My Vet Office Irks Me...

CALLIE UR SO AWESOME!

reading that made me feel so much better...

I am using ALL of that advice for the next Vet! :o)

I did hold my tounge and just BURSTED out... I'm very protective of my little one so you are right that I was totally out of place to lash out. It was very akward and I felt horrible afterwards but I was just SO MAD and FRUSTRAITED.

I'm flying down to Florida to hug you!

What was the last time your dog was at the vet's? Her spay surgery?

Both my dogs began disliking the vet's office immediately after a surgery. Think about it. They remember, "the last time I was here (or someplace that smelled like this) I was abandoned, it was a scary environment with those strange dogs, I got nasty drugs that made me feel sick, and there was pain."

Have you ever taught her to submit to handling when she does not care for it? Some puppy kindergartens have an exercise just so the dogs learn to accept that. They learn as small puppies that biting and struggling will not get them released, only calm behavior will.

Fritz gets the same way at the vet. He gets the "velcro" thing going! He shakes and screams...they even put a super small muzzle on him! He's just a little Pom. The one nurse that I always seem to get never waits for him to settle down while he's on the scale and she marks him down for 12 POUNDS! One time I had this weird old lady as his vet and she barely spoke english! There's an old crabby lady at the front desk, and one diva who's more concerned about her hair than my dog. I learned to request the owner of the practice, he is sooo nice to Fritz and talks to him gently. I scope it out before I make an appointment and find out what Saturday the phycho's work and which one the nice ones are working. I wish when they took the job, they actually were passionate about animals.

SnickleFritz's Woman

Fritz gets the same way at the vet. He gets the "velcro" thing going! He shakes and screams...they even put a super small muzzle on him! He's just a little Pom.

I don't think it matters if the dog is 6lbs or 60lbs or 160lbs.....if any dog bites you out of fear, it's stll going to hurt! Sometimes a muzzle is the safest for the humans.

SnickleFritz's Woman

I wish when they took the job, they actually were passionate about animals.

If everyone did what they're passionate about 99% of people wouldn't be working where they are now. It's sad, but true. My own doctor usually tries to just get me in and out asap...

Pomeranian <3

I'm sick of getting Vets that act like they hate their job and don't want to be there. It's like I get stuck with all the rejected doctors who had to become Vets or something and just hate animals... bunch of grumpy butts up north here.

Edited- nevermind....but, veterinary college is extremely hard.

I have the best vet- wouldn't change in a million years, friendly staff, new/clean equipment, terrific doctor, and I live in Mass. Now, if I could only find a doctor for myself this good......

Rascal is a little "weird" with strangers, and tends to be fairly distrustful of new people. He's been to 2 vets that he really liked and one that he really didn't.

You would assume that being a vet means that the person would have a good understanding of dog training/communication/body language, but that's not necessarily the case. For the two of us, it's very important to have a vet (AND techs, techs are super important) who understands special behavioral needs and is sensitive accordingly.

First off, I always warn the vet if they're doing anything at all invasive that they should probably muzzle Rascal, because there is a chance he might get snappy. If he doesn't, great, if he does, the vet is protected. (They put a lot of money into those hands!) I think it also helps the vet be more calm and confident, and I know they appreciate the honesty.

What I want in a vet (and what I've found, hooray) is someone who is gentle and accommodating. If Rascal growls, my old vet and current vet both reacted something like, "Hush, little guy, I'm doing this to help you, don't be scared." They speak softly and move slowly, and don't approach him in threatening ways (like over his head). They realize that he's much braver when I'm there, so for most things they have me help hold (usually his face, keeping that mouth occupied with licking instead of biting). They give him gentle pats and scratches and talk to him soothingly when they're done, and don't overreact if he's difficult. (With my favorite vets, he's not usually difficult, but if they're doing something like testing muscle pain, you can hardly blame him for being upset when it hurts.) This is in CT.

I don't think it's at all unusual to request the same vet at each office visit. And if you don't feel comfortable with your current vet's office, you should try to find another. They may be perfectly great vets, but if they don't make you comfortable and confident, you should find someone else. 

While your veterinarian's manner in dealing with Kayla may not have had a calming affect on Kayla, she certainly was correct in not loading her up with multiple vaccines.  Read the quote below from the American Animal Hospital Association's 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines on that very subject.  You might also want to switch to a homeopathic/holistic veterinarian, you can find one near you by clicking on these links:  American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association http://www.holisticvetlist.com/, Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy http://www.theavh.org/referral/index.php

  Combination Vaccines, Multiple Shots--on Page 16 of the 2003 AAHA Guidelines under Immunological Factors Determining Vaccine Safety, it states that:  "Although increasing the number of components in a vaccine may be more convenient for the practitioner or owner, the likelihood for adverse effects may increase. Also, interference can occur among the components. Care must be taken not to administer a product containing too many vaccines simultaneously if adverse events are to be avoided and optimal immune responses are sought. "

I'm sick of getting Vets that act like they hate their job and don't want to be there. It's like I get stuck with all the rejected doctors who had to become Vets or something and just hate animals... bunch of grumpy butts up north here.

Kayla is on Natural Balance, right?  I just wanted to mention to you that Willow also gained some weight on it--probably due to the potato.  So, that might be it.  And, she's spayed now so the weight stays on easier than before the spay.

whtsthfrequency

Yeah, it is a legality thing. Even though I am sure some dogs would be more comfortable being held by their owners, we are taught to never ever let an owner hold their own dog for specifically that reason. There have just been a number of vets who were sued or maligned because the owners *insisted* on holding, and got bitten, and then the dog got injured/jumped off the table/broke something/etc. It's rare, but it does happen, so we just don't take chances.However, though I'm sorry you had a bad experience!! Maybe she was a recent grad and very nervous? I don't know. I hope you find someone you like better!

 I actually think it is somewhat foolish for vets or groomers these days to allow owners to restrained their pets. From my understanding owners could potentially sue even if they are bitten by their own dog. Also IME many pet owners tend to be unreliable. It isn't uncommon for them  to "have" the dog but when the dog makes a sudden move and the surprised owner lets go, which can result in the dog being hurt or hurting somebody.

Pomeranian <3

I could not believe a VET was scared to death of MY Pomeranian... 

I grew up on in SanDiego and we often crossed the boarder with our dogs. Mom had kept the papers up to the minute on them and she enjoyed thier company.  It never failed to crack all of us up when the Big Bad Border guards, I am talking large burly men with guns would step away from the car and demand I "restrain" my toy poodle. They never blinked at our large GSDs , Labs, Dals or the Wolf Hybred but teeny Tiny Sunshine would make them sweat. One guy just had bad Karma or something as it was inevitable we would get his line and Sunny knew he was terrified of her. My gentle sweet therapy dog that I'd trained through Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey to Clown with me for special needs kids and folks would stare him down curling her lip just enough to make him brak into a sweat... hee hee hee I haven't thought about that in ages thanks for the unintended laugh !

As far as your vet goes, we pay an arm , a leg and a good bit of tail in most states for good vet care, I NEVER allow a vet to bully me into a treatment situation I am not comfortable with. Thankfully I have the world's best vet and he cares for the entire kennel with such a great attitude.

Bonita of Bwana

Pomeranian <3

honestly I don't think we've ever had the same vet more than once and that bugs me

There is a big revolving door at my vet's office and it irks me as well.  There is someone new there every single time we go.