I was just at our vet getting some more pain meds for my dog recently and was asking how much they charge for professional cleaning.

I was shocked when they said that in order to do the cleaning, that the dog had to be current on all the vaccines in order to get them cleaned there.

Is this normal protocol for dental cleanings? I was none too pleased as I do not wish to vaccinate anymore period, other than standard (Jean Dodds) puppy protocol.

Does anyone out there get their dogs teeth cleaned where they do not ask for current vaccines to be updated?
Just curious.

JMO, but it sounds like a vet more interested in lining their pockets then providing quality care to their patients. That's almost like extortion. I would be looking for a new vet, if I was told something like that.

One of the side benefits of raw feeding is nice clean teeth, no doggie breath & healthy gums.

That is what I was thinking too Anne. I do feed an all natural raw diet to both my dogs. While their back meat cutters look good, nice and white, their teeth that are shorter on the bottom row in front of the big cutters, I can see some plaque forming.

I just bought some new tooth paste C.E.T. to try. I have to admit, I have not been brushing either of them very regularly.

Are there more holistic dog dentists that won't require updated vaccines to get my dogs teeth cleaned?

 Quote: joyce salazar

I was just at our vet getting some more pain meds for my dog recently and was asking how much they charge for professional cleaning.

I was shocked when they said that in order to do the cleaning, that the dog had to be current on all the vaccines in order to get them cleaned there.

Is this normal protocol for dental cleanings? I was none too pleased as I do not wish to vaccinate anymore period, other than standard (Jean Dodds) puppy protocol.

Does anyone out there get their dogs teeth cleaned where they do not ask for current vaccines to be updated?
Just curious.

My dogs are on written Do Not Vaccinate Without Written Owner Permission (in the charts). They have no more vaccinations except 3-year rabies.

One had the complete dental work-up (anesthetized) last March and one will have it done on 03/31. (My vet has a Jan-Mar dental "special" every year).

No vax issues at all.

 Quote: Joyce Salazar

Is this normal protocol for dental cleanings? I was none too pleased as I do not wish to vaccinate anymore period, other than standard (Jean Dodds) puppy protocol.

Does anyone out there get their dogs teeth cleaned where they do not ask for current vaccines to be updated?
Just curious.

Sounds like a conversation I had prior to with a vet office prior to firing them. It was over shots being required for neutering a dog which also included Lepto and kennel cough as a requirement (they did eventually drop the lepto requirement after I chatted with them for awhile).

The conversation began with a $230 quote for neutering a 8 lb dog. When I looked at them like they had grown another head they said my dog would need a combo series booster, a rabies vaccine, and a kennel cough shot. I said, what? She said they could totally do it all the day of and I said Don't you think it's a little irresponsible to immune compromise a dog then cut it open, besides at that point the dog doesn't have immunity to anything. She then went back to the It's policy rock. So I asked for my six dogs medical files and told this person that they had just lost me as a client. Later I got a call from the clinic manager to explain the misunderstanding about the policy. I wasn't rude but I just explained that their policy was really clear and very irresponsible.

Honestly firing the vet was one of the best decisions I have made about my dogs. It took some searching but I found a very nice vet as a result who deserves my money for his efforts, is fair on recommended treatments, and actually takes the time to hear about what I need from him in the way of service.

We have one vet office in our town that the first question they ask before making you an appointment for anything is "does your dog have all his/her shots?". they will not see your dog without their current shots, they say its for the safety of your dog and others. Kinda think thats strange because what if you wanted to make an appointment to get your dogs their shots, the dog would have to go into the office unvaccinated to get them so whats the difference?? Made me really mad!! I did take one of my dogs their because they had a ultrasound machine that I needed used, when I was there I asked the vet if he would see one of my other dogs that has HD with only having a rabies shot-he was reluctant but said he would. they have some type of B shot they can give for HD thats suppose to be good for pain management, this would be the only reason I will go back there.

 Quote:

The conversation began with a $230 quote for neutering a 8 lb dog. When I looked at them like they had grown another head they said my dog would need a combo series booster, a rabies vaccine, and a kennel cough shot. I said, what? She said they could totally do it all the day of and I said Don't you think it's a little irresponsible to immune compromise a dog then cut it open, besides at that point the dog doesn't have immunity to anything. She then went back to the It's policy rock. So I asked for my six dogs medical files and told this person that they had just lost me as a client. Later I got a call from the clinic manager to explain the misunderstanding about the policy. I wasn't rude but I just explained that their policy was really clear and very irresponsible.

Ugh! Serenity Now! Serenity Now!Wow Melissa, this is just unreal.
It looks like I have some more searching to do for a decent vet that has some common sense policies.

I have already fired one vet, for a completely different set of issues and now it looks like I am on the search again.

Before hiring a vet, as I have mentioned (along with several other posters here), we have a little "interview." I always offer to pay for the time, whether it's telephone or face-to-face.

I respectfully ask about the vet's POV on pain management, vaccinations, and raw feeding. Also, on whether I can accompany my dog for non-sterile procedures if it's something my dog would be less anxious about with me there. I offer to allow the vet to see my handling of my dogs first for that one; I do understand that the owner can be a liability in a treatment room.

The first three are crucial to me.

The vet I have now (several years now) does not recommend raw feeding. Big "however" is that she is aware of the very good raw diet my dogs are on, she gets it that my nutrition education is more extensive than hers, she respects my choice, and she never uses scare tactics or tries to blame an unrelated malady on the raw diet. She says "I cannot argue with these results." This is good enough for me.

It would be nice to have a vet who actively recommended raw feeding, but I have come to understand the reluctance on the part of some vets to back up a diet that can turn dangerously random in some hands. I've now seen threads by folks who have fed puppies raw meat/no bone diets, folks who give a pound of hamburger and call it good, and folks who give something like Melissa mentioned seeing in another thread: crackers and lunch meat, I think it was. I do get it that at least kibble is going to provide, for example, calcium in the right ratio.

Point is that choosing a vet is a very individual thing and far better done when the dog is healthy, and not when there's an emergency.

JMO!

"So I asked for my six dogs medical files and told this person that they had just lost me as a client. Later I got a call from the clinic manager to explain the misunderstanding about the policy. I wasn't rude but I just explained that their policy was really clear and very irresponsible."

Yes. Voting with our wallets after explaining the reason(s), calmly and rationally, is the best way to plant a seed of change. At least, that's MHO.

I did what Connie mentioned(pre-interview) the vet that I have now. She was willing to spend the time on the phone with me to discuss my views on raw diet, vaccinations & overall treatment protocals with my dogs. I also insist on being with my dogs for all proceedures non-sterile. While she does not advocate raw feeding,for many of the reasons that Connie mentioned above(throwing all kinds of inappropriate foods & calling it a raw diets at dogs) she is on-board if she is convinced the client knows how to do it properly. She also is ok with my parvo/distemper only vaccines for my pups & then titering periodically. It took 1 bad vet experience & a number of calls before I found the vet that, for the most part, I am happy with on the rare occasion that I have to stop in there. There are still vets out there that are willing to listen to what you have to say with an open mind. You just may have to work a bit to find them.