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Small animal vet rant

Around The Farm
#21

Small animal vets…

I will never forget this moment in my life:

When I was about 8, my rabbit had babies. It was so much fun for me to experience watching them grow, and we found great homes for them. However, these babies were the result of an improperly “labeled” bunny from the pet store- we thought we bought 2 girl bunnies, but we ended up with a boy and a girl… and well, you know.

Anyway, in order to avoid the same issue for the takers of my baby bunnies, we took the brood to our small animal vet to have them “identified”. There were 4 of them, and the whole process took about 8 minutes. Literally, we were in and out in about 15 minutes total. No bunnies got shots or medications, no exams, just a peek under the hood and they were done.

This cost us $285.00. I think my mother actually saved the bill- one item listed: Sexing x 4- $285.00. Keep in mind this was also about 15 years ago.

Needless to say, we didn’t have any more baby bunnies, and I’ll never forget the look on my mother’s face when she wrote that check…

#22

We use our equine vet for our dogs. Our dogs don’t even know that they have seen a vet. They just know that the nice man who comes when the horses are sick told them they were good dogs and gave them a rabies vaccine. On the rare occasion that we have needed something that the equine vet can’t do, we have needed a specialist. Then, we drove the 4 1/2 hours to the vet school.

If you have a horse vet who will take care of other pets, or have a mixed animal practice, your life and budget will be less stressed. I think of the years that I used to drag two large and uncooperative dogs (one going limp/playing dead and the other growling) into the small animal vet’s office. Then, I would have a huge bill, as well as a headache from the stress of the visit and dog vomit in my car.

#23

[QUOTE=magnolia73;4192559]
I think what has happened is that people now have one dog or cat that they will do anything for - if poopsie gets hurt, they’ll pay $1000 for an MRI and will pay for the best care…so places cater to them, getting high end machines etc. etc. and have to charge more, which pushes out the person with a collection of well cared for pets that is looking to provide basics.[/QUOTE]

I think this is pretty accurate, but I disagree with the faintly disparaging note of ‘poopsie’ in there:lol: I think it’s great that vets present us with all our options. I’ve always wanted to know what’s available. I’m sure some vets cross the line into pressure rather than presentation. BUT - the people who chose to acquire a number of animals and provide basic care, rather than a single or few animals and go above and beyond, are just out of step with the larger society. The way people treat barn cats, for example, is simply not the modern norm. If you’re the oddball out, you’re going to encounter friction. Once, it was the norm to have that sort of ‘responsible stewardship’ relationship with a dog or cat - love, but limited in practical terms. Now, a parent/child relationship is more typical, where the owner is willing to spend quite a lot to safeguard and rescue the pet from harm. I think it’s a good thing; we spend more, we have vastly more veterinary resources at our disposal, and we know much more about the way animals think and experience the world. We have far fewer excuses for maintaining that distance from our animal dependents.

#24

Oh thank you for not making me start my own small vet rant!! I love the ER vet in our area… too bad they charge double what everyone else does :frowning: We took my poor Gatsby in to be neutered last week- at a NEW vet because I was so mad at the other vet - and they lost an artery. Swear to God, lost the artery that goes up the vas deferens. I have looked high and low to see if this complication occurs normally, and no website has it. Not CSU, not Cornell, not anything. How on God’s green earth do you LOSE an artery during a routine surgery like neutering? So poor puppy had to be operated on twice in a day to find the artery and stop the internal bleeding. He looked like a truck had hit him there was so much bruising. Uggghhhh my trainers have recommended competent vets in the area, but really, I’m about THIS close to taking my dog to Littleton Large Animal!

#25

I love my small animal vet - that sometimes does coggins and health certs for me. Yeah she is a bit more pricey - but she does not do unnecessary things or overcharge considering the service I get. She is sweet and compassionate I like her bunches.

Shop around until you find a better one to suit your needs.

#26

[QUOTE=Guin;4193535]
One of my dogs just had his shots, and the vet (whom I love to pieces) told me the same thing about the locations of the shots - he explained that if an animal has any sort of localized reaction, then they will know which shot caused it. Makes sense to me! (With dogs, it’s Lepto/Left).[/QUOTE]

FWIW, all of the equine vets I know also do this – Rabies on the right, Flu/Rhino further up the neck on the left, and WNV more down the neck on the left (if giving all 3 – if not, just Rabies on the right and the other on the left).

It does make it easy to tell, and most responsible vets will do this! It’s more important though, for small animals, especially cats since they can get fibrosarcomas.

#27

My equine vet has a fair sized office, staff, a lab, a barn, a trailer, a big truck to haul around lots of expensive equipment and more staff driving around the countryside with him. It may be spent differently, but it’s still money spent. He is also taking a bit more bodily risk handling animals that run in the thousands of pounds. Sorry I’d rather be bitten by a dog than kicked by a horse or bull or ostrich. Hey but that’s just me.

Hmmm… $140.00 for 10 minutes equals $840.00 per hour for this service. Not a bad price? Sorry, I still think so.

As I said I have found a decent small animal vet… but that’s after being royally ripped off by a bunch. Also the point that the small animal vets made it illegal for large animal vets to do any services for small animals when they’re doing a large animal farm call just proves that it’s all about money, with no regard to the animals or the customers, for most of them. I’m not saying they’re not good vets but the money grab thing just irks me.

#28

[QUOTE=BuddyRoo;4192654]
Just a different perspective…but to me, a vet who would dispense HW preventative w/o doing the test, a vet who would not recommend the other tests/vaccines, a vet who would give a vaccination w/o doing an exam? That to me is NOT a good vet. Those are things that compromise the health of the animal.

Just because you get told about options doesn’t mean that someone is shoving it down your throat. I personally WANT to know what my options are.

.[/QUOTE]

I’m glad you have a great vet… I envy you! My beef with the heartworm testing wasn’t the idea of the test it was the fact she was tested less than a year ago (by at our other vet when I lived in Annapolis) and she had been on heartgaurd since then.

I talked to the vet yesterday and she said Bella is heartworm free but they found traces of hookworms.

ME: she’s been on heartgaurd how can this be

VET: some worms have become resistant that’s why we want you to give her Interceptor… we’ll give her Interceptor, a dewormer, then re-fecal test her every couple of months.

I asked how much this would cost and she said she’d have to call me back… never did :mad:

I think it’s very strange that she tested for hookworms I only allowed them to do the fecal test in the first place because they kept telling me heartgaurd doesn’t work and I didn’t really believe them. I feel like they just had to prove me wrong!

I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet. I’m SO relieved that she doesn’t have heartworms but this whole process is just frustrating.

#29

YES! The were pushing Revolution on me SO much for my 2 completely indoor cats. I told them I was going to have to think about it and low and behold it was on my bill and waiting for me at the counter when I was finished. I told them no. $300 a year in cat flea meds is too much when i’ve never seen a flea on them!

#30

[QUOTE=Meredith Clark;4194268]
YES! The were pushing Revolution on me SO much for my 2 completely indoor cats. [/QUOTE]

To be a devil’s advocate:
I think vets should offer their clients choices. That’s not to say ‘pushing’ a product is right. But, giving the client options and explaining why isn’t a bad thing.

Your dog (or you) could carry in a flea, which can jump on your cats. In our area, fleas carry Yersina Pestis (bubonic plague), to which cats are very susceptible. So, in our area, it just depends if you want to risk the black death on your cat or not… and potentially expose other humans which could be susceptible (it’s rare, but we do get some human cases still…)

I would imagine vets would also recommend revolution or some other high quality fla preventative- so that owner’s won’t go out and buy the Petsmart type Hartz flea control for their cat on the weekend when they spot a flea. I’ve seen that one cause seizures. Revolution would have been a lot cheaper than Hartz + seizure treatment.

Sometimes, people also believe their indoor only cats don’t need vaccines every few years (to clarify, in the east we would vaccinate indoor only cats every other year for FVRCP and Rabies).

We saw an entire household of indoor only cats get feline distemper… From the sick strays outside. What’s worse: we got the first one, and our vet recommended quickly vaccinating the other cats (vaccinated as kittens, that’s it), in case they weren’t exposed yet. They didn’t want to spend the money. All the cats eventually got it, confirmed with testing. If I remember right, they didn’t make it. The cats got so ill, they had to be brought to the vet for some treatment and/or euth. That’s a lot more expensive than a yearly exam + vaccinations.

#31

I wouldn’t mind an occasional suggestion, but this vet’s “suggestions” for it are driving me crazy. Literally, when you sign them in at the front desk, the receptionist asks if they’re on flea protection. Then the vet tech starts in on the whole “even indoor cats can get fleas…”. I am aware of this, and politely tell them that they don’t have fleas and I’m not interested but would be if I ever see a flea. Then the vet comes in. She pretty much repeats the vet tech word for word. I decline yet again. Whatever we’re there for gets treated, then the vet tech comes back in with the paperwork and to go over anything, etc. Then we get the “Are you REALLY sure you don’t want any Revolution…”. YES, I REALLY am. But wait, not over yet. When I pay the bill at the desk on the way out, even she gets in on the “No Revolution for you today…?” :mad:

If just one of these people asked, that would be fine. But it gets annoying, very (very, in case you couldn’t tell :lol:) quickly.

How much are vets making off these products anyway?

Caitlin

#32

I now take all of our animals to Cornell. I find it very puzzling that they can get world class care at Cornell for less than the local animal shelter/clinic charges :confused:

I worked in the Veterinary field for several years and the general thought is to always recommend, but not push. When you push…clients leave. You need to understand their needs too, and that includes their wallets! Education needs to go hand in hand with any recommendation as well. Take the time to explain why you suggest something…it’s so simple yet so baffling in some clinics.

#33

[QUOTE=RedMare01;4194634]
I wouldn’t mind an occasional suggestion, but this vet’s “suggestions” for it are driving me crazy. Literally, when you sign them in at the front desk, the receptionist asks if they’re on flea protection. Then the vet tech starts in on the whole “even indoor cats can get fleas…”. I am aware of this, and politely tell them that they don’t have fleas and I’m not interested but would be if I ever see a flea. Then the vet comes in. She pretty much repeats the vet tech word for word. I decline yet again. Whatever we’re there for gets treated, then the vet tech comes back in with the paperwork and to go over anything, etc. Then we get the “Are you REALLY sure you don’t want any Revolution…”. YES, I REALLY am. But wait, not over yet. When I pay the bill at the desk on the way out, even she gets in on the “No Revolution for you today…?” :mad:

If just one of these people asked, that would be fine. But it gets annoying, very (very, in case you couldn’t tell :lol:) quickly.

How much are vets making off these products anyway?

Caitlin[/QUOTE]

I hear you, mine’s the same way (not with cat flea stuff, but other stuff).

I am glad they want to make suggestions…but after the 10th time of me saying no, I mean no!! I don’t need the guilt trip about being a bad mom either…

I wasn’t crazy about my practice at first but now that I have been seeing a different vet at the same place, I like it better. The other one was just plain rude. I wanted to order my heartguard from smartpak (it was literally half the cost, and I have two dogs). She gave me the 3rd degree about why this was such a horrible idea etc etc.

I said ok thanks, can you please just write me the prescription. She’s practically yelling at me, “I will write the prescription but I AM NOT FAXING IT TO THEM!!”

I was like good I didn’t ask you to anyway :rolleyes:

I try and support my local businesses as much as possible…but when it’s twice as much…come on.

#34

OK, to be fair, there is another reason that Revolution or Advantage Multi is reccomended for indoor only cats. It’s heartworm prevention for them too. And since it’s carried by mosquitos even indoor only cats are at risk. There was actually a study done and more indoor only cats were HW positive than outdoor. No real clue why that is, but since even 1 worm is enough to cause respiratory distress and even death it’s something to take seriously.

As far as dewormings, ALL animals are born with worms. Period. All indoor only healthy well cared for females will start shedding worms when they become pregnant. It’s because even though they were dewormed as babies and probably regularly after that the dewormer cannot kill the eggs that ‘got lost’ and have been hibernating in the muscles and hidden in organs. When she becomes pregnant the stress of the pregnancy lowers her immune system, and these hidden worms break out, travel to the GI and begin to reproduce. These then are passed to the babies either while still in utero or shortly after birth while nursing.

Since our dewormers only get certain parasites at some point it is a good idea to check a fecal and make sure we’re treating with something to get what’s there. Usually Strongid is used because it gets the most common worms, but not all of them. Could have coccidia, could have whipworms, could have giardia(although rare).

So while I disagree with ‘shoving it down someone’s throat’ so to speak, I do feel that fecals and deworming for babies is offering the best of care. Also reccomending Revolution and explaining why, because if we didn’t, and your cat got heartworms you’d be back in our office very upset that we didn’t tell you. Its a fine line between explaing the reason and feeling like a used car salesman. I try really hard to note in the chart if we’ve talked about a reccomended service so that smeone else doesn’t cone in going over the same thing.

Katherine
Vet Tech

#35

[QUOTE=Meredith Clark;4194256]
My beef with the heartworm testing wasn’t the idea of the test it was the fact she was tested less than a year ago (by at our other vet when I lived in Annapolis) and she had been on heartgaurd since then. [/QUOTE]

I don’t think we’ve EVER had a vet - even our vet that we’ve been seeing with our various pets for the past 20+ years - prescribe heartworm preventative without a blood test, even with dogs that they’ve been seeing since they were puppies. :confused:

For all the vet knows, you (generic you) haven’t been diligent about giving said animal its pill every month & it’s picked up HW in the past year. I don’t like having vets push stuff on me either (and I’ve gotten good at saying ‘Thanks but no’), but even at the most pricey vet I’ve taken my dog to, the HW test has been cheap & fast.

#36

It is a fine line.

I try to recommend the “gold standard”. Every time. I on purpose try not to know what our clinic costs, so I don’t base any recommendations on price, but rather on what I feel is warranted.

I have had those who follow every recommendation and never complain about $. I have had those who follow every recommendation and let me know it’s expensive. I have had those who tell me they would like to follow every recommendation but can’t, so what can we do that will help the pet, and save the pocket book (which I gladly do).

And then my favorite–those that complain with every word out of your mouth past “rabies vaccine” because I’m just out to get their money, but then are pissed that their pet got some complication from not following my recommendations (the list is long–ear hematomas from not treating ear infections, mammary cancer from not spaying, oral-nasal fistulas from infected tooth, etc.)

Sometimes I feel like there is no way to win.

#37

[QUOTE=Meredith Clark;4194256]
I’m glad you have a great vet… I envy you! My beef with the heartworm testing wasn’t the idea of the test it was the fact she was tested less than a year ago (by at our other vet when I lived in Annapolis) and she had been on heartgaurd since then.

I talked to the vet yesterday and she said Bella is heartworm free but they found traces of hookworms.

ME: she’s been on heartgaurd how can this be

VET: some worms have become resistant that’s why we want you to give her Interceptor… we’ll give her Interceptor, a dewormer, then re-fecal test her every couple of months.

I asked how much this would cost and she said she’d have to call me back… never did :mad:

I think it’s very strange that she tested for hookworms I only allowed them to do the fecal test in the first place because they kept telling me heartgaurd doesn’t work and I didn’t really believe them. I feel like they just had to prove me wrong!

I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet. I’m SO relieved that she doesn’t have heartworms but this whole process is just frustrating.[/QUOTE]

I’d check with Merial (makers of Heartgard) but I believe if you dog comes down with worms while on HG, they will cover the cost of deworming and fecals… I think. Here’s a link to the HG information: http://heartgard.us.merial.com/whyheartgard/why_heartgard.asp

I worked in a small animal clinic for years… and agree with most everything that’s been previous stated. Definitely look into getting reimbursed for the deworming treatment. I really do think Merial covers something… but can’t remember what as it’s been a couple years since I worked at a vet clinic.

#38

I am in the need to find a new vet crew. Mine is constantly pushing tests and frankly while I do realise that for hyperthyroidism re-checks every 6 months or so are necessary, but wanting to do 300$ in tests every time I need my cats thyroid meds re-filled (almost monthly) is ridiculous. As it is my 16 year old cat is on thyroid meds and high blood pressure medications (still not completely sure that is necessary as she is one of those cats who panics at the vet). And they are always pushing us to do 500$+ in x-rays so they can check for arthritis. Ummmm… the cat is 16 and indoor-only and beats up her younger sister. But lets assume you do find arthritis; how many pills a day do you think I can get this cat to take?

#39

[QUOTE=appychik;4195479]
I’d check with Merial (makers of Heartgard) but I believe if you dog comes down with worms while on HG, they will cover the cost of deworming and fecals… I think. Here’s a link to the HG information: http://heartgard.us.merial.com/whyheartgard/why_heartgard.asp

I worked in a small animal clinic for years… and agree with most everything that’s been previous stated. Definitely look into getting reimbursed for the deworming treatment. I really do think Merial covers something… but can’t remember what as it’s been a couple years since I worked at a vet clinic.[/QUOTE]

Thanks! That info is very helpful.

I do wish that we could get flea meds online without a Rx. It’s such a bother and I always get those looks from the vet when I ask them to write me a Rx so i can buy it somewhere else. It’s just uncomfortable!

#40

Revolution Question

So if I use Revolution on my dog and possible cats (I found it at Smart Pak for way cheaper than my vet!) why do I need to give the dog Heartgaurd or Interceptor? It says:

Revolution® For Dogs & Cats kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for 1 month, and it is indicated for the prevention and control of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis), prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis…

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