vet school vs pvt. personal vet WARNING long post

[matese]

just curious, what is the advantage of using a "vet school" over using your own pvt. vet that has all medical history of your pup. Reason I ask, I have been working with my vet (who is always updating herself with the newest procedures) on getting Cody's Colitis under control. I adopted Cody as most members know with a server case of colitis that was left untreated by the prev owner for 13 months, I have him now 4 months today, in the 4 months I have him, he goes to vet every 2 weeks, sometimes every 6 weeks depending on what my vet put him on. There MAY come a time (and I PRAY this will NEVER happen) that my vet will tell me "she has done all that can be done to cure Cody of this Colitis" and he still has it. I have been with this vet since 1984, she has kept 2 of my dogs alive for several years that had server medical issues, I have 1000% trust in her, she has such much LOVE for all the animals she treats and goes to GREAT lengths to find a cure for them. My heart is telling me, because Cody was left untreated for 13 months, there will be no cure for him, and prolonged Colitis I have read MAY lead to Cushings disease . My vet is determined to get him back on the road to recovery, however, should this not happen I will want to seek another venue. I have seen many members advise posters to bring their baby to a vet school and was wondering in Cody’s case of Colitis would this be beneficial for him. I may / can be wrong about this, but I HAVE to say it, so no offence to anyone out there. I hear the TERM “VET SCHOOL” which to me means, ppl learning to become veterinarians. I do not want my baby to be used as a “guinea pig” for ppl that are “learning“. I am sure these vet schools have the most modern technology as far as equipment goes…… I am from the ole school where a used car was just that, now it is referred to as “a pre-owned car” when two diff. breeds of dogs mated they were called MUTTS, now they are called “designer dogs” well I go with the flow and accept the “pre-owned car” and the “designer dog” and if a “vet school” has changed over the years I will accept that to. So any advise on why going to a “vet school” is better then your own vet. Please no nasty, rude, badgering post, I just want to be informed and updated on modern technology, I need to save this precious lil 2 y/o that has many years of life ahead of him. I want him to be healthy and to enjoy his life, I will go to any extreme to find a cure for this new little boy of mine. I want to thank anyone / everyone that takes the time to read this very long post. Any and all advise will be appreciated and will be considered.

[rubymoon2072]

I dont have any advice but wanted to send well wishes to Cody and let you know I think it is awesome all you are doing to help make sure he is getting the best care.

[Cha Cha]

I understand your question and your concerns. IMO, veterinarians should keep in contact and have a great working relation between their practice and their school, or a school close to their practice if they are out of reach with their graduating school. So, why don't you have this conversation with your vet? My guess is she would welcome the idea to seek the help of a Vet School if that is your wish. This is how my clinic works anyway so I may be assuming most clinics do this.

I think the advantage of a vet school is they have the potential to see and treat more cases as they are working with cases from a large surrounding area, not just one localized area (your vet). They may also have students doing current research on a specific illness/disease who can offer specific treatment recommendations, or know of such research, or a specialist in this area they can refer you to if your vet cannot/will not. Yes, it can be viewed as educational or experimental, and there is always a risk involved with any procedure, but you will always have the choice to accept the treatment plan or not and have a say in your pet's care just like your vet, unless you surrender your pet to the school.

[Ellie May]

One is not better than the other. They serve different purposes. With a vet school or specialty hospital each vet is highly specialized in one area. They also have more diagnostic equipment to use.

For instance, does your general vet have an endoscopy unit to take a look in there? And just as importantly are they proficient in it?

Cody should absolutely see an internist at this point. Vet schools do have the disadvantage of students hanging around, but remember the ones ultimately overseeing your pup's care are their teachers. Your pup won't be in danger in this setting. If you are still uncomfortable you can go to a large referral hospital. Nearly the same minus the students...

What has your vet tried for this?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

One is not better than the other. They serve different purposes. With a vet school or specialty hospital each vet is highly specialized in one area. They also have more diagnostic equipment to use.

For instance, does your general vet have an endoscopy unit to take a look in there? And just as importantly are they proficient in it?

Cody should absolutely see an internist at this point. Vet schools do have the disadvantage of students hanging around, but remember the ones ultimately overseeing your pup's care are their teachers. Your pup won't be in danger in this setting. If you are still uncomfortable you can go to a large referral hospital. Nearly the same minus the students...

What has your vet tried for this?

I think you definitely should consider taking him to see an internist. If you don't want to use a vet school, you can go to this site American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine > Home to look for a board certified specialist in your area. It sounds to me as if your vet is treating symptoms. In my experience with specialists, they get down to the nitty gritty from the start, do testing and come up with a diagnosis, and then a treatment plan. While it is more money up front, you can save money in the long run because you won't be going to the vet as often.

[Yorkiemom1]

In addition to what ChaCha and others have pointed out, most vet schools have all the cutting edge technology and the equipment to teach procedures with. You have specialist all congregated under one roof in a vet school. I know what A&M does with animals, and even if it is a "teaching facility", they provide the best medicine and treatment around. I think it is like a teaching hospital....our Medical Center here in Houston is the largest medical center in the world, and every hospital is a teaching hospital, and is responsible for the finest medical care and most advanced research in the world. Patients that come here from all over the world, know they are not used as "guinea pigs".....they are benefactors of the very best, most current, cutting edge medicine and research available. If it exists, it more than likely came from this medical center. I can completely understand your fear of your baby being treated as a learning tool, but you have the best vets teaching and doing research in vet schools around the country. Grads of these vet schools usually stay close in touch with their alma maters and they are always learning from and along with ideas that are being continually formed and researched and proven and then dissiminated all over the country.... They are researching "fecal implants" in some schools to treat colitis and other disruptive bowel diseases.....this research is being done for humans and on a lesser degree right now, as well as animals....vet schools are great and you have some truly magnificent treatments and procedures and research coming out of vet schools!
"Teaching facility" is not a bad word!

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

In addition to what ChaCha and others have pointed out, most vet schools have all the cutting edge technology and the equipment to teach procedures with. You have specialist all congregated under one roof in a vet school. I know what A&M does with animals, and even if it is a "teaching facility", they provide the best medicine and treatment around. I think it is like a teaching hospital....our Medical Center here in Houston is the largest medical center in the world, and every hospital is a teaching hospital, and is responsible for the finest medical care and most advanced research in the world. Patients that come here from all over the world, know they are not used as "guinea pigs".....they are benefactors of the very best, most current, cutting edge medicine and research available. If it exists, it more than likely came from this medical center. I can completely understand your fear of your baby being treated as a learning tool, but you have the best vets teaching and doing research in vet schools around the country. Grads of these vet schools usually stay close in touch with their alma maters and they are always learning from and along with ideas that are being continually formed and researched and proven and then dissiminated all over the country.... They are researching "fecal implants" in some schools to treat colitis and other disruptive bowel diseases.....this research is being done for humans and on a lesser degree right now, as well as animals....vet schools are great and you have some truly magnificent treatments and procedures and research coming out of vet schools!
"Teaching facility" is not a bad word!

[ladyjane]

You know, I have to interject here. I happen to love the vet schools; but if I had an orthopedic case and many other cases I would head to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists before Texas A&M. One because of the distance, but the other is because of the absolute professional and thorough care that my pups receive at GCVS. I won't go to any ortho surgeon but Dr. Brian Beale at GCVS...he is amazing! GCVS has all of the latest equipment and can do anything A&M can do (and if they could not, they would refer out). And, honestly a couple of the vets I have used many times....I go back to the same ones. I won't see the same people over and over at A&M. So...not always my first choice, nor is it my first suggestion to others.
The OP already has concerns and honestly a good hospital with board certified vets can do the same and sometimes better than a vet school imho.

[matese]

Originally Posted by rubymoon2072

I dont have any advice but wanted to send well wishes to Cody and let you know I think it is awesome all you are doing to help make sure he is getting the best care.

Thank you for your well wishes and concern for my new little boy, He means the world to me, he rescued me, put love back into a heart that was dead. I OWE him. I will do what ever it is to get him healthy, I will travel to where ever I have to, to get him healthy. He is a precious lil imp and means MORE then the world to me. Again thank you.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

You know, I have to interject here. I happen to love the vet schools; but if I had an orthopedic case and many other cases I would head to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists before Texas A&M. One because of the distance, but the other is because of the absolute professional and thorough care that my pups receive at GCVS. I won't go to any ortho surgeon but Dr. Brian Beale at GCVS...he is amazing! GCVS has all of the latest equipment and can do anything A&M can do (and if they could not, they would refer out). And, honestly a couple of the vets I have used many times....I go back to the same ones. I won't see the same people over and over at A&M. So...not always my first choice, nor is it my first suggestion to others.
The OP already has concerns and honestly a good hospital with board certified vets can do the same and sometimes better than a vet school imho.

I have to agree with you in this....but since she was specifically asking why vet schools are recommended and she was hesitant to go to a vet school because she was under the impression her baby would be treated like a practice dummy for learning purposes, I was trying to explane why vet schools are teaching facilities and should not be considered second rate medical care. We are VERY fortunate to have GCVS....they are top notch and have all the best equipment, equipment that many, many otherwise excellent vets can not afford to house in their private practice. I am not sure she has access to board certified specialists to treat her baby.....they would have the expertise to treat her baby at most vet schools....I do not want anyone to think "teaching hospital" or "vet school" is anything to be suspicious or reluctant to seek out qualified help. I did not notice where the OP was...she may not have a facility like GCVS where she is....she may not have board certified specialists where she is....heck, she may not even be near a vet school! I just wanted to reassure her about the capabilities of a vet school ....we are very fortunate in this area!

[matese]

Originally Posted by Cha Cha

I understand your question and your concerns. IMO, veterinarians should keep in contact and have a great working relation between their practice and their school, or a school close to their practice if they are out of reach with their graduating school. So, why don't you have this conversation with your vet? My guess is she would welcome the idea to seek the help of a Vet School if that is your wish. This is how my clinic works anyway so I may be assuming most clinics do this.

I think the advantage of a vet school is they have the potential to see and treat more cases as they are working with cases from a large surrounding area, not just one localized area (your vet). They may also have students doing current research on a specific illness/disease who can offer specific treatment recommendations, or know of such research, or a specialist in this area they can refer you to if your vet cannot/will not. Yes, it can be viewed as educational or experimental, and there is always a risk involved with any procedure, but you will always have the choice to accept the treatment plan or not and have a say in your pet's care just like your vet, unless you surrender your pet to the school.

Thank you very much for this post, it now sheds a diff. light on how I see a vet school, and to know I have a choice to accept or decline a procedure, “They may also have students doing current research on a specific illness/disease who can offer specific treatment recommendations, or know of such research, or a specialist in this area they can refer you to“. Excellent point.




I plan on sticking with my vet until she looks me in the eye and tells me “there is nothing more she can do” and Cody still has Colitis. If that time were to come (and I pray I will hear those words from her) I would seek a specialist or if need be seek a vet school. Thank you for enlightening me on vet schools. My vet is not a “small town” vet meaning she has limitations . She is always learning new procedures, she has a 24/7 clinic, with on board vet and techs. Her clinic is open 365 days 24/7. When I had to put my 16 y/o girl down, my vet called me when she received Cody as a surrender, she begged me, convinced me to “just come see the dog” because 1-I swore NO MORE DOGS, the pain of them leaving is becoming to over whelming for me. And 2- I told her I would never own a male because of their marking, she told me he was nurtured and may or may not mark, (reason she was begging me to just come see the dog because I told her this) also she said there was something about this dog that reminded her of my Matese, I asked what that was, she said his ears, (Matese had the biggest most beautiful ears ever) so “just to PLEASE her I went “just to see the dog” because I knew I would not be bringing him home. Ha!!!! So that being said, she will do all that can can do to save this dog, And knowing my vet, if she feels a specialist is needed or the vet school she will advise me to see one or the other. She is all about saving animals. Again, thank you for giving me new insight to vet schools.

[Cha Cha]

Well I also agree with others who posted. I am not necessarily for one, a vet school, over a specialist, but rather see all options as valuable resources, but you did ask about vet schools. One thing I will caution, what ever you decide, it was enough for you to question it enough that you came to ask for opinions and so you are questioning something in your mind. Maybe bringing it up with your vet would break the ice to refer you for a second opinion. It never hurts and often makes us feel better about the direction of treatment. It could be that your vet feels you are comfortable with any long term prognosis at this point so she's also not making any further recommendations. Just saying....

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I have to agree with you in this....but since she was specifically asking why vet schools are recommended and she was hesitant to go to a vet school because she was under the impression her baby would be treated like a practice dummy for learning purposes, I was trying to explane why vet schools are teaching facilities and should not be considered second rate medical care. We are VERY fortunate to have GCVS....they are top notch and have all the best equipment, equipment that many, many otherwise excellent vets can not afford to house in their private practice. I am not sure she has access to board certified specialists to treat her baby.....they would have the expertise to treat her baby at most vet schools....I do not want anyone to think "teaching hospital" or "vet school" is anything to be suspicious or reluctant to seek out qualified help. I did not notice where the OP was...she may not have a facility like GCVS where she is....she may not have board certified specialists where she is....heck, she may not even be near a vet school! I just wanted to reassure her about the capabilities of a vet school ....we are very fortunate in this area!

Yes, you are definitely correct! They are all good...regular vets can do a lot but when things drag on it is time for specialists! And, yes, we are extremely lucky here....we have many options!

[matese]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

One is not better than the other. They serve different purposes. With a vet school or specialty hospital each vet is highly specialized in one area. They also have more diagnostic equipment to use.

For instance, does your general vet have an endoscopy unit to take a look in there? And just as importantly are they proficient in it?

Cody should absolutely see an internist at this point. Vet schools do have the disadvantage of students hanging around, but remember the ones ultimately overseeing your pup's care are their teachers. Your pup won't be in danger in this setting. If you are still uncomfortable you can go to a large referral hospital. Nearly the same minus the students...

What has your vet tried for this?

I would like to start off by thanking you for this info. To answer your last question


What has your vet tried for this? I adopted Cody on Nov. 12th when I took him home and out of the car I walked him before entering my house, he pooped, I saw it was colitis, I did not return immediately because I did not want to be told -ohh he’s stressed out over leaving his family, being in a strange car with a strange person, had a 2 hour car ride, came to a strange place with strange ppl, smells, animals barking, whining, crying, put in a crate for 2 nights and 2 days, was groomed by a strange groomer, then went in the car with you, yet another stranger. So after he pooped I took him in my house and out to the back yard, I think that was the first time he ever ran FREE. He came from the city, now he will live a country boys life, we stayed outside and I played with him for about an hour. When he came in the house he took over my sofa then my bed, he followed me all over, I would pick him up hug and kiss, praise him, we bonded immediately. The next morning I called the vet told her of the colitis was told to bring him in ASAP. When I saw the vet I told her of the poop from the night before and told her the reason I did not bring him right back, I wanted to get him settled in. When she went to touch him he jumped away from her and into my arms, the tech said OMG look at how fast he bonded with her, so the vet knew there was NO STRESS. Now remember this is in Nov. I don’t know what she gave me, I remember it was 3 meds and she gave him an injection, again don’t remember. (I have had dogs that got colitis with meds it went away with in a week or 2) so no reason for me to have to remember and since I was not paying for this I had no bill to even go back to look to see what they did. She said a follow up in 6 weeks. The rescue gal was texting me that the prev. owner was concerned wanted an up date on the dog, would I contact the prev. owner which I did, I told the prev, owner when she surrendered the dog he had Colitis, she told me they were hit bad by hurricane Sandy, the dog was put in to a shelter for 16 days, when she picked him up he had diarrhea, she took him to a vet for treatment. 6 weeks later some slight improvement, stool was soft but had some form, shape to it not a puddle of poop, mucus & blood still in it. On the follow up I told the vet what the prev. owner told me, my vet gave me 2 vials of med, follow up in 6 weeks. Again no paper work because I am not paying for this, when vials are finished I throw them away. 6 weeks no improvement, on follow up I was given 2 vials of diff. powder to be sprinkled on his food, first 3 days he ate it (I had to mix it into the food) day 4 he would not eat, and stool was a puddle of poop with still mucus & blood, I called the vet, go in the next day, she gave me one vial of med and a sublament, that I have name of. it’s an oriental sublament I guess this is the brand name “”Jing-Tang” stomach happy, helps the digestive system. (no my vet is NOT oriental lol) he is to get 3 capsules 2 times 12 hours apart. Follow up in 2 week. The stool stays the same, has form to it, still soft, is sticky and still has blood in it. At the 2 week follow up vet now gives me vet prescription Hill canned dog food Z/D and Z/D dry dog food, now have to feed him 3 times a day, still on the stomach happy, follow up this thurs. stool has a bit more firmness to it, but still sticky and still blood…….Had I found YT before I adopted Cody I would have known to record what meds, he was given, had I known 4 months later he would still have colitis I would have recorded what meds he had. I am sorry that I had to go through this lengthily explanation for such a simple question “What has your vet tried for this?”..... Your question....."does your general vet have an endoscopy unit to take a look in there? And just as importantly are they proficient in it” I don’t know, I never had a dog that need this, If she doesn’t and he needit that procedure she would recommend one to me.. As I responded to another “ I plan on sticking with my vet until she looks me in the eye and tells me “there is nothing more she can do” and Cody still has Colitis. If that time were to come (and I pray I will NEVER hear those words from her) I would seek a specialist or if need be seek a vet school. Thank you for this very informative information.















　

[matese]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I think you definitely should consider taking him to see an internist. If you don't want to use a vet school, you can go to this site American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine > Home to look for a board certified specialist in your area. It sounds to me as if your vet is treating symptoms. In my experience with specialists, they get down to the nitty gritty from the start, do testing and come up with a diagnosis, and then a treatment plan. While it is more money up front, you can save money in the long run because you won't be going to the vet as often.

Thank you very much for this web site As I responded to other members “ I plan on sticking with my vet until she looks me in the eye and tells me “there is nothing more she can do” and Cody still has Colitis. If that time were to come (and I pray I will NEVER hear those words from her) I would seek a specialist, and now you have provided me with very vital information, the website for the specialist. I agree 100% "you can save money in the long run because you won't be going to the vet as often"
Thank you so very much