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Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1  I am not sure what type of microchipping he is doing, but I certainly do not want anyone to think that microchipping "would be extremely painful..... due to the size of the injection which is needed as a result of the size of the chip". The chips I am knowledgable of are the size of a grain of rice. I do my own microchipping on 12-14 week old babies, and they do not even yelp! The needle used for delivery is extremely sharp and it just slides right under the skin.....no pain at all....puppy seldom even acknowledges insertion of the needle. I certainly do hope no one has been put off getting their pet microchip for fear you are subjecting them to "excrutiating pain".....absolutely not true for systems used here in the US. |
Hiya! Just the vets opinion which is what it is, I guess? He was not an advocate of non-vets inserting the chip due the increased risk of sarcoma when the chip is inserted incorrectly so I'm not sure how he would have taken the alternate view. Also, he may have given me the advice specific to Teddy's mental state and size and didn't intend for the advice to be considered for all YT's? Therefore, I think you're absolutely correct in stating that his advice shouldn't be used as the advice for all YT's. Everyone should get vet advice for their own dog and their own circumstances.
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Originally Posted by BorderKelpie I understand that, and I certainly don't mean to offend anyone. I just tend to be rather cautious with steroid use as it has been greatly overused here. Please know that you did not offend me! I have to sneak onto YT between family obligations and research so my responses can sometimes seem blunt...apologies...I respect everything you've said and the time you took to say it, thank you! You are correct, steroid usage (antibiotics, too) are often overused which has greatly reduced their efficacy and resulted in the vets and medical community considering a change in stance with regards to how often and if/when they are prescribed.
There is also a possibilty (rather distinct possibility according to my allergist) that my auto-immune issues now were triggered by the over use of steroids when I was a kid. I was sensitive to vaccines, so the dr's would give me prednisolone when I was vaccinated. I am a walking disaster today. I think your allergist is correct - there is the chance that over vaccination for humans and dogs result in adverse health which is why the standard is under review for humans and animals and is the reason your allergist is aware of the potential source of the issue for you.
The advice I was given by my vet on the extremely rare times we use topical steroids on my pets is that I should apply it with a tongue depresser and/or wear gloves. Be aware that you can absorb it by being in contact with Teddy. I have such powerful reactions to steroids now that I am not able to handle contact with an animal 'wearing' it.  That's why I am so extremly grateful to 4carolyn to pointing me in the direction of the Dermacton - it's really working wonders for Bug and I can still hold him and sleep with him. Again, correct! The insert does suggest that gloves are worn when the medicine is given and does say that corticosteroids can cause irreversible skin damage if not applied correctly. Thank you for emphasizing this point!!!!
I do wish you and Teddy all the very best! |
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Originally Posted by Britster Glad the vet visit went well!!
Jackson's very well experienced veterinary dentist would highly disagree with this. Brushing is not a waste of time if you are doing it every day and correctly. It would be a waste of time if... say, you are brushing the teeth only once every 15 days. At that point, it seems it would be pretty pointless. Yes professional dental cleanings under anesthesia are important but if you can prevent other issues in between and lengthen the amount of time between professional cleanings- why would you not? Fair enough! His opinion is his opinion and as a professional, I took it for what it was, but I do see your reasoning! He, however, disagreed so it is what it is, I guess?
I am also not against preventative vaccines, but I would be sure this vet is not giving yearly vaccinations. Lepto is definitely something that should be dependent on individual dog and location. I find there to be more cons than pros personally, but understand why some give it. Jackson nearly died from lepto vaccine and a lot of small dogs have terrible reactions to it, so I likely won't ever get it again for another dog. The booster they gave Teddy is given every 3 years which includes the Lepto. I believe you can get an annual Lepto vaccination but it is unlikely that I will be doing that given that the incidence rate is so low. He did advise that the rate of Lepto was extremely low but he did say that any adverse reaction was lower at 1 in 10,000,000. He was not dismissing the fact that SOMEONE had to be the 10,000,000th but from a clinician point of view, the risk of Lepto is slightly higher than the risk of an adverse reaction (even though still ridiculously low) so he made his recommendation on this basis.
Never heard of microchipping being any more painful than a vaccine. |
Thanks everyone for your comments! I have responded in red.
This site gives different info re: the vets opinion and is more in less in line with what he said regarding the chip:
Microchipping Your Dog or Cat
Professionals have different opinions. I know that when I called and had a phone interview with a vet at the same office, I was given different advice re: my cats vaccinations than the vet I saw on this day gave me. Therefore, even amongst professionals, opinions can differ.
I would stress the importance of understanding that any advice above relates to MY circumstance and MY dog and should not be used as a substitute for your own dog/circumstances.
Please keep commenting if you feel there is something else I need to question or consider! No one, even professionals, are 100% correct in everything they say. I took comfort that this vet is a small breed specialist, favoring the YT, with over 25 years experience. BUT, no one can experience or know about all things so all of your comments are invaluable to me.
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