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Originally Posted by Ellie May  Why not just go the four hours if he is the best?
While I know nothing about either of these doctors and I'm sure they both will do fine, being a diplomate of the ACVS would be extremely important to me, otherwise they can't really say that they specialize in veterinary surgery...
Another thing you might want to take into consideration is pain management post op. A Yorkie had surgery at Michigan State University for LP and was only given a couple days of pain meds. They didn't want her feeling too good to early evidently. However, I do not agree with that at all... This person ended up getting more meds from their regular vet but I know you aren't happy with your vet(s) right now, so maybe you won't be able to depend on that... Then there is the issue of will she be hospitalized without supervision and the anesthesia that is used. |
I don't want to drive the 4 hours because Tatum does not do well in the car. That would be 4 hours there, 4 hours back home, and then another 4 hours there and back when she has to go to get her sutures removed and for a check up. That is just too much for her. I don't know if Dr. Baker is "the best" - I just heard that he was very good, but then again I've heard the very same thing about Dr. Craig. The reason I didn't want to use Dr. Kerpsack is because he IS NOT an Orthopedic Surgeon. I specifically asked them that on the phone, and they said no.
I don't mean this to come off as sounding rude but it will probably seem that way because I don't know how else to word it but I feel that it would be better to go with the doctor whom I know is an Orthopecdic Surgeon regardless of whether or not he is a diplomate of the ACVS versus the other doctor whom I know is NOT an Orthopedic Surgeon. And Dr. Craig did complete a 3 year surgery residency, so that should count for something.
I mean any vet can preform surgery, heck even my regular (previous vet) said that he could do the LP surgery, he's done them before, but I want an Orthopedic Surgeon.I wouldn't let just any vet do this surgery in a million years.
P.S. - they use Isoflurane Gas, I already asked that. And I most definitely will be asking if someone will be there with her during the night - absolutely. As for the pain meds, I will make sure that they give her plenty - and if I do happen to run out I can always get it re-filled at one of the local pharmacy's here...they do fill dog prescriptions and they do have Metacam.