Was I wrong?
 

I need to vent a bit. Sorry, if this post is in the wrong place. I just had the worst conversation with my vet. Or should I say EX-vet. Here's a little history first: my vet is a Dental Specialist and he said my Yorkie needs to have surgery on his knees because they are both medium grade luxating patellas. So I called him today to discuss the surgery a bit more and he told me the sooner the better, which makes sense. That's fine. However, when I asked him how often he performed this surgery he said I was insulting him. He told me if he wasn't capable of doing this surgery then he would have never said he could do it. I told him I wasn't trying to insult him. I was just trying to make sure I am making the right decision so I wanted to know if he ever had any complications during this surgery. Was I wrong? I think if I am going to pay the high price that this surgery entails that I have the right to ask questions. In fact while I was browsing the Internet I came across an article on the American College of Veterinary Surgeons website that says before your pet undergoes surgery the first thing you should ask your vet is how often has he performed this type of surgery. So I did and he took it the wrong way. After that question he was just rude to me and said he could refer me to someone else. I asked him if he would accept CareCredit or any insurance as a form of payment and he said no. So I can't afford it and told him to give me the name of someone else. Needless to say I am no longer going to him and I won't mention his name on the boards because I don't want to bad mouth him. I just want to hear your opinions on this. For those of you who have taken their Yorkies to the vets for luxating patella surgery, did you ask your vet that question? If so what did he or she say? It's a shame he acted this way because he was a good vet. Now I need to look for another vet to make sure my dog really needs this surgery and hope I don't come across another rude one. I am so upset right now :(

1st time?
 

Okay I know you are supposed to ask how many were preformed by the vet but everyone has to start somewhere BUT they should willing tell you this. Id rather have a first timer admit to be a first timer than trip out and get all defensive. Every single surgeon had a first time. But to be defensive and say your insulting him is means for a new vet and I do not blame you at all!!!

Wow..... what is wrong with ur vet? u have EVERY right to know about the operation!!! my vet recommended that operation for princess but he told me it wasnt absolutely necessary.. just an option i had (which i decided not to cuz her knees somehow went back to normal) but he told me everything about the surgery without me even having to ask...

you should be glad ur getting a new vet! this one sounds way too uptight..:thumbdown

When I had surgery myself, I asked my anestheseologist (sp?) how many epidurals he had performed. He told me thousands...I then apologized for asking and he said, "If I hadn't done that many, I might be offended. But, if I were offended, the question becomes even more important."

I thought this was pretty wise. I would ask the same question since he's a dental specialist. Don't get me wrong, but LPs are a far cry from teeth!!

He jumped out at you. I don't think you were wrong at all for asking him that question. In fact you would think that a vet would want to tell you if they have underwent this procedure/surgery before. I don't think that he has, because why would he jump at you if he has done it before? You know?

I hope that you find another vet, a good one where the doctors are nice!!

That was one of the first things I asked....how many knees do you do a month? lol....they answered for a week and if I remember correctly it's well over 25!

I also insisted on Board Certified.

By any chance are you close to NJ? Your avatar says New York but I'm not sure if that's upstate or not.

Feel free to pm me and I can surely suggest an excellent surgeon.

You were not wrong to ask. You did exactly what you were supposed to do. If he is defensive, there may well be a reason. He should not have taken this as an insult. Good luck in finding a new vet and with your baby's surgery.

I would find another vet. You had every right to ask that question. The fact that he got so defensive makes me wonder.

One time when my son was only 3 years old, a doctor was telling me that he needed to have his tonsils out and tubes put in his ears. I started to ask questions, and he said "I don't have time to answer your questions". So, I picked up my son and walked out. Got another opinion from a dr. who said no tubes were necessary.

Anytime a vet or doctor doesn't have time for questions, or gets mad at the questions you have a right to ask, I think it's better to get another opinion.

Service Providers..... need to understand what their jobs are!!!
 

I don't think that you were out of line at all!!!! It is YOUR investment and YOUR little Yorkie!!! I hope that you are able to find a vet that meets your standards...
Sometimes I get fed up with people who are in the "service" business. :mad: People choose those jobs to SERVE others and they are getting paid (usually a HIGH salary) to take care of someones needs. Why would they not be willing to give info and understand that they are the one the PROVIDES the service... and shouldn't be the ones that are so demanding.
I have run accross a few "people" doctors that need a reality check, too!

Wow. How long have you been with the vet?

You asked a totally acceptable question. One that he should hear from anyone considering such an operation. I'm sorry he reacted that way. I'd also be looking for another vet. I hope you're able to find one with better manners and bed side manner. /comfort

Find Another Vet
 

If your vet found your questions to be insulting and offensive than he is in the wrong line of business and you definitely need to find another vet immediately. His attitude throws up a big red flag for you to look elsewhere.

Vet for animals or medical doctor for us, no doctor should ever find a patient's questions to be insulting.:mad:

He's crazy if he thinks you are just gonna give him your babies for major surgery and not ask any questions. They should be MORE than willing to put your mind and heart at ease and answer any and all questions about the surgery. It sounds like somewhere along the lines he's forgotten that you are paying him for a service and that includes answering questions. I think you are right to look elsewhere for your vet needs. Good luck on your search. You were NOT out of line with your questions.

Good job asking question. My vet has never acted that way and I hope he never does
YOU did good..GOOD LUCK..BEST WISHES

I am going to call an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow and ask for a consulation. I hope he is willing to answer my questions. If not then I need to keep looking. I am not going to subject my furbaby to this operation unless it is absolutely necessary and if that is the case I think I am entitled to ask as many questions as I went before I proceed with the surgery. What makes me so mad is I have been with him for 2 years. He knows my dogs medical history. He never was like that before. Now I have to start from scratch with another vet :( My furbaby is only 2 years old and he has been going to this vet ever since he was 6 months old, when I first got him.

You had every right to ask questions and it is good to ask them. I think you are doing the right thing by taking your baby to a new vet. Good luck to you and I hope you find someone really great to vet your baby. You are a great mommy and you are doing an excellent job of taking care of your baby!

Wow! You do need to switch vets. My Carley just had major hip surgery on Sat. She went to an orthopedic surgeon who only takes referral cases from the dog's regular vet...you can't see him without a referral. We knew Carley would have to have this surgery sooner or later, and it turned out to be way sooner and our vet, who will do these surgeries actually told us our best best was the ortho guy...as they do these surgeries more and were better at them. I have the ortho's home phone # and he took all the time I needed for all the explanations I needed. That is the kind of person you want to operate on your dog....look until you find one!! Good luck

Would you take a human to a oral surgeon for a hip replacement? He sounds like he has a "god complex". Your last post was right on target, consultation first with a new vet.

You were totally justified. I'm glad you're finding a new vet.

THIS is a great answer! I wouldn't go back to that vet...and I'd write a letter as to why. (and quote the above!) :)

Wow, you are so lucky to have such an honest vet who really cares about the welfare of your dog. Too bad I don't live in Texas because I would love to take my dog to your vet and your surgeon. How is your furbaby doing after surgery? I hope he feels better real soon :)

I am still searching for a specialist. I called 2 today and one was on vacation and the other I left a message. YorkieMalt just gave me some info on one in Jersey. I need a referral though so it looks like I might have to find a new regular vet first and then get the specialist. Can you believe my EX-vet gave me the number to a place that only deals with emergencies and they don't even have an orthopedic surgeon? That shows you he doesn't care about my dog. He didn't even have the decency to refer me to someone who could help me out. I can't believe he would be so mean to me just because I asked him an honest question. I don't know what happened to him but now I am really stuck asking all around about another vet that is nice, cares about my dog, and will answer my questions. What worries me the most is I don't know if he really needs this surgery. If so then I hope his knee holds out until I can get him some help from vets who care. Wish me luck.

If you do have the # of the ortho guy and can't find another one, perhaps you could call him and just explain the situation. Do you have ex rays from the original vet? I bet if you talked to the receptionist and explained your situation, she could have the ortho call you back or if not, tell you names of vets who refer him.
It is very stressful enough to have a sick one, you don't need this additional worry. I wish you all the best!!
Oh, and thanks for your well wishes for Carley, she is doing pretty good, all things considered..I started a thread about her under sick/injured Yorkies and there are some pictures of her with her battle scar/wound.
I do wish you all the best, I know how hard this can all be.

I am going to try and call another vet tomorrow that was recommended by my cousin. Since I do need to find a general vet I hope this one works out well. I pray that she doesn't find anything wrong with his knees. Can you believe my EX-vet just diagnosed him as having luxating patellas without even taking X-rays? How crazy is that? I guess you can feel when the knee is popping out but the surest way to see it is with an X-ray right?

When it comes to important decisions I think the best thing to do is trust your gut instinct, and in this case your gut instict is that the vet should not have reacted the way he did for whatever reason. We can read alot into things sometime but our insticts are there for a reason and I think you are right to listen to yours. Communication is important before the surgery, and after and if you feel uncomfortable for any reason find someone else. There fortunately are many choices. I would definitely want to know how many successful surgeries he had performed and perhaps if any were not so successful, and what to expect either way.

You did the right thing. Thank God this made you realize how big of a jerk your vet is so you could get rid of him now instead of years down the road. Ugh! That makes me sick! Maybe join the meetup board in your area (meetup.com) and get some good recommendations for vets in your area. I would definitely stop all communication with that jerk vet! :thumbdown

You did the right thing, and you should always have a second opinion before any surgery, unless you totally trust your vet. People have second opinions - many insurance companies won't cover surgery for humans without a second opinion, in fact.

My personal feeling about doctors is that they are working for me. The bottom line is that I pay them. That gives me the right to ask whatever I want to know that's relevant. I also feel I have the right to discuss medications, alternatives, etc. if I want one to. I have gone to doctors who may not agree with what I want, but they have to prove to me that their way is the best for me. It's my body (or my pet's body).

This "God" complex is nonsense. You're paying their mortgage, car payments, and their childrens' college educations. That's fine if you're a satisified customer.

I called the vet my cousin recommended to me and scheduled an appointment for this Friday so she can give me a second opinion. I pray that my ex-vet was wrong and he doesn't need this surgery. I also hope she is as nice to me as she is with my cousin and she cares for my dog. We'll see.

I also took the advice of Wylie's Mom and wrote my ex-vet a letter explaining why I won't be returning to him. I also asked him to mail me my dogs medical records. I wonder if he will read it when he sees my name on it. If I get the medical records then I know he read it. If not then I have to call and get the records.