Finding a good vet is so hard!!!

[Lap Princess]

Wow! This just gets worse! Yes, she is on her 3rd then. You dont want to overload on the shots.

Vets aren't like human M.D.s. The can be, but that's rare. They have to know so many types of animals, let alone dogs & their infinite breeds. They are GENERALISTS for the most part. Knowing what you know about yorkies -- yours in particular -- if it seems your vet doesn't even have your breed level of knowledge, go elsewhere!!!

It's alot like your own healthcare. You have to be knowleageable about your health and be your own best advocate, & don't settle for what you're uncomfortable with when you know better.

[GuinnessStout]

Thanks.. the more I thought about everything the more the whole shot issue was not sitting well with me and I was starting to feel like it was just a more money type thing .

[Verbena]

Wow I am so glad I have the vet I have. He is wonderful. I would be pissed to if they called Galen a mutt. I would inform them that just because Stella is not "standard" doesn't mean she is a mutt. Then I would ask for both of my my pups charts and find a new vet !

[107barney]

Honestly, this is nothing compared to what I've experienced with vets. I think your vet is a better source of food information than the people on the Internet who are self styled experts -- dog food advisor included. You have choices for vet care like you do almost anything else in life. Just move on and find someone who is a better fit. I'm onto my 6th animal hospital in 13 years. I work with many specialists for a reason. A great general vet is hard to find, but there are many who are good. One of the factors I look for is who they are hiring - I want a certified tech or one with lots of clinical experience gassing my dog and calculating dosages. I want a hospital that uses a fresh set of surgical tools on my dog and has state of the art equipment. Mostly a vet should know when to refer to a specialist, and not try to "keep the case."

Science diet is a food that many here like to bash, and I think that is some agenda of theirs against grains (meanwhile they probably all eat grains themselves LOL). I feed royal canin when I'm not feeding home cooked food. My vets really don't care what I feed my dogs, and they don't "push" anything on me. My first vet accused me of breaking my puppy's leg -- now that was a reason to call him an ignorant fool and take my business elsewhere.

As for frontline, I live in New England where we have a pervasive Lyme problem. One statistic I read said that 90% of dogs tested here will be positive for Lyme. In the 13 years of using frontline, we have never pulled a tick and we have had annual negative Lyme tests. We also have never had a flea. I think the product works very well but again if you don't want to use it there are others on the market. I don't think any "natural" concoction works, and i would never use dichotomous earth or any of that stuff on my dog. Investigate the natural products and you'll often find an MSDS data sheet that accompanies it showing the compounds that well, aren't so natural.

I agree with Brit - take things with a grain of salt. Best wishes with your pup.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Honestly, this is nothing compared to what I've experienced with vets. I think your vet is a better source of food information than the people on the Internet who are self styled experts -- dog food advisor included. You have choices for vet care like you do almost anything else in life. Just move on and find someone who is a better fit. I'm onto my 6th animal hospital in 13 years. I work with many specialists for a reason. A great general vet is hard to find, but there are many who are good. One of the factors I look for is who they are hiring - I want a certified tech or one with lots of clinical experience gassing my dog and calculating dosages. I want a hospital that uses a fresh set of surgical tools on my dog and has state of the art equipment. Mostly a vet should know when to refer to a specialist, and not try to "keep the case."

Science diet is a food that many here like to bash, and I think that is some agenda of theirs against grains (meanwhile they probably all eat grains themselves LOL). I feed royal canin when I'm not feeding home cooked food. My vets really don't care what I feed my dogs, and they don't "push" anything on me. My first vet accused me of breaking my puppy's leg -- now that was a reason to call him an ignorant fool and take my business elsewhere.

As for frontline, I live in New England where we have a pervasive Lyme problem. One statistic I read said that 90% of dogs tested here will be positive for Lyme. In the 13 years of using frontline, we have never pulled a tick and we have had annual negative Lyme tests. We also have never had a flea. I think the product works very well but again if you don't want to use it there are others on the market. I don't think any "natural" concoction works, and i would never use dichotomous earth or any of that stuff on my dog. Investigate the natural products and you'll often find an MSDS data sheet that accompanies it showing the compounds that well, aren't so natural.

I agree with Brit - take things with a grain of salt. Best wishes with your pup.

Also want to add that IF you believe that general vets do not know about nutrition, I would suggest doing a consult with a vet nutritionist rather than taking the word of the Dog Food Advisor or other sources that are not specifically trained in animal nutrition.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Did the vet or vet tech say that Stella doesn't look like a pure breed based on weight and ears? Vet techs have no business saying anything, and I would not return to that office if it was the vet. That is ridiculous.

I had a vet receptionist ask what kind of dog Max is -- Max was already an adult with full coat and topknot. When I said Yorkshire Terrier, she said Max doesn't look like one because his ears are "enormous." I walked in a proud mom and that hurt me terribly.

Don't EVEN be silly- Anyone that thinks your boys are not gorgeous are morons! For the record... Max's ears are perfect!!

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by 107barney

As for frontline, I live in New England where we have a pervasive Lyme problem. One statistic I read said that 90% of dogs tested here will be positive for Lyme. In the 13 years of using frontline, we have never pulled a tick and we have had annual negative Lyme tests. We also have never had a flea. I think the product works very well but again if you don't want to use it there are others on the market. I don't think any "natural" concoction works, and i would never use dichotomous earth or any of that stuff on my dog. Investigate the natural products and you'll often find an MSDS data sheet that accompanies it showing the compounds that well, aren't so natural.

Diatomaceous earth might be 100% natural, but my understanding is that it is silica. I don't think breathing in concentrated silica is good for dogs or humans. If OSHA is concerned about certain kinds of workers being exposed to too much, then I don't want to to dust my dogs and carpets with it.

I do believe that some flea and tick products work better than others in particular regions of the country.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Don't EVEN be silly- Anyone that thinks your boys are not gorgeous are morons! For the record... Max's ears are perfect!!

Thank you!

[AnneJ68]

I'm sorry you had the trouble you did. I agree why do they have to be that way.

I complain about the area I live in, but I have to admit I have a gem of a vet clinic I go to. Excellent hours(even open half days on Saturday and Sunday). Fantastic prices, wellness visits I have not paid anymore than $35. For wellness they don't charge a Vet fee, only charge you for the vaccines given and at what they charge I swear they do it at cost. When Bentley is a bit older he will be neutered, the cost for the procedure is $90. The vets are wonderful. The second time I went the vet asked if I planned on grooming him after he got his vaccines completed and if I had picked out a groomer. They offer grooming there, but she gave me the business card of a groomer in town that specializes in small breeds and just loves yorkies. Before I got Bentley I heard wonderful things about them. I literally drive 15 minutes to get to the clinic when there is a vet that I used for my cats that I can walk to from my home in 2 minutes.

I'm going to count my blessings after hearing your story.

[joeyyy2010]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Diatomaceous earth might be 100% natural, but my understanding is that it is silica. I don't think breathing in concentrated silica is good for dogs or humans. If OSHA is concerned about certain kinds of workers being exposed to too much, then I don't want to to dust my dogs and carpets with it.

I do believe that some flea and tick products work better than others in particular regions of the country.

We have prety bad fleas down here in FL, and even in southern Alabama, I wasnt able to use FL on Carley (didnt have Joey at the time)