Re: Calling the vet! For one moment, I thought one of your dogs was ill Pippa : Interesting article . I belong to a Jack Russell forum as well as this one and am staggered at times, when people ask the advice of complete and often inexperienced strangers when their dog is obviously very unwell indeed , rather than nip to the Vet and hopefully get to the root of the problem . Finance does play a part I`m sure as even the best insurance policies have an excess ammount to pay out , but I also think that if you are buying a puppy or taking on an adult dog, you need to ask yourself if you can really afford to take on this responsibility for the life of the dog and if in doubt, dont do it . I am very fortunate to have a Vet who is more of a friend , we have known him for about 25 years, he is primarily a farm/equine Vet but has a small animal clinic , no frills , no fancy waiting rooms but no fancy prices either , plus we trust him 100% .
Re: Calling the vet! A good vet is worth his weight in gold isn't he/she. We too have excellent vets in our area. This article struck a chord with me because almost every day on the main website I get questions from people that should be asking their vet. I guess they are hoping there will be an easy answer. Pippa
Re: Calling the vet! I always err on the side of caution and take the dogs off to the vets even with something that looks like a minor thing. Even though they are all insured, the excess on the policies are quite substantial but I like to have peace of mind. I have an excellent vet who fully understands working gundogs and I totally trust his advise. There is a certain element of risk in working a dog on a shoot but the shoot owners around here are very good in looking after the pickers' and beaters' dogs and will foot any vet bills for injuries sustained during work.
Re: Calling the vet! I have had to take Digby to the vets twice recently with eye problems. At £45 & £50 each I have essentially paid nearly £100 so far to try and sort out a bout of conjunctivitis-that's a lot I think for something like that. I would never take any chances but I understand why some folk are reluctant to rush straight to the vet. I did have to smile when they said if it doesn't go then come back!! Again!!!!!
Re: Calling the vet! I must say I'm a bit disgruntled at having to go in 6 monthly for a "review" of the anti-inflammatories Lilly is on. Just back half an hour ago with 30 of her Previcox (will last her around 8 weeks) and £64 lighter. Thought she might have at least been weighed. Just some poking about of her hips (that he previously failed to spot were severely dysplastic) and lots of "I feel really sorry for you wee doggy, with your bad hips....really bad luck..... Ho hum. jac
Re: Calling the vet! That's terrible Jac and poor Lilly. Is there any other Vets in your area that you could perhaps think of transferring too or ask around for recommendations. It seems to be so hit and miss. Helen x
Re: Calling the vet! To be fair......the other vets are fine but I don't much like that one Its our nearest and they have been involved with Lilly from the start. The female vets there are really nice too. We have thought about it but stuck with them for convenience and continuity. I'm not sure going anywhere else will be much cheaper. We pay for this ourselves rather than dipping into the insurance as we are trying to keep our premiums to a lower level knowing that she will need a double hip replacement at some point - may or may not be the right thing to do
Re: Calling the vet! Hi Jac sorry to pour cold water, but it won't matter which vets you use, it's an EU directive, all prescription drugs must be checked six monthly before they can be re-prescribed. If you put it on the calendar and remember to get a refill a couple of weeks before the six months is up you can stretch it to seven or more. (Yes, I fell in the trap of calling for a refill a week after the six months was up!) If you (or Lilly) don't like a certain vet ask to see a different one when you call for an appointment, most multi-vet practices are quite OK about that and understand clients like continuity of care, obviously it's not always possible but you don't know if you don't ask. Whilst we don't go to the vet with every little bump and scape over the years we've learnt which are OK to leave and which need seeing sooner rather than later in the early days of dog ownership pretty much everything was checked over and anything new is there quick sharp. But I'm constantly surprised by the things that people leave - and some of the excuses used too. Kerryn
Re: Calling the vet! Thanks Kerryn - I do understand that, honest. I know the potential side-effects of these drugs (In humans at least!!), but clearly the EU have stricter directives on animals than we have on humans in that respect - annual reviews only and doesn't HAVE to be face to face. I don't mind paying for good care, but "just going through the motions" doesn't cut the mustard for me, though I freely admit this particular vet was the one that poo-hoo'd our suspicions at the beginning it was her hips so delayed her diagnosis and treatment. Think my impression is rather affected by this. The other vets are great, but we don't always have a choice (and are never automatically offered one). She's quite miserable tonight after her manipulations earlier I shall stop vet-bashing now. Just like doctors, you get good ones and bad ones, those you click with and those you don't :-\ jac
Re: Calling the vet! Thanks Pippa. Quiet day tomorrow with me at work - we will maybe omit her Tuesday afternoon wood romp though. (and really...sorry for sounding like I don't appreciate vets) Jac
Re: Calling the vet! It is very frustrating when you feel that you are not getting the appropriate level of care. I think that applies for people and animals. Vet practices these days seem to pool their resources and each practice involves a greater number of vets. And you don't always get to see the ones you like. I guess it's more economical that way.
Re: Calling the vet! Before we got our current vets it drove me nuts with Juno, having to get repeats of drugs which didn't seem to make a huge difference but cost the earth, thus the knowledge of the six month rule having had a moan (more like a full on blow out!) at the poor receptionist. We had a wonderful vet but his wife, who was also his practice partner died, and then he retired and sold the practice (and us) to the only other surgery in town. We went twice and never again! A solely small animal pracrice with more emphasis on selling you expensive stuff and overly long hospital stays than helping your ailing animal - or at least that's how it felt. We now prefer a longer journey over the moors which during any bad weather, this last winter particularly, is dicey to say the least but we have found a good practice and I have a good relationship with several of the vets. Partly from Juno but mostly from Finn, the double edged sword of a poorly animal builds up a relationship with your vet(s), there aren't many vets who cry with you as they put your ailing animal to sleep (yes, very special, and we do realise). So whilst we now have wonderful vets I do understand the horrors many people, who have no choice, have to deal with. With regard to EU rules, yes, vet rules are far more strict than for human medicine and FYI vets can legally operate on people (in the UK with consent) but doctors can't on animals. Just a snippet of useless info for you there. I hope Lilly's a bit brighter tomorrow, we're off to the vets too, Maia's creaky and needs a meds top up.
Re: Calling the vet! Think there are a fair few creaky dogs AND owners on this forum LOL. Roll on the warmer weather, I say Thanks jac
