Been to the vet, think he's an idiot, and the problem hasn't gotten better...?

Question

I'm sorry to say, this vet my mom took my puppy to was a bloody hack. Confused our dogs' sexes *called the obviously male dog a she, and the female puppy a he* did a fecal float for the WRONG dog. Tried to give the puppy another parvo vaccine. That's not all of it, but it still ticks me off, even a week later. She'll be seeing a different vet as soon as I can get the ride out there. Darn me for dropping out and revoking my privledge to get my liscence till I'm 18, but what's done is done.

Either way, when he checked her eyes *upon request only* he decided it was an infection and possibly mange. He sold us a tube of what I think is anti-biotic gel to put in her eyes two to three times a day. We've been keeping up religiously for a week now, and there is no improvement.

Should I continue with it, even though it doesn't even help with her rubbing her eyes?
What do you think it could be? She's a papillon, 2 1/2 months old. Is it just normal? I think the goo is making things worse.

Answer 1

Find another vet.

What a heathy pup you got from the pet store. I bet you wish you would have listened because you know that this is only the first in a long series of health problems. You remember how people told you the dog was going to end up with health problem and it would end up costing more then a puppy from a reputable breeder, see, you have only had the dog for a couple of weeks (if that) and it has already started.

Answer 2

All right, before I get more into this, think about it from a differnt standpoint. When you do a fecal, it's best to do it on both dogs if they live together. If one has it, the other will be treated for it (or should be) anyway. Also, calling a male she and a female he could have been an honest mistake. I fnd myself doing it once in a while. Some names are confusing, sometimes the owner is actually wrong (never seen one wrong with a dog, but with cats all the time!). Sometimes, you just say the wrong thing. Fine, I'll apologize and say it right the next time, no big deal. Also, you say another parvo vaccine...when was the last time the puppy got one? They need boosters every few weeks when they're younger, hence why it's a parvo SERIES. Did you tell your vet ahead of time you thought there was something wrong with the dog's eyes? Did you go there for an exam, or did you simply go for a fecal and/or vaccines? Granted, if you did go for an exam, he should have checked the eyes, but otherwise, not unless you say something. however, if you really don't think he's any good, or if he's as bad as you make him out to be, please do find another vet, as you shouldn't keep paying for something you're not satisfied with.

Now on to your actual question. What does the tube say on it? That should give you an idea as to whether it's an antibiotic or not. If you're not sure, just post what it says and I'll try to tell you what it is. You should probably give it more time, and you really should go back for a recheck a week after you get eye meds. If it is mange, or if the vet suspects mange, he shuold have asked to do a skin scrape, whch is where he'll scrape some of the skin off of the affected area and look at it under a microscope to see if there are any mange mites. If there are, you need more than just eye meds. You'll probably have to give your dog daily meds for the mange if that is indeed what it is. Is there any hair loss? That's another sign of mange. Rubbing the eyes is not normal at any age. You sould ask your vet (or another vet) if your dog has entropion (eyelids rolled in so the hair rubs against the eyes) or if the dog might possible have extra eyelashes - these usually are found on the inside of the eye lid, and they can cause a lot of irritation. It might be hard for you to detect yourself if these condition exist, sinve a 10 week old papillon isn't very big. Keep up with the "goo" until you can get a recheck or get to a differet vet. Some dogs will have to have eye meds all their life.

Answer 3

If she has mange around her eyes and is rubbing and scratching alot, it can cause eye irritation. But if you don't treat the mange, then the problem will only get worse. Did he do a mange scrape? If not, then take her and get it done. Antibiotic ointment will not hurt a thing if you continue to use it until another vet tells you otherwise. So just in case he's right, I'd keep using it, as long as it doesn't have cortisone in it. If she has demodex mange around her eyes, and cortisone ointment gets on it, it can possibly make the mange worse. Check the tube. If it has cortisone in it, it will say either hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone, somewhere on the label. Definately get that mange scrape done. If she has mange, the earlier you start treatment, the quicker she will start to heal.
Also, most vets often call dogs by the wrong sex by mistake when talking to the owner, especially if it's a fairly new pet that they don't know well. I've worked for quite a few vets, and they all have done it at one time or the other.

Answer 4

I don't know if you have your wires mixed up here or not or the vet's in-competencies has got you confused but i have worked in vet surgeries with all kinds of vets for 8 years and i have never heard of an eye ointment been given for Mange!! Mange is a skin condition and may affect the hair around the eyes but the skin on the body also needs treatment. Your vet sounds extremely incompetent and believe me just like GP's you have some good ones and some very desirable ones, i would be definitely be getting a second opinion and i would change vets altogether

Answer 5

mange would not affect the eyes first of all. second of all sometimes it is hard for a vet to know for sure the first time if the eye problem is just an infection or something more. Usually they start out with a simple antibiotic ointment and if that does not help then tries a different medication. If you are not at all happy at that vet then it is your right to change vets. By changing vets and requesting records to be transferred sometimes their is a fee by your vet to do that. So inquire about that so you do not get a shock later

Answer 6

I think it is good you are going to a different vet for a second opinion. In the mean time though, just keep up with the meds. My cat had an infection in his eyes, and I had to administer an antibiotic gel. One eye cleared up in a week. The other eye did not get better until a month later. Keep giving the meds as directed, and if the new vet gives you different advice, go with that.

Answer 7

If it's at all possible, wait till you can get her to the other vet, because the one you've talked about sounds like a complete loon. some vets don't care about peoples animals, and they are so clueless they just start throwing diagnosis' out in the open. anyway, if you think you'll be getting a ride to the new vet fairly soon, and if your dog doesn't seem to be getting worse, i'd wait to take her to the other vet. as for what could be wrong with your puppy, I don't know since you haven't said what the symptoms are. I hope the poor thing gets better soon, I hate seeing my pets sick, or in pain. it just breaks my heart. ( I'm a softy when It comes to my animals) by the way....if its just her eyes bothering her...and you've put anti biotic gel in her eyes..do you think maybe she could have a scratch on her cornea or something?

Answer 8

I have experienced something like your problem. I recently took my dog in to a vet that was a complete idiot. He took a x-ray of my dogs back and he said nothing was wrong. We took her to our regular vet and from the same x-ray they found a huge problem. My advice to you is to see another vet completly a totally different place. I think you have something to be concerned about. I think you should continue the gel for about another 2 to 3 days and if it still does not get better stop and take her to a different vet. Sometimes young puppies get parasites and they die at young ages. So take your dog to the vet!!!

Answer 9

That vet sounds like a quack. Mange doesn't effect the eye. It causes the animal to lose fur. Is he losing hair around the eye? I would stop using the meds if i was you and go to another vet A.S.A.P. Take a bus if you have to, put the dog in a purse-like carrier and the bus driver probably won't even notice.

Answer 10

If your Vet did all those things you say, sounds like a drunk or druggie or senile should-be-out-of-practice sort of Vet. If there is any way that your parents could take the dog to another Vet that would be great. Who knows whether what you are putting in your dogs eyes is even the right thing? PLEASE get your parents to take her elsewhere. Like to a real VET.