Tell me about your Vet????

[Jennifer and Jack]

I love the personality of my vet and all the staff there, They are so sweet and kind but they do not have the latest technology when it comes to equipment, The best they have is an x ray machine.

 

Is this normal for a vet, should a regular vet have more equipment, ultrasound machines, and things like that?  I am just wondering because this is the only vet I ever had, and I don't know any different other then the animal ER which is run so differently.

 

I just made a blog that is not published  yet about preventative care in our dogs but I am wondering if I went to a vet that had more modern technology if that would help detect a problem sooner should one arise.

 

What is your vets office like, do they do full exams on your dog, I have never seen my vet listen to Jack's heart, or check his eyes or anything. Is that normal?

[Val MacQueen and Jasper]

We met our Vet when we started taking Rusty our late Cavoodle to him. His name is Chris and seems to take a personnel interest in each dog he sees. At first it was only at his yearly vaccination sessions but as Rusty became ill at the end he was so fantastic, he even had my husband meet him at the surgery on New Years Day for some special tablets that he thought he might help. After Rusty was put to sleep during surgery for a tumour in his Pancreas. they rang us and asked us to give them 1/2 an hour before we came . They had him on a blanlet and every hair was in place, they arranged the Cremation we wanted. A couple of days later a big bunch of flowers arrived at our house with a card with little notes from all the staff on their memories of Rusty.

 Now we take Jasper there and Chris didn't seem surprised we had got another Cav. He always checks heart, ears, teeth, paws, stomach and rear end. Jasper did try to nip him after his first injection but after a liver treat they are friends.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I absolutely love my Vet!  She thoroughly checks the Doods on every visit.  She always listens to their heart, takes their temp, checks their mouth and teeth, thoroughly checks their ears (and often cleans out the wax that's deep inside), checks their eyes.  feels all over their tummy, checks their anal glands, weighs them.  She has been a huge support as we go through all the GI issues that they both have....and has done a lot of her own research because of their problems.  She gets right down on the floor with them....gives lots of kisses and hugs after she's finished with their exam (the reward).  She always asks about their training....what I'm working on.  She even gave me her cell phone number and told me to always call her if there was any emergency.  I feel very fortunate to have her.  The office does look pretty "state of the art", but because we've never had to have any elaborate tests done, I'm not entirely sure what equipment they have.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I love Rooney's vet and the entire office staff - they stay right on top of things.  Like last week I got a call saying that Rooney was due to get some more heart worm meds.  I knew that I needed to buy more before 6/1 but they saw that and gave me a reminder call.  Rooney's vet when he was young suspected that he had an eye condition and we went to a dog eye specialist to have it checked out - he was fine - but yes I think your vet should be looking at Jack's eyes, ask him to do it.  My vets office does not have the latest equipment - because if there is a problem of a serious nature I would take him to the Animal Hospital- they are wonderful as well but extremely expensive.  I agree with Daisy - don't go looking for problems that aren't there.  We all love our animals to bits but you have to realize that you can't protect or prevent what will be.  Animals, as do people grow old, or have accidents, get diseases that are beyond our control, it's the circle of life so I say don't stress over it - live and love him everyday and enjoy.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

We have been using the same vet clinic for over 20 years so it goes without saying that we love our vets (well 2 out of 3 of them).  We started going there right after Dr. F opened the clinic as as a fresh faced, newly graduated vet.  The clinic was shiny and new too.  Now the office is showing it age (as we all do).  They don't have the latest equipment (ultrasound, etc) and still do the old fashioned e-rays, not digital.  But the staff is wonderful, freindly and caring.  They have wept along with us each time we have had to say goodbye to one of our beloved furkids.  Dr. F & now Dr. F2 always takes time to scratch & love on whichever furkid we have in the office.  They spend time talking to us about his or hers history, how they have been doing since the last time he/she was in for a visit, etc.  They do check eyes, ears and hearts during annual checkups.  They ask if I want blood work or fecal done.  They are a small animal clinic catering to pet owners.  If something suspicious pops up or even hinted they will refer us to the appropriate specialist.

At the end of the visit the dogs always get a treat (or 2) while we are checking out.  The receptionist staff are always loving and scratching them at the same time.  I know not to schedule other tasks too close to the our appointment times as I know that we will spend time chatting about all the other furkids we have.

I would rather take my furkids to a vet who takes the time to actually listen to the client and gets to know the animal than one with a bunch of shiny, new technology.

[Adina P]

I like my vet fine.  She's nice, she is willing to explain things, and did a great job on Rosco's entropian eye surgery so I have no complaints.  I guess unless there is something WRONG there's not that much that happens at annual check ups.  I think they do take my dogs' temps and listen to their hearts each time.  They also look in their ears.  But aside from that...just like with people there's no special routine tests done.  It just doesn't work that way if there isn't a problem to solve.  I mean even when pregnant people usually don't get tests on every visit.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thank you all for your responses.. I think you are all right.. I will ask for the eyes and ears to get checked specifically. There is nothing wrong with Jack, him mom on the other hand, well she is insane.

 

I think I have seen a few posts about some sick dogs and then it got me all worked up and worried that I wasn't doing enough to protect Jack.. Thanks for bringing balance back to me. I love him so much I lose sight of reality. I should be counting my blessings instead of being worried.

 

How would Jack ever make it through his life if he didn't have DK to interject and make him insane mom less crazed..

 

Thanks again, Just reading your responses reassures me that Jack is fine and makes me feel better, except for the part that I feel embarrassed for posting such a silly worry.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Don't worry about that - when it comes to our kids (human and fur), there really is no such thing as a silly worry.  Worry just comes from love, so how can that be "silly".  It's the people who DON"T ever worry about their pets that have the problem.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thank you Deanna, just sometimes I get these ideas in my head and then I type them out here and realize how ridicules I am... Thank you for being kind and understanding.

[Pat and Traveler]

I really like my vet clinic, and Trav has been seeing the same vet there since he was 8 weeks old.  A few weeks ago, I had to take him in on a day when his regular vet wasn't in the office.  Well, I just loved the new vet!  She was more thorough, more friendly, more adept at explaining what was going on.  I want to shift Trav's care to the new vet, and think I can do it without causing any bad feelings.  The vets work different days of the week, so if I find that the new vet's days just work so much better for me, there shouldn't be any problem.  He always gets weighed, eyes and ears and mouth checked, heart checked and belly checked.  He had an X-ray there once, which was interpreted in-office, and also sent out to an X-ray specialist.  I would be concerned if the vet didn't check his eyes and ears. 

[Judi, David & Maddie Irishdoodle]

We love our vet and Maddie can't wait to get in the office door to be greeted by all the staff.  Our vet is fairly young lady (Dr. M) who brings her own dog to work with her most days.  Now that Maddie is a big girl and is too heavy to pick up, Dr M sits down on the floor with her,  does a thorough exam (eyes, ears, heart, temp etc etc) all the while talking in a soft soothing voice to Maddie who laps it all up. They give great treats also.

Our vets office is fairly modern and very clean. We haven't needed any ultrasounds or x-rays so I'm not how up to date their equipment is but I do know they can take blood and get the results within a few minutes.  We did need to have that done once when Maddie ate a dead baby bunny and got very sick about a week later. She took antibiotics and was well again in no time.

Our vet also has a Farley fund where they can help senior's with their pet bills.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Our vet doesn't even have a computer! They hand write everything on file cards! I just said out of the blue yesterday that I can't believe that it's 2011 and they don't use a computer! But they are on top of everything and the vet is very smart and informative so we are not too worried!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Our vet is a no-frills vet but has ultrasounds and up-to-date equipment (xrays, etc...). They do oncology and have all of that gear - hope I never have to use that.  But unfortunately, we have had to do lots of tests on the chihuahua.

What is way more important to me (because you can go elsewhere if you have to for testing) is how the vet treats you and your animals.

Why I love my vet:

1. I remember being 6 going there with childhood dogs and when one had to go to rainbow ridge, they came to our house to do this (I was not around for that though....thanks mom and dad for sparing me that).

2. When the fancy smancy "Best in Nashville" vet made Tacky go through $5,000 in tests and never called to check on him, I switched to current vet (after mom called to get us a rush appointment) and they were the ones that ultimately healed him through common sense and a $90 bill.

3. Current vet takes hollistic approach to both dogs and does not overvaccinate, does titers, etc...

4. Current vet gave me recipes for homecooking and did not argue when I said no to rx food.

5. Current vet called to check on Taquito last week after he came in for throwing up all day.

6. Current vet knows Peri (healthy Peri has only been seen 2x due to her health) and mentions her when I bring Tacky in (which is WAY TOO OFTEN) and says she loves doodles.

7.  Front desk folks know us and will get the vet on the phone immediately when needed.

 

This is more important that the most up-to-date equipment.  Sorry for the spiel!!!!!!!