My family veterinarian chastised me today... :(

[Doggy]

We adopted one of our dogs from the humane society, where they are exposed to each other and whatever colds/illnesses they may have. She got a clean bill of health from our vet, who congratulated us on adopting instead of purchasing from a breeder. We adopted our boxer, who came from a wonderful rescue organization, and brought him home, he also has a clean bill of health and I recieved more congrats from our vet for adopting. Our vet even gives discounts on vaccinations, neutering and spaying when you adopt from rescues and humane societies to encourage adoptions, and also volunteers at the humane society on his personal time to help those animals in need. I think your vet does need a wake up call! I encourage you to continue what you feel is the right thing to do, and help rescue, trust me - those boxers are extremely grateful, as is any animal you help out in their times of need!

 

[DixieDiana]

What about his office!!

A person takes a chance of exposing their pet to something everytime they go to the Vet's office!!

You should have asked the Vet should you stop coming there because you may expose Blade to something in his office.

Parvo for one, can live on surfaces for months!!

I worked for a Vet for a long time.
It is rare for a pet to pick up something at the Vet's office....but its not impossible! Even with the most careful cleaning of surfaces.

I am shocked that your Vet would have chastised you for such a caring act. Most Vet's are very supportive.

 

[Zsara]

Thanks Guys for the words of encouragement

Here is another interesting factoid. He is one of the vets who go to the local pet shops to give the public reduced rates for inoculations. So I didn't expect that reaction from him.


I still have my female foster in my home and Blade's runny eyes cleared up the first day I gave him the ointment given me during the vet visit.

Everyone has an opinion about issues such as fostering. I am just shocked that he didn't just caution me and educate me to any additional precautions I should be taking instead of saying point blank "DON'T DO IT!!!"
:(

 

[Zsara]

I am such a wuss

I got goosebumps and my eyes teared up as I read about the Great Dane pup they wanted to put down because he had been hit by a car. My Shitz Zu recently deceased, was bought from a pet store at a discount rate because of his age (6 months). He cost me $250. (many many years ago) One day he also was hit by a car. When I saw him ..he was trying to get to me and both of his hind legs were being dragged behind him.

This same VET was the one who treated him and when asked what I wanted to do he said it would cost well over a thousand dollars to put him back together again. I looked into my baby's eyes and said "Can I have a payment plan?" To make a long story short my $250 dollar bargin pup ended up costing me at the time a small fortune that I still laugh about. LOL

I am going to contine to help out, and get the word out. I recently wrote a short article for the NewLetter where I work to inform the 400 officers and 200 civilians of the need for volunteers, foster homes and people wiiling to adopt a homeless animals. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Obscura]

In our rescue group the first place any new dog goes is to the VET. They are not allowed to be around any of the other boxers in rescue or any of the foster parents dogs until they are given a clean bill of health by a Vet. (clean meaning nothing that other dogs can catch) We are very careful because we do not to spread illness.

There have been a few times where I've picked up a rescue afterhours and I've kept them in quarantened from my two dogs. It drives my dogs crazing knowing we have a visitor that they do not get to play with. You've got to assume all the new dogs have something contagious until the vet says otherwise.

 

[dottieb]

Hello to you fella boxer fan in Maryland. Glad to hear you have such a big heart for taking in boxers. I just lost my male boxer and miss him terribly. Are you near Earleville? Dottie

 

[Zsara]

Hi Dottie

Never heard of Earleville. But if you want to meet some real nice folks that are finding loving homes for rescues email me. I don't how the volunteers, fosters, and organizers do it. I must have 10 lint rollers in my possession. I live in Fort Washington nice to meet you.

 

[hugomom1]

You need a new vet....

For a vet NOT to support animal rescue is unheard of, and I think unethical!! My Boxer has CHRONIC runny eyes. And he has allergies out the yin-yang, I have no fosters. I work with an all-breed rescue, and I truely wish we had more people like you who were willing to foster. Most are like me, whose SO's will not allow any more dogs in the house.

I would seriously look into getting another vet. If his views on fostering are that outdated, I can't imagine how outdated his views on animal care must be.

 

[Chris W.]

I agree with DixieDiana

As long as your foster dogs go thru a quarantine period prior to you letting them play or go to the bathroom where Blade does, you probably will Never expose him to anything a foster could bring in.
Going to the vets office once or twice a year can expose any dog to whatever got left on the floor in their office.
My dog came home from his yearly at the vets with a nice little case of Kennel Cough also.
Besides, you would think any vet would just see $$$$$$ signs in his eyes every time you walk in with a new foster!
Does your vet offer a discount to the fosters you bring in, Zsara?
Did your foster even Have KC? Blade could have gotten it at the pet store, from running the fence with a neighbor dog, from obedience class or anywhere for Goodness Sakes!