Why are European dogs healthier than ours..... - Page 3

BTW: Europe has its share of junk dog foods too.

SS

I have to say forgotten: there are homoeopathische means here in each pharmacy or drugstore. Flae does not cost perhaps 6€, no more. And one needs only some drops. Besides there is much literature, where very specifications are, how these means are to be used. There is absolutely no danger for the dog. But the option that it helps, to help can. Perhaps one should think also about such things like shampoo for washing the dogs... and something similar. I do not know people here, which wash their shepherd dogs - in the opposite: actually everyone knows that shampoo is chemical and can for the dog skin be only harmful. There were here one topic, where one asked: which shampoo! The only answer for it: None.

"This is bunk. European dogs are not any healthier in general that are ours. He has a point of view and he wants to "sell". People can make any statement they like, and it is all the better when it is something like this.....most people being too lazy to even think about whether it is or is not correct and can be substantiated."

Right.  Where are the data?

Beware of anything with "natural" (snake venom is natural, FGS), "holistic", "organic" (what ISN'T organic?  rocks aren't), etc.  They do basically no serious research.

Hence you won't find much data, nor actually relevent data comparing apples to apples.

We used Basic L on the race horses at the track, dilluted about 50:1.  Bought it in 55 gal. containers. Very gentle, rinses easily. No phsopahates. Never saw a problem although horses have very sensitive skin and were bathed daily.  I wonder if they still make that stuff?

SS

As for the complaining about costs - what was the VET'S cost?  What were the costs of the medical schooling, and the research - where is that happening?  Does the US have huge amounts of research invested, while Germany has next to none?  (And please don't carp on me for that - it could very well be true, as that is the nature of our freedom-based mindset of 200 years, to invest in new things and come up with stuff.  Instead of claiming mere absolute #s from a few anecdotes, you need thorough, solid data to back up any claims.)

Generally speaking, you charge at least what it cost you, then add some profit.  That's business.  Whoever does the most work/research/schooling is probably going to charge more because there is the initial investment way back there in the pedigree.

Of course, I've been spoiled (I think).  I've had very good vets my whole life who don't charge a huge amount, and don't try to tell me my cat or dog has some problem which HAS to be x-rayed or examined.  I have a dermatologist who does mostly call-in consultations, and only sometimes wants to see the dog when he feels necessary; otherwise he simply modifies treatment over the phone if needed.  Yes, it's expensive, no matter what, but he's very conscious of costs and seems afraid if the customer spends too much money - he'll LOSE her (that is the problem with the money-grubbing theory - if you are a greedy fool who charges way too much, you're going out of business).  That's why for common med's he calls into pharmacies that can sell it cheaper than he can.

And what means that topic again??? http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/160489.html I here very often read, which use chemistry the people additionally, in order to do something "good" for the dog. Too often, as I think... and too much chemistry. Besides mentions: The dog skin is greasing of its nature. As well as all shampoo extract from the skin fat. How can that be good?

I too have experienced both sides.  I am so deeply disappointed in the incompetent vet care that I have experienced here in the US.  How about vet's losing OFA X-rays of hips and elbows on an A-Stamped Normal bitch?  Where the hell did the X-rays go?  or doing prelims on a 6 month old pup under anastaesia with terrible alignment?  Or the X-ray that had some value did not have R or L or the name of the dog on the X-ray?  After confrontation 1)  refund credit for lost X-rays 2) have to redo X-rays on pup (under anastaesia). 

This would have never ever happened in Germany.

Thankfully the dogs are healthy but after a surgery to remove a growth on my dog's rear hock and bandaging the surgery site 2 X s too tight where the foot wound up swelling to the size of a grapefruit and treating the poor animal who visibly was suffering with a deep open wound needlessly on antibiotics (both oral and topical) and being told by a second vet that the dog might need a skin graph, we finally are seeing a turn-around after over a month of vigilence and home care.  And to  later find out that the surgery was very questionable to begin with.  Makes you not trust the vet at all.  I think it is very difficult to put forth a professional liability claim against a vet.  What a nice business as it is cash up front. 

 

 

 

 

Senta:  Thank you - I was wondering about the whole shampoo thing too.  My husband and I have had GSD's all of our lives and we never bathe them.  When we go to the vets they always comment on his beautiful coat and surprised that we never give him a bath - what is up with that.  We groom everyday at least 5 min.....and it works fine.  As far as the expense of vets - I have to tell you - I only have one dog - I do not know how you guys do it with more.  It was a 2,000.00 bill by the time I saw 3 vets on one issue and blood work.  ALso that leads to people not taking the pups to the vet when needed.

Blitzen:  Please I have respect for you now do not make me lose it.  Do you think every person on this board is going to breed a dog.........what is wrong with you and the rest.  After reading this site sometimes I have no problems figuring out what happened to the GSD...........its all the back yard and unknowledgable breeders and those dogs are placed in society and then in the Humane Soc. where I see all of the GSDs that are a wash because of stupidity and end up being Euthed because they just did not turn out- bad breeding???????????HUM?????  I have been a responsible GSD lover and owner for 30 years.  My male dog was altered when he was 10 months old - along with all of my friends that want a dog just like mine - and I assisted them with a breeder -they are also altered!  My dog was CGC'd at 7 months - Is a Certified Therapy Dog - does a read program - does Sch work - tracking etc.- you need to tell me of another GSD that goes to mass and platzs and never gets up and sleeps thru the mass - also has 4 years of obed. on him..........and is a well rounded as you would fine - I would much rather have him out there breeding with 3 itches that the land sharks and shaky dogs I have seen come from breeders on the board.........amen!

"This would have never ever happened in Germany." No, this cannot happens - because I hold my dog during x-rayed and I can controll the pic on the PC. So he is only ONE time under anastaesia - we can decide together if the pic is good or not good and can repeat it if it is necessary. Most time it is ok. If the vet wouldn¿t allow that handling I would look for another vet. Here are a lot who want my money :-)

I have sold horses to Luxembourg and have been amazed at what a client there can have done at less expense than we could here in the U.S.  I suspect that the  European vet community is simply light years ahead of the good old U.S.A.

About washing. Senta and Renz, thank you for your posts. My dogs are rarely washed. Groomed, yes. But washed only for rare and special ocassions.

Shelley, I've used many equine shampoos, too. Never had a problem with any, even on show horses being washed regularly.