I’m a bit too old for the young princes, alas. 
My vet has the same excuses and will not write an RX, I think it is greed.
But, my vet charges $60 !!:mad:
My current Veterinarian MADE ME PAY FOR AN OFFICE VISIT AFTER HE EXAMINED MY DOG AND READ THE VET ASSISTANCES NOTES. BUT HE STILL REFUSED TO GIVE MY DOG A PRESCRIPTION/RX FOR WATER PILLS/FUROSEMIDE. THE VETERINARIAN SENT ME HOME WITH NOTHING TO HELP MY ANIMAL. BECAUSE HE HAD PRESCRIBED BAYTRIL A WEEK AND TWO DAYS PRIOR WHICH CAUSED MY DOG TO. HAVE LABORED BREATHING, THRISTY, AND LETHARGIC. I LIVE IN THE STATE OF HAWAII. AND I HAVE LEARNED FROM VISITING SEVERAL VETERINARIAN THEY ALL ARE ABUSIVE AND NEGLECT TREATMENT FOR ANIMALS. TO THE POINT OF KILLING THE ANIMAL. LEARNED THIS FROM NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND CO WORKERS. PLUS THERE IS A STATE OF HAWAII AGENCY BOARD THAT IS A “JOKE” AS FAR AS STOPPING THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT THAT THESE VETERINARIANS DO.
This thread is from 2007.
First off, lose the all caps style. It doesn’t help your case.
Secondly, it would appear that the DVM examined your dog an did not find that a diuretic was indicated.
The DVM is not there to authorize whatever strange ideas you may have about your dog’s treatment.
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That prior response to Sddi was pretty rude considering you know nothing of the animal’s condition. There are a LOT of really stupid veterinarians out there, just as there are a LOT of stupid lawyers and stupid medial doctors. (as related to the standard of care expected). In the future people should post more responsive messages to avoid the flame trolls of all knowing.
And yes, I realize this is a Horse forum, however, this post very much relates to the ongoing saga of Veterinarian shenanigans that continue for years and have actually gotten worse.
The reason I am posting on this forum is, we have a very small farm, chickens, goats and ducks.
We just got goats-- we have been looking for an Ag vet (farm vet) for a VERY long time. Unfortunately, the only area vets that I have been able to find are “pet vets” for dogs and cats.
We have been very lucky. For a bigger flock of chickens 40+ at the moment, we have had only 2 health problems. One Chicken died of unknown causes (literally overnight), and one just died of an epic infection of both the oviduct and the intestine. There was no egg present, I assumed the Chicken was either infected or egg bound based on my exam. I’m no Vet, but I’m well experienced in dealing with most farm animals. I grew up on the farm. I dissected the Chicken to determine the cause of death as best I can. It was fully infected in both intestine and oviduct. It was epic … there are no words to describe how putrid it was. No, I’m not a vet or a pathologist but I’m also quite competent at what the insides of a Chicken look like and how the organs work and all that good stuff. (And where they go and are…)
I knew this Chicken was sick, it’s a very rare breed, we love them, they are docile, come when called, constantly lay. Wonderful Chickens-- so I decided to try to save it. Feeding tube and all.
I called several vets that we have dealt with and have ongoing relationships with. Not one of them would either sell me a few syringes of Baytril or a small vial for use on the Chicken without paying in excess of $200.00 for an “office visit.” Assuming that that particular vet was willing to even see a “chicken.” Not one of them would give me a referral to a bona fide farm vet. Each one kept referring me to their “buddy” at the “specialty vet” clinics for avian, etc. Which, are not into farm animals and poultry. I called each. Again, $200.00 + per visit.
Despite clearly explaining to them all the conditions, vitals, etc.,-- now mind you, I know 3 of the Vets that I called personally very well and they know me and that I’m not some whack a do or crazy… It really irked me. I got so irritated that I called Tufts University – in MA, which is someplace we had a massive surgery on our dog done… and they had the same response. I can understand that 24/7 ER type thing and it’s a University that doesn’t know me from Adam. Tufts does handle farm animals.
The point that I’m making is the Veterinary mafia is really irritating the hell out of me lately, now that I’m required to actually take care of my own livestock. When I was a teen we had a farm vet (who is now long retired and I believe deceased) who used to come out and write us about a years worth of scripts for a list of medications we “should” have on hand at all times. In exchange I think he came out 3-4 times per year to check on things and would also help with birthing and insemination in some cases.
I spent almost 4 hours trying to contact area vets and not one vet could refer me to a "farm vet’ despite the fact that they all claim to have someone they use for livestock. It was shameful. There is no way legally to get Baytril – which is an amazingly effective antibiotic-- and may have helped-- because now, you can’t acquire most of these drugs anymore without a script. Hell, they even pulled Ivermectin off the shelves now because of the idiots taking it for CV. The best I could get was some oxytetracycline and some penicillin IM-- which are not the ideal front line. Some cipro or enofloxacin would have been better.
The point of this is not to be a rant, but I’m done with these vets. I’m now going to be spending a considerable amount of time trying to locate a real farm Vet. I spoke to some people at the local Tractor Supply who own horses… but don’t actually take care of them… they have a boarding service… to get the name of the farm vet that the boarder uses. Once I have one, I hope they are as reasonable as I recall.
And yes, I realize nobody is going to spend $$$ on a Chicken. That wasn’t the point. It was my Wife’s favorite from the flock and I absolutely have no patience or tolerance for willfully wasting an animal if it could otherwise be saved within reason. I am of the opinion that had we been able to hit it with some Baytril on the first day we found it sick, it may have survived.
My apologies for the rant and thank you if you actually spent the time reading this post. I am really irritated by the conduct of these vets. As to liability, there is virtually no liability to a vet who gives an antibiotic to a chicken and it dies. And yes, before all the experts chime in-- this is not a flock wide disease or death or some bizarre virus. These are all hatchery vaccinated chickens and they free range a few acres and have a clean barn to live in… thank you all again. We need to vote with our wallets and tell these vets, enough of this crap. The sad part is, I will tell others that the Vet dropped the ball out of sheer greed or indifference. Had they helped us-- and I’m not allergic to paying him for the drugs… not at all in a time of need-- I would have been willing to tell others how great of a service was provided and his business would further flourish.
Happy Easter.
Don
- The law prohibits the dispensing of precription medication without a valid VPC relationship, which looks to be the situation you described wrt your hen.
2)The FDA expressly PROHIBITS use of enrofloxacin in poultry. Partly because of people like you.
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You have no idea whether or not the organism causing the infection (assuming, for a moment that you are correct in your “diagnosis”) was even susceptible to enrofloxacin any road.
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The job of a veterinarian is most assuredly not that of providing any given animal owner whatever drugs they request upon demand.
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If indeed, DVMs are only in it for the money, then your scenario of freely dispensing drugs for $$$ would be the case, which you’ve just complained it isn’t.
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My vet tries to encourage me to buy from his online pharmacy. I told him that I will if he can match prices elsewhere. I have a farm with 13 horses and he makes a lot of money on me, so ultimately, he’ll authorize the prescriptions to outside pharmacies.
I’m friends with another vet who will not authorize prescriptions to outside pharmacies. She said there are too many that will sell rebranded/relabeled expired or mishandled medications.
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“Chicken” ??? Odd emphasis.
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That is illegal in many states, and IMO unethical even if not illegal where she is. Unless she’s price-matching lower prices, I guess.
I’ll happily hand out a written prescription on request, but I do not deal with on line pharmacies directly. Too much of a PIA.
That is completely fine, it’s still providing a prescription in lieu of forcing the dispensing of the medication yourself.
I have quite a few vet friends, and I’ve heard several times about quality concerns with some online pharmacies. Even the “reputable” ones. I think that could be a legitimate concern. I would imagine that she might be open to a discussion and may bend her policy for the right online pharmacy. I’ve particularly heard of issues with Adequan and Ulcerguard (that one I don’t understand at all).
Good grief. Ghazzu about covered it. I’ll just correct the notion that nobody spends money on chickens. Lots of people spend plenty of money on them all the time for veterinary care. You decided not your wife’s favorite chicken wasn’t worth it. And also your idea that you will reward any vet who dispenses drugs to you without examination with recommendations to all your friends is hilarious. Like they want a bunch of idiots calling them for drugs like you. What a joke.
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I’d like to say how much I really appreciate the veterinarians who care for my beloved dog and horse. Whenever I’ve needed to purchase medications, even if it costs more, I always purchase through my vets. ( I might add they’ve given me cheaper options in the past.) And, I’ve had some pretty darn expensive dogs.) I appreciate everything they do, how hard they worked to get through an expensive education, and how they continue to learn. The good will? Priceless.
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