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liberal vets

3K views 36 replies 17 participants last post by  WeimsRus 
#1 ·
Not in the political sense.

I've read where a lot of you guys have gotten things from your vet that most "conservative" vets wouldn't release...it might impact their bottom line or something like that. The list ranges from sutures, training, injectable medications, off label recommendations, etc.

Now, the more I read different dog forums, it seems that this isn't entirely uncommon, but I've never experienced it. Frankly, I have not yet gauged how my old vet will feel about me doing my own vaccs...I don't think he'll have an issue though.

I question if it might be a difference in vet specialties though. I remember my vet of younger years being MUCH more liberal, the difference, he was primarily a large animal vet...used to farmers calling to do diagnosis, with the farmer doing a lot more of the treatment. So, those of you that have the more liberal vet, do you feel it's because your vet knows YOU are capable, or because your vet is used to clientelle that are a little more capable than most.
 
#2 ·
I agree there seems to be two types of vets, MOST are the small animal vets that seem to have the agenda to see the dog often and they are expensive.
I find my vet insists on tests that I would waive, like heartworm test for a dog on ivermectin year round. If there is a surgery they insist on tests... Heck its a dog, not a person. I would gladly sign a waiver over these charges.
My older dog recently had a cyst in her upper eyelid removed, it was a couple dollars under $500. I would have been happy to have it drained and see if it came back.
The days of large animal vets are about gone. When you find your vet bills exceed your own family's doctor bills something is wrong.
 
#3 ·
there are [plenty of large animal vets around, but they are specializing in large animals only, more and more. so you get more and more dogs and cat vets that make a living giving vaccinations, spaying and neutering and handing out antibiotics.

i took a dog to MSU years ago for some serious surgery and got excellent care. but the surgeon and other doctors all told me they were going into livestock practices.

a friend that raises high quality herefords told me that the schools are selecting students on how well they do on tests and not on their backgrounds in animals. i think she is probably right.
 
#4 ·
As with other professionals like your doctor, dentist, or attorney, I think it is important to develop a relationship with your vet. It would be irresponsible to assume every new client is capable. It takes time to develop trust and it is a 2-way street. Then again some vets may never see you as anything other than a source of revenue.

I suggest going to a private practice. Run away from clinics as fast as you can. A clinic setting you may never get to see the same vet twice. In a private practice they get to know you. Where I go the everyone including the techs know my dogs by name and what tricks they can do. It takes time to build a relationship but it is worth it.
 
#5 ·
This is an interesting post. I do plan to talk with my vet about this very thing. I have mixed feelings about this. I don't hesitate to spend money to have a problem checked out but at the same time I would like to save some by doing my own vaccinations. However, I know there are plenty of people who would never take a dog to the vet if they could do their own shots. At times vets may catch something during a routine vaccination/check up office call. Then the office call is well worth it.

So I guess it goes back to a previous post. Develop a relationship with your vet and talk it over.
 
#6 ·
Is whether your Vet wants to keep your business. When we were breeding two to three litters per year, I was not about to take Mom and the pups to the Vet for every little thing they needed. I could acquire the vaccines and scringes from a wholesale Vet supply, wormers, and other such needs for raising dogs or litters. My Vet showed me how to dock tails, remove dew claws on new pups. Since I was also running in trials at the time and could be miles from a Vet, how to do sutchers. He still got my business when a dog got sick, heartworm checks, and Rabies vaccinations. (Actually I could have done my own Rabies shots, but I wouldn't have a certified reciept like you get from the Vet). I guess it's how you present your case to your Vet and what he's willing to do to keep you as a client. My Vet and I have been working together for 33+years and are more like friends than business associates. FRANK
 
#7 ·
Is whether your Vet wants to keep your business. When we were breeding two to three litters per year, I was not about to take Mom and the pups to the Vet for every little thing they needed. I could acquire the vaccines and scringes from a wholesale Vet supply, wormers, and other such needs for raising dogs or litters. My Vet showed me how to dock tails, remove dew claws on new pups. Since I was also running in trials at the time and could be miles from a Vet, how to do sutchers. He still got my business when a dog got sick, heartworm checks, and Rabies vaccinations. (Actually I could have done my own Rabies shots, but I wouldn't have a certified reciept like you get from the Vet). I guess it's how you present your case to your Vet and what he's willing to do to keep you as a client. My Vet and I have been working together for 33+years and are more like friends than business associates. FRANK
I did not know rabies vaccine was available to unlicensed professionals. Anyway, I do most of that also. I lost confidence when I noticed a sign posted in her office stating she will not give scripts for heartworm meds and that they must be purchased from her office. That is a joke. Now I go for the first couple of puppy shots to make sure there is no reaction, rabies, and for antibiotics as needed.
 
#8 ·
I did not know rabies vaccine was available to unlicensed professionals. Anyway, I do most of that also. I lost confidence when I noticed a sign posted in her office stating she will not give scripts for heartworm meds and that they must be purchased from her office. That is a joke. Now I go for the first couple of puppy shots to make sure there is no reaction, rabies, and for antibiotics as needed.

Like I said before it is a 2-way street. Unless there is serious price gouging why wouldn't you support a local business? So what if she charges $5 more? That goes back to your community because she is invested there. It pays for your neighbors landscaping services, maybe an electrician friend or a plumber. She and her staff probably order lunch from the local eateries or do some shopping on a lunch break.

This kind of thinking is like Wal-Mart syndrome to me. People flock there and hand their money over for slightly cheaper goods, then complain everything is made in China and the local people are out of work because Wal-Mart took all the income away from local businesses.

Like most relationships you get out of it what you put in.
 
#9 ·
i'm not interested in forming a relationship with my vet. i'm marred and that's enough relationships. besides he's not my type. so i take them in for a rabies shot once every 3 yrs, pay him and that's the extent of the relationship. whether they know my dogs name doesnt matter at all. i know their names. good enough.

most good kennels raising quality dogs and almost all livestock owners do their own vetting for routine things. it costs me less than $5 per year per dog for heartworm and about $8 for vaccinations. going to a vet for a vaccination is like going to the doctor for an aspirin.

do what you want, it's not my lookout. but with all the people taking dogs and cats to vets, it's created pet specialists. and they range from mediocre to incompetent. i quit an incompetent one in dsgust and know firsthand of others. now i go to one thats ok but the only really excellent ones i have seen are large animal vets.
 
#10 ·
Like I said before it is a 2-way street. Unless there is serious price gouging why wouldn't you support a local business? So what if she charges $5 more? That goes back to your community because she is invested there. It pays for your neighbors landscaping services, maybe an electrician friend or a plumber. She and her staff probably order lunch from the local eateries or do some shopping on a lunch break.

This kind of thinking is like Wal-Mart syndrome to me. People flock there and hand their money over for slightly cheaper goods, then complain everything is made in China and the local people are out of work because Wal-Mart took all the income away from local businesses.

Like most relationships you get out of it what you put in.
Most people do not want to pay more for something than is necessary. By purchasing my stuff from TSC I am still supporting a business that is creating jobs in many small towns and I am saving a ton in the mean time. The years that I do need to see the vet for rabies I also let them give the 5 or 7 ways. I am charged $17.00/shot plus office visit when I can buy it for $5.00 retail. I am not against anyone making money, I love making it myself, but I will not pay a mark up of at least 300% if I do not have to. Vets can make plenty of money using their skills, they do not need to kill us with supply charges.
You pay what you want, I'll pay what I want and we'll both be happy.
 
#11 · (Edited)
It is illegal for them to force you to buy a prescription from them. They do not have to fax the script to petmeds, but they do have to provide a paper script if requested.

^^^^^^on edit, not true, my apologies. It is the position of the AVMA that a veterinarian should provide a written prescription if asked, but unless it is a state law, it is not illegal for them to force you to buy it from them.

I've got no problem paying 17 for a shot that costs 5. I've got no problem with AVMA and AAHA standards on heartworm testing. The vet is there when I need them. Hell, rabies in a ten dose vial costs 1.43 per dose...and that's MY COST, not a vet, that buys in bulk. I understand they need to make money to pay for their own groceries, bills, employees, etc. It wasn't the intention of this to get everyone bitching about vet costs.

My concern is that I've come to a time where frankly, I need some drugs to have at home. I just spent $350 for the administration of $2 worth of non-controlled injectable drugs at an ER vet that I could have administered myself (and told the attending vet that he needed, which she then confirmed). I'm just not sure how to go about asking my vet for a prescription for injectables....as it's not something I know them to normally release (at least not at the vet I work for).
 
#12 ·
If there is a surgery they insist on tests... Heck its a dog, not a person. I would gladly sign a waiver over these charges.
That test gauges whether your dog's internal organs are able to handle the anasthesia they administer. It may only be a dog, but it is a business decision....otherwise you will be down at the local coffee shop bitching that the vet overcharged you then killed your dog, all because you were too cheap to pay $35 to have them make sure your dogs kidney's and liver function as they should, prior to pumping some drugs into them.

When you find your vet bills exceed your own family's doctor bills something is wrong.
My vet charges $37 for an office call, my doctor charges $85. Diagnostics go up from there in either profession.
 
#13 ·
i'm not interested in forming a relationship with my vet. i'm marred and that's enough relationships. besides he's not my type. so i take them in for a rabies shot once every 3 yrs, pay him and that's the extent of the relationship. whether they know my dogs name doesnt matter at all. i know their names. good enough.

most good kennels raising quality dogs and almost all livestock owners do their own vetting for routine things. it costs me less than $5 per year per dog for heartworm and about $8 for vaccinations. going to a vet for a vaccination is like going to the doctor for an aspirin.

do what you want, it's not my lookout. but with all the people taking dogs and cats to vets, it's created pet specialists. and they range from mediocre to incompetent. i quit an incompetent one in dsgust and know firsthand of others. now i go to one thats ok but the only really excellent ones i have seen are large animal vets.

I'm with you all the way brother, great post. I sure would like to find out how that guy above figured out a way to give his own rabies shots. (Something tells me that was bull)
 
#14 ·
vets are scam artists.. i only go for a rabies shot and i have to insist that they dont charge me for a checkup because my dog does not need one. just stick the needle in and let me leave..

Rabies shots you have to be a liscensed person to be able to administer. my understanding is you dont have to be a vet but you have to have the countys certification for registering your dog.

If your vet doesnt want to work with you and your financial needs then find one who will.. really is one vet better than the other for basic care?

do you really think someone who owns 20 dogs takes teir dogs in for yearly check ups... they would be broke and it doesnttake a rocket scientist to determine if your dog is healthy...

i avoid vets as much as possible.
 
#15 ·
vets are scam artists.. i only go for a rabies shot and i have to insist that they dont charge me for a checkup because my dog does not need one. just stick the needle in and let me leave..

Rabies shots you have to be a liscensed person to be able to administer. my understanding is you dont have to be a vet but you have to have the countys certification for registering your dog.

If your vet doesnt want to work with you and your financial needs then find one who will.. really is one vet better than the other for basic care?

do you really think someone who owns 20 dogs takes teir dogs in for yearly check ups... they would be broke and it doesnttake a rocket scientist to determine if your dog is healthy...

i avoid vets as much as possible.
I'll bet your vet feels the same way about you, I know I would. Mike McDonald DVM
 
#16 ·
If you live in the city or the suburbs your vet bills are going to be high. Thats all there is to it. Slammer and B Umbellus (what the heck does that mean by the way?) both make good points.

My vet is high. She likes to do everything by the protocol. The yearly heartworm test is part of the protolcol. Having liver function checked prior to surgery is smart. I wave it in young dogs. There is a release involved.

I think thats what you can expect where I live. I understand from friends who live in rural areas that things are much different for them.
 
#17 ·
It is illegal for them to force you to buy a prescription from them. They do not have to fax the script to petmeds, but they do have to provide a paper script if requested.

I've got no problem paying 17 for a shot that costs 5. I've got no problem with AVMA and AAHA standards on heartworm testing. The vet is there when I need them. Hell, rabies in a ten dose vial costs 1.43 per dose...and that's MY COST, not a vet, that buys in bulk. I understand they need to make money to pay for their own groceries, bills, employees, etc. It wasn't the intention of this to get everyone bitching about vet costs.

My concern is that I've come to a time where frankly, I need some drugs to have at home. I just spent $350 for the administration of $2 worth of non-controlled injectable drugs at an ER vet that I could have administered myself (and told the attending vet that he needed, which she then confirmed). I'm just not sure how to go about asking my vet for a prescription for injectables....as it's not something I know them to normally release (at least not at the vet I work for).
*noncontrolled does not mean OTC, you always need a script or dispensing from the vet if not OTC.

I work in the medical profession and unless something is major and I have to go to my PCP I do not pay a penny for most of my care as the doctors that work with me are more than happy to provide care for me along with free drug samples. If you work for a vet and are worried about vet costs I think you need to find a new employer:sick:
 
#18 ·
For a lot of people who go to vet school, they have to take out more than $100k in loans just to pay for school. One way or another they are going to make that money back. Don't like those high bills? Find a way to make it cheaper for people to go to vet school. Otherwise it's like anything in business, the extra cost gets passed onto the consumer. :smile-mad
 
#19 ·
My employer wouldn't be really happy about being woken up at 2 am to drive to work to give an injection...especially since my animals do not see them for treatment as of now. I use my discount for bloodwork only.

$350 is the cost after a very large professional courtesy discount.

Noncontrolled does not mean OTC, but I stand a lot better chance of asking for a vial of dexamethasone for a dog with an ongoing autoimmune disorder than I would asking for a vial of valium for a dog that gets seizures :)
 
#21 ·
Like I said before it is a 2-way street. Unless there is serious price gouging why wouldn't you support a local business? So what if she charges $5 more? That goes back to your community because she is invested there. It pays for your neighbors landscaping services, maybe an electrician friend or a plumber. She and her staff probably order lunch from the local eateries or do some shopping on a lunch break.

This kind of thinking is like Wal-Mart syndrome to me. People flock there and hand their money over for slightly cheaper goods, then complain everything is made in China and the local people are out of work because Wal-Mart took all the income away from local businesses.

Like most relationships you get out of it what you put in.
Well, if I can buy a 7 way vaccine at tractor supply for $9 and DIY why not. I have to make an apt with the vet, pay a $35 office call, $15 vaccine chg, $30 health exam and they try to sneak a annual heartworm test on me. The dog is on the drug year round. No need to test the dog for heartworms. If the drug aint any good, why give it to them?

FWIW, in Mi you have to have a Lic Vet give the rabies shot. Its not valid unless the vet signs off.



So its a tad over $5 more.
 
#22 ·
Well I'll be...I'm calling up to Lansing later today. I'm asking MSU to give Rudi's Dad an honorary DVM since he obviously knows more than his vet. He's already figured out the two biggest conspiracies in the veterinary industry, pre anasthetic bloodwork and the annual heartworm test.

Since you obviously don't need your vet for anything more than the third conspiracy, the vet administered rabies vaccine, do your vet and his/her staff a favor, find a ten dollar rabies clinic and get it done there....or just buy the vaccine and and administer it yourself.
 
#23 ·
i've never given my own rabies shots. strangely, i have a kennel license and rabies vaccinations arent required. i dont get it either. except the first year, they only cost $18 per vaccination or $6 per year from the vet.

the vet before this was charging me the 18 for the shot plus another 30 for an "office visit" and "wellness check".

people that own livestock can be attached to some of their animals but they tend to be a lot more objective. many people that own dogs and cats are so emotionally attached to their animals that they will pay anything. and i think that tends to drive up the costs for everyone.

a couple of years ago, i took an 11 yr old dog in with a severe uterine infection. i wanted to know the cost and the former vet got a bit testy with me, telling me should die without the operation. true, and i knew that and i think a great deal of that dog. but she isnt going to live forever and i just wanted to know what i was getting into before i made a decision. a large animal vet would have understood, but i dont think this one was used to that attitude.

i'm not anti vet at all. i know a number of good ones, but i know good doctors and very poor ones. i patronize the good ones and take responsibilty for my own health and my animals as well.
 
#24 ·
This may be considered a post hijacking - if so, I apologize.

I was just curious, what vaccines do the DIY types give? Rudi's Dad, you mention a 7 way I believe?

I switched to Ivormectin for heartworm this year, and it's a lot cheaper. We've always been a one dog family, and have simply gone to the vet, and did what they recommended. Now that I've got a couple dogs, and foresee at least one more in the future, I would love to be able to save money doing vaccines at home, but I don't really know where to start?
 
#25 · (Edited)
To say that all vets are scam artists isn't right. You may do what you want, but mine are treated by professionals. While I breed and have alot of knowledge and experiance with dogs, I don't have enough to properly diagnose and treat my animals. With my experiance I do know when the proper time is to get them to a Vet. A long term history with one IS necessary to reduce these costs, as Mr. McDonald DMV will or will not agree with. At least my mine does, he will perscribe meds for me without seeing my dogs because of this history and knowing me for this time. He reduces the costs of these visits if I bring multiple dogs in at the same time for treatment. If you only bring your animals in for the necessities once every blue moon, why should these people give you a break. These people have more school and training than most of your Doctors. I even had one question me on a blood test I wanted done on a seemingly healthy pup. Just told her to run the darn test, blood work came back that the dog was going into Kidney failure. Don't see her anymore, or any Vet that treats me in a condecending manner. I do know my dogs and they get more medical checks and treatment than I do, this is due to the fact that these animals cannot tell you that they are sick. It is also due to the fact that most dogs will not show symptoms until it is too late to save them. That little pup is doing better because of my suspecting something wasn't quite right. The last dog I purchased was $1800, when you spend this kind of cash on a dog WTH is $35. :rolleyes: People who breed extensively tend to think of themselves as dog experts and treat their own animals because of the cost. After almost 23+ years of owning and breeding, I still do not think I know everything. I have alot of knowledge, but am still not an expert. The Kid and her Husband breeds also, has less experiance but is one of these "experts". To end, every dog that leaves my home is a happy, healthy pup and their owners are all happy enough to give referances when people comment on their animals. I am not saying you are not doing the right thing by treating your own, but this is my two pennies.
 
#26 ·
i dont think anyone is saying that all vets are scam artists.

but, i know many people, and myself, that own animals worth many many times your 1800 dollar dog that never take them to a vet or call a vet out for routine vaccinations and worming or "wellness" checks. in fact none of them do. a great many animals worth tens of thousands of dollars never see a vet in their lifetime and a completely healthy.

vet visits as you describe are almost completely confined to the pet industry. and only a part of that. and some other things have been overblown by the vets associations and pharmaceutical industry in order to make more money.
 
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