Weird experience today...interested in what the DK world thinks

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Took DerbyDoodle for her 4 month shots today at a vet I used for many years, but his practice has become unbelievably large..with probably 40 in staff. Anyway, on my way out I was glancing at the weight info...there was none...curious b/c I had setup appt for her spaying this week and wanted to be properly informed...I called them from the car...they told me her weight was actually 2 oz less than a month ago. IMPOSSIBLE, I stated I know she's got to be more. Well, you can return & we will weigh her again, the voice on the other end said. So,of course I did come back, asked to see the weigh in this time...and guess what?!! She weighed 6.5 lbs...the tech said the scale had been on something??? A cop out excuse, I believe.
Anyway, I left & decided to call and setup a consult with another young vet..who does neutering by laser...Was really turned off by the sloppy methods at this established office.
And I think this new method, which is less invasive will be a much smarter way to go.
Any opinions out there??

[F, Calla & Luca]

You may have wanted to switch vets anyway but I don't think I would change vets over a mistaken weight. Laser neutering may have some advantages.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I'm not so sure laser surgery is less invasive. Its just that the vet uses a laser to do the cutting (which cauterizes as it cuts). It can make healing a bit faster though, although Oscar didn't seem to feel very good after his laser neuter procedure. Lucy had it too and she was a breeze at recovering following her spay. I think it really depends on the dog. Its certainly your perogotive to change vets if you feel in any way uncomfortable with a particular vet's practices. My vet's office never gets a real accurate weight, so I always go in myself to weigh the dogs and make sure they sit still. I love my vet (and just about all the other vets at the same office, too), and will put up with a mess-up from time to time. Your DerbyDoodle is VERY cute, BTW!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I guess what bothers me more than the fact that the weight was inaccurate is the fact that they didn't think to investigate why Derby would have lost weight since the prior visit...at this age I think it would be very unusual for a dog to be losing weight.  My guys were in growth mode until they were around eight or nine months.  I know my Vet would have wanted to understand what might have been the cause.  If the practice has grown so large that you feel you and Derby aren't getting the attention that you need, I would look at alternatives.  As for the neutering, I've heard the advantages of laser, but my Doodles had the traditional surgery and were fine. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with Jane. Scales can be off and a wrong weight in itself is not usually a concern, but a puppy losing instead of gaining from one month to the other should have caused the vet to question that. 

If you still like your vet and want to try to stay with the practice, I would talk to him/her about your concerns. Otherwise, perhaps a change is a good idea.

I think with a female, I would consider laser surgery if it is involves less healing time and less risk of infection. JD is my first male and I was stunned at how much easier and faster the recovery is with neuter surgery than traditional spay surgery. 

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Thanks for replying considering what's going on in your doghouse...hope that's a sign JD is improving

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Guess it depends on the dog. As I stated earlier, Oscar had a much harder time with recovery from his neuter procedure. Lucy sailed through her spay like nobody's business! Both had the laser option. Now, after Oscar's intestinal obstruction surgery and in recovery, he seems to be doing so much better than with his neuter. No laser this time, either. Might be the meds making it seem easier.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I would be concerned about the incorrect weighing because they dispense meds by the weight.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good point, Barbara. 

[a.k.a. Rodney]

My concern exactly!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

But they are never that accurate to begin with and a few ounces would never make a difference.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yep, same thing with my wonderful vet.  Some big veterinary corporation bought out their wonderful small practice and is now calling the shots.  The vet is even going to retire (very early) because the same thing is happening with vet services that happened with our school system.

Laser surgeries are great and the same vet (mentioned above) did a surgery by laser on my goldendoodle a few months back.  There are photos of him and the site of the surgery on my photos.  It healed wonderfully.  Check to see what type of experience the young vet has had with laser surgery and if you feel comfortable with it, go for it.  Is Derby a male or female?  I'm guessing a female because you wouldn't need a laser to neuter a male dog unless you wanted to keep the testes intact for some reason.  BTW, scales are very inaccurate and the best way I have found to weigh your dog is on your own bathroom scale.  Get on the scale holding your dog and get a weight, then put down the dog and weigh yourself again and subtract.  It's as accurate as the scale at the vets office and very easy to do (you need to have a helper read the scale when you are on it with your dog).

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

The weight is just off by 2oz? Is that correct?