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mommyofsophie · 07-27-2010, 03:20 PM

I'm really surprised at how many people have assumed that because my vet can't perform the surgery that she thinks it's inhumane. My vet can't perform the operation because the VCA Woodland clinic in which she practices has a policy against it. My vet has given me a referral for a vet who has a private practice and does perform the procedure. My vet has been understanding of the really tough situation I'm in and the complexity of it. She is supportive of me having the surgery for Sophie, if I decide to do that.

But... even if my vet didn't agree with a decision I might make (and I absolutely have NOT decided to have the procedure), I still have the right to question my vet and her opinion. We need to be critical consumers of health care, for our dogs and ourselves. It worries me that many people think we should just accept whatever our vet thinks is best. Our vet is one person. Yes, he/she is a trained medical professional, but second and third opinions should always be considered for a big decision like this. I respect my vet and her opinion, but I also know it's my responsibility to do my research, ask informed questions, and make my own decisions in the end. I do that for my own healthcare, and I will do no less for Sophie, for whom I assumed life-long healthcare responsibility the moment she came into my life.

Thanks again to everyone who disagreed with me even considering this, but did so in a rational way!

07-27-2010, 03:20 PM	#112
mommyofsophie Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI, USA Posts: 248	Vets I'm really surprised at how many people have assumed that because my vet can't perform the surgery that she thinks it's inhumane. My vet can't perform the operation because the VCA Woodland clinic in which she practices has a policy against it. My vet has given me a referral for a vet who has a private practice and does perform the procedure. My vet has been understanding of the really tough situation I'm in and the complexity of it. She is supportive of me having the surgery for Sophie, if I decide to do that. But... even if my vet didn't agree with a decision I might make (and I absolutely have NOT decided to have the procedure), I still have the right to question my vet and her opinion. We need to be critical consumers of health care, for our dogs and ourselves. It worries me that many people think we should just accept whatever our vet thinks is best. Our vet is one person. Yes, he/she is a trained medical professional, but second and third opinions should always be considered for a big decision like this. I respect my vet and her opinion, but I also know it's my responsibility to do my research, ask informed questions, and make my own decisions in the end. I do that for my own healthcare, and I will do no less for Sophie, for whom I assumed life-long healthcare responsibility the moment she came into my life. Thanks again to everyone who disagreed with me even considering this, but did so in a rational way!