Vet check?
 

Would you be offended if your prospective breeder, rescue or shelter called your vet before selling you a dog?

I'll go first :)

Pebbles was a rehome from my friend so no vet check was done. But I would have welcomed one.

Doodlebug is a rescue and a vet check and home visit were done.

Bogey is a shelter rescue and normally the shelter would have done a vet check and home visit but they used my prior home visit.

Of course being part of YHR I also had this done as well before fostering. :)

Ellie's breeder did not. I would welcome the idea. In fact, I'd have a problem with a breeder or rescue who doesn't do that. But I'd be very upset if a vet released them without my permission (which I would give).

Sounds a lot like my experience. I spoke often to the lady at the rescue group and sort of did a "phone interview" and it worked out. She said she got a good vibe and I was approved!

Anyhow....I think that if a breeder asks for a vet reference, rather than taking offense maybe it can be thought of that the breeder actually cares if their dog goes to a responsible owner.

Well what if this is your first dog? What if you only go to the vet for checkups once a year and maybe go in every three years, if there is nothing you see wrong with your dog, for the required immunizations? Does that make you irresponsible as a pet owner? How well does your vet really know you to give any type of reference?

I think this is a good point (that the vet may not even know you or be able to tell much by a record). But then, only going every three years would tell a rescue something because that is just not enough. One of the biggest reasons that vets won't stop yearly vaccines is because then people get the idea that they don't need to take their pups yearly for a check-up which isn't right.

And there is one thing that doesn't show up in a vet record. The owner may look perfect because certain surgeries or services were done for the well being of the pup, but that doesn't mean the owner was for it. Some just consent because the vet tells them they need to, but they really fight it. So that wouldn't be seen on a record...

I wouldn't have a problem necessarily but I do have to say that I have often wondered.... I have done alot of research on diet and health care and I feed a raw diet and I also believe in limited vaccinations. I believe that we over vaccinate our pets in this country. Someone calling my vet would find that my dog has not had say the Lepto vaccine or the Lyme vaccine and I wonder if they would then assume that I did not take proper care of my dogs not knowing that I have done a significant amount of research making the decision to pass on these vaccines and also that my dogs titered which costs more than the cost of the vaccine. I wonder if people like me are passed on by rescues because of this?

Just because you decide not to give a vaccine does not make you a good pet owner. I decided this last visit that Doodlebug would only get a rabies vaccine. He has had reactions in the past to the core vaccine and I have tried to premedicate but he still was lethargic for days afterward. I discussed with the vet and we together made a decision. That does not make me a bad pet owner.

If I were doing a vet check I would want to know about the vetting of other pets, the owners track record with previous visits, not just did you get a yearly shot. I take make in at least 2 times a years. In the spring for their HW blood and then they all get their annual visit in the fall. Doodlebug was first and then Pebbles and finally Bogey.

I think what a good breeder/rescue would want to look at is have you made regular visits. Do you have a relationship with your vet. How often do you bring your dog in to be seen. You would be surprised at some of these answers. :rolleyes:

No they didnt call my vet but I would have been totally fine with it if they had.
I think it should be done more often.

I picked the wrong answer on accident. I picked yes but i meant to pick no but i would welcome a vet check.:) I would have had no problem with a vet check before I got my yorkie or any other animal i'll get in the future. I think it could help show whether or not the person interested keeps their animals up to date on vaccines and checkups- then again i guess it would only work with people who have owned or currently own an animal because if the puppy in question were to be their first pet then they would have no vet records to be checked.. just my opinion:)

When we adopted Maggie they asked for the vet references and I told them right from the get-go that I don't believe in over vaccinating. They didn't call the vet but we got Maggie... :)

Neither Cash nor June's breeder asked for my vet information, but I would have loved them to check me out. I mean, I checked them out!

That being said, I also feed a raw diet, I don't overvaccinate (a decision I made this year) and I don't just routinely deworm. I've been vaccinating every year, as per my vet's instructions, but after I learnt about the risks and the possibility of just checking their titers, I decided to put an end to that. They will still get their yearly check-ups and tests.
I really don't think that 3 years should go by without having a check-up because so many things can happen and the earlier you are aware of it, the better.

Apart from routine care, I've only ever had to take Cash to the vet because he was constipated!! The first time, he climb onto a table and ate some nuts which blocked him up completely. He was so uncomfortable and unhappy that I rushed him to the vet, only to be told that he's constipated! The second time, he opened the cupboard door, pulled out the rubbish bin and ate the leftovers from KFC - chicken bones. I rushed him to the vet - R500 later - he is just constipated!

So yeah, if someone contacts my vet, they'll find out that my dogs go in for a tummy ache!