Should I get a different vet?

Question

Well, this year last March, we took my dog, Strider, to the vet for his shots, and a heartworm test. It came out positive. -_- So we spent the $400 on the treatment, and the vet gave him the first shot. I was scared for Strider, but the vet said that there's only a 3% chance of him not making it... PLUS Strider was only 2 1/2 yrs old, and it just BARELY showed up on the test, the vet said. So it wasn't bad at all. Strider only lasted 2 weeks. =( Throughout the 2 weeks, my mom called the vets office TWICE on seperate days telling them that Strider was breathing really hard. But they said that was "normal"... both times mum called. On Saturday, he started peeing blood. So we waited to see if it would stop, and it was night time so we waited until the next day, Sunday. Of course, they're never open on Sunday, so that morning mum called and left a message. We got a call back from a /different/ vet who is a lil' ways out there, and we brought Strider in... (cont...)

This vet said he only had a small liver infection, I think it was, or some kind of infection, and the vet gave us some pills to give to him. So now Strider was on 2 different kind of pills, and the rest of that day, he was still breathing VERY hard. He was breathing so hard that he couldn't calm down to eat anything at all, and he drank very little that day. I had gone to bed earlier that night at around 8:00 b/c I wanted to hurry and get up sooner so I can check on him in the morning. He slept at the foot of my bed on the floor (carpet) and I put his water bowl there for him incase he got thirsty. I left my door open for him. The next morning I woke up at 3:00 to find him laying on his bed right in front of my dorrway, dead... *cry* I can't STAND those vets! It was the receptionist who said it was "normal" for him to be breathing that hard. But I friggin' hate them!

My mum blames the other vet we brought him to on Sunday b/c that vet had checked him lungs and chest, and he should have known that Strider was breathing too hard. -_- But he didn't say anything about it. They just killed my brother, and I almost can't forgive them for it. The vet, himself, is nice, but it's the receptionist who told us wrong... So, should we look cross town for another vet? The 3 vets around here suck. One of the 3 is VERY VERY good. He's an awesome vet, but the thing is, is that they've recently hired 2 other vets, and now the awesome vet only does surgery.

And the new vet is an @$$hole! We called him once b/c that was the only vet we could get a hold of, and he turned us down b/c we hadn't gone there recently and he wasn't our normal vet. I had a cat who was fying from poisoning and had a 2 week old litter of kittens, and he wouldn't even let us bring her in to at /least/ put her to sleep so she wouldn't suffer anymore. The only thing I'm concerned about is that what if we have an emergency, it would take longer to run across town... But I dunno... Suggestions?

Oh, and we're getting my dog I have now (Steele) fixed in a week or two, and I wouldn't want this vet to f*** that up too. -_-

Dude, I know! I know he's supposed to stay calm, and he WAS. He would barely move, and just b/c I didn't have him in a crate, doesn't mean he was active...

Not to mention, the vet didn't even tell us the /other/ option. We could have simply put him on Heartguard, and waited a couple years for the worms to die. That's what I'm doing with my lab that I rescued right now, and she's doing more than GREAT...

Answer 1

change vets.

Althought the receptionists are able to answer some questions (I do that along with assisting the vet), I will not answer any kind of medical questions out of my league. Especially if it's for an animal that has been there previously for something serious. We ALWAYS take a detailed message and leave it for the doctor to get back to the client after he's done seeing patients.

You need to feel comfortable with your vet. If that means traveling out of town to take your pet in, then that's what it means. We have people who travel an hour to get to our clinic to see our doctor, they feel that strongly about it.

You should also check out where the nearest emergency animal hospital is by you. There are some that are only open once the vets are closed (usually 5 pm to 7 am the next day) and there are some that are opened 365/24/7. It's always good to have a place to go when your vet is closed for emergencies only....they can be expensive so you'd only use them for a true emergency.

I'm sorry about Strider, prayers to you.

Answer 2

I'm so sorry about your loss. Unfortunately heartworm treatment is very expensive and can actually cause the dog's death. Depending how badly infected the dog is, some vet's wont even treat the dog, they suggest euthanasia. The hard breathing is a symptom of the worms dying and trying to pass out of his heart. Honestly your vet should have hospitalized him during his first treatment to support him continuously.

As far as the other vet, never go there again. any vet who would not see an animal in an emergency just because it's not a regular patient is just a waste of space to me. Research local vets in your town, see who has a good reputation and who has on call services. Or look for emergency clinis and plan the best routes to them should you ever need their services.

Again I'm sorry and good lick with your other dog.

Answer 3

You need to get a vet you are comfortable with and trust. ask any and lots of questions,even if asked over and over again. You pay for it dearly right. And when talking to a tech ask if she knows the animals history. As with humans/animals we are all different and react differently to meds. Sure I would of went any way when the breathing changed regardless of what the desk person said . You know your animal best and can detect a problem when keeping a close eye on him. Sorry to hear of your loss . And another thing I would do is let the vet know personally of what took place. It wont bring your loved one back , but maybe open the eyes of the Vet .

Answer 4

I read to the part he slept at the end of your bed. BAD MOVE.

Hw treatment dogs should be in crate and walked twice a day on lead. NO ACTIVITY OR THEY COULD DIE!!!

This is good for all of you who don't want to teach your pet to crate. Hw treatment is serious and if you allow your pet to do what he wants like you do with any other procedure and think its fixable or they won't hurt themselves you are deadly wrong at the cost of your pet.

The dead worm has to be expelled from the body a certain way and to get his heartrate up by even climbing the stairs could alter their path in the bloodstream. I hope I said this simply enough. Heartworm is curable but the treatment must be followed to a T

Answer 5

There is always a risk and your vet told you that at the beginning. I am sure they did what they could. I am sorry that you had such a bad event happen to you. It is unfortunate. I think you should find another vet because you already have it in your head that you don't trust the other vet and it would be unfair to your previous vet to have you as a client if you are going to cause problems

Answer 6

If you have any questions about your relationship with your vet, get a different vet.

There is no reason to be uncomfortable with your vet, or to worry about his/her competency.

A good vet will not only explain to an owner treatment and options, but will be willing to answer questions that the owner has. An owner who is uncomfortable asking a vet a question can't make the best decision for their animal, because they don't have all the information.

Answer 7

There are emergency vets, open 24 hours, that was always an option. Unfortunetley proof is in the pudding as they say, if you are so unhappy about the vets in your area get a new one, doesnt need a 1 page blog or a degree in rocket science.

Answer 8

In my opinion, I think you should get a different vet. They should train their office staff to route serious phone calls to them...it's obvious both you and your mom knew something was seriously wrong with your dog and you are not veterinarians. Even if the vets didn't make mistakes, I don't think you are ever going to trust them again, so I would say look around for a new one. Sorry about your loss!

Answer 9

It is very difficult to lose a pet. It is also very difficult to know what is wrong with an animal and how to treat it. Even human doctors make mistakes and have trouble diagnosing people. I'm sorry about your pets. Personally, I would find a vet that listens more to what I have to say, just as I have done with my personal doctor.

Answer 10

You took the word of the receptionist? That's pretty stupid. I'm sorry for your loss. It unfortunately sounds like perhaps your dog was one of the 3% who don't make it. He had to be treated for heartworm or he was *certain* to die.

Should you get a new vet? Maybe. If you don't feel comfortable taking your dog to this vet, then don't do it. That's your judgement call.