Bad Vets

[MommysBabyRoxy]

Sorry, this is going to be a long post...

This is my previous post in another thread about the Vet I just recently went to...

Originally Posted by MommysBabyRoxy

I am so irritated!!

The Vet looked at what I printed out and folded it up and laughed and said "this is what happens when people go on the internet and try to do self diagnosis. There is NO such thing as 'leather ear'".

She didnt even LOOK at the stuff I printed out. It made me so angry. Then she told me I shouldnt have cleaned Lexi's ears out, cause even though she couldnt get me in for almost a week, it killed the mites in her ear. I guess I was just supposed to let the baby suffer and take the chance on Chico and Roxy getting them.

She told me Lexi's ears look normal, and I dont think that they do. I have seen LOTS of Yorkie ears, and I have had problems with Chihuahua and Yorkie ears in the past, and I know what a healthy ear looks like.

She insisted it must be the mites that made her ear like that... after she insisted that she wouldnt find any mite reminants, and then found the head and feelers of one, although dead, it was proof they were there.

I still dont think that the mites could have made her ears this black and gunky all around the edges of the ear and made her lose her hair on the back, but I could be wrong about that, and I can admit that. Depending on how long she has had them and they were untreated. I dont think the woman who had her ever treated her for anything.

I am still going to do the Lotrimin tho, and I am also going to use the Revolution for her on her to get rid of the mites and everything else. She was microchipped and I have to get the info done... (at least the lady didnt lie about that)

The vet also insisted that Lexi was at least 3 years old, which I dont believe because she said that with how bad her teeth are, there is no way that she is a year old. Her teeth are much better than Roxy's and I KNOW 1. that woman didnt not cut her nails, but cleaned her teeth. 2. Roxy's teeth are cleaned regularly, she IS 3, and she has bad teeth, way worse than Lexi's and I know Roxy is 3. I am pretty sure that Lexi is about a year, her teeth are still white, straight, and look pretty good.

I knew that I shouldnt have trusted this lady whenever I told her Lexi was a year and 4 months and she insisted that would have made her born in July of 08. Somebody obviously can not count.

She didnt listen to me at all, and even contradicted me about saying the lady who had her didnt know how to care for her, almost sticking up for her like they were old friends that go way back. She doesnt know this woman from Jack. I finally said, well, I guess her nails growing so long theyre practically growing into her pads is a sign of a responsible owner then.

I AM SO MAD. After Lexi gets her shots, I wont be going back. Had I not already paid for them, Id be going somewhere else.

She had the gall to ask me if I wanted to get her fixed... I said yes, but not here.

I went back to that vet... and she charged me over $56 again even tho she told me that the next visit was covered! I paid $150 the first time, which was for the shots and for the office visit. She said she doesnt like doing all the shots at once, so next time she wouldnt charge me when I came back to get the other shots. What she meant was, "I'm not going to charge you for the visit, youll still have to pay for the shots", but thats not what she said... I had figured Id paid for the shots already, so I didnt have to bring any money, and then I had to put it all on my debit

Then, not ONLY did she do that, but then she told me she charged the wrong amount, so she gave me a dollar back... then she added it up again, and asked for the dollar back...

How can I trust a woman with my dog that has proved to me twice in 3 days that she doesnt know basic math?

This is the Greengate Veterinary Clinic, in Greensburg, Pa.

I also went to a place called Grace Veterinary Clinic in Mt. Pleasant, Pa.
The vet BIT Roxy! So hard she tried to bite him!!! And Roxy does NOT bite! When he cleaned out her ears he held her down so hard she was squealing. I never went back There are also plenty of bad reviews for him online.

So, then I tried Latrobe Veterinary Clinic. I took Roxy there, and he was very matter of fact, which didnt bother me, but he kind of rushed me.

When Mutzie had to be put to sleep though, it seemed like he was rushing us and not very thoughtful of the situation. It really bothered me, and thats when I decided to get another vet.

I just cant seem to find someone who is caring, thoughtful, really concerned about my dog and willing to listen to questions. Its like they all just want to tell you everything and get you in and out. I hate that. Its the same reason I hate regular doctors. I just feel like they shouldnt be that way with my furbabies. I spend more money on their health than my own, and I believe that I should be able to find a good one.

Next I am trying Greensburg Veterinary Associates. I have heard good things about the female vet there.

What do you guys think of my most recent experience with Lexi's vet visit?
Any suggestions?
Any bad vets youve experienced?

[Cerise]

I am truly beginning to believe that vets don't know much but what was taught to them in generic vet school. There is also no longer customer service because they can't charge what they really want because then most people wouldn't take their pets in to see them. So they get by, by constantly coming up with more reasons for you to come back...more shots (some that you don't really need) more exams that are even related to what you need, suggestions that don't relate to the needs of a Yorkshire Terrier, insistence on Hills Science Diet or Hills brand commercial dog foods and other kibble like it's the only thing that is healthy for your Yorkie. I'll stop there because my blood pressure was rising

Do you think Lexi might have had a yeast infection in her ears?

[Cerise]

Oh and reminding you that your baby is just a DOG and should be treated like a dog.

I can't even post what I thought of that comment from my vet, but you can probably imagine LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!

[MorkieMomii]

I find out more on the net and here on YT than I ever do at the vet. I end up educating the vet.

When I have a problem, I come here, ask the question, get great advice. But I have to laugh sometimes because there are always some who post "oh go to your vet" "better ask your vet". If I thought the vet had a clue I wouldn't come here!

I educate myself and trust my judgment, then go to the vet for the things I can't do. I have come accross many uneducated vets...wonder what they actually learn at school???

Reading your posts I just have to shrug. That is exactly what vets are like. I remember one we had in another town years ago that was good, but really since then just coping with whatever we get.

[MommysBabyRoxy]

Thats what the guy at Grace told me too, that Roxy was just a dog.

It really bothers me, I mean, I know there are ppl that think that, but 1. You need to realize some of your customers ARENT going to feel that way, and should know how to talk to them, use some tact, and 2. should you really be in the business of curing animals if you only think of them as animals?

I want my babies to be looked at like a pediatrician looks at a young child, realize that my dog might not mean that much to you, but when youre taking care of it, youre taking care of something that means the world to ME, and I am PAYING you to feel the same way for whatever time it takes to make them better.

The Vets I've been seeing are just as bad as HMO doctors.

It was obvious, just like the woman that I bought Lexi from, that she had no idea about particular breeds, and if she did, it would probably be something like the Golden Retriever, obviously NOT Yorkies.

I AM SO MAD!!!

[MommysBabyRoxy]

Originally Posted by MorkieMomii

I find out more on the net and here on YT than I ever do at the vet. I end up educating the vet.

When I have a problem, I come here, ask the question, get great advice. But I have to laugh sometimes because there are always some who post "oh go to your vet" "better ask your vet". If I thought the vet had a clue I wouldn't come here!

I educate myself and trust my judgment, then go to the vet for the things I can't do. I have come accross many uneducated vets...wonder what they actually learn at school???

Reading your posts I just have to shrug. That is exactly what vets are like. I remember one we had in another town years ago that was good, but really since then just coping with whatever we get.

Yes, unfortunately, I am seeing that too...

This woman couldnt even count. She thought a 1yr 4mo was July! lol...

I wanted to see a Vet to see if she definitely had Leather Ear before I started treating it... but she told me it didnt exist... so I just came home and started treating it anyways the way I found on YT.

I believe Lexi is starting to get peach fuzz on her ears, but its very fine... altho, it could be wishful thinking I guess.

[MorkieMomii]

Originally Posted by MommysBabyRoxy

Yes, unfortunately, I am seeing that too...

This woman couldnt even count. She thought a 1yr 4mo was July! lol...

I wanted to see a Vet to see if she definitely had Leather Ear before I started treating it... but she told me it didnt exist... so I just came home and started treating it anyways the way I found on YT.

I believe Lexi is starting to get peach fuzz on her ears, but its very fine... altho, it could be wishful thinking I guess.

Ya that is what you have to do. Google it, look for pictures, and then search treatment options. Honestly, I don't know what I would do without the net, even for stuff with the kids(my skinkids that is) it is so helpful to learn things and get the job done yourself.

[MI Yorkielover]

Wow, I guess we are pretty lucky! We have a good vet. I can go to him with any questions and he takes the time to talk over any issue on my mind. Only once was I rushed because of an emergency that came in and then he called me at home to make sure I didn't have any more questions. I never have to wait for more than a couple of minutes and when finished I am charged a reasonable amount for whatever service he performed. He doesn't give multiple vaccines at one time and tells me if he believes a particular vaccination isn't necessary. He has never tried to sell me the Science Diet that is in the office and neither has any of his office staff. When we had to put Baby to sleep he made us the last appointment of the day and was so kind to let us stay with her as long as we wanted and sent us a sympathy card the next day. He's very good with Sophie and she likes him. I don't think you can generalize about all vets and group them all in a bad light.

[MommysBabyRoxy]

Originally Posted by MI Yorkielover

I don't think you can generalize about all vets and group them all in a bad light.

I dont think anybody here has, we just cant find good ones... you are very fortunate as far as my luck has been... Like I said, I am looking into a woman I heard was very good at Greensburg Veterinary Associates. My best friends grandmother had a very good experience there with the female doctor when her baby had to be put to sleep.

I just want to find a good one, and so far, I have gone to 4, and no luck.

I am hoping to find a good one. We used to go to a man called Shrader, but he retired. He was great. I think there are good ones, but finding them is the problem. You're very lucky to have such a great vet.

We didnt get anything but rushed whenever Mutzie was put to sleep, and I literally was screaming and had snots running down my face. I had seen Mutzie be born 14 years earlier and held her, the size of a tiny fist, in my hands... and I was there the moment she died, holding her. All I got was a towel wrapped around her and rushed out of the office with her in a box.

[MI Yorkielover]

I didn't mean you literally. My point was that there are some very good ones out there, too. I'm glad you're looking for one you feel you can respect and trust.

[Cerise]

Originally Posted by MommysBabyRoxy

I dont think anybody here has, we just cant find good ones... you are very fortunate as far as my luck has been... Like I said, I am looking into a woman I heard was very good at Greensburg Veterinary Associates. My best friends grandmother had a very good experience there with the female doctor when her baby had to be put to sleep.

I just want to find a good one, and so far, I have gone to 4, and no luck.

I am hoping to find a good one. We used to go to a man called Shrader, but he retired. He was great. I think there are good ones, but finding them is the problem. You're very lucky to have such a great vet.

We didnt get anything but rushed whenever Mutzie was put to sleep, and I literally was screaming and had snots running down my face. I had seen Mutzie be born 14 years earlier and held her, the size of a tiny fist, in my hands... and I was there the moment she died, holding her. All I got was a towel wrapped around her and rushed out of the office with her in a box.

There is a woman who is small dog only vet that is so popular here in Austin that she won't even take new clients. They say she is so busy and good that it has been like that for years. I heard you have to darn near wait until someone dies to get in. And I'm not talking about the dogs, I'm talking about the owners. They say most established clients sneak their friends new pets in as their own. Goodness anyway that is the gossip that I hear here.

[jencar98]

Keep looking, they are out there. You might want to try and drop by a few offices, and just observe for a few minutes....you can tell a lot by how an office is ran. If you find an office that initially impresses you, ask if you can speak with a vet about your dogs future care. I don't mind interviewing for a vet, after all, we hope to have a long relationship.

We've been lucky and both vets we use are more like friends and don't mind taking as much time as necessary during our visits. And...LOL.....both of them can do basic math very well!

[jjohnson86]

Good vets are definately out there, hard to find yes but they are there. Vets to me remind me of doctors period, most of them do it for the money not because they care!! Which is absolutely ridiculous..to get into a field where you care for something and not give a crap. I luckily have a great vet who loves animals, treats them as if they are human and is reasonably priced, will not overcharge you for things...he even calls after a pets surgery to make sure they are recovering ok. Just keep looking, you'll find one, good luck!

[Britster]

What a shame! I didn't like the very first vet Jackson went to initially for all of his puppy shots, etc. They weren't BAD per say, I just didn't really like the way they handled certain things.

He got neutered and got his rabies shot at a spay clinic who was way better than the first vet!

When Jackson got diagnosed with Lymes in early January, I had to call every vet that had an opening that day (he had been limping all weekend) and so we went to this one 5 minutes from my house and I LOVE her! In a sense, I'm glad Jackson came out limping or else we wouldn't have found that vet. She was the most caring, and the only vet that Jackson wasn't totally spazzing out at. He actually liked her. He's going on Monday for yearly shots!

But my point, they're out there. I think it depends on your area you live in too. Certain places around Annapolis, MD are really high priced and pets are looked at as family around here moreso than certain towns. (I'm about 10 mins from Annapolis).

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by MorkieMomii

I find out more on the net and here on YT than I ever do at the vet. I end up educating the vet.

When I have a problem, I come here, ask the question, get great advice. But I have to laugh sometimes because there are always some who post "oh go to your vet" "better ask your vet". If I thought the vet had a clue I wouldn't come here!

I educate myself and trust my judgment, then go to the vet for the things I can't do. I have come accross many uneducated vets...wonder what they actually learn at school???

Reading your posts I just have to shrug. That is exactly what vets are like. I remember one we had in another town years ago that was good, but really since then just coping with whatever we get.

lol i had to laugh reading this one as that is how i feel many times lol but i have been very happy with the specialists i deal with but as far as regular vet I struggle with it alot as have a hard time trusting them