 Finding a vet
#204725 - 08/06/2008 04:02 PM |
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Loc: Madison, Wisconsin
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Our family has a vet that we've been taking our animals to for years and years. However, I don't think they're raw-supporters and they seem big on yearly vaccinations. Now that I've got my own dog (raw-fed and 3-year rabies vacc only, natch), I think it might be time to find my own vet!
What questions should I be asking to make sure I do the right thing? Take it slow and use small words, I've never done anything like this before =P
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Re: Finding a vet
[Re: Ashley Hiebing ]
#204727 - 08/06/2008 04:21 PM |
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Ashley,
Why not give your family vet a chance? You said you only 'think' they don't support raw feeding. Ask them about minimal vaccinations, maybe they'll surprise you. At any rate you're the one that decides what and when vaccinations are given.
I'd rather deal with someone I've had a long term relationship with if possible, it has it's benefits. Give them a chance, there's always another vet if need be.
If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy
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Re: Finding a vet
[Re: randy allen ]
#204729 - 08/06/2008 04:30 PM |
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I'm visiting them on Friday to fix a bad case of happy tail, so I'll ask how they feel then. I'm not very optimistic, however, as they did practically shove Science Diet down our throat when our cat was sick. Also it's like a 45 minute drive to get there, so I'd rather have a vet closer to where I live.
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Re: Finding a vet
[Re: Ashley Hiebing ]
#204734 - 08/06/2008 05:12 PM |
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Happy tail??!! Sorry, you lost me there.
If you want a vet thats closer, and you already feel questionable about them, it's another matter.
I know what a pain it can be finding a new vet, as I've been going through the same thing for the last year or so. Both of my Dr.'s (one for this, one for that) came by way of talking to my dog friends. In both instantances diet never came up except when they mentioned how good she looked and I was asked straight out what I was feeding. Hard to argue with results, so nothing more was said. And once again, the vaccinations; NO vet decides when or what vaccines are given....that is your call, on almost every shot. (low bow here to big brother)
If my dog isn't learning, then I'm doing something wrong.
Randy
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Re: Finding a vet
[Re: randy allen ]
#204735 - 08/06/2008 06:27 PM |
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I've bounced around seeing different vets, none of whom are pro-raw. Each one gives me a 10 second spiel about raw feeding but, like Randy's experience, nothing more was said because they can't argue with the obvious good results.
Minimal vaccines is not so "out there" with vets, IME. They seem to be a whole lot more understanding about that then they do with the raw diet.
One thing I've found helpful is to type up a list that I give to the receptionist when I arrive and that is put into my dog's file. On the list is diet, supplements, any medications, chronic conditions, and my position on vaccines.
It answers the basic questions a vet may have, up front, so I don't have to waste my time engaging in a dialogue I don't want, with a vet who may not entirely agree with my POV. I don't even want to start that conversation.
The only thing I will offer is: I do yearly blood panels to make sure every thing is good and I do yearly titre testing in place of vaccines. Those 2 comments usually shut them up and shut them down. 
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Re: Finding a vet
[Re: Sarah Morris ]
#204741 - 08/06/2008 07:39 PM |
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I agree with Randy. I just took my 2 yo GSD to the vet yesterday. She was due for her Rabies and Bordetella and Parvo vaccines. I had a discussion with the vet, about my concerns for vaccinosis.
I was unsure what the vet was going to say, but I really like this vet so I decided to give it a try. He does not promote raw feeding, but he respects my decision on it, and has been willing to work with me on making sure my dog has a balanced diet.
Luckily, my vet understood my concerns, and gave me the options of either spreading the three vaccines apart (one a month) or have the Rabies done, and do blood titer for Parvo. I opted for the blood titer. I asked him to run a baseline blood panel (all thanks to the info in this forum) as well.
If distance is the problem, then I guess you have to look for a new vet, otherwise give you regular vet a chance, you never know.
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Re: Finding a vet
[Re: Melissa Hau ]
#204772 - 08/06/2008 10:09 PM |
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Reg: 07-07-2007
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Loc: Madison, Wisconsin
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All right, I'll stick with what I've got right now and we'll see where we go from there.
Randy: "Happy tail" is, from what I understand, common in pit bulls, because they are very strong and have such high pain-tolerance. It's a breaking of the skin on the tip of the tail, caused by wagging it too hard against a hard surface, i.e., the walls of a kennel.
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Re: Finding a vet
[Re: Ashley Hiebing ]
#204783 - 08/06/2008 11:19 PM |
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Aaah......Poor happy puppy.
Hey, anybody know about positive training for not wagging a tail? lol
Thanks Ashley, I was wondering about the term and I hope it's nothing serious. Good luck with the vet search.
If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy
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Re: Finding a vet
[Re: randy allen ]
#204793 - 08/07/2008 06:56 AM |
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Reg: 06-19-2006
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Loc: Maine
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I do yearly blood panels to make sure every thing is good and I do yearly titre testing in place of vaccines.
Sarah, what do you do if they say the titre is "off" (low, or whatever the indication would be to get the vaccine?)
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Re: Finding a vet
[Re: stephanie biros ]
#204807 - 08/07/2008 09:46 AM |
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Loc: Central Coast, California
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Sarah, what do you do if they say the titre is "off" (low, or whatever the indication would be to get the vaccine?)
If distemper/parvo came back with a low response I wouldn't do anything about it, wouldn't have him re-vaccinated.
If rabies came back low then I've got some serious thinking (and posting) to do. I'd probably have a second titre done to confirm the first result.
We have rabies in this area and the known carriers...skunks, bats, fox...are in my yard every day. While the risk of rabies is low, it is a higher risk than if we lived in an urban environment.
I don't ever want to re-vaccinate my dog, and hope I don't have to. But I also don't want to play around with his health or my family's health.
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