stomach virus
 

Sorry about not giving an update on our baby. Finally completely over whatever it was, pancreatitus. Vets have no idea what brought it on. could have been stomach virus, Diet , NOT, he eats Blue. Treats are limited . bottom line, sometimes it just happens. My advice to everyone is even after you take your little one to the vet, only you know whats going on with your dog, even when your vet comes highly recommended, and you respect them, you need to be their advocate. Smal yorkies 5 lbs and under can have drastic changes in short periods of time. If you have any doubts, you need to voice your opinion and respectfully tell the provider you don't agree. The only reason our pup is still with us is our own pesistance. Not to badmouth the animal heathcare professionals but between the Vet, University of Penn Vetenary Hospital and after hour support I came away with a bad taste. Bottom line was money. Each phase of treatment was met with " treatment costs can be very high and we require a deposit to get started. " I spent over 10,000.00 on a yorkie with a liver shunt 12 years ago and had to give them the final payment of 700.00 before they would release the body to me. He died on the operating table. They required 5000.00 when he was admitted and incremints of 1000.00 every other day. I know I'm venting but the bottom line in my opinion would be to get a diagnosis first and then discuss finance. The Hospital told a woman at 1:00am that treatment for her cat would run about a thousand dollars and that if it was too much see could consider putting the cat down. Sorry about the rant but the bottom line is to be vigelant with your pets care Kathy and Ed

I am sorry that you have a bad taste in your mouth regarding the vets. The only thing I can say is that it sounds like they did everything right and your baby is ok. Yes, pancreatitis does sometimes come on for no known reason. I have had pups with it and shudder to think of the money I have spent; but that is what is expected with veterinary care just as in people care. Medical treatment is not cheap.

Sadly, many animals do die daily because of people's inability or refusal to pay for vet care; but the vets simply cannot afford to treat everyone's pet for free. The cost of their education, the overhead of running a business is extremely high. Plus, if they give to one, how do they turn the next one away? I would not want to be working in a place and having to say no....it has to be heart wrenching.

I do think that it is easier to fork over the cash when you have a good feeling about the way things are going. I am fortunate in that my vet, the emergency vets close to me, and the specialists I use are all wonderful. Their staff are all helpful and knowledgeable and it is clear to me that they love their jobs. I have been in veterinary facilities that I was not happy with and just moved on to others until I found who I was happy with and who I trusted my pups to.

If you have a vet you are less than happy with, I suggest you look around now while things are going well. Good luck to you! I hope you don't have any more bouts of pancreatitis ... it is scary and expensive on top of it!

Oh, and I want to add this: You are correct that only we know our babies. It is important for us to follow their treatment and care by veterinary professionals very carefully and be their advocates!
No one knows their children better than parents......and no one knows their pets better than their parents. Wise pediatricians and veterinarians know this! They listen to and work with the parents! Any vet who would not listen to me and answer my questions would not be handling my pups!