Am I being overly sensitive?

[hnybun128]

I began seeing a new vet this year. I generally really like the vet and her office staff seems very friendly. That said, I have 4 cats and now 2 dogs. The oldest two cats are 6 years old and I've had them since they were kittens and the younger two are rescues I've adopted within the past two years. I got Mojo at the beginning of this year always knowing I would get another Yorkie. He was doing well on his house breaking and it's summer, so I thought it would be a great time to bring home another. I truly believe everybody needs a buddy, so I just brought Maci home this past weekend.

My problem is, every time I bring a new pet in, I get a comment to the effect of, "oh, it's another one?" First of all, though these pets may be new to the vet, they are not new to me, with the exception of the pups. Everyone is fully vetted, on high quality food, and gets daily (practically constant) attention from me. I work from home, so they are hardly ever alone.

Trust me, my furry family is complete for a while, but I really feel like they're judging me for having multiple pets. When I called to make Maci's first vet appointment, the receptionist said "oh, another puppy?" I responded with, yes, I only have one other.

I'm sorry, I'm probably overly hormonal. In fact, I know I am right now. However, it really irritates me that I've gotten multiple comments from these people. You think they'd be happy to see that I'm a responsible pet owner and that all my furkids are healthy.

[Breny]

I think that would irritate me too. I know it would. You can always research some new vets. I know I was unhappy with some things at my vet and I found one an hour away that I choose to drive to now just because of their people skills and over all skills.
Maybe its time to go on a search
Sometimes the Vets counter help have alot to be desired LOL

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by hnybun128

My problem is, every time I bring a new pet in, I get a comment to the effect of, "oh, it's another one?"

Is this the Vet's attitude or just the office staff? One office worker in particular? Or all that you encounter there?

Some people are just not trained in reception and are awkward at greetings. but, it could seem, as their job depends on pets, that they would be happy to see new animals at their practice.

[gidget529]

I agree w Breny - occasionally the counter ppl at a vet can get a little crabby. At my vet there is only one who can get crabby, but I cringe when its her who answers the phone. I know there will be a sigh, condescending comment, etc. The others are a pure joy and very pleasant, plus I find the majority of the vets who practice there to have outstanding knowledge and a real heart for animals (it is a large practice) - so I keep going. Also, I just found out on another thread, not all vets have staff there overnight w the admitted animals, and my vet does.

I would find another vet if I were you. You would think they would be happy you are providing a good home to mult animals.

[Ashley V]

I would be irritated too... that's right on up there when I got a comment from the vet because I brought Chip in because his paw pad broke open and was bleeding a lot and he was limping. The vet said to me "Oh you made me stay open for this?" She also told me that if my dog keels over to not come crying to her. I almost pulled her across the table. Needless to say, I found a new vet.

Some people just don't know how to keep their comments to themselves. It's none of their business if you have 50 pets, as long as they are fed properly, vetted properly, and cared for in their every need. You shouldn't have to feel like you need to explain that to anyone. If it's just the office staff I would maybe mention the comments to the office manager or the vet and maybe they can speak with the staff. If the vet is making comments, I would change vets, IMO. If a vet is making snarky comments like that, then it sounds like he would just be in his profession for all the wrong reasons.

[hnybun128]

Originally Posted by Ashley V

I would be irritated too... that's right on up there when I got a comment from the vet because I brought Chip in because his paw pad broke open and was bleeding a lot and he was limping. The vet said to me "Oh you made me stay open for this?" She also told me that if my dog keels over to not come crying to her. I almost pulled her across the table. Needless to say, I found a new vet.

Wow... just wow! I agree with you completely. It's not anyone's business how many pets I have, as long as they're well cared for. I'm not going there to be judged.

I know I've heard it from multiple people there and definitely once from the vet. When the vet made the comment, I told her they may be new to her, but not to me. The vet tried to backtrack saying that she didn't mean it like that, but I was still offended by the comment because her vet tech had made an almost identical comment when showing us to the exam room.

They treat my animals very well. The morning Mojo was neutered; they just carried him around with them so he wouldn't have to sit in a cage alone. The vet is an advocate against over vaccinating, which I appreciate. It stinks because I’m in a small town with only a few vets. I stopped seeing a different vet for multiple reasons and was traveling an hour to another animal hospital for the past few years. With the hours I work, it got to be too much after a while. This vet was actually recommended to me by another YT member and I’ve heard good things about her around town.

[Ellie May]

Under those circumstances, I wouldn't switch. They say things they regret sometimes. It's an exhausting and annoying job at times. They get grumpy.

It definitely is their business how many animals are in the house. Hoarding is a big issue (not saying by any means that 6 animals is hoarding). Disease could spread through all of them, etc., etc.

Getting two pups close together isn't really recommended, so there might have been concern about that. As long as the vet doesn't keep at it, I'd let it go. And ignore the staff.

[gidget529]

Maybe if one of those comments is made again, you could have some half-joking yet meant comment back. I certainly am not the most gifted person in tact (husband will verify this!), but there has got to be a way to have a comment ready to get your point across. Kind of, "yes another one - since I'm able to provide, I'm willing to save another. Small animal adopted, small dent in homeless pet population!"

Maybe they'll get the hint.

Actually, you should probably ask Ann "Wylie's Mom". She's the queen of wording things! - After I read my witty remark above; not so witty!

[MaddiesMommie]

I think I would over look snotty comments if I was receiving quality care. To me, knowing my girls are being taken care of means more than getting my feelings hurt.

I had a vet in the past with great people skills, staff was great, but I didn't feel she was giving Maddie proper care with her eye issues. I left worried if she really knew what was going on with Maddie, I found out she didn't.

[hnybun128]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Under those circumstances, I wouldn't switch. They say things they regret sometimes. It's an exhausting and annoying job at times. They get grumpy.

It definitely is their business how many animals are in the house. Hoarding is a big issue (not saying by any means that 6 animals is hoarding). Disease could spread through all of them, etc., etc.

Getting two pups close together isn't really recommended, so there might have been concern about that. As long as the vet doesn't keep at it, I'd let it go. And ignore the staff.

Here you and I will disagree. I contend that it is absolutely no one's business how many pets I have in my household as long as they are healthy and well cared for. The vet has written evidence that they are all healthy and always have been fully vetted. The vet and her staff comment on how healthy and well adjusted my pets are every time I bring one in. As for getting two pups too close together, that is just someone's opinion based on how successfully *most* people would handle the situation. I happen to be home full time with my dogs, so it is not an issue. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion, though. I mean that with the utmost respect. (I know it's hard to interpret tone sometimes.)

To me, it's like telling me I have too many kids. If I had 6 human children and was able to support all of them and provide a healthy, loving environment for them, would someone have the right to tell me I had too many kids?

I think I am going to have a talk with the vet if the comment is ever made again. I do believe they provide quality care. I would hate to have to switch because of their insensitive comments.

[hnybun128]

Actually, I think I am going to speak with the vet regardless of whether another comment it made during our next visit. I would think the vet would want to be aware of the situation before losing 6 patients.

[susan lynn]

I love my vet so much and I know he doesn't care if I had 20, Thankfully all the staff has been nice to my face, we also get a multi pet discount. I would mention it to the vet if there is an issue with the office staff, remind them you are the reason they have a job.I have 4 yorkie and 3 cats and they never comment.. Before I had my Yorkies I took my other pets to a different vet for years, I boarded my Cairns with them and the office manger told me I couldn't board Champion any more because he didn't walk on a leash. I was very upset but never mentioned that to my vet, About a year later I came in and she was gone, I asked the vet and she had been fired for several complaints from pet owners. I told him what she had said to me and he was upset that I hadn't told him. She was trying to control his business.

[TxVicki]

WOW I'm really sorry that your Vet office is that way. You are correct it's no one's business how many pet's you have as long as they are healthy and happy.

I love my Vet office. I know when my Molly passed in October, I swore I would never get any more. Then two weeks later I adopted Willow. When I brought her in, they told me they had a bet going on in the office as to when I would have a another. LOL
The I adopted Allie in March after my Annie had passed on New yera's Eve. When I brought her in, they asked me what took so long. LOL

[Ellie May]

I did want to clarify that those kinds of comments aren't acceptable and it's absolutely fine to have 6 animals as long as they are all well cared for.

But yes, vets and physicians do care how many you have. First, physicians care because they want to know about psychological issues like hoarding and they want to know how likely it is for you to be exposed to zoonotic diseases. It also gives a picture of what your environment is like.

A very common question in vet med is "does this pet have any friends at home". No other animals in the house, much less chance of certain things (esp. in teh case of indoor cats that never go outside). If they understand the exposure level that the animal has on a daily basis, it can help with a diagnosis. Also, if an owner comes in saying that cat x has loose stool, but yet they also get out of the owner that 20 other cats are present, then vet knows that is probably just a guess, etc. Not all owners are good ones. Some are really terrible, actually. They don't know what they're doing and do not give each animal the attention that it needs. So even though you wouldn't fall into this category, a lot of owners do and it's hard to vet staff to tell at times.

[Britster]

Are you sure it wasn't just in a joking fashion? As a way to to make conversation?

Over at my dads house, we have 2 cats and 3 dogs (when I'm there) and we ourselves joke that have a crazy zoo.

Sure, it's none of their business but I wouldn't take it personally. I feel like sometimes people just are looking for something to say. It's like when you see a huge dog like a Great Dane, most peoples comments are "he's like a horse!" or something like that. Just how a lot of convo starters with Yorkies are "they are so tiny!"

Originally Posted by hnybun128

To me, it's like telling me I have too many kids. If I had 6 human children and was able to support all of them and provide a healthy, loving environment for them, would someone have the right to tell me I had too many kids?

My step-grandmother is 84 and had 13 children. People often joke with her "How did you do it?!?" or "I can't believe you had that many kids!" and she always laughs that she does not know how she did it. Now straight up telling someone they have too many kids is rude but a lot of people will have their opinions about children too. It's not unheard of.