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Originally Posted by LuvMySissy  I've only read the first four pages of this thread so I don't know everything that has been said yet. However, Anne is right on here.
Especially since our pets cannot speak - we are their voice. As owners, I feel we have a responsibility to seek out knowledge and educate ourselves. No one knows everything - but with forums such as this - we have the ability to read and learn. Once you are aware of the potential issues out there, I feel you have an obligation to these precious little ones to question, question, question - especially when pets are not getting better. Always trust your gut. If it is telling you something is wrong, LISTEN! And many vets do not run blood work routinely either. This is something we should ALL be doing at annual exams, but most never do because of the cost. There are so many issues that can be caught early if only this were done.
I have never said all vets are bad - but you should also do your research on every single medication given. And there are many times the dosage is given inaccurately, either by the vet or if filled at a pharmacy - so if something doesn't seem right - question it.
Not to continue stirring up debate, but I have seen many of you posting on this thread specifically tell an OP to do only exactly what their vet has told them. I don't think anyone who is trying to help an OP is meaning to scare with suggested tests/results. If that is how it comes across, perhaps it is the passion of the person posting who has been through this and trying to save the OP heartache?
I can tell you all that when my Sissy was diagnosed with PLE, it was a year after her first pancreatitis-like attack. It was through a repeat Chem 27 panel that lipase levels and immune system markers were going through the roof depsite a very regimented low fat diet. And only because of my knowledge of the Spec cPL test and my request that it was run by my vet as my gut was telling me something was wrong. Had we not done that and gotten the correct diagnosis, Sissy would very likely "have been dead in 6 months" - those were the words of my vet - not my own interpretation. And all this is with a vet I feel very confident in.
So, again the bottom line is do your homework, know your pet, listen to your gut and question. It is the same thing you would do for your child or another family member - why not your beloved furkid? |
I am on the same page as Ann and Jodi - do your homework and question it if it does not seem right as I will reiterate as well my dex would be DEAD TODAY if i did what vet suggested but i got him to a specialist that saved his life. Vet told me he had a tumor in his pancreas and HE DID NOT. I grabbed him and ran to specialist that day no more messing around. You never know how good your vet is until your dog is REALLY SICK. Then you find out real quick.
and guess who was my support during it all - A YAHOO GROUP as everyone else told me to put him to sleep