I thought that finding a vet that didn't have issues w/raw feeding was a miracle! After todays visit, I'm not so sure. I'm just sick to my stomach! First of all, he insisted on checking for valley fever as a possible cause of Levi's occasional limp in his right leg. Says it gets into the bones and granted we do live in a high VF area. Okay, so we let him run the blood on that...after checking him he didnt think it was Pano because he said he would be yelping if it was. Wanted to know if the Rimadyl that he gave me last time helped. Well, I didn't give it to him and he kind of copped an attitude about it. I told him why I wouldn't but he said only 1 in 1000 dogs have liver issues. I'm thinking, yea, the reported issues! Then he proceeded to tell me that I needed to get fecals every time I came in because of the raw feeding. Didn't we just establish that dogs don't get parasites from food? Then he told me that he would do a heartworm test so we could get him on something but didn't recommend online petmeds. I asked him why and he said "business reasons that I'm not going to go into with you" Then I talked to him about neutering him, now I've already gotten Ed's opinion on this and have decided to wait until 2 and then have it done. I still wanted to get his opinion on only half a neuter. Taking out the receeded teste and leaving the existing. He said it would be malpractice and that he wouldn't do it. Thing is, his partner told me the other day he would! WTHeck? To this he also replied, "business reasons I'm not going to go into w/you. Then he said that he would not do an xray on him unless he sedated him, I said I have problems with that. Why do you have to sedate the dog to xray his front leg? He said, if I'm looking for elbow displasia I'm going to hav eto manipulate the dogs legs in all different ways and he wont be very cooperative. Ed says, find a vet that doesn't have to sedate for xrays. Geez! I don't know what I'm going to do!However, the most disturbing part of all of this is the way Levi reacts any time I take him into a veterinary clinic. Today was the worst! Ask Sandy Moore, my dog is no wimp but everytime we go to the vet he FREAKS! Today, he was literally shaking. I've never seen him act this way EVER! All of a sudden I'm sitting there thinking, "I thought this dog had great nerves!?" I don't know what to think about any of this but feel like my world has been turned upside down. I walked away paying $160.00 and am, once again, sitting here waiting for answers.

Run, don't walk away as fast as you can. While it's true, many vets do insist on light sedation for hip/elbow xrays, the way he treated you with regards to that issue and everything else indicates a total lack of respect for you, and a really pugnacious attitude. How dare you question the great & powerful OZ (vet)???????? I really have a horrible picture in my mind of this guy taking his frustration with owners who question him out on their dogs.

Robbin,
I had bandit my 92 LB male get his Elbow X-rayed and my vet agreed with Ed's view on not having to sedate him.Bandit did fine and got great x-rays done with no problems (and the results were great) but what I mean is that there are vets out there that will try to do them without sedating the dog first and if the dog is really hard to X-ray then they will ask for your permission.What I would ask of your vet is if you could go in the back and help holding your dog for x-rays, sometimes your dog feels more comfortable having you handle him ...you never know.
I worked for a vet in Los gatos california and his view on things were that we needed to get as much $$$ as we could doing all kinds of unnecessary tests before you left, your vet sounds a bit like that.I don't want to say he's a bad vet but maybe not very understanding.Your dog is nervous because maybe you are too? Try to go in the vet feeling positive and relaxed.Without you knowing it,you might project anxious vibes to your dog. The bottom line is try finding a vet you like and have good relations with , even if you have to drive a bit.Mine is a bit far from me but I really like him because he cares about what I want to do with my dogs not what he thinks I should do.Robbin ,know what you really want when you walk in and demand no less, if you can't get it , walk out and go somewhere else.Don't give in, your male is fine, just remember when you are with him , how do you feel.
Things will work out , don't give up.
Angelique

I agree with Susan.....100%

My Mal was placed under light sedation after we tried to get x-rays without it. YEAH right!!! Not her....

He did not knock her out, just enough to take the edge off.

Also, he sounds like an ASS, which would cause me to be a BITCH and then there would be issues.

Your dog is telling you something by the way he acts in that office. When I was looking for a vet, a couple of the main questions were, "Can I be with my dog at all times?" and "Can I watch any procedures (surgical) if I so choose?"

If they said no to either one of these questions, then that was a mark against them....pro-raw or not.

I would look for another vet as well. If he asks why, then say
"business reasons I'm not going to go into w/you."

My experience has been the same as Angelique & Carol. My xray specialist in fact prefers to not sedate. When I took my current dog in for his prelims at 14 months he was unable to do it (crazed pup), so he asked my permission first, then very lightly sedated him.

AND I really like Denises' advise!!!!

I have never had a dog sedated for an x-ray. I didn't even know that vets did that. (I've had dogs for 20 years)

I also hold them for sedation, watch my pets/fosters during surgery/procedures and get to sit with them while they wake up.

If your vet made you upset enough to create this thread, you're with the wrong vet.

I had a very bad experience with rimadyl. My female had a stroke when she was on it. As far as light sedation for x-ray's, my vet also insist's on it. IMO he is very good at what he does, he isnt one to sit and talk your ear off about what you need done to your pet, but is actually all in it for the animals. He doesnt charge highway robbery eaither. I spent on 2 dogs in a sinble viset, with 100 antibiotics, an allergy shot, and something pink to coat his stomach 50.00.
But again, I will NEVER give my dogs rimadyl. There are lots of side effects, paraylasis, stroke, liver, ect... I knew a guy also that had a dog die of a stroke right after he put it on rimadyl.
I'd also say find another vet.

There are articles hear about Rimadyl and I think Connie has some great info as well.

If you have to use anything like that, use Deramaxx (sp?)
That is actually what I keep on hand (among a huge vet kit) for "just in case" injuries while I am training in different locations.....

I would say the exact same thing. Find another vet, one who doesn't mind, and in fact, encourages questions. If you aren't comfortable with a vet your dog won't be either and this guy sounds like a real "superior than thou" jerk.