SearchHow to choose a good vet?
Okay, maybe I am very picky... However, maybe you can give some advice on how to choose a really good vet for the dog. I always very not satisfied with vets. One clinic doctor gave me antibioticks agains warms and told me to give them for 3 weeks. I really fell like it is a bad idea to give antibiotics for so long, and, he could not even answer how it could help against warms. Another one, suggested to run many tests included x-ray and etc. without any reason- he said the pup is healthy, so just to make sure. This "making sure" would cost me over $500. I would spend every cent I have on my dogs health and wellbeing, but I don see any reason to spen this money in this case. They always promote special brands( probably getting paid for).I always do my research on any case before any decision. I read a lot about dogs and health issues, so I just want to find a good vet who woul actually care. How did you find your best match? What questions should I ask before I go to the vet hospital? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you
Thank you a lot, I would try to ask that before I go
Keep us posted on how it goes with finding a new vet.....
Metronidazole/flagyl (an anitbiotic) is used to treat giardia (a very common parasite). Did the doctor say "worm" or "parasite?" I have asked my vet about various things I could do to more deeply investigate her health due to the health issues of this breed, and it did include x-rays and bloodwork that would come to over $500. I don't see what is so out of line here at all. The vet was just giving you options. There are certain "brand names" of things that are better than others.
Well, I just do not see the reason to investigate more in a health right now, and it was not an option-it was quite insisting.
I personalyl would say any Vet not willing to explain in detail and to your satisfaction any question you have it not one I would continue to see. I got lucky, when I moved here I picked up 2 cats from our warehouse and looked up the closest Vet who turned out to be wonderful! Like most they give the standard short answer because let's face it most people are happy with that, but with just a question or two he will open up and spend as much time as you want talking about the treatment, process, etc. He's referred me twice with my cat to another Vet because he felt her teeth issue was something a specialist would do a better job at then he could. He said he would try if I preferred but really felt she would be better off with someone that deals with that every single day. I appreciate that kind of honesty. That's what I look for in a Vet -
Like my own family Dr I don't expect my Vet to know everthing but I do expect him to say when he doesn't and not guess or take a shot. If they don't care to take the time to explain something, then I don't care to give them my money.
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Talisin's CrittersWow really sounds like you are having a time of it finding a good vet, sorry to hear that.
Antibiotics do nothing for worms as far as ridding the dog of them, unless there was some sort of secondary infection from the worms which I can't figure out right this minute what that might be but that's the only reason I would think to give antibiotics. A dewormer is just that - ridding the dog of the worms.
I just now picked a new vet for my pet family and what I do is to go in with my dog for a consultation only - where we sit and discuss how and what the vet believes in as treatment goes. This allows me to get a "feel" for the personality of the vet, the intelligence of the vet, the training etc. and if I just like them. I usually ask what the protocol is for an exam - what's included in each exam/check up; how much the exam is; how does the vet go forward with teeth cleaning; does this vet use 3 year rabies; does the vet use other options before prescribing meds or is the vet just medicine hungry; do they have x-ray equipment on site?; what testing can be done on the premises such as heartworm tests, CBC's, thyroid etc. what are their hours, do they have crates large enough for my animals; are they willing to keep my animal overnight in an emergency with my human family?; if my animal stays overnight am I to provide food and supplie or are they provided; I observe if the vet connects with my animal; does my animal seem to like the vet; is the office clean and organized; is the staff friendly and helpful; does the information they provide seem correct; does anything they say make me feel uncomfortable or feel they don't know what they are talking about; do they have meds available on site; what procedures are they capable of doing in house which ones do they need to send out for specialists; and the list could go on and on.....but this should get you started.....
Good luck in your search seems like you really need better vets in your area, maybe you need to travel a bit further out??? have a consult with all of them until you find the one you feel good about....and your dog likes/loves....