Venting over visit to vet.
He was also due for his wellness exam in Jan so I said just go ahead and we will do that as well. Since it's right around the corner. On Saturday he slipped on some ice chasing a fox out of the yard. He pulled a muscle or something as he has a slight limp. I figured I could have it checked out as well. We get to the vet, and all they have us down for is a wellness exam. I explained the main reason for being here was the bump. I mentioned upon making the appt, we could do the exam so I dont have to come back in 2 weeks. Pretty plain and simple I think. I have never seen this certain vet before it was always another one that worked there. The assistant walks in looks over Obe, heartbeat etc. Tries to take his temp and cannot get the thermometer in. After a couple tries I ask, what is the problem? I cant get the therm in. I'm thinking No ****! Obe is looking at her like what in the hell are you doing. I look and she it trying to stick it where his tail would be. I ended up taking Obe's temp. The vet walks in she is scared to death of Obe. All he wanted was to say hi and give kisses. Lay him down she looks at the bump and I explain the stop, drop and lick. She then tells me that OES are prone to hip problems and that is what was causing his discomfort. This is after looking at the bump, and saying "he is definitely chewing and licking the area". Once again thinking...reason for visit. So lets get on with the wellness exam. Yo Yo Yo, what about the bump???? It's his hip. Now I'm seeing red, not good. So she goes about the exam, all checks out in good shape. She looks at his leg (slipped on ice) feels around said nothing feels swollen or anything it's his hip(s). Very angry now, I said ok, if his hips are causing him problems then do an x ray and lets see. If something needs to be done, then I can go from there. We dont have time we are about to close. WOW... saw 24 shades of red and I'm color blind. What about the bump what is it? I dont know but surgery will be painful in the area. If it doesn't go away by next week bring him back in. In the mean time I will give you some pain pills and put some anti itch cream on to see if it helps. I have been doing that for a month now, not getting better, reason for bring him to the vet you stupid *****! Why is every doctor/vet in country so damn pill happy. It seems that is the only suggestion they ever have. Take this and check back at a later time. If it doesn't work then we will try another pill. I dont even take aspirin for a headache why would I want my dog all screwed up taking pain pills. Sorry this is so long but had to vent somewhere. Am I wrong for being upset? BTW, we are going to find a different vet, or I will not allow her to look at Obe again. As she nor her assistant have any experience with OES. Other than...they are prone to hip problems. Which is all I got out of the visit and $125 less ijn my pocket. |
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| I'm so sorry to hear that. I'd definitely NEVER see that vet again.
Are you usually happy with the other one? If so, this is what I've done in a similar situation. Call the clinic back, and ask to be put through to the vet you like's voicemail. Explain the situation very factually (little emotion) and explain that you did not feel listened to, and that you were given directions that you KNOW are incorrect. Ask to see the vet you like immediately (or ASAP). Our vet clinic has five vets. We had trouble with one early on and I did just that (ours is the founder of the clinic and very hard to get an appointment with, so we only push for big things, or appointments we can book months in advance). Three of the other four are also wonderful, but we got the newbie once (and he was so arrogant). I heard others complain, too. Our vet stepped in and that was that. He took us immediately and definitely had a talk with the other one. After that I started hearing much better things about him. A few years later we needed an emergency appointment (on a Sat) and he was our only option. We went in and he actually apologized for what had happened years before. He's much better now. I still remember the incident, but I've seen him a few times (when the stakes weren't high) and he's really changed a lot. If you don't have someone in the clinic you really like find a new vet altogether and when you call to let the old one know I'd tell them EXACTLY why. In the meantime, we're all thinking good thoughts for your pup. You are, of course, exactly right. That lump needs attention. He's lucky to have someone who is so on top of things, and who will fight for him. |
| Shon..
I am sorry you had the rotten luck of a uncompassionate, fearful (of a sheepie????) vet. I would be very upset too!!! Is there another vet in the office or a 'head' vet that you could complain to ? I had a similar experience from a vet I used to go to. One time, I had to see his partner since my vet was out of town. It was almost like, since Pearl wasn't HIS patient, we were treated as a second class citizen. We had to wait a very long time even though I made an appointment. And when we finally got in he quickly checked her over and gave me meds until..."you can come back and your regular vet can check her out"..his exact words!!! I was livid!!! Long story short..I did get an apology AND a credit from the over $100.00 I spent after talking to my 'reg' vet.!!!!! |
| I wonder if that vet skipped a lot of classes while she was in school? |
Ohhh, I would be so pissed too!  
If that was my vet, I would be so out of there and taking my business elsewhere. And really - a vet afraid of Obe?? Definitely a BAD sign. |
I would of been a raging angry nut, take him to another vet. If unsure about the lump, get them to do a needle aspirant on it to see, less invasive and take it from there, but definately go elsewhere, a vet that does not know where to stick a thermometer, OH DEAR  Not a good start for your visit to the vets. |
| Yeah definitely time for another vet. I changed vets for many of the same reasons and found much better care for my dogs. A needle aspirant would usually be in order - but I wonder whether the issue was the location and she didn't want to do a local?
as for the pills - I understand your own concern about the pills, but if Obe does have a hip issue the only way for him to function without great pain will be pain meds and you may want to start thinking about it. you really can't explain to the dog that he needs to man up. next time you meet someone with a large dog out on your walks you might want to start asking who their vet is. enjoy your holiday and best wishes to Obe. |
| I've been so fortunate to have a very sensible, compassionate vet for over 23 years now. You need to start asking around for good references on a new (different) vet in your area. Then take your dog in just for a check-up. Don't wait until a crisis hits. For some reason, a lot of vets spout off "bad hips" as soon as they see a limp. I don't know WHY they do this! I even had an obedience judge embarrass the heck out of me in the ring one time hollering at me "there's something wrong with your dog's hip"! He could have stopped me & nicely & quietly told me what he had noticed & excused me from the ring. But by choosing to do it the way he did, he made sure I'd never give him another entry (not that it probably will matter to him at all). My girl was 8 years old at the time. I rushed her to my vet directly from the show! Not anything to do with the hips at all! She had a strained ligament in her right rear knee area, causing her to "favor" that side!!!!! It was so slight that my vet said he was amazed the judge even noticed it but it was good that he did so we could get her on the mend. No meds.......just straigtline walking for 6 weeks. I take a list in with me if there is more than 1 thing that needs looked at. That way I don't forget to ask & I can write down the answers & any instructions. In any vet's defense, most people either take their dogs in for unnecesary things or they wait until they are on death's doorstep & then expect the vet to me a miracle worker. |
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I got really really irritated just reading about your BS vet experience. Weak, unprofessional, stupid (um, why are you a vet if you're terrified of a dog greeting you effusively? tech couldn't find the anus? WTH is wrong over there?), insulting, irritating, and apparently useless. Not paying attention to the original reason for your visit? The condescension in the diagnosis was probably free of charge. Personally, I agree with you about not wanting to get the dog on pills following a hasty ill-considered diagnosis. Side effects are not 'side' effects; they're effects and they're often not minor. Calm, objective words with your vet. Hopefully he's embarrassed, makes amends, looks at the lump, and sets those two doofuses straight. On the other hand, hope you and Obi (luv his santa pajama pics  )had a fabulous Christmas together. I'm sure he was as unimpressed as you.
Hopefully the lump is just a minor thing 
Best wishes with all that... and in general |
| Horrible. What in god's name does a lump have to do with bad hips. A vet who cannot treat the poor dog's lump is a vet I would run as fast I can from - how ridiculous. Obe needs some relief from the irritation - you might ask around for some suggestions and referrals for a new vet. And, like someone said, find one before an emergency arises. Please keep us updated on Obe's diagnosis.
Sheepie2 (on someone else's computer so didn't log in) |
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