Finally sacked the vet!

Well I've finally done it - I've ditched our vet of 15 years.

By doubts started before Christmas when Billy our springer got a growth on his shoulder. My OH took him to the vets. I couldn't go with him as i was flat out with a slipped disc - which I've now had operated on so all better ) The vet told him what it was and gave us some cream and said bring him back in a week if it's not gone and they'll surgically remove it. That sounded drastic so I googled it and read up that it's very common in pups (but I can't remember now what it was called sorry) and in 95% of cases it clears up on its own in 2-3 months. So we gave it chance to clear on it's own as we didin't want our 8 month old pup having surgery if it could be avoided. Well after about a month it was getting much better (smaller) and we happened to ring the vets over something else and they virtually shouted at my OH for not bringing him back! Anyway, it cleared on it's own and he's all better - and no surgery!

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. Charlie (12 year old Rottie) has started getting lame so we took her to the vets. We didn't think she was in pain just struggling to get about. He instantly said "it's a slipped disc, we'll keep her in, we'll have to MRI scan which is £1000+ and we'll operate"! Well I've just had that done myself - my scan was only £750 and it's a very painful op, especially for a 12 year old Rott! I insisted on taking her home with the assurance that she would be cage-rested so they (eventually) let me take my own dog home! Thinking back to Billy I was already unhappy with them so I called a friend who's mum is a vet. She put me in touch with an orthopedic veterinary specialist and 2 days ago we went to see him. He said there's very little chance it's a slipped disc and to cut an already long story short he didn't recommend any such serious surgery ("herioc surgery" as he put it!) on such an old dog. He's given us some new drugs for her (to keep her comfortable) and she's getting about better already. I'm under no illusions that they're a miracle cure but she's much happier and more comfortable already and wants to play with the boys again. Thank heavens for an honest and reliable vet! So I've registered the boys with the new vet and I'm NEVER going back to the old ones.

It just makes me so angry that a vet which we've been with for 15 years could think so little of my baby girl that they're willing to make a quick buck operating on an old lady!

Thanks for bearing with me - I just had to get it off my chest.

Em x

So glad you ditched them, sound awful with thoughts only of the money and not the animal. I always think you have to use a vet you really trust as our dogs are so precious to us and if not go elsewhere. Thank goodness you listened to your instincts. My vet is wonderful and will always talk through all the options before proceeding with no pressure at all.

Glad Billy is ok and Charlie is a bit more comfortable.

Sorry to hear about your experiences with your vet.

Jamie is not pleased with ours as Cherry's entropion went undetected by him for a number of years which must have been very painful for her and sheds light on her behavioural issues too. I don't want to change however as it is very near our home but I would think twice before taking any future dogs there.

I'm so glad you ditched the vet, sounds to me like he was only interested in the money.

So pleased to hear the pup didn't need surgery and Charlie is feeling better xx

You've made the right choice, once you have lost confidence in your vet it's all over. I've always thought that a vet should be someone that you trust more than your own doctor - at least you can say if you are in pain, your animals can't.

Glad that both of your dogs are doing well now

Well done on changing the vet.

Might be worth letting a dog chiropracter have look at him as well. Ours is fantastic and very helpful.

rune

We always stayed with ours as they're quite local but convenience isn't everything. Our new one is about 15 miles away but it's worth the journey. I figure that if it were a real emergency then I could take them to another local one - with not a great reputation but any port in a storm! It's gotta be worth the switch.

Well said.