22/08/2024
Vet appreciation post
Let me preface this post with this; if you're unhappy with your current vet practice, don't come to the comments to moan about it. Instead, use that time and effort to find a practice you're happy with
Over the last few weeks Nova has been going through the after effects of a phantom pregnancy. Her behaviour has been all over the place, physical signs such as excess hair loss and excess cleaning among other things. As a result, she's been back to the vets twice in as many weeks.
She'd had a phantom pregnancy when she first came to us, so I knew what signs to look about for, but I was hesitant to spay back then without knowing exactly when her season was. It was something I chatted to the vets about and we all agreed to run through another season to get the spay done at the right time.
Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago. After the first visit, and having a detailed chat with the vet, it was agreed that we'd let it run it's course as they didn't want to administer medication unnecessarily
Just over a week had passed, and her behaviour worsened slightly. Without sounding egotistical, I back myself when it comes to her training, so I knew there was something else going on! Back to the vets we go!
Another chat about her current state with the vet, only this time Nova was reluctant to be checked over. The vet spent a load of time calmly working her way round to get as much of the physical check done as possible. Again, the advice was to let it run it's course. Note how on both occasions the vets were reluctant to administer meds? For those people who say vets are just after the money, on the whole, is simply not true. I appreciate not all vets are the same, but that goes back to my first statement, it's on you to find a vet you're happy with.
Anyway, after a chat with the vet, and explaining that she'd had meds just over 6 months ago for the same issue, and the results were promising, and that there was a risk of her behaviour worsening, especially around dogs we agreed on the medication.
I had to go back on 2 seperate occasions to get the result I was hoping for. Am I bothered it took 2 attempts? Not one bit.
In total it cost me close to £200 for the 2 visits, including the meds. Am upset about the price? Nope! When your dog gets ill, where's the first place you turn? (No, not Facebook!)
Here's a few things to consider (some may ruffle some feathers)
- Your appointment time may seem short, but the ratio of dogs to vet staff is massive! To get the most from the appointment, make sure you go with detailed information of the issue you want help with. That may mean filming your dog, or making diary notes of when it's happening to show the vet on the day
- You can always ask for a second opinion, or as the vet or vet nurse for alternatives to the treatment they've suggested if you're not comfortable with it
- Dog's are highly skilled at bluffing their way through an exam. It may seem like there's nothing wrong in the consult, and it's not because the vet isn't good at their job, it's because dogs are extremely good at hiding pain that there's seemingly nothing to see. See above!
- According to VetHelpDirect a small practice is about £850 per day just to open the doors. Not to mention all the equipment and stock purchased prior to be able to help your dog on the day. Of course they are there to help you and your dog to the best of their ability, but they also have to keep the lights on!
- Skilled work isn't cheap, and cheap work isn't skilled
- living with, and caring for a dog is a luxury. A luxury that many people never get to experience.
- Some people do little to no research on the breeder they get their dog from, pay thousands for a dog who's health is permanently compromised from day one, then complain about the cost of care at the vets!
