is this normal for a vet?

[mimimomo]

I know all vets are different, but my vet who spayed & neutered all my 4 makes you fill out paperwork when you drop them off. On the paperwork, you have the option to do pre-op blood work, teeth extractions if needed (if it's dental cleaning) & meds to take home. I say yes to all.

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by yorkiemom76

I work for a vet and we do give an injection for pain while the pet is waking up from anesthesia that's included in the cost of surgery. They will also usually offer to send home pain medication but you would be surprised at how many people refuse it because they don't want to spend the few extra dollars. Maybe your vet is just try to keep costs lower?

My Vet is the same way. My Vet also knows me well enough to go ahead and send home pain med's.

[Newyorkymomma]

ok the shots he got were the DHLPPC 1st in series
and the Rabies vaccine
He needs a 2nd DHLPPC next month and both of those vaccines he got in his neck...the scruff of the neck. She sort of pulled up the scruff and injected him. Is he not supposed to get shots there? I didn't think anything about it.
He also needs the heart worm test from what I just read online. He is about one year old the vet said.
Maui girl I will ask about the teeth cleaning.... if that price is with anesthesia or not. Honestly I can't imagine making him go through it without being under a little because he will be so traumatized by it, this dog remembers everything and it will probably hurt some. She showed me his back teeth and they did look like they were slightly yellowed.
Another gal had her dog there to have teeth pulled out...something like 5 she said...it was a 5 yo yorkie girl.
I'll heed your advice on the microchip..that's a great idea and easier to have that done while he's under for the neuter. Today he escaped through the front door when my grandson was taking the garbage out...DJ is 12 so he just forgot to shut it behind him and he's not used to having to watch for escape artists ....This little bugger Joey tore right down the stairs and boy was he fast. We caught him pretty quick but by the time we did he was in the field next door. scary.... my heart was pounding so hard....

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Newyorkymomma

He needs a 2nd DHLPPC next month and both of those vaccines he got in his neck...the scruff of the neck. She sort of pulled up the scruff and injected him. Is he not supposed to get shots there? I didn't think anything about it.

That is where my boys get their vaccines, between the shoulder blades.

The DHLPPC -- That includes Lepto and Corona. Lepto is an optional one. I would read up on this and make your own decision about whether or not to do it. Depends on lifestyle and your area. I choose not to do it. Corona is not necessary, but read up and make your decision. I ask for the DHHP without the L and the C.

[MauiGirl]

They may be talking about a different type of dental cleaning, not deep scaling, if he only has a little yellow in the back. How old is he?

Microchip is cheap and easy, tiny like a grain of rice, but being under anesthesia makes it totally painless. It gives you a little peace of mind, but also if he's a runner and gets out, you might also want a collar with your phone # on it. There are differing opinions as to use a collar or not, and I put them on mine when they are in situations where they might accidentally get loose (like when we go to my daughter's house). It can make for a quicker return of your pup even than a chip. However, never use the collar with a leash for walking; then use a harness to protect their trachea.

[Newyorkymomma]

definitely getting him micro chipped when he goes in on Wednesday..especially after this morning.
I'll do some reading up on the vaccines..I just went with whatever they said this time around, next time I'll have read up on things.
Yes for sure..on the collar with tags...he does have one and I'll get the tag with the phone number etc next time I'm at Petco...I have to get him licensed next week too. I do use the harness for him when out on a walk about, though he tends to pull still but not as badly as he used to when I got him. He's doing pretty well on his obedience training. I'm just doing whatever I can get ideas from here and on you tube. He love, love loves agility training...wow...he's quick too. ing lil guy :-)

[yorkiemom76]

Originally Posted by TxVicki

My Vet is the same way. My Vet also knows me well enough to go ahead and send home pain med's.

Me too. I would never let my babies be in pain to save a few dollars. My dogs get better medical care than I do. I don't even want to think about how much money I spend every month in medications for them. Unfortunately not everyone feels like we do though. To some people it's "just a dog".

[gracielove]

I have heard of vets giving a variety of different pain meds to take home after surgery. Usually after a spay/neuter it is an anti inflammatory. They may be helpful but can upset the stomach especially when given on an empty stomach. They should also be quite inexpensive if he is charging you extra for them.

Yes, every bill should be itemized. My vet did not charge extra for home medication.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Maximo

When Max was neutered and had surgery, we received an itemized statement. Anesthesia, pain injection, and even hazardous waste disposal were each listed separately.

I don't think this is a matter of the vet being greedy. I think this is the vet giving owners the option of what they want for their pet. It shouldn't be optional, in my opinion.

I agree. What I am willing to bet is that this vet has had people complain about the cost of the pain injection.

Mine separates it out as well and a torb injection is around $30 I believe.

As to whether they should have pain meds to take home...I say absolutely!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

My vet always gives mine Torbutrol in Vitamino for post op pain....I love that stuff....it works super, it desnt make mine sick, and they like the taste so it isnt a hassel giving it to them...it is liquid and it is usually a very small amount, like .25cc every 4-6 hours as needed....very well tolerated. There have been a couple of occasions where they gave one of mine the pain injection, but I think it was included in the "total package"....

My vet used that for years but they don't any more. I was told that they cannot guarantee the amount of the drug that is in that mixture...something I assume they have found out recently. GCVS has never done it and always sent it home unmixed .. that is what my vet now does as well.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by yorkiemom76

Me too. I would never let my babies be in pain to save a few dollars. My dogs get better medical care than I do. I don't even want to think about how much money I spend every month in medications for them. Unfortunately not everyone feels like we do though. To some people it's "just a dog".

So true....and so very hard to comprehend. How anyone could let a pup suffer is beyond my understanding.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Newyorkymomma

all good info thank you all :-) It may be protocol to ask before hand about the injection post surgery...I'm new to the whole thing and I guess I can only relate my own post surgery memories when it was asked...sort of shocked me.
I think this is a good vet but possibly I needed to ask more questions and I have a few to ask on Monday when I call them. Like, will pain meds be offered to take home and how long pup will be hurting etc.
They did tell me he needs a teeth cleaning which will be about 100 bucks. She showed me some yellow plaque that was on his back teeth...his front look fine. I think having the shots and the neuter done this month and the second set of shots plus the tooth cleaning done next month will work out ok.
His little neck was so tender and sore last night after his shots, he was not comfortable at all poor lil guy. So I wonder about his pain tolerance with the upcoming neuter....
Still it must be done. I don't want any accidental litters with my daughters Chiwawa who isn't fixed. Plus should he ever wander off and someone grab him somehow I don't want him ending up as a stud in some awful mill.
A fixed dog isn't as valuable as a non fixed dog to these sort of people that steal dogs and flip them. I think he'll be happier after he heals up...not as likely to wander etc.
still sort of nerve wracking. I love this lil mutt, I hope his surgery goes smoothly...

I am sure he will be just fine. Please keep us posted!

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

My vet used that for years but they don't any more. I was told that they cannot guarantee the amount of the drug that is in that mixture...something I assume they have found out recently. GCVS has never done it and always sent it home unmixed .. that is what my vet now does as well.

TorbVal (is that the same as torbutrol? or is torbutrol unmixed?) I do not like how they acted on it...they stare out into doggie space & become doggie zombies. It makes Momo pant & his heart races fast! It's pretty much an opiate, a drug they can get high on...plus it doesn't last long. So do you rec unmixed? Or no torb anything?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

TorbVal (is that the same as torbutrol? or is torbutrol unmixed?) I do not like how they acted on it...they stare out into doggie space & become doggie zombies. It makes Momo pant & his heart races fast! It's pretty much an opiate, a drug they can get high on...plus it doesn't last long. So do you rec unmixed? Or no torb anything?

I have been told that the mixture does not guarantee the appropriate dose. I read something about it being used to hide the taste of the torbutrol but I have never had a pup act like it tastes badly....besides, it is a very tiny amount that is given. Yes, they do get high from it and I have had some look pretty loopy, but I knew they were pain free. I also use Tramadol for pain. The only problem I ever had with that is that for the smaller pups, they have to mix it and it does taste horrible. Vets can get it compounded into a tiny tab but some don't want to purchase that much of it since they don't use it often.

[Sunnydayz]

I had Gizmo fixed, microchipped and baby teeth pulled about 6 or 7 weeks ago and the vet sent him home already with a pain injection, plus 5 pre filled syringes with pain med if he should need it. He needed one dose the next morning and that was it. I was not charged for any of the pain management for him, although we do get discounts due to y husband being a firefighter, but they also did not charge my daughter for this either. With my vet it is standard practice to control pain, and its included already in the straight fee or fixing.