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Originally Posted by topknot  Yep! Most vets do not know breed specifics (standard for each breed). There are just too many breeds for them (vets) to know. I would not be able to tell you about poodles, since I have not researched/studied them. Same for vets. I use to work for a vet as a tech and know first hand of this. They do know health, but that is it - unless they are interested in a particular breed and study up on that breed you really do not know. This is what gets me when someone asks their vets if it is okay to breed their dog. Health is one thing and most vets will not recommend the various test for breeding unless the owner asked about them. So these people that have asked for the okay to breed - most have not had the testing done or know the standard. It is just a quick once over health check to see if it looks okay health wise from the vet that the bitch would do okay whelping. That is all it is. Not whether it is to breed standard or had thorough health screenings done. I have had to educate my vet. He is really good with health stuff, but I have had to educate him. When I was first asking and doing screenings - I was the only one having them done out of all his patients. Now there are more, I think do to more people being educated. But it is slow. We just have to keep educating our vets on our breed as well as getting information out their to others - reg. lay person. |
I agree that the general practitioner of veterinary medicine, is unlikely to know all 270 or so breed standards. But I would expect a general vet to brush up on all the likely health problems for the top 5-10 dog breeds in the nation. As it is very likely that there will be a whole lot of those breeds entering their clinics. I contrast this with my specialist vet, who when I booked an appointment with him for one of my other dogs , which is a rare breed, had prior to my appointment researched this breed and knew the standard. It was our first appointment and he immediately bonded with my big boy, and spoke with me about the health problems that he knew from his research was prevalent to this breed. His physical exam was very through, including pulse points at different places in the canine anatomy. He understood in general and some specific ways about show dogs and breeding. Unfortunately for me this vet is 2hour drive away, and I do want someone closer in case of emergencies and for regular run of the mill vaccinations.
I too am in the health care arena, and I believe it is my responsibility to understand as much as I can about a condition, to be able to help and advise my client as best as I can, even if that means to refer out to another practioner who is more skilled or able in the arena of their medical condition.
Jmo