To have lost faith in my vet and not take my dog to be checked out?

[knitpicker]

Last visit to vet for worming and microchip I was shocked by the aggressive 'up selling' of treatments. I am from a rural, farming background with lots of animal husbandry experience so would have a fair idea of how to keep a dog healthy. I could see how someone with less experience might be panicked into signing up for expensive treatments for all sorts.

Yesterday my jack russell coughed/ vomited and when I cleaned it up I noticed there were a few flecks of blood. My first thought was vet but I'm hesitating as I think they might subject him to a battery of fairly unnecessary tests - scope, X-ray etc that I can ill afford. Dog seems otherwise well and is eating as usual do I am adopting wait and see method. AIBU and unfair to dog?

[MatildaTheCat]

No, if your pet isn't looking and acting unwell I think that's fine.

I read an article last week where the journalist took her dog to the vet having eaten something or other. The vet wanted to admit, do tons of tests, scans etc etc. The vet then asked what insurance she had and it was none. Ok, well just take him home and keep an eye on him then.

I do get my dogs vacs done because he goes to a dog walker but my 17year old cat hasn't been for at least 12 years. Sometimes she looks a bit poorly then she recovers. Like me.

[knitpicker]

Thanks! Just the affirmation I need. Like you, i prob wouldn't wouldn't get myself seen if I was otherwise well. I was annoyed by the vets upselling but realise now that I don't trust them any more either. I also have a friend who is a dentist and he tells me this is common practice in his profession too.

[TimeIhadaNameChange]

I hate this too. Luckily my local one isn't too bad at this (which is good, as otherwise I'd have to take my pets on an 80 mile round trip each time!!!).

What does annoy me is that the vet's wife is in each consultation. No doubt she's a trained nurse (well, at least I'd hope she is) but I do feel peeved at having to pay for both of them to be there but don't feel I can say anything.

[user1465823522]

I would use a different vet. I assume there is more than one vet in your town?

[MadHattersWineParty]

I took my little dog to the vets as her paw was irritated and she kept chewing it. Vet tried to insist on an x-Ray to see if there was an infection in the bone, but they'd have to admit her and put her under to do it. Then run a load of tests to see if she had certain allergies and prescribe lifelong medication to stop flare ups. Going to cost ££££. I said I'd see how she got on at home, he seemed really shocked but wouldn't prescribe any other treatment, so I did some research online, bought some cream and applied it under a sock so she couldn't get at it. Dog is right as rain. The vet's receptionist phoned three times to ask when I'd be booking her in for her treatment.

I'll go somewhere else from now on.

[Laiste]

I feel a bit like this about our vet at the mo.

Our cat was itchy last year, nibbling at the base of his tail. To cut a long story short i had to really push hard to get him let me start with the cheapest easiest treatment first (a one off injection) and leave the:
coat oils,
food supplements,
more flea treatment (even though both my cats are already done and there was no sign of fleas)
allergy tests,
blood tests,
cat psychoanalysis,
x rays and
industrial grade bug destroying chemicals for the house
(those last 2 might be slight exagerations)

as plan B's if the injection didn't work.

The injection did work so i didn't go back. He seemed kind of huffy with me at the consultation and i would rather not see him again. I think he is the practice owner though, and he's always there.

The next nearest is an extra 10 miles away. So i feel your pain OP.

[tabulahrasa]

If you don't trust your vet you need a new one.

[Ginkypig]

If you you feel like your vet is putting the business before your pet or making decisions that are unnecessary for the health of your pet then like you would with a doctor you choose a different vet!

[cookiefiend]

My mums vet was like this- doing stuff that seemed totally pointless. Up selling is one thing, but subjecting a dog to treatment it doesn't need is very cruel. We were luck in that there is a vet school at the local university so moved there.

The service is fantastic- better than we get at the gp in that they have case conferences before they see all the animals in the morning and they are checked over thoroughly by a student, then by the qualified vet. And no ridiculous up selling. It is a shame it is not available everywhere.

[WorraLiberty]

My old Vet was like that.

They'd give you the hard sell on vitimins/minerals/vaccinations/100 other things, to try and make you feel like you'd be the worst owner in the world not to buy them.

Fortunately, the best vet surgery ever opened up in my area about 5 years and go and we're very lucky to have them.

They really care about the animals and will always give you a cheaper option and best/worst case scenario.

My dog is blind and diabetic and I honestly think if we had to use the original vet, we would have had to have him PTS by now.

[lalalalyra]

I am currently looking for a new vet after the way my cat was treated by one of the vets at my usual practise (although not my usual vet).

He was 17. Lost a drastic amount of weight in a week, went off his food (he was properly greedy usually) and just looked thoroughly miserable. I fully expected to take him in, be told it was something major and he'd have to be pts. Going to the vet was something he found extremely stressful so I'd made clear when making the appointments I wouldn't be subjecting him to operations or a battery of tests for his sake. The vet told me she thought he was dehydrated and had an infection. So I was persuaded to put him on a drip. She phoned me later to tell me about his white blood cell count and that being a sign of infection.

The next day my usual vet phoned to say that the white blood cell count pointed to some sort of cancer and there would be no way of telling without an operation. He was quite surprised, having known us for a while (my cats seem to take turns at needing a visit!) that I hadn't had him pts the day before.

When I went up to be there when he was pts I was hit with a bill for almost £800 that they've recently refunded £500 of because they've agreed with me that some of the the tests done were completely unneccesary. I'm waiting on them getting back to me about my complaint about what the cat was put through. I consented too one blood test and a drip. He was given numerous tests, two scans, an xray and something else. I was livid, I wonder how many people pay the bill (like I did) as they've just seen their beloved pet put to sleep and then don't take it up with them later.

The upselling is constant now. And half of the seats in the waiting room have been removed to put more stuff on sale.

[knitpicker]

How awful that this seems to be common practice. PP put it so well - prioritising business over the animals wellbeing. Lala - I would say most people would pay while quietly seething, good on you for questioning costs.