Questions

[Bluebells]

I haven’t been around in a while, and I’m back with a couple of questions, one general and one specific.

A brief history, since most of you won’t remember us: I have an adopted/rescue Yorkie named Jax. He came from a backyard breeder who was breeding two Yorkies who both carried the gene for corneal dystrophy, but since only a few of the resulting pups had the condition, she kept breeding them. Anyway, Jax is both vision and hearing impaired. Otherwise, even though he was in rough shape when I brought him home, he’s been pretty healthy other than a tendency to Bilious Vomiting Syndrome if he goes too long without eating. And, despite weighing only 28 ounces at three months old, he now weighs a reasonably sturdy almost seven pounds, which I count as a definite plus. Jax will be four in September.

Another pertinent fact is that I live in a rural area. There are two vets in the closest town, both of whom I’ve used, both as a foster for a local rescue and as a pet owner, and neither of whom I trust. Nuff said about them.

The vet office I used when I got Jax is in the next town over. The rescue frequently used this vet office in lieu of the closer ones. It had two practicing vets, and the office had a good reputation. (There is one other vet in that town who … has mixed reviews, shall I say.) I was always confident in this other office until one of the vets (the one Jax always saw) left at the end of last year.

In January, Jax had his annual well check, and he saw the other vet in the office. They took Jax into the back for his bloodwork and exam, and when the vet then came into the room, she had this very solemn, bad news expression … then proceeded to tell me, in a very slow, sorrowful voice that Jax had “severe dental disease” and she was would work up an estimate for dental surgery. Then she immediately said that he also had a very high reading on his bloodwork indicating possible liver disease so I’d need to come back in three days for a repeat of the bloodwork before we could schedule surgery. Of course, that really threw me, so I didn’t question the “severe dental disease” diagnosis.

Three days later, I went back for the repeat of the bloodwork, which the vet tech came in to tell me was perfectly normal … and was I ready to schedule the dental? Well, I’d had time to think, so I (as tactfully as possible) told her I had a question. I said I’d been a foster for many years, so I knew small dogs often have dental issues, so I was expecting the suggestion of a preventative dental sometime soon … but I also know Jax, who is extremely protective of his face (eyes, nose, mouth) and I can only occasionally get a glimpse into his mouth. So exactly what (and how) did they see in there that indicated “severe dental disease”? She didn’t know and went to find out.

When she finally came back, she was flustered. She said there was nothing in his chart about severe dental disease so she’d asked the vet, who admitted that, no, she hadn’t actually been able to look into Jax’s mouth so the recommendation was just based on his age and breed. She then asked whether he was eating okay, and I said yes, and she said we could just “put off” the dental surgery for now. So I left relieved that his bloodwork was normal (I asked for a copy to be sure) but kind of mistrustful, feeling that the vet hadn’t been honest with me … but not having much alternative without an extremely long drive.

Flash forward to this weekend. Jax didn’t eat his dinner Friday night or his breakfast Saturday morning. However, he was acting alert and playful (including playing tug with his rope and playing with his squeaky balls.) He was drinking water, his poop was normal, and he never vomited … and then he ate boiled chicken when I offered him that … so I was concerned but not excessively. This same pattern continued all weekend. Then Monday morning he wouldn’t eat the boiled chicken.

I had a doctor’s appointment early Monday morning but I called the vet’s office as soon as I got home (about 10am) to see if they thought I should take him in to be checked. The young woman I spoke to said I had two options: to make the next available appointment in two weeks or to call at 8am and ask for an urgent same day visit. It seemed to me that in two weeks, this issue would be resolved … or it would have turned urgent, so I declined the appointment. Three hours later, Jax started pooping bright red blood.

I called the vet immediately and got a recording that they were closed for lunch, but I was really worried, so I loaded Jax in the car and was in the parking lot when they reopened. I took him in, explained that I didn’t have an appointment, and asked that he be seen as an emergency because of the blood. I honestly thought they were going to refuse, but I was quietly persistent, and they agreed.

They did a full blood panel, which was all completely normal, so they said it was probably an inflammation of the lower digestive tract. They sent us home with a medicine to sooth his digestive tract and antibiotics as a preventative against a secondary infection, and said to follow up in a few days if he’s not better.

That was yesterday. He’s a little droopy today, but he hasn’t pooped any more blood and is eating his chicken and drinking water.

So … gosh, I’m sorry this has been so long, but if anyone has waded all the way through it … here are my two questions:
(1) I’m still feeling mistrustful of the vet, but I don’t have an immediate alternative. But maybe I’m being unfair. I imagine, in a difficult economy, just out of a pandemic, vets may be having trouble convincing clients of the need for procedures like preventive dentals. Would you find a different vet if yours had fudged the truth the way this one did? And does everyone these days have to wait two weeks for an appointment when there’s a health concern that’s not an emergency? I guess I’m too used to rescues getting somewhat special treatment because so many of their cases count as emergencies.

(2) Any thoughts or recommendations on Jax’s current illness? The bloodwork being normal is a relief, but the vet was pretty vague yesterday on possible causes or next steps if he doesn’t get better. And (maybe this is just a jaded view because of what happened in January but) I didn’t really feel she was much concerned or even wanted to talk to me. I got the impression (right or wrong) that she was feeling “put upon” having an extra consultation squeezed into her schedule.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[ladyjane]

If the vets you are using are not AAHA accredited, I highly recommend finding a place that is. You can search on this site, using the hospital locator:


I found 4 in a search in your area, using the zip code you have listed here on YT

I don't know what rescue you have volunteered with but many will take any vet that is the least expensive. That does not usually lead to the best.

My guess is at his age, he could use a dental. Much of what needs to be taken care of is under the gum line. It is important that any vet doing dentals, do dental xrays ( requires a special plate/xray). You should ask that question of any vet doing xrays.

If any of my dogs are ill, I get in same day. Sometimes I have to drop off, but I am fine with that.

Not eating can be a huge issue. They did blood work...did they do a snap cPL to check for possible pancreatitis?

Why isn't he on dog food? I rarely give them anything other than dog food unless they are seniors and/or really, really sick. Upset tummies, I usually feed them Royal Canin Gastrointestinal low fat canned food.

Follow your gut on this. If you don't like them, find another vet. The places I found were within 25 miles. Also, look for a 24 EC just in case, Heaven forbid, you ever need one.

Good luck

[ladyjane]

So sorry....forgot to post the link for AAHA

You can find a hospital locator on that site.


www.aaha.org

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

So sorry....forgot to post the link for AAHA

You can find a hospital locator on that site.


www.aaha.org

Thanks for responding, ladyjane.

First, yes, this vet is AAHA accredited, as are the two in the closest town and the other one in this vet’s town. But I’ve had bad experiences with all three of the other vets (some with my own pets and some with animals through the rescue) … I could, but won’t, tell hair-raising stories about misdiagnosed animals and other issues. But I trusted the vet Jax saw at this clinic for his first three years, and now that she’s left I’m feeling queasy about it.

And, yes, I do understand that a preventative dental is about due. I wouldn’t have questioned it if the vet had simply said that. What bothered me … still bothers me … is her looking me in the eye and telling me Jax had severe dental disease — those exact words —when she hadn’t even been able to look in his mouth.

He does seem to be feeling a little better. He ate breakfast and dinner yesterday — both times boiled chicken. I had fed him boiled chicken over the weekend in an effort to get him to eat when he was refusing his regular dog food (Science Diet), and the vet told me on Mionday to continue to feed him boiled chicken for “a few days” until he was feeling better. But, again, she was pretty vague about everything, so I’m not entirely sure how long she meant or even what she meant by “feeling better” when he really — other than eating only sporadically and the bloody stool — wasn’t acting ill.

I didn’t ask for a copy of the blood work results on Monday … I was already feeling like I wss imposing and annoying them. But the tech did tell me specifically that it was a full blood panel, and the liver, kidney, pancreas and white blood cell readings were all normal

I’m waffling on trying to find a new vet … and wondering whether it would be pointless. Maybe all vets these days are more concerned with their profit margin than with the animals under their care and say whatever they need to say to protect that….

[ladyjane]

I honestly think it is a low number with regards to your last thought. Most vets love
animals. I would tend to avoid corporate owned vet clinics though for that very reason...bottom line.

My vet examines my dogs in front of me. Yours I am taking it does not....that is not something I would be comfortable with. That is the only way you know what they did. geez

I always ask for copies of labs. What I will say though is that the pancreas has no specific reading in labs except for the additional cPL....you might ask if they did that.

Asking questions and for labs should not make you feel like you are imposing. You are paying them!

If you feel uncomfortable, you really might think about finding another.

Oh...and as to your first paragraph. If there were such horror stories, they should have been reported! Each state has a vet board where you can report things.

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

My vet examines my dogs in front of me. Yours I am taking it does not....that is not something I would be comfortable with. That is the only way you know what they did. geez

That’s another thing that bothers me. With Jax’s first vet, the tech would take him into the back for his lab work, but then the vet would come in and do the exam with me watching. Since that vet left, they’ve taken Jax into the back to do both the labs and the exam. It seems … secretive. And it made it possible for her to “fudge” having looked into his mouth.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Bluebells

That’s another thing that bothers me. With Jax’s first vet, the tech would take him into the back for his lab work, but then the vet would come in and do the exam with me watching. Since that vet left, they’ve taken Jax into the back to do both the labs and the exam. It seems … secretive. And it made it possible for her to “fudge” having looked into his mouth.

I cannot imagine a vet doing that, nonetheless, I would prefer to be there when a vet examines my pup.

[Lovetodream88]

I wouldn’t be able to trust a Vet after the dental thing. I would be angry about it too. As far as not being able to get in yes it’s about the same where my Vets office would do the same however I am lucky and have become great friends with the longest working there receptionist so she puts me in for an urgent care appointment before it’s even open for other people. Joey had a fever for several days and they couldn’t get him in on Monday but put him on a cancellation list and my friend put me at the top but was putting me in for one of the urgent care appointments for the next day. I was looking at taking him to the ER Vet if they couldn’t get us in because I was really worried. I know several things can cause blood to be pooped so I would have expected a fecal to be done. When Callie was pooping blood they also did X-rays. I understand you don’t have a lot of vet choices but one of the reasons I switched when Callie was a puppy was because I didn’t feel like the Vets were giving me enough time and rushing things even though this Vet was one of the biggest recommended Vets offices.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I honestly think it is a low number with regards to your last thought. Most vets love
animals. I would tend to avoid corporate owned vet clinics though for that very reason...bottom line.

My vet examines my dogs in front of me. Yours I am taking it does not....that is not something I would be comfortable with. That is the only way you know what they did. geez

I always ask for copies of labs. What I will say though is that the pancreas has no specific reading in labs except for the additional cPL....you might ask if they did that.

Asking questions and for labs should not make you feel like you are imposing. You are paying them!

If you feel uncomfortable, you really might think about finding another.

Oh...and as to your first paragraph. If there were such horror stories, they should have been reported! Each state has a vet board where you can report things.

I agree with wanting them to do the exam in front of you. I was not fond of the one ER Vet I went to that did that with Callie where they took her in the back. I want to see what you’re checking and what you are giving. I also sometimes make comments about certain things when they are doing it.

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I wouldn’t be able to trust a Vet after the dental thing. I would be angry about it too. As far as not being able to get in yes it’s about the same where my Vets office would do the same however I am lucky and have become great friends with the longest working there receptionist so she puts me in for an urgent care appointment before it’s even open for other people. Joey had a fever for several days and they couldn’t get him in on Monday but put him on a cancellation list and my friend put me at the top but was putting me in for one of the urgent care appointments for the next day. I was looking at taking him to the ER Vet if they couldn’t get us in because I was really worried. I know several things can cause blood to be pooped so I would have expected a fecal to be done. When Callie was pooping blood they also did X-rays. I understand you don’t have a lot of vet choices but one of the reasons I switched when Callie was a puppy was because I didn’t feel like the Vets were giving me enough time and rushing things even though this Vet was one of the biggest recommended Vets offices.

Thanks. I think, after this illness is behind us, I’m going to have to start researching vets again. I just have a hard time picturing myself handing Jax over to this vet for surgery when I don’t trust her. And he is going to need a preventative dental in the not too distant future, even without severe dental disease on his chart.

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I agree with wanting them to do the exam in front of you. I was not fond of the one ER Vet I went to that did that with Callie where they took her in the back. I want to see what you’re checking and what you are giving. I also sometimes make comments about certain things when they are doing it.

I’ve never had a vet, other than an ER vet, do exams in the back. I suppose it saves time, but it makes the entire process seem like an impersonal production line. It certainly doesn’t instill trust, especially when the vet has already been caught once in fudging the truth.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Bluebells

Thanks. I think, after this illness is behind us, I’m going to have to start researching vets again. I just have a hard time picturing myself handing Jax over to this vet for surgery when I don’t trust her. And he is going to need a preventative dental in the not too distant future, even without severe dental disease on his chart.

That is completely understandable, I couldn’t put my babies lives in the hands of someone I don’t trust especially because it’s hard enough.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Bluebells

I’ve never had a vet, other than an ER vet, do exams in the back. I suppose it saves time, but it makes the entire process seem like an impersonal production line. It certainly doesn’t instill trust, especially when the vet has already been caught once in fudging the truth.

I think there has been two times for me. Once was at an ER I don’t normally go to when Callie tore her CCL and they took Ollie as soon as I came in one time with him at the ER vet but he was having an allergic reaction with swelling and hives so they took him back to put more Benadryl and a steroid in him quickly. I shadowed at my Vet and they knew I did the Vet assistant program and used to beg me to work for them so I did the hold on a lot of my pups when they were doing certain things. I know with some dogs they act better away from the owner but mine are all fine with the Vet and staff whether I am there or not.