Vet Drama Today!

[TishaMoon]

Bailey had an appointment last Saturday for her 3rd set of puppy shots, but she was 15 weeks at the time and set to have a 4th set after that. After reading on here and other places I decided to push back the appointment to today at 16 weeks and make it her last set. That way, I figured, I could use her 3rd included visit for rabies in a week or two.

We took her in today for the shots and saw when we got there that they had 2 syringes out. We asked why and they said she's 16 weeks and needs rabies. We tried to reason that we wanted to separate rabies from the other shots, and that we had 1 visit left that was already paid for. The girl argued with us a little then went to speak to someone else. The vet tech came in next and kept saying if we want to do that we can talk to the vet, but that it's totally safe and I really should be looking at the source of my research (which to me, pet owners who have experienced reactions are the BEST source!). It was very annoying. Then we just said well technically her birthday is the 16th so she's not REALLY 4 months yet (though she is 16 weeks), and then all of a sudden it was like "OH then you still need another set of shots 3 weeks from now and rabies a week or two after that". HUH? Suddenly they were fine with putting off rabies 4 or 5 weeks from now?

I have no idea what their reasoning was, but I did not like being attacked for stating my desires. Then the vet did not do much to make friends with Bailey and MISSED on her first two attempts to give the shot. She got the vaccine all over Bailey and me. Finally she was like "We'll do this the easy way" and she grabbed Bailey, took her out of the room without inviting us to follow, and had someone else hold her while she gave the shot. She did get it in that time, but she left a bubble.

So obviously I DO NOT like this vet. I had a vet I really liked before but his office gave lepto and corona so I switched to this vet just for shots.

Bailey should be fully vaccinated now without another set, right? She was weaned at 4 weeks, and had the 4 way vaccines at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks.

What should I do? I still have one more visit paid for at this vet in my puppy package. I could give a 4th set + rabies like they want (it sounded like they would do rabies on a different date and not charge extra for it). I could call back and just schedule a rabies for my 4th visit and hope they don't insist on giving another set of shots. Or I could walk away from my money and this vet and just wait and give her rabies around 6 months when I do her spay.

Oh, that's another thing I did not like. This vet mentioned I should spay her around 4 or 5 months. Isn't that way early? Especially for a baby who is only 2.7 pounds at 16 weeks?

[Britster]

Wow! How rude! I would be mad if I were you. My vet tried to do the same thing but
luckily, I stood up for myself (usually I have a hard time saying what I want to say
and just let the "professionals" do whatever) and the vet said "Well, yeah I guess that's
a bit much maybe." The vet was trying to give Jackson his fourth set of shots along with
Lymes shot and Rabies shot, knowing he already had a reaction to the Lepto his 2nd set
of shots. They also charged me for lots of ridiculous things among other rude things,
so I never brought Jackson back. I've been taking him to a low-cost clinic to get
neutered and to get Rabies and checked out and they treat him better than that
regular vet.

Jackson got three sets of shots... 8 weeks old, 12 weeks old and 16 weeks old. Lepto
was in the second round of shots when he had a bad reaction. Then rabies at 6 mo.
old (which I know is late). This is a good schedule to follow:

Vaccination Schedule Recommendations For Dogs

[cath54]

So sorry about the rudeness you received.I live in a real area,our vet is still the local vet for all animals[live stock too].Since i started to breed yorkies,he started to read about them after the first one we took to him.He wanted to give him his rabbi shot,i asked for only 1/2of the shot ,well he said he knows no reason why anything could go wrong......Yes on the way home Aidan got ridged and only moved his eyes,so we turn around go back to the vets,well after giving him meds he started to come out of it,thank god.needless to say our vet now know ,no 3 year shot of rabies and 1 year only half the amount.needless to say we are now all on the same page.So stand by your convictions when it comes to our babys...sorry so long....

[kathy_caribe]

Maybe it is due to the culture or the fact that most vets here treat Chi's, but I have had absolutely NO ISSUES with 2 different vets. They totally listen and dialogue and go with what you want. Course it is the same with human doctors here - I find them so much more humane than al norte. I JUST got Kilo his rabies shot (at 5 months) and didn't start his 2nd shot until he was 12 weeks old.

[jmdt]

I think 4 or 5 mo. to spay is too early for such a little girlie. I say 6mo at the earliest. That vet office seemed to be very rude to you and your baby. I would definatly look for another vet.

[citygirl]

Sorry you had probelms. I am so happy my vet agrees with me about Lola's shots. He won't give Lola her rabies shot until she is 6 mos and only a half dose at a time. He also won't spay until she is at least 6mos or older.

[TishaMoon]

We will definitely be going back to the first vet or looking for a new vet in the future. We *might* go back to this place for the rabies, since it's already paid for, but after this experience there is no way I'd make that woman my vet.

If Bailey doesn't need any more vet visits for a couple months I will probably just wait and do rabies around 6 months. CA law says 4 months, but I managed to get by today without it so we will try to avoid the vet for a while.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by TishaMoon

We will definitely be going back to the first vet or looking for a new vet in the future. We *might* go back to this place for the rabies, since it's already paid for, but after this experience there is no way I'd make that woman my vet.

If Bailey doesn't need any more vet visits for a couple months I will probably just wait and do rabies around 6 months. CA law says 4 months, but I managed to get by today without it so we will try to avoid the vet for a while.

MD law says 4 months too but Jackson was nearly 7 months when he got his
rabies shot. I was so scared to get it since he had such a reaction to Lepto
so I didn't know what would happen. All went well and they pre-medicated
him with Bendadryl shot first.

[veguroev]

I'd be switching to a different vet right away!! Why did you pay in advance? If that is holding you back. I would suggest to ask for your money back. You have the right to express how you feel and if you didn't like the service they offered to you and your baby let them know.

[KimberlySRN]

Originally Posted by TishaMoon

We will definitely be going back to the first vet or looking for a new vet in the future. We *might* go back to this place for the rabies, since it's already paid for, but after this experience there is no way I'd make that woman my vet.

If Bailey doesn't need any more vet visits for a couple months I will probably just wait and do rabies around 6 months. CA law says 4 months, but I managed to get by today without it so we will try to avoid the vet for a while.

It is the law but you can find ways around it. My yorkie died because of a rabies shot, so when I took Suri in I told the vet I was not comfortable and she felt we could wait because she was so small... So she wrote me a note excluding her until it was safe. She felt we could wait tip 7-9months.Dont let them pressure you, because we are the ones that deal with the results.

[TishaMoon]

Originally Posted by veguroev

I'd be switching to a different vet right away!! Why did you pay in advance? If that is holding you back. I would suggest to ask for your money back. You have the right to express how you feel and if you didn't like the service they offered to you and your baby let them know.

I purchased a puppy package that included 3 visits, 3 sets of vaccines + rabies, and a fecal/worming.

I might try to call and see if they will refund a portion for the last visit that I didn't use. I'm just afraid they won't allow it because I'm skipping out on rabies. I'm not very confrontational, so I would have trouble getting into why.

[Gennies]

Oh Sweetie, remember you can be confrontational. When it comes to protecting your baby, you can. You will be surprised how much courage you can muster when it comes to protecting your baby. You can because she can't speak so it's up to you to do it for her.

I agree, I'd run from this vet and maybe take them to small claims court to get the rest of your money back if they don't refund you.

I think this vet and their staff were sweet as can be to get you to pay for this package for a puppy and then once you do they show their true colors. Run!

Personally, I will not go to a vet that doesn't give shots in front of me. I sworn to my babies that I'd protect them and to me no vet will challenge that promise or I won't support that vet. I know you can do it! I felt the same about public speaking and when I did it to give a voice to a fallen child victim, I had the strength for him. It was about him, not me. So you can do it for your baby, not you. Understand? Good luck!!!! You can do it!!!! I have faith in your love for your baby!!!!

[TishaMoon]

Originally Posted by Gennies

Personally, I will not go to a vet that doesn't give shots in front of me. I sworn to my babies that I'd protect them and to me no vet will challenge that promise or I won't support that vet. I know you can do it! I felt the same about public speaking and when I did it to give a voice to a fallen child victim, I had the strength for him. It was about him, not me. So you can do it for your baby, not you. Understand? Good luck!!!! You can do it!!!! I have faith in your love for your baby!!!!

The first visit they did the shot in front of me, with me holding Bailey. The first visit went fine, but I still had a weird feeling for some reason. This time around Bailey knew what was going to happen and obviously started wiggling when she got close with the needle. But I can't think of any dog that LIKES getting shots. Vets should be able to give a shot to a nervous dog. It was ridiculous how she couldn't get the shot in (and of course I worried that each time a little might have gone in) and the way she made me feel like it was my fault for not holding her still or distracting her.

I also didn't like that they always took Bailey into the back to weigh her.

The first vet we visited was not only nice and knew a lot about yorkies, they did everything in the room with you there. I still never would have gotten the 7 way shot there, but now that her shots are done I am done with this vet and headed back to the first.

Thanks everyone!

[AprilLove]

Wow!! I didn't read every reply, but I am guessing most said LEAVE THAT VET!!!
And I agree 100%!!!

These are our children, our pets, and just like finding a doctor for yourself, finding a vet that you like and can work with can take some time. But don't feel bad about standing up for your BABY!!! You have that right, you pay for their services, never let a vet bully you into doing shots/ etc that you do not want for your baby.
I would go back to your first vet, and when it comes time to do the boosters at one year, just tell them not to include Lepto and Corona!! Or call in advance, and tell them what you want for the vaccine at one year.

PS, I had a baby named Bailey too Big huggles to your little girl