very interesting article from an ex-vet.

[flynnandian]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1232217/Why-Im-ashamed-vet-shocking-expose-profession-puts-pets-painful-unnecessary-treatments-fleece-trusting-owners.html

[Harley PoMMom]

WOW!! Thanks for sharing

[mcdavis]

Makes very interesting reading. I'm sure I've mentioned that our current vet is very $$ orientated so unless it's an emergency I always insist on taking the time to think about any treatments they suggest.

The previous vet wasn't as pushy, but did suggest quite a few pills and potions for Hamish as he got older. As he had the GI issues I often said I'd think about it, do my research, then make a decision. When I got a copy of his vet notes you'd think I was the worst pet owner ever as the comments were 'offered treatment xxx, owner refused".

[labblab]

Very distressing and very sobering reading, that's for sure!

However, as pet parents, I think this writer offers some serious thoughts for us to consider about our own decisions and actions, too. Just because a treatment exists, it does not mean that it is necessarily the most humane option. It is up to us to decide whether it is fair or reasonable to ask our pets to suffer through lengthy, involved, or painful procedures so that we may eek out a bit more extra time with them ourselves. Unlike with humans, we cannot ask their consent nor explain to them the rationale for the pain of the procedure. So just because a vet offers a treatment option to us, it remains our responsibility to decide whether it is a treatment we want our pet to undergo. As the author says, they are animals and not humans, so we must be the ones to give consent on their behalf, placing their best interests above all else.

[flynnandian]

mc davis, you are a great pet owner when you do like you; research and make a decision with your pets best interest in mind.
lots of people don't and a lot of pets are suffering-sometimes for years- because their owners are selfish and the vet offers treatment to lenghten their lives no matter what. so sad!

The previous vet wasn't as pushy, but did suggest quite a few pills and potions for Hamish as he got older. As he had the GI issues I often said I'd think about it, do my research, then make a decision. When I got a copy of his vet notes you'd think I was the worst pet owner ever as the comments were 'offered treatment xxx, owner refused".[/QUOTE]

[flynnandian]

Very distressing and very sobering reading, that's for sure!

However, as pet parents, I think this writer offers some serious thoughts for us to consider about our own decisions and actions, too. Just because a treatment exists, it does not mean that it is necessarily the most humane option. It is up to us to decide whether it is fair or reasonable to ask our pets to suffer through lengthy, involved, or painful procedures so that we may eek out a bit more extra time with them ourselves. Unlike with humans, we cannot ask their consent nor explain to them the rationale for the pain of the procedure. So just because a vet offers a treatment option to us, it remains our responsibility to decide whether it is a treatment we want our pet to undergo. As the author says, they are animals and not humans, so we must be the ones to give consent on their behalf, placing their best interests above all else.

i agree with you marianne, and i hope this article makes pet owners think again about treatments offered that make old and/or sick pets suffer because we are selfish.
your last sentence says it all!

[molly muffin]

Definitely interesting reading. I do think that many vets are if not "in" it for the money, take advantage of money making opportunities and probably are able to justify it to themselves as helping the animal.

Nothing irritates me more than a vet making my decision for me. It isn't their pet, it is mine and once recommended, I am like Mc I'll decide what is or is not given to them.

Here in Canada the vets/pharma are making a killing out of pet medications, and the UK too I believe, in that we do not have the options of compounding that they have in the US, where you can shop for medications at the compounding pharamcies, choose which one to use and then go forward with it once the vet does the prescription. Usually the vet, via a drug rep, will place an order even for compounded and the owner is only given a price to give to the vet with no actual interaction with the compounding pharmacy at all.
It is one of my pet peeves here.

[addy]

The article took me back to the orthopedic specialist Zoe saw. He also was co owner of the huge Specialty clinic. He spent a good deal of time with me as he told me it would be very hard to balance Zoe's front leg with her back leg issues.

Then he told me in a very caring way, that when we treat dogs for an illness it usually affects something else and then that is a new problem. He confided that sometimes it is better we don't treat them.

I was surprised at his honesty as hard as it was to hear.

Bad memories conjured up for me, I'm afraid. It's still hard to talk about Zoe's last days. sorry

[My sweet Ginger]

We have two specialists, an IMS and a neurologist, both who I like a lot.

Our IMS seems to charge me for everything possible. Her recheck fee is between $90-100 each time, BP check $37. Just to get a BP check I think they want to charge me $137.:eek: After a few months of many office visits and a few weekend email correspondences, she told me in no uncertain terms to depend more on our neurologist as she is more involved in administrative side in her work but will be still seeing patients through appointments.:rolleyes: :rolleyes::rolleyes: We haven't seen her for months now.

One day I noticed they didn't charge me for a recheck fee with our neurologist. Didn't make a big deal out of it.:D:p:) And then again and again.;):):cool: Now they all seem to be aware of that and no charges for her BP checks either.:eek: We go there to see him and all we pay for is for her meds most of the times and tests once in a while.
I thought you'd all be glad to know that there are vets who are not all in it for money.:)

[Renee]

What a sad and depressing article. :( I absolutely agree there are vets like this, just like there are unethical 'rescues' that are in it for the money... but, I keep the faith that there are good and honest people too. My vet is one of those good and honest people. Not once have I been anything less than the main decision maker in all my pugs medical care. Even when I first got them and didn't know a lot of about vet care, I never let a vet push me around.

Unpopular as it may be, so many people fail to realize that there are worse things than dying. Far worse things.

[flynnandian]

my country vet doesn't charge me for everything too. discounts, payments are possible.
both vets know they don't have to offer me fancy stuff and/or e.g. chemo, amputations , operations etc. when my pets are old and sick.
my dogs are bred for work/sports etc. so when they are no longer able to walk and do their doggie things it is over.

like renee says;

Unpopular as it may be, so many people fail to realize that there are worse things than dying. Far worse things.

[molly muffin]

I think my IMS is good, but she doesn't set the prices at the vet ER she is at. What she did do though is go through the various test bundles to see which would give us the better pricing for mollys blood work tests. We compared notes of what we wanted and what the best price was. So that was a positive in my book. As for the rest of it, she said the ER has set prices for different thing, they enter what they do, a consult, urinalysis, blood work and the computer adds in the pricing to the invoice from the database.

I do know that it is very disheartening when you find out (as in have it confirmed) that your trusted vet is stiffing you. It makes you question all kinds of things that maybe you normally wouldn't.

I know what you mean Renee, there are worse things. I think anyone who has ever been involved in rescues, or rescued a pup themselves, is familiar with some of those worse things. :(

[Budsters Mom]

Completely understandable sweetie. It's the same for me too.:o I think I'm doing okay, so I'll respond to a post, sharing something about Buddy's decline. The next thing I know, I'm a crumpled mess on the floor blubbering all over myself. Of course, Monkey girl is bringing me toy after noisy toy, until she finds one that she thinks makes me happy. I then burst out laughing, while crying at the same time. Rosie is then overjoyed with glee because we can play now and that's what life is all about. I am so thankful that you have sweet Koko Puff and I have my bouncy, little monkey.:p


It's still hard to talk about Zoe's last days. sorry