Bad vet practice???? - Page 2

Just an FYI southern Michigan has a warning of leptos out break even though some people feel there dogs dont need it is highly recommended exspecially when at events with different dogs from other states always been a must for AKC show dogs all it takes is one dog .As far as vets go as Melba posted find one that you can have a understanding with and you get along.

Rabies vaccines are typically done with the 3rd set of shots. As long as they are at least 90 days old, they can receive the vaccine. Too bad the owner didn't educate themselves on things like this. They could have declined the vaccines.

caitlynnsmom : Look...You must be a vet...and if so I must say there are good vets and bad vets...Some know what they're doing and some certainly don't...Like saying Lepto is required for a Health Certificate...How ludicrous is that...I've been shipping dogs both Domestic and International for many years and have NEVER been asked about Lepto...much less required...
Most vets...and I emphasize MOST...make a great deal of their money thru vaccinations...and will push them on the client...
And what's the deal about if a vet is told that the breeder has already given the necessary vaccinations that "he won't be responsible"...Soooo does that mean if the vet gives the shots and the dog becomes ill that he's responsible? Responsible for what...the vet bill incurred if the dog contracts a covered disease? I've never heard that before...
And also what's the deal that a vet won't respect/honor the word of the owner/breeder and or another vet without proper written notification...Look it's NOT the vet's dog...and what the customer wants for their dog...then their wishes should be respected...
And...YES...it is the responsibility of the vet to give the customer their opinion and the customer authorizes what they want done...This is true of Human Doctors so why wouldn't it be true of a vet?

Someone also said that in Florida you can't get a Health Certificate without the proper shots and that includes Lepto...Well that just isn't true...You don't have to have any of those shots...You only need the normal shots...and most states in the U.S. recommend a puppy/dog get their Rabies Shot at 4 months of age...In other countries they recommend at different ages...a lot as old as 1 year...

I rely on my vet to give me information on what is needed....but it's still up to me to decid what I want and what I don't want...It also bothers me that so many vets will tell you what you need to feed your dog...That's so funny because I've gotten into discussions with different vets about nutrition and have been told this and that...So when I ask them to explain to me exactly what kind of classes and certifications they've had in nutrition...because I know most vets take maybe 1 class on nutrition...that's it...So tell me how this makes them an expert on it...
On the whole I usually listen to breeders of certain breeds more so then vets about individual breed's needs...Now on the subject of medical problems I listen to my vet...but if it's something I don't agree with...then I have no problem in asking questions and if needed I'll go and have a second or even third opinion...

I do give all my dogs and litters their vaccinations (except Rabies because of State Regulations) and if my vet doesn't or won't honor what I tell them...then I think it's time to find another vet...!

~Bob~

Vets are doing what you (the owner) is paying them to do.  They provide a service.  The owner is in charge and must make any and all decisions at the vet office.  The vet can provide information to educate the owner, advice and opinions, but in the end, the owner makes the decisions.  They have a choice to go with the vet's recommendations, talk with the vet before making a decision to fully understand the choices if there are any, or picking up and walking out of the office. 

If the vet gave the puppy shots of the type, or timing that was not appropriate, the owner was at fault for not telling the vet "NO".  why was the pup at the vet in the first place?  wellness check probably - then the owner should have said up front "my pup has had his shots already, here is the information for your records, he only needs a health check today, no vaccinations, thank you very much.

In many states including my own PA state law rabies vaccination must be given at 12 weeks old.  I do feel that is too young and normally don't give my puppies rabies until later, but that is state law and I am risking fine/citation when I don't.  The vets know the state laws, and of coruse they would also recommend the owner comply with them, therefore giving rabies at 12 weeks is completely understandable.

molly

Interesting how state law differs from state to state. In California, the age for rabies is 4 months.

     For the most part, the average pet owner is ignorant as to what is needed and what is not!
This is why I fault the vet. Yeah, OK, the rabies vaccine can be passed off as a necessary shot. The fact that the pup went to the vet with his health record, shots-worming, etc...it is than the responsibility of the vet NOT to give un-necessary shots to a dog.
     This pup had his shots, the day before! His shot record had  the little tag with the vaccine, lot number, expiration all that on there. The worming also (I worm my pups starting at 1 week and keep a clear record of dates) was recorded. I get my panacur right from the vet's office.
    The pup was brought in just for health check-up per the contract, and also the buyer was interested in docking the tail.(I don't dock the yorkies tails-sorry, can't bring myself to do it, it is un-necessary as far as I am concerned.)
     As far as the person (caitlynnsmom) stating Also a veterinarian cannot rely on records from another place when he or she is writing a health certificate. The veterinarian who does that could lose his or her license. Many breeders do know how to vaccinate and care for their animals properly,
are YYouy
  are way    You are WAY off base! Are you kidding MANY do not know how to vaccinate or care for their animals properly!!! And a health certificate was not what the person was after.
    My old vet told us that in the veterinary magazines , there are always articles on how to pump up your bill. AND I BELIEVE IT!!!!
    New York also requires the rabies vaccine at 12 weeks now. Like I stated, your average pet owner is clueless as to what a dog needs, BUT the vet knows What IT DON'T NEED,
    I still just find it very disturbing that the vet was so careless, and I mean careless in the sense that they can CARE LESS if your dog gets too many vaccines, or too much wormer in their system.Especially in dogs that are so little to begin with.
     I believe with many (Not ALL) vets,$$$$$ is first and foremost on their minds!
     The food thing also gets me. All I can do is recommend what food to feed when a pup leaves my home. I also provide an adequate amount to feed the dog,What It Has Been Eating, and doing well on, until the person can get to the store. Than you get the call, my pup has the runs, my vet told me to feed such and such dog food(conveniently the same kind the vet sells at a marked up price in their office),
     I ask did you switch gradually like I told you to do? Um, NO, we bought this kind from the vet, and WHY don't the vet explain the importance of change?
    Yeah, Not all vets are like this. They start out as animal lovers, wanting to help the animals, than the real world grags them, and they start on the I Can Make More Money This Way Approach!
    And No, I don't mean to offend any vets, there are some good ones out there (far and few between).

I find many vets around here browbeat the owners into every possible service they can get them to pay for.

I once sold a pup with an inverted vulva. My vet, and every vet I've ever asked about one, have advised to allow the dog to have a few heat cycles to outgrow it. I've known dogs of other breeds to completely outgrow it.  This poor owner's vet wanted to SPAY HER AT 5 MONTHS OLD, during which they would perform surgery to fix the vulva, and insisted on fully taping her ears, cropped-breed style at, again, 5 MONTHS old because they "would never stand" if she didn't. Thank goodness I see this pup a few times a week. We removed the tape and she politely declined the early spay, in spite of her vet's increasing pushiness.

Another client's dog broke his toe. She was having trouble with him nibbling the splint, so the vet gave her sedatives, and kept the dog on sedatives for FIVE WEEKS.

I always encourage my clients, be they puppy buyers or training clients, to be their dog's advocate, research the medications/procedures your vet wants to purchase, and never feel like they can't tell their vet no. I have client after client come to me worried that their vet says they "have to" fix their puppy. Some people really don't understand it's their right to decline a procedure or prescription.

My regular vet, thankfully, respects that I'm not an idiot.

KitKat and Vom Isengard:

Totally agree with everything you two and Q man said...Same experiences...but not from my personal vets...whom I have 3 excellent ones who tell my pup owners,,,you better listen to JAN

SO others who visit other vets TAKE THE CAKE>>

Always develop good repoir with your BREEDER>. A good breeder has all the answers as long as it is not a sick puppy or adult and even then your breeder may have the simple truth you need as we know what causes upset tummies, ear problems, and diahrea in most cases.


A good vet is as good as GOLD BARS>>>

YR

I did not say that in FL Lepto is required. Only DHPP is required for a HC. The vets always wrote refused against medical advice or something
similar on the HC when I refused Lepto and Bordetella. The vets would not recognise breeder given vaccinations AT ALL for a HC. If I wanted
to ship a puppy, then the last vaccination given had to be by the vet. That was with multiple vet clinics too, because I got very angry after they
refused to issue a HC with only the vaccination I had given the previous day and called around to find a vet that would. None would.

Melissa

Thank goodness I have a GOLD BAR vet.  I've been going to the same guy for 20 years.  He has never overcharged me nor given me bad advice.  I trust him completely in an emergency situation, particularly since, in such a situation, my judgement will most likely be emotionally impaired.  When I move, or he stops practicing, I don't know what I'll do!