Sorry Nick, I wasn't clear, the pickup and disinfecting is to make sure the dog does not get re-infected.

(Nick here on H's pc) No Betty you were and I understood. I was just saying I mowed over it which concerns me a tad.


Connie:

I thought it was kennel vax because I've seen my old dogs get it before. I need to get a book on dog medications. I've seen Ed's write up on it but frankly it puts me to sleep.

Does his kennel still need cleaned if he didn't poo or pee in it? Also is it just poop we need to worry about or can pee have it too?

I have learned the hard way to be very verbal at my vets. I will walk in with a list of written questions and I ask EVERYTHING! I actually have a notebook that I use just for the vet and refer to it. It's my own little medical history on each dog and I right down anything health related.

They do not do anything to my dog until I know what it is they are doing and what if any options there are.

My vet loves it, we refer to my notebook as much as we do the chart.

I had to apologize at my last appointment to the tech. I was kind of pushing him out of the way without realizing it and handling the pup myself.

He was new and not use to me, the vet laughed and told him most of the time he doesn't even bring back a tech for my appointments.

Don't ever hesitate to ask a vet what they are doing and why even with "just" shots. I have never had a vet not appreciate an owner that is involved and if I did I would find a new vet.

 Quote: heather logan

... I thought it was kennel vax because I've seen my old dogs get it before.

My question was more: why would this pup who is not kenneled and not in a puppy class need kennel cough vax?

Also, speaking for myself, I would have asked what it was anyway (before it was done), no matter what I thought it might be.

This speaks more to asking questions (remember the paper and pencil in the PM) and saying "I'll have to think about that and tell you next time" rather than nodding silently. Now, especially, knowing that the practice you visited will vax a sick puppy, you need to be alert and make the decisions.



PS

Urine is normally sterile. But I don't know the answer about with giardia.

Ok thanks Connie

Cool idea Betty I really like the note book.

Connie:

I handed him a paper with my questions. He was rude and the polar opposite of the vet I had in there last time. It seems lots of vet places in my area switch off doctors. To me that doesn't feel right and I am looking for a good vet.

Can you request the vet you like? Often in clinics with more then one vet they will give you the next available vet unless you request a specific one.

My clinic has 3 vets and while the majority of my care is given by the owner of the clinic I have seen the other two and like them both.

Notebook stays in your hand and you do not leave until the vet has answered all your questions and you have written down the answer or put a check mark next to the question.

 Quote: nick logan

... I handed him a paper with my questions. He was rude and the polar opposite of the vet I had in there last time. It seems lots of vet places in my area switch off doctors. To me that doesn't feel right and I am looking for a good vet.

I ask the questions so I will understand the answers as I write them down.

That vet's reaction would make me change vets, and also to make sure I told that one in a calm way why I was changing. This can be a challenge, I know. A simple note would probably do. But in one way or another, I want to register my reasons when I am voting with my wallet. And I want to sound calm and thoughtful when I do it, so the person I am voting "no" on can't say "Oh, she's just a nut. It's not me."

 Quote: Betty Waldron

My clinic has 3 vets and while the majority of my care is given by the owner of the clinic

I have the same in my vet's office, although there are 2 owners, husband & wife & 2 other vets that work there. I see the wife for any scheduled visits. She has been great with ALL 4 of my dogs.

I have seen one of the others(not the husband)& she was ok with my female (who is a very tolerent dog) in an emergency visit...but NOT at all good with my male as a 12 week old puppy. She has no patience with a puppy at all. I would never see her again, unless it is an emergency.

Before I took my dogs there for the 1st time...I spent almost 45 min (she was very kind & free with her time for me which I offerd to pay for but was never billed) on the phone with the vet that I had chosen to use(she was highly referred to me) at which time we discussed my dogs, my feeding practices(raw) & vaccination protocal (no further vacs), my insistance that I be present for any & all care that my dogs receive (I have a medical background)& that I handle my own dogs during those proceedures, etc etc. She was kind enough to answer my questions & discuss everything with me.

I am super happy with her & have been usuing her for 4+ years now.

For the best interest & care of your dog, you need to have a vet that is on board with your care protocal. But you also have to be open to discussion on treatment protocals & ASK QUESTIONS & be sure that things are explained & broken down to the level that you can understand how,why, pros & cons of any proceedure that may need to be done etc etc. You OWE that to your dog.

You NEED to demonstrate to your vet that you are knowledgable & able to make the decisions that you are making & not just becasue so & so said that this is what they do or that I should do...there needs to be a knowledge base before you can have those kindsd of discussions with your vet & before the vet will give any credance to what you are saying.

ETA...based on what you are saying took place in the vets office with your puppy, I would seriously be seeking out a new vet to work with.

For future ref kc vaccine goes up the nose, wormer in the mouth