what do you think?
 

i dont want to go against the vet but...
sometimes i feel like my vet trys to push alot of unnecessary shots and medications. last time i took lexi (shes due back very soon), she was about 4 months old. she had a number of shots - parvo, rabies,...etc. and tests like the tear test. but my vet said something ab doing ANOTHER tear test and a vaccine for her gums so her teeth stay strong and healthy.
first of all, she was above normal with her tear test, why would i need to do another? and second.. she has puppy teeth still. wouldnt she get the gum shot after her adult teeth come in?
and he doesnt talk to me about what hes giving her and the costs.
idk... maybe im wrong? maybe im overreacting...
does anybody else have problems like this?

i know how you feel...when i first moved into my house i found a vet that is located just around the corner...when after my first visit i know that i want nothing more with him....all he wanted to do was sell me this sell me that...

so i ended up going back to my vet on the south side of town...and i know she cares about the furkids not a quick buck!

my advice to you is to find another vet...hehe

I love my vet....he ALWAYS lets me know up front the fee's for whatever is possibly needed....I wouldn't trust your vet one bit!!!

I would ask around and see if someone could reccomend their vet to you...sometimes that's the best way to find a great Vet....Good luck...

I have never heard of a tear test. What is it?

Tammy

It's a blood test that can be done to see the levels of immunity. It would tell if an additional shot of something is needed or if sufficient protections is already present. I believe it may be spelled Tier, but not 100% sure.

I go to the vet that's recommended by another person. =) That's always the best way to go.

I can't imagine trusting a vet who's more into selling me than caring for my baby. The first time i took April to my vet, everyone there was just so kind and sweet and his office had A LOT of photos of his fur clients... Which is always a good sign :aimeeyork

The test is a titer test.

There are new vaccine protocols released earlier this year or last year. Many vets though, do not want to follow the new protocols simply because it is money out of their pockets. I would find a holistic vet or one that at least follows the more recent vaccine guidelines.

It's titer. :)

I probably am not a good one to answer this because I think 1 visit with a vet that you don't like is enough. I would switch.

Titers are good to see immunity and he is probably wanting to see if her antibodies are going up but titers are a bit controversial to start with. You don't have to do them with puppy shots. I would probably do three sets 3-4 weeks apart starting after 8-9 weeks and preferrably after 12 weeks. If you start after 16 weeks, you only need to give 2 sets. I am into the whole vaccine/titer/immunity thing and I don't think I'd want to pay for them when your vet is still going to give just as many vaccines.

The periodontal shot is new and underreasearched. I have heard 1 bad report about it so far. There may be a place for this shot in older animals where the owners can't brush their teeth and the dog can't have a dental but I would use caution. Brush her teeth everyday and do dentals when they are necessary in my opinion. Yorkies do have teeth and gum issues and this shot could help but why shove more vaccines into them?

You can ask for an estimate before anything is done and make him tell you what he is giving. Ellie's vet knows how I am:rolleyes:, so she would never give anything without me agreeing.

Ellie saw four vets that just weren't what I was looking for before I found on that is more than awesome. Ellie's back-up vet is great too.

Don't just settle because if a major medical issue or emergency comes up, you need to be able to trust them and know that your pups are safe.

And please never let him give the rabies on the same day as another vaccine again. Rabies is responsible for quite a few reactions and it is better to separate vaccines. The most I'd consider giving at once is DHPP.

Our babies are precious to us. I would find a vet that you can trust and feel comfortable with.

no he called it a tear test... and he put this little tab like thing on my lexis eyeball for a whole minute! and supposedly the tears collect on the tab to a marked line (which means normal).. she def hit that line in 20 seconds. and hes STILL suggesting another test. she really needs to go back to the vet but i dont feel she should still be having $200 bills every month - two months.

Interesting.
I had never heard of this before, so I looked it up.
This is not normal procedure unless maybe there was something wrong with her eyes and if it came back normal, why would it need to be done again? It sounds horribly uncomfortable. I think it's time to find a new vet.:(

I would definitely look into getting a new vet. That test sounds terribly uncomfortable for your little one. Sometimes, the first vet you wind up going to is not the best. It's like trying to find a good dentist or medical practitioner for yourself.

Marly

:thumbup::thumbup: Oh my goodness!! I looked it up too and totally agree with Crystal!

The vet should only have done that test if your pup had dry eyes (and even then I'm not sure how often vets do this....I've never heard of it either!) Here are the symptoms of "Canine Dry Eye" (from an article online about it):

* Heavy mucus production
* Redness
* Rubbing the eyes
* Cloudy Eyes
* Corneal Ulcers (surface wounds on the eye which can lead to a tare or perforation.)
* Weakness or lethargy

And the Yorkshire Terrier is not listed among the most common breeds to have this problem either. In fact, most Yorkies I know seem to have an overproduction of tears!

I'd say that even if she DOES have one of the above symptoms and that is why he was testing her eyes, I would still be looking for a new vet for the simple fact that he wants to do it AGAIN when the test was normal the first time!!! :eek:

Allison,
I've read bad things about that shot he wants to give her for her gums or teeth. Be sure to do your research before you let him give it to her.

I think it sounds like a new vet is in order. I don't think I've spent $200 to date on both my girls! That's ridiculous. (of course I know prices vary from place to place) but for a healthy dog...:rolleyes:

Take care and don't let this vet take advantage of you and put your Lexi through needless testing and meds.

Just my two cents worth,
Tammy

thanks everybody... i think its time for a new vet
i appreciate all the input! :D
sooo would i have to get her records from her old vet? or can i just go ahead a schedule her an appointment with a new vet..