Tried to inform vet about use of ACE and he blew me off! - Long Sorry

[Muggsysmommy]

Tried to inform vet about use of ACE and he blew me off!

First, I must say I love my vet! He has bent over backwards for Muggsy and I. But Saturday I took Muggs into have his disolvable stiches removed (they did not disolve) and I told him that I had read some stuff about the use of ACE in boxers (that is what we were giving Muggs at home to keep him sadated so the wound would heal) and I printed some information about it for him to look at. He said that there is no specific breed that ACE is not supposed to be used in and the only time it is bad to use it is in dogs prone to seizures and it is perfectly ok to use it in boxers. I felt as though he was blowing me off and not really listening to what I had to say. I didn't even leave the information for him since I got the impression he had already made up his mind about the drug.

The delimma is that he has really helped us out. He lets us make payments and does not even charge us for a lot of our visits. Muggsy was very sick as a puppy so he was really wonderful and I hate to get up on my soap box and ruin our good relationship with him and his office. Do I just let it go or do I try to bring it up again. I would no give it to Muggsy again but I would hate for him to give it to another boxer who might not have the same good reaction that Muggsy had. As soon as I found out what we were giving him we stopped but I would feel bad not informing other boxer owners of the risk involved in using ACE. Any opinions on this???

 

[ktn67]

Try again

Courtney,

If it were your skinbaby would you just let it go? You are the only voice Muggsy has. The next time you go to your vet I would suggest starting the conversation by saying how much you appreciate how understanding and generous he's been considering your situation. Explain that you value your relationship with him but that you would like him to please reconsider his position on the use of ACE in boxers. Ask if he has a medical journal or medication/drug guide that references the risks and contraindications of specific medicines. Tell him that you'd like to look - together- at what those risks, etc. are for ACE. Be calm and courteous. If he then continues to stubbornly refuse to even consider your position, you have done the best you can and for the safety of your baby you need to look for a better vet.

MHO

 

[craZ4HERKIE]

If he continues to push the issue about using ACE...push back! Muggsy is your baby, and you have the right to choose for him to not receive ACE. This can be noted on all files and charts. However, if they don't want to comply with your wishes...I would suggest finding another vet. The use of ACE is very serious and can be deadly for Boxers, and if he won't respect your wishes, then he's putting Muggsy in danger.

 

[Maniago]

If it were your skinbaby would you just let it go? You are the only voice Muggsy has.

I completley agree. The way I see it the vet is paid by me for a service, therefore he is my employee, and will do things the way I want things done.

 

[JacobsMom]

We went through a similar episode this passed summer. Jacob had to be put under so that some epulis could be removed. I asked the vet assisstant what he would be put under with & she said ACE. I expressed my feelings & she said "but that's what we used when we neutered him & he's fine, isn't he". I was livid! I phoned back later that same day and spoke to a different assisstant-receptionist & asked that NO ACE be written on every file that pertained to my Jacob. That assisstant asked no questions & said she would do it. The day that I brought Jacob in, I asked to see his file & sure enough it was written in big black marker on his file folder, NO ACE. It was also written beside the vet's daily agenda sheet. I explained my frustrations to our vet & he assured me that Jacob would not be given ACE. I don't understand why vet & vet assisstants are nopt more educated on the Boxer - ACE subject. It's not something to take lightly as it could be a matter of life & death!!

 

[myrocky]

I've been there. I made my vet pull out the drug handbook that all vets should have at the office. I made them (two vets) read it to me. They came up on the part where it lists breeds that should not use the drug and turned really red in the face. :D Try that, he cannot deny what is in print in his own handbook.

 

[Darien'sDad]

If all else fails, it may be time to look for a new vet. We had to find a new one and now we are very confident in our current vets abilities. There are a lot of people that don't get along with our vet. (she is kinda squirrely) but animals LOVE her and she loves working with boxers, bulldogs, and pit bulls. The result is she is up on all the latest drugs and warnings for those particular breeds.

 

[kimking01]

Absolutely insist on them not giving your dog Ace!!!
Last year Harley was prescribed ACE because he gets very very anxious when I cut his nails. One of the doctors that owns the practice (has been a vet for 30 years) prescribed him the ACE. I had given it to Harley a few time and noticed how dopey he gets. One day I was having a conversation with another vet (I work their part time) and another employee (Boxer owner) and the vet told me she would never prescribe ACE for a Boxer and she showed me what it states in the Drug Handbook. It clearly says shouldn't be given to Boxers. If anyone needs the exact wording, let me know, because I made a copy of it. I asked the nice vet why the other vet would prescribe this and she said its ignorance. But why take the chance if its documented??? They can give them valium and thats what I use on Harley. The ACE has been thrown away.
It also in his record and Choppers record to NEVER GIVE THEM ACE!!!
We have to speak for our Boxers, they depend on us.

 

[Susan3283]

Ace

I luckily have a very understanding and informed vet. She uses ACE in her clinic but she was familiar with the dangers of using it with boxers. So, for me and any of my animals, there is a no ACE policy written on my files.

I would just ask your vet if he has anything else he ever used besides ACE and just let him know that you prefer he use something else.

I hate to say it but if he won't comply, I would find another vet. You pay the bills and it's not like you just pulled this out of the air. I did initially go to a vet that blew me off when I brought up ACE and I got a little defensive with him. He was telling me that the dangers of using ACE in boxers was an old wives tale and I just kept to my guns. I told him about the articles I had read written by VETS!!!

Good Luck.

 

[kimking01]

That makes me so mad. Old wives tale my butt. Its in the Drug Handbook they should be referring to. If it wasn't an issue then it wouldn't be in there.
Thank goodness we are well informed Boxer owners and for BW to spread the news.
Why even take the chance with our babies....