Questioning a vet?

[Rain]

I took Reid to the vet this morning because he's been limping and acting stiff. Usually, my main vet is Dr. L (I used to work there too, so I have a long time relationship with Dr. L), but Dr. L was doing surgeries this morning and was unavailable. At our vet clinic, it's all based on walk ins, no appointments unless its for surgery, x rays, or dentals. Anyways, if Dr. L isn't in surgery, he always sees us. But since he was tied up today, the new vet that I've never met before came in to see us, we'll call her Dr. V. Now this isn't the first time we've had Reid at the vet for limping. He was in last November with a pulled shoulder, and Dr. L told us to keep an eye on the shoulders and limping, because after a pulled shoulder, sometimes complications can araise later on. After Dr. V exaimed Reid, she told me she couldn't find anything wrong with him and that she didn't think x rays would show us anything. I asked if there were any types of stretching I could do with Reid to help prevent further injury, she just shook her head and said stretching would not help prevent anything. She said the limping could be from rough housing, or hard flooring, and to keep an eye on him. I left feeling unsatisfied in the information she gave me and felt that it slightly contridicted what Dr. L has told me in the past. She gave me some Rimadyl and told me to give him half a tablet when the limping shows up again.

Well, when I got home, I decided I was not happy with the out come of the vet visit. So, I called the vet office and left a message for Dr. L to call me back. Dr. L did call me back and we discussed what was going on with Reid, the problems we've had in the past, and after what activities Reid would start limping. We decided it would be in Reid's best interest to have Reid's shoulders and elbows x rayed to make sure there are no deformities such as bone spurs or calcium growths that may be causing the limping, and also to rule out other causes. He said in some rare causes it can be caused by a disease and will show up on the xrays. Dr. L also felt the was the best course of action because Reid is gearing up for agility (I finally decided agility would be best). Reid's going in on Thursday morning.

Did I do the right thing in questioning what the first vet had told me? I did not want to get Dr. V in trouble with Dr. L (who owns the practice) for her advice and exam, however, I was not satisfied with what she had to say. I did not feel justitified in paying for the exam costs to be told what I already know.

[Dignity]

If you are unsatisfied with the vet, you should definately seek further assistance!!! You did good!

I know with Denali the weekend we had brought Loki home, she had a vet appointment for a couple of yearly shots. So I took her in, he saw the chew spots from allergies, and I told him 'she's under A LOT of stress with a new dog, I don't want to change her meds' so he gave her a shot AGAINST my judgement - she got 'the runs' and was miserable for 3 days. I called my vet's office and asked them to put on my file to not even offer that vet as an option when I call for an appointment. Thankfully I normally go in for routine checkups and can start off my phone conversation 'Hi, I'd like to make an appointment with Dr. B - I understand he's busy, but I'm willing to wait'.

[fehu1331]

Always go with you gut instinct, it won't lead you wrong, not to mention that is YOUR dog so you know when something just isn't right. As for the other vet..it sounds like she still needs to work on her ppl skills..sometimes they forget that they aren't just working with the dog but the dog's ppl too.

[Rain]

It's so hard to know when to say "Hey, I don't think you have my dogs best interest in mind right now, I want a second opinion." I mean.. they're the ones you who went to vet school, they should know what they're talking about, right?

[Rain]

I've also come to realize that not all vets are made equal. Like I said earlier, I've known Dr. L a long long time. I've worked with him, and know him, and I trust him completely even over the other vets who I worked with just as often. There's something special about his skill with animal medicine. He's one of those people that is just gifted at their chosen profession. He's the only vet I let perform surgies on my dogs, he has the tidiest stitches I've ever seen, and he knows his dog breeds and the different personality quirks that araise in individual dogs because of their breeds.

It's not that Dr. V is a bad vet, but I was not impressed with her abilities when compared to Dr. L. Even her handling skills. I warned her when she walked in the room, that Reid was nervous, and if needed she could muzzle him. I always keep training treats on hand, and offered her a couple so she could help Reid relax with a treat and a "good boy", but instead she said, "Well, if he's going to behave like that, I'm not going to give him at treat for that behavior." I was kinda miffed by that, but I guess vets aren't trainers and don't fully understand what's invovled in socializing a timid dog.

[mara]

I agree with what's already been said...."go with your gut". No one knows your dog like you do.

[EmmaGirl]

I think you did the right thing. I've met good vets and not so good vets. In the case of Dr V...maybe she needs a little nudge to get her going in the right direction. I hope she appreciates the fact that she is being mentored by an astounding vet and is open to learn.

[Trace]

Go with your gut is good advice.

Many times we accept without questioning.

Now I respect vets, what they do and what they have done to get where they have - but they work for you - you pay their wages and if you are not happy with the answer - then you are well within your right to question or obtain a second opinion.

[aqh88]

I question vets all the time. That's what the internet is for. I rarely go into a doctor or vet appointment without already having an idea what the illness/injury is and what treatments are likely. Afterward I'm never satisfied until I look up everything I was told and double check it against the latest research I can find. Alot of vets or doctors won't take something you say seriously when they should or I've noticed especially with vets their methods can be outdated. There are several vets I no longer use for one of those 2 reasons and I've even had a doctor I quit going to because he wasn't up to date on the latest medications and kept giving me things that weren't nearly as effective as the newer meds. Questioning even professionals is always a good idea since noone knows everything especially those people who think they do.

[Rain]

Thanks guys, your thoughts really help fortify what I was thinking as well. Dr. V seemed really young, maybe she still has somethings to learn. It's hard to say.

Hopefully we'll have some answers with the x rays, and I pray it's nothing to serious or unmanageable. I really just want my boy to be healthy and comfortable.