mean that to be a sweeping statement but we Americans tend to *assume* bigger is better and its' not.

I'd rather have a vet I can talk to -- one who will listen to me (and trust me -- I've been to LOTS of vets I will never go back to) -- you can understand, I'm sure, that I'm pretty outspoken and I'm not every vet's comfort zone.

I just can *not* imagine making someone wait for two weeks when there is a raging infection.  Infections can kill in far less time than that. 

Surgery shouldn't be a big huge expense -- not unless they've let it go SO long (trying to get in) that it's caused the infection to go septic (spread thru the body). 

You want to watch for serious huge signs like red streaks leading from the infection site -- swelling, unwillingness to bear any weight -- general listlessness or lethargy.  Those are flatly emergencies.-- as in right now **today**. 

I would probably be asking to speak TO the vet or at least to a tech -- the receptionist probably feels they have to 'control' appointments -- they aren't trained to know what is and is not an emergency. 

I can honestly tell you -- if I were put off **weeks** on something that was KNOWN as infection -- red, too sore to step on, OPEN WOUND -- I would never darken their door again.  I wouldn't go there to start with because obviously they can't handle veterinary emergencies and don't really care about alleviating pain.

I've been known to drive my dogs HOURS away to a vet.  I understand you live at home but even in the most rural areas there should be SOME vet that will see Bailey -- even if it's a vet who does large animals normally. 

But two weeks from a receptionst?? Honestly I would follow that up with a certified letter marked "Personal and Confidential" to the vet IN COMPLAINT.  "HOW in conscience can you tell me that you won't see my dog for a badly infected, bleeding open wound in a growth on a paw for TWO weeks??? That's unconscionable!"

Vets take an oath to do "no harm" -- and faiture to treat IS wrong.  To be honest I would just plain be at their door in the morning when they open.  But then, I'm an adult and I don't take "no" for an answer easily. 

Appointments are all very well and good, but when a dog is ill there has to be judgment.  And that judgement includes the word "emergency". 

You have to be level-headed and not emotional.  But the things that we're all saying can be words you can use in your arsenal when you speak to this vet. 

Can you go in another direction for a vet?  Call other small towns near you? 

calliecritturs

I tend NOT to like big practices at all -- in fact, two vets is usually my limit.  Because when a practice is getting that large they sacrifice.  More rules -- less judgment relied on by the vet -- so they hire a vet, not because he's superb, but because he will work for their price and follow their rules.

I SO agree! I only work for one Dr. and before I worked for him - my animals only saw 1-2 Dr. practices, and in the 2 doc one, I would ONLY see the one vet. too many hands in the pot for my liking, really.

Just a minute ago when we were outside, I let him off lead to do his business and get a little exercise (I have been trying to keep him from running too much, but Bailey lives to RUN, walking just isnt enough for him). He was trotting around smelling the grass and suddenly he yelped and started limping.. I checked his foot (he WAS wearing a boot on it) and it was bleeding a little. I brought him inside and soaked it again, the bleeding has stopped and he isnt limping anymore.

I get what you mean Callie about the bigger vets. I guess I just thought that since it was a bigger place they would have better vets.

calliecritturs

Can you go in another direction for a vet?  Call other small towns near you?  

Ive been to several others in the area(for the cats, not Bailey), none seemed great, and one of them was horrible. The waiting room was dirty/nasty, with pee on the floor and really tiny/crowded. I mean, I know animals sometimes pee on the floor in the waiting room, but it wasnt just one dog that had an accident, it was all over the place and looked like it had been there a while.
Do you know of any vets in north eastern CT? (is there a website where you can search for GOOD/well known vets in specific areas?) Our current vet is already 45 mins away, so if its a bit of a drive to get there its ok, cause if it is a good vet then it will be worth it.  

mrv

Angie's list?

Ive never heard of it. I searched it, & it looks like you have to pay to use it

Hes starting to act a little different. Hes been extra clingy, following me around and wanting extra lovins every second. He has been a bit anxious, but that could be because I havent allowed him off leash so he really hasnt had much exercise. I only bring him out for short potty walks & I dont let him run or jump around, Im worried he might tear it and it might start bleeding again.

We go in tomarrow at 4... Hopfully something can be done TOMARROW, if not then very soon at least.

He is having surgery this friday Friday was the soonest they had, I wish they could do it tomarrow. It kind of sucks becuase my birthday is on monday and I was planning on taking him with me to my sisters house to play with their dogs on sunday (whats a party without dogs?) I guess that wont be happening now. Not that it really matters, because theres no way Im going to make him wait any longer.

Vet said that it looked infected (and he has a slightly high temperature..), and gave me some oral medication to give him. I dont have the bottle right here at the moment & I dont remember the name... but he gets 3 pills 2x a day.

Holy crap... this is expencive. Today's bill was $200, which normaly wouldnt be too bad (He got his HW test, Interceptor, the pills & a fecal ) but then she gave me an estimate for the surgery... which will be aprox $500

I'm so worried....

That's around what I paid when Benny had his weird foot thing removed.  Did the vet say what it was?

 I know it's so scary!! But, at least you found it and had it looked at so it can get resolved.  Do they know what it is?  Did the vet seem worried, other than because it was slightly infected?
 
 Hang in there!!  Lots of cookies for the poor kiddo!

georgie4682

That's around what I paid when Benny had his weird foot thing removed.  Did the vet say what it was?

She said it is most likely a callusey tumor. I told her that when it was smaller it looked JUST like a nail, and she was it was very possible that it was a weird nail type growth. She called it something (a big sciencey type name) but I cant remember.

Question. She said that she was almost positive it would be benign, but that I should get a biopsy done just incase. The cost of the biopsy is $130 (that was included in the total cost estimate) Did you get it done on Benny's growth? I was planning on getting it done... cause I'd rather be 100% sure it isnt anything bad...

 Chelsea I don't have any info just want to say that I hope that all goes OK and I hope the vet will work with you financially - you are a great owner and very responsible young woman!