Vet problems or not...?

Question

I just went to my first vet appointment with my girl at a new vet. It was highly recommended by a few people that I talk to, and I found that the woman was excellent in ensuring that I didn't get any unnecessary vaccinations, and also clipped her nails for free! (Most vets around here charge an easy $30 for that simple service!). The only thing I found discouraging was the way they approached the food and the propeganda I got from it. She recommended rawhide that was pressed or in sheets (which I am strongly against because of the large number of obstructions and tears it creates every year), and in the "puppy package" I recieved, it was mainly a Science Diet propeganda bag. When I told her what I was feeding the dog, as well (Eagle Pack Holistic for Large Breeds), she tried to pawn off SD on me!

I want to go back, as she treated my dog well, but I am nervous now that she will try to sell me other junk just as "healthy" as SD. In the puppy bag was literature, treats, etc by SD...

Any suggestions on how to avoid getting conned into this junk? I like the vet but I REFUSE to feed my dog junk like Science Diet.

I'm not so concerned about the food, I am just nervous that if she is willing to push SD that much, how will I know if she tells me that "this brand of shampoo is what you need at $50 a bottle" really is or isn't what I need? I just don't want to get pushed into a brand of treats, or shampoos, or whatever just because she recommends it.

Answer 1

If she's a good vet then keep going-they can be hard to find.

Just dont buy anything from her until youve had time to research it and let her know youre doing that. Why would allow yourself to be pressured into buying anything without checking it out first anyway?

Answer 2

Just don't buy it!!! Simple. You will find that people LOVE the new puppy kits, and the brands you like do NOT offer those. Evey vet had their own opinion on foods. There are a number of vets that find the ultra premium food not as good as once thought. Many dogs cannot tolerate it well, and many do great on SD. Some do not. The one vet I see feeds Pedigree to his dogs, and they look wonderful. Who am I to force any of my thought on him?
Just say you prefer a different food, and that is the end of the story!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't want a puppy pack with SD in it, don't take it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are good things about Hills. The prescription diets can be a life saver for many pets, and they really put out a lot of the useful visual material in the vets office.
Just say "no thanks"!!!!

Shampoos are a LITTLE different. If the dog has a condition that requires a special shampoo, ask how much it is and what it is about the shampoo that is needed. You can ALWAYS ask if there is a cheaper brand or other choice!!!! People should feel free to question thing they are told (not to the point of being annoying though). Vets don't have all the answers to everything and sometimes go by what they are comfortable with.

Answer 3

I am so sorry to hear about your dogs! We recently just adopted/rescued a dog from the South - We live in the Northeast. We just took her to the vet two days ago because she developed some lesions and was ferociously scratching. She was diagnosed with sarcoptic mange. Our vet said it is very typical in dogs from the South. He put her on an antibiotic called Cephalexin, which she needs to take two times per day for two weeks. She needs 2 more doses of Revolution over the next 4 weeks and Benedryl; two 25mg tablets every 8-12 hours. I'm not sure how large your dogs are, but our Weimaraner is 48 pounds (she's still a puppy). Perhaps the Benedryl will help your dogs with the itching. While I've read that both Frontline & Revolution have been used to treat the infection, I wouldn't dare give both at the same time. I might try using the Benedryl for the itching and wait until it is safe to use the Revolution; 3 doses-one every two weeks. Perhaps your vet will give you a script for the antibiotic - it seems pretty effective. I hope this has helped you a bit and I hope your puppies will be feeling better soon.

Answer 4

I think if you like the vet otherwise, as long as she accepts your feeding choice then I would stick with her.

I recently switched vets too, and we got off to a rocky start because I told her that I'd recently put Sally on a low-carb, homemade diet. Vet proceded to lecture me on the subject, insisting that dogs NEED carbs and that I was turning my dog into a vegetarian by giving her veggies instead of grains(?!) and a lot of other stuff that the dog food companies have convinced vets of. She told me that I should do some research on nutrition (LOL!!!!). So the next time I went in a brought in a stack of research at least an inch thick for her to go over. She also observed that Sally's condition had improved. She has not given me any trouble regarding diet since then, and has proven to be a really good vet in other regards (at least, so far).

Since you know enough not to buy that SD crap, you shouldn't have to worry.

Always do your own research! Don't just trust that the "experts" know everything, they are human too.

Answer 5

If you're not completely comfortable with the vet shop for another one. If you can live with her pushing food and treats that you don't agree with stick to your guns ... it's your dog and your money. My ex-vet kept pushing some canned crap when my pup had a urinary tract infection and I switched her to raw. Everyone in the practice was so insulting when I went in (they had red flagged my files as a raw feeder) that I found another vet who encourages raw feeding. Vet care is very expensive, there are 3 vet practices within walking distance of my house, why would I pay to be insulted? Same with you, feed your dog food that you feel will keep her healthy. Happy Holidays,.

Answer 6

I've found that being straightforward about my history with dogs as well as my choices for feeding and immunizations goes a long way with a new vet.

I raw feed... which is a really difficult concept for a lot of vets to deal with. It took me nearly a year to find a vet who acknowledged that my dogs are healthy so I must be doing something right.

Realize, without knowing your history, the new vet couldn't possibly know that you weren't some idiot for whom Science Diet would be a step up from Ol'Roy or something.

Answer 7

Basically, your vet is recommending tried and true products which you dislike in favor of more holistic approaches. Therefore you are at an impasse; you have basic differences in your approaches to animal care, much in the same manner that a patient who believes in the holistic approach would be put off by a standard doctor's recommendations. If you are unwilling to trust your vets recommendations in small matters (rawhide, food brands, etc), will you trust the vet’s recommendations in large matters (invasive surgery, etc)? If you have to research everything before trusting the vet, why even bother with the middleman? Find one that you DO trust.

I am not saying that she is right and you are wrong, but nor am I claiming the opposite. If you don't feel that you can trust her advice, don't go to her. Her "bedside manner" is appealing to you, but I'd rather have a vet with horrible bedside manner but the skills I trusted than visa versa.

Answer 8

I work for a vet that does the same thing, only with Iams. You need to understand that most vets get only a few hours of nutrition instruction, and the instruction that they get is financed by Hill's. My vet is a very good vet as far as diagnostics go, so don't let this necessarily discourage you. Just politely tell her that you are NOT interested. If she tries to push it, find another vet. Science diet is crappola, so good for you for sticking with the Eagle Pack.

Answer 9

Look for a new vet or ignore her suggestions...yours has been bought off. I love my vet and they do carry science diet but they know I feed my pets Wellness and all they said was "yes, that is great food". I just couldn't trust a vet that has been bought like that. Science Diet is grabage, so is Iams. Best of luck!

Answer 10

It's really not a big deal. If you don't want to feed Science Diet, you don't have to.

Keep feeding what you feel is best. Veterinarians aren't as knowledgeable about Nutrition as many people think.

They HAVE to try and sell that stuff - it doesn't mean you have to buy it.

If she physically treats your dog in a manor you are comfortable with - keep going to her :)