Bad Vet?

[anevarez]

Well, a couple of weeks ago we went on vacation and took our Chloe with us. We found a vet (who I won't name) who specializes in toy breeds. He suggested I have some blood work done (didn't really listen to what) because I had my 4 children with me... but he said he wanted to check out some common genetic issues Yorkie's can face. He did a complete physical and said she was an excellent dog... note that Chloe is only 7 months old. Chloe weighs in at 3lbs exact and when the vet mentioned something about tiny dogs producing small litters I told him I would never breed her due to her size. He asked me why and I said that I was informed that Yorkies under 5lbs should not be bred. He seemed to think if she made it to 3.5 lbs she would be a great candidate should her bloodwork come back good. He loved her stature and poise... even asked for a card from her breeder. Well, today we got a call from his tech that blood work was all perfect. I asked again what was done and I was told that I could call on Monday and speak directly to him. So, basically I have two questions:
1. Is this a bad vet... or are vet's just not well informed about breeding?
2. What could he have possibly tested for?

We went in for a basic physical... we were directed by several people to this great vet who specialized in toy breeds, so we went. He was really nice, but the info he gave me did not match what almost everyone else has said!

Thanks!

[ArmaniMan]

Many vets are not that well versed on breeding practices, however what concerns me is that he seems to be pushing breeding on you... while you may understand the risks and be strong enough to do what you know is right... others in your position may be like "hey my vet said its good, lets go for it!" In my opinion... whether a vet knows the correct weight of a breeding dog or not they DO KNOW about pet overpopulation and shouldnt be pushing breeding on anyone.

Second, I would be concerned about a vet who ran a bunch of tests and didnt fully explain them to me... now if you were preoccupied and just didnt get everything thats one thing... I have had that happen to me as well... I have something else on my mind, or another dog to watch and I miss something they say and after think "wait. what the heck did he just say?"

Bottom line is... if you dont feel comfortable with this vet, no matter how many people tell you he is wonderful.. he isnt right for you.

[motomomma317]

I fully agree with the if he doesn't feel right hes not right part.

I just had my little guy to the vet just last week. He walked me thru everything including the shots and what they were for and the basic work up blood work they do and explained why he felt the basics needed to be done. He also gave me a run down for what to keep an eye on after shots. And gave me the protocol if he had any side effects. All in simple and easy to explain terms, and only spoke to me when I was paying attention, not focused on the dog our my husband who came into the appointment late. He also personally called me the very next day to tell me about the blood results and asked if i had any questions I may of forgotten to ask the day before or specifics about the blood work. So I didn't get a desk clerk that said " your results are fine but if you have any questions you gotta call the dr. back later." I understand that vets can be very busy, but a good vet leaves himself time to handle things.

[anevarez]

He assumed we had taken her in for a physical to go ahead and breed her at a later date. I guess since she was not a new puppy he was a little confused as to why we took her in. He did explain the tests to me... b ut my children ages 6, 5, 2, and 17 months were all with me... I understood something about yorkie's livers and something about genetic conditions that can cause problems if surgery is ever performed. The hubby said he went on for over 1/2 an hour on the tests that would let us know we had a healthy dog, but of course he couldn't recall it!

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

Many vets are not that well versed on breeding practices, however what concerns me is that he seems to be pushing breeding on you... while you may understand the risks and be strong enough to do what you know is right... others in your position may be like "hey my vet said its good, lets go for it!" In my opinion... whether a vet knows the correct weight of a breeding dog or not they DO KNOW about pet overpopulation and shouldnt be pushing breeding on anyone.

Second, I would be concerned about a vet who ran a bunch of tests and didnt fully explain them to me... now if you were preoccupied and just didnt get everything thats one thing... I have had that happen to me as well... I have something else on my mind, or another dog to watch and I miss something they say and after think "wait. what the heck did he just say?"

Bottom line is... if you dont feel comfortable with this vet, no matter how many people tell you he is wonderful.. he isnt right for you.

[ArmaniMan]

Originally Posted by anevarez

He assumed we had taken her in for a physical to go ahead and breed her at a later date. I guess since she was not a new puppy he was a little confused as to why we took her in. He did explain the tests to me... b ut my children ages 6, 5, 2, and 17 months were all with me... I understood something about yorkie's livers and something about genetic conditions that can cause problems if surgery is ever performed. The hubby said he went on for over 1/2 an hour on the tests that would let us know we had a healthy dog, but of course he couldn't recall it!

Hmmm... Many yorkies do have liver issues but the way to test for that is a Bile Acid Test and he would have had to draw blood, feed your dog, wait a few hours and draw blood again... if you didnt leave your dog then there is no way he did BATs.

He probably just did a complete CBC which test many different things... this is a very good thing to have done anyway, especially before your dog ever undergoes any type of surgery.

[anevarez]

Thanks everyone... We actually did leave Chloe because one of the hotel guests kept on complaining about her barking. This vet has a doggy hotel that is highly rated in that city, and while we were there we decided to go ahead with a physical. He was very nice and has lots of experience. He is an older vet. I was supposed to talk to him 2 days after the blood tests, but my children got a stomach bug on vacation and as we were 4 hours from home we just wanted to get back in one piece. I regret not keeping that appointment, but 2 of my 4 children were already vomitting so it was pick Chloe up and race home! The reason his tech called was because I hadn't called (it all slipped my mind) as the stomach bug resolved and then last week hit 2 of the other kids as well as myself, then strep made it's round and now my hubby has the stomach bug =(... The tech had told me I could call and he would talk to me, but since it is Saturday he will not be in until Monday. There is another vet there today, but I would rather talk to him. As it wasn't anything out of urgency, I just took my time.

[anevarez]

Oh, and I know I wasn't prepared - but if I would have known that the vet was going to be happy to see us and Chloe I would have left my husband and kids back at the hotel... I was honestly just anticipating touring the doggy hotel and leaving her there.