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What could I do instead of being a vet?

Do you think it is okay to take your dog to another vet if you don't agree with what they tell you?

  • My dog had 1 flea on her, she is allergic to fleas, my one vet who is 2 hours away saw her did a skin scraping and said it was Flea Dermatitis. (yes 1 flea can do a lot of damage. They set her up with pred. My dog can not take Clamavox and the likes of that antibiotic. I came home and a week later she really looked awful, her skin was bright red, so I took her to my vet here. They looked at her skin, said nothing was wrong and sent me home with Allergroom shampoo. that sent up a red flag, i was a bather, I know what Allergroom is used for, but they are my vet. That night she scratched her neck in a spot and it started bleeding. I picked her up , put her in the truck and off to the emergency vet we went. She had a skin infection, due to her itching, a bad one the inside of her ears were red, which I brought up to my vet here. ITS NOTHING, they said. Well she is doing much better, has some antibiotic shampoo, and some different meds. Long story, but I am getting another vet. Do you agree with me about the second opinion and transferring my dogs to this new vet?

  • Answer:

    Not only is it okay to change, but NECESSARY if you are not satisfied with any aspect of the standard of care and treatment being provided by your current veterinary practice. I was in similar position when my vet said that as the results of two thyroid function tests had come back normal, it must be her diet. As I knew she ate the bare minimum amount of food for health and regularly exercised and her weight was still steadily increasing, I was both annoyed with the vet and concerned that the root cause of the problem was not being addressed. As hypothyroidism is a health condition known to affect my breed I changed practice and had her tested again. The result was borderline normal not normal. The vet said in his opinion her history clearly pointed to her having an underactive thyroid and prescribed. Her weight began to decrease until she was nicely muscled again and a healthy weight. Edit: The first vet refused to prescribe thyroid medication even though over a period of one year her weight steadily increased regardless of the amount of food fed or exercise. Now if a vet says normal I would always ask where on the scale of normal was the result as it can make all the difference.

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Some vets just don't know what they're doing. I totally agree with you. I have a similar problem with my local vets and my German Shepherd's allergies. Definitely get a new vet.

You are absolutely entitled to take a second opinion, and ditto for switching vets. You pay the bills, you call the shots. I've been forced to go for a second opinion just once, comparatively recently when I was tearing my hair out over what was being said to me about my ****** and what was going on. It got to the point that this particular vet stood and told me there was nothing more he could offer, other than referring me to a specialist. When I suggested x-rays might be a good idea, he told me scans were enough. I took the second opinion (and a third actually as I phoned my old vet of 13 years, back up country - she said she'd have x-rayed by then, and opened her up!!). This produced, finally, the Senior Partner who did x-rays, and found her chest cavity was full of tumours. Secondaries by this time. She was pts within 2 weeks. I lost my beloved girl and had an empty Bank account to show .... for what! Yes. Go for any further help you need to get your dog put right! Sometimes I wonder how some of these vets qualify!!

Verulam

Of course. The vet works for you at the end of the day and if you aren't happy with their service/answers you are more than right to seek out another vet's opinion. No different than if you were dealing with your own doctor. Unfortunately many people are intimidated by doctors both human and animal and don't think they have the right to speak up and be heard.

Rayven ~ SCAdian girl

Im sorry you and your fur kid had to go through this. Just as with human doctors not all vets are "good" vets. When i was in college I had a professor tell me that "Some vets graduate with As..some with Cs..but they all graduate". There is NOTHING wrong in seeking a second opinion, in fact you absolutely should. There is obviously something going on with your dog...to say nothing is wrong is just bad medicine. Many vets are too quick to say "flea allergy". Fleas are not the only cause of skin issues. Seasonal allergies and food allergies are very prevalent. Seek out a new vet and talk to them about thepossibilityy of food and seasonal issues. Im not a huge fan of steroids, particularly for long term use, and benadryl can help tremendously. As for her food she could have allergies to the protein or grains. Starting her on a food trial with a grain free diet and a novel protein such as duck, rabbit, or venison could help. Taste of the Wild, Earthborn, and Diamond make excellent foods that are free of corn,soy and wheat. Good Luck to you and your fur kid. ADD: Memphis...great point on the thyroid issue. But to be fair to your first vet ( and it does not mean you were wrong in seeking another opinion) thyroid tests very often require repeats. I have seen dogs that are clearly showing signs, have their tests come back negative 3,4, and even 5 times before a definitive diagnoses is made. The same is true of people. I had to practically force my mother to go back for a T4 on 4 seperate occasions before she showed a positive result.

Kelly

I don't know who is right and wrong, but I change vets when I want to. I don't need to justify it. The last time I changed vets, it was not due to poor medical care. If was due to the fact that they were always trying to sell me unnecessary things and when my vet says to do this, I do it. But if I can not trust that all their suggestions are for my dog's well-being and not their pockets.. I move on.

Bentley

What YOU do, is YOUR decision. Why do you feel the need to ask total strangers on YA"s?

LindsayB Is Back

Oh goodness yes! We as humans are often told to get a second opinion. We love our pets and I will always get a second opinion if I think something is not right and my vet knows I will be asking for one. My dog is my companion and she is a therapy dog to many. She does things for me when I am sick that could save my life, I need her and count on her being there. It would take years to train another if I could even get one in time to train. You did the correct thing :)

Cookin_Granny

Of course you have the right not only to a second opinion but a third and a fourth and a f..... Until you are happy keep going. Your pet is worth it. Some vets have a reputation for certain pets and illnesses and you should ask around to get a vet that is concerned and gets the diagnosis right! Good Luck

I would never continue to see a vet if I didn't agree with their practice or their knowledge on my animal. If they sound sketchy, switch. Especially when it comes to issues like yours. It's always safe to get a second opinion.

BlueMenace

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