Althea
Completely Boxer Crazy
I'm happy to report that Suki is healthy, vaccinated and ready to start puppy classes. Having lost my Cai to bloat, I've become...uber worried about the new pup...her health, food, her heart. I worry, I guess. I worry I missed something with Cai, and that's why she died...even though, honestly, there was nothing I could have done. But with the pup, I don't want to miss anything again...which brings me to my question.
I used to have a vet that I LOVED. He loved dogs as much as I do, and he enjoyed seeing my guys, no matter how scared they acted. He loved up every animal that came in that joint. And we connected, chatted about life and animals...it was awesome.
We moved. So now, I've gone to two different vets. Maybe three (hard to remember). Today's vet visit is at our latest vet, who also works with the rescue we're a part of. The tech was great...all into the puppy, had no problem answering my questions, asked a ton of questions...great customer service personality. Then we met with the vet.
I've seen this vet before....I thought I liked her. But I could see her get annoyed with my questions. She did not like that I said I researched stuff on the internet -- which I get that it annoys doctors when we try to self-dianose...but it's a tool, and people are going to use the internet. I asked things like vaccination schedule and where she stood on the life span of certain vaccines, if I could get a script for heartworm, as I have three dogs and have to purchase it economically, if Suki's heart sounded good and how her hips were. Yes, I had a lot of questions. But isn't that sort of what they are there for? I could feel her annoyance, and she started backing out of the room -- she was in the room for less than 15 minutes. When I mentioned sedatives for my other dog that they see (she's the one with nail clipping anxiety), she talked about sending home ACE. My warning bells went off, so I told her under no condition do I want Suki ever given ACE. I could feel the resistance from her, but she dutifully made the note.
Am I nuts here? What happened to the vet that loved up on your pet and had time to answer your questions? I swear, I've had vets who seemed to value a client who wanted to do the best for their dog, and was worried. Yet the last two I've had...I've felt like they didn't know a thing about boxers themselves -- which is fine, as they see so many different breeds -- and that they were annoyed that I had questions. Um, hello, if it were a human child, you think I wouldn't be just as annoying?!
Overreacting? Or should I look for another vet?
I used to have a vet that I LOVED. He loved dogs as much as I do, and he enjoyed seeing my guys, no matter how scared they acted. He loved up every animal that came in that joint. And we connected, chatted about life and animals...it was awesome.
We moved. So now, I've gone to two different vets. Maybe three (hard to remember). Today's vet visit is at our latest vet, who also works with the rescue we're a part of. The tech was great...all into the puppy, had no problem answering my questions, asked a ton of questions...great customer service personality. Then we met with the vet.
I've seen this vet before....I thought I liked her. But I could see her get annoyed with my questions. She did not like that I said I researched stuff on the internet -- which I get that it annoys doctors when we try to self-dianose...but it's a tool, and people are going to use the internet. I asked things like vaccination schedule and where she stood on the life span of certain vaccines, if I could get a script for heartworm, as I have three dogs and have to purchase it economically, if Suki's heart sounded good and how her hips were. Yes, I had a lot of questions. But isn't that sort of what they are there for? I could feel her annoyance, and she started backing out of the room -- she was in the room for less than 15 minutes. When I mentioned sedatives for my other dog that they see (she's the one with nail clipping anxiety), she talked about sending home ACE. My warning bells went off, so I told her under no condition do I want Suki ever given ACE. I could feel the resistance from her, but she dutifully made the note.
Am I nuts here? What happened to the vet that loved up on your pet and had time to answer your questions? I swear, I've had vets who seemed to value a client who wanted to do the best for their dog, and was worried. Yet the last two I've had...I've felt like they didn't know a thing about boxers themselves -- which is fine, as they see so many different breeds -- and that they were annoyed that I had questions. Um, hello, if it were a human child, you think I wouldn't be just as annoying?!
Overreacting? Or should I look for another vet?
We were in that room for at least an hour, probably closer to an hour and a half. I actually made HER late for her next appointment (which I found out later) but not once did she cut me off or indicate that my time was "almost up." She never got annoyed with my questions, even after telling her that I use the internet... A LOT. :D She answered all my questions very thoroughly and gave me several treatment options for each issue we discussed, and never pushed anything. She was also very understanding and more than cooperative with all of my "special requests" for Creek's surgery (which we scheduled about a month after that first visit).
and then i ask for her professional opinion on the matter. Even when I talk about something like ACE, I try NOT to override the professional's opinion with my "internet hype" by telling them that they are wrong; they may be right about it but I am not willing to take the chance and don't feel comfortable giving it to my dog. I want to do what's best for my dog without insulting the professional that I'm seeking advice from.
