Dumb thing to be concerned about?
 

My girl is 6 months old and has seen the same vet since about 9 weeks. A couple of weeks ago she was boarded at her vet's office's "pet resort". The same vet techs and vets that do the medical stuff take care of the boarding stuff. Well, my puppy was supposed to get her rabies shot while there. They said she couldn't be boarded without it. (FYI, we had tried numerous times to get it done but every appointment they said next time, when she's bigger, etc.)

When we came to pick her up, we saw that on the list of charges she was not given a rabies shot. When I brought it up to the vet tech she acted confused and said she didn't know they were supposed to give the shot. As we were walking out of the office she comes back up to me and says, "Oh, actually we didn't give it to her because she isn't old enough. Maybe when she's like 16 weeks old, but not yet."

It didn't even register to me until I got into the car what she had said.:eek: My dog is 6 months old! How can they think she is less than 16 weeks old? All her paperwork has her birthdate, etc.

Is it dumb to be bothered by this? I keep thinking about it because they made the decision to not administer a shot (something medical!) based upon their incorrect assumption about her age. I can only assume its because she is so small that they thought she was under 16 weeks.

I did let her get spayed there a week afterwards, and everything went fine (we made sure they confirmed all her information, etc.) and the only issue was that 1) she came home looking drugged out of her mind and was like that for 24 hours [which may be normal?? i dont know!] and 2) they STILL did not give her the rabies shot! :mad: They keep saying shes too young, or she's too small, or let's see if she gets bigger but then they also say that she isn't expected to grow much bigger.

Would you switch vets? That's where I'm leaning...

I think I'd switch vets.

I am not sure I would have much faith in them.

Welcome to YT. The health and welfare of your pup is never a dumb thing to be concerned about. That's called being proactive and vigilant and a good pet owner. You know, it never hurts to check around and even follow up with another clinic, a second opinion. Only instead of calling, do a walk in and just ask them if they could ask their vet his opinion. Maybe he'll be nice enough to come to the counter and answer your question personally. First impressions and how they treat you will immediately tell you if you like them without costing you anything. I always feel having a good relationship with your vet now when they're healthy can make all the difference should you have an emergency. Good luck.

I would switch vets. There are state laws that mandate the age at which dogs are supposed to receive their first rabies vaccination. I believe it's 6 months for many states (it is 6 months for Illinois), although some states might have an exemption based on how the vet views the health of the dog. If your vet can't tell your dog's age from their records, or if they are always too busy to listen to your concerns, then it's time to switch vets.

It looks like the OP is from North Carolina, which has strict rules (vaccination by 4 months of age):

http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/lh...animal_vax.pdf

Yes, definitely find another vet who will vaccinate your dog. If your dog is not vaccinated, the state has the right to seize your dog and euthanize it (see the link posted above).

I'd get copies of his medical records there. Then, with those in hand, I'd visit that vet to find out directly from him exactly what and what not they did to or gave to my baby and why or why not and then find another ASAP.

Hi welcome to Yorkietalk :)

I agree with everyone else about switching vets.

I'm in NC and yep - our state requires that Rabies vax are given at 4 months of age.

Yes if they keep getting information wrong I would switch vets.

I agree with everyone. I would switch vets. . . .one thing with a little one, give a shot with two weeks in between. It is too much toxins for them. Also do not let them give shots and any surgery like a spay together. It is too much for a little one. I have a little one. So I understand.

Another vote for switching vets. Our first vet's office wrote the wrong name on our chart on our first visit. The doctor said he was surprised that my pup and I had the same names as the client who had just left. :rolleyes: Instead of making a new chart, they just scribbled out the names and wrote over it. We changed vets for that and other reasons.

Hi and Welcome to YT. I agree with switching Vets. If they are that confused about the vaccine what else might they miss.

First of all I guess I'd make sure they actually have her correct birth date in their records. I work in a vet clinic and I can't tell you how many times what the receptionists write down as a birth date is incorrect. Sometimes I swear they just make them up. I always confirm with the client when I'm in the room taking a history how old they actually are. At 6 months old she is more than old enough for a Rabies vaccine. We do them at 12 weeks. The only exception is if the puppy is really tiny then we do Rabies on a separate visit then the Distemper Parvo combo usually a couple weeks later. If you don't feel comfortable there and don't trust them then by all means find a new vet.

I say thank your lucky stars they did NOT give a Rabies Vaccine either right before or after a spay.

That would be dangerous indeed.

First I always get copies of not only the invoice, but if I do blood work the test results from the lab, in other words I get as a complete medical record as I can. I record the results of physical examinations on their invoice, such as heart rate normal, joints good, eyes/ears clear etc.

Then you need to examine the invoice and the particulars contained with in while it is fresh in your mind. CAll and email/write the clinic if your memory differs from what is stated.

Before leaving this vet practice it would be good for you to make your concerns known and the reason why you are leaving.