Interesting Vet Appointment

[luvmynwfy]

Hi
I took River for a check up at the Vet Clinic yesterday, she's doing great!
I was amazed that we were there for so long, as my Vet (who I do like and trust very much) tried to sell me on one thing after another. When I adopted River last April 2012 I took her to my Vet for an introuction in May 2012 and we did Wellness testing then. Since Sept 2012 my Vet has been calling me non stop insisting I need to bring her in for her annual checkup? I obviously didn't go in Sept, it didn't seem necessary to me. Anyhow, we went yesterday and she told me we could certainly do the Wellness testing since its been 6 months already? I told her I would wait and repeat in May 2013 - does everyone else take their Newf for Wellness Testing 2x per year? Unless I suspect a problem I think yearly is okay? Then, eventhough she declared River's teeth to be in excellent condition she said they really don't know for sure unless they do full x-rays. I couldn't argue with that, but just the same I declined putting her under when there wasn't any indication of tooth decay? Then, I was given some pamphlets and a CD to review a new product, tartar control you put into their drinking water and its 'proven' to reduce plaque and tartar by 75% (I'm going to reduce 75% of tartar and plaque she doesn't have - how about that!).
I haven't even had my son's teeth xrayed, just a visual checkup and its been 18 months since we last went to our family doctor - no reason to go.
Believe me, if Riv needed medical attention I'd be giving her the best but this preventative stuff seems over the top to me. Is it just me? Am I slacking in my duties?
I don't mean for this post to sound like a complaint, I appreciate my Vet letting me know all the latest and greatest health care options out there but I feel lucky I left the clinic with a Newf in great shape and a bill under $200.
Marina
ps if 'anything' turns up in May when we repeat her Wellness testing I will be in such big trouble!

 

[Joan Fisher]

My policy is to stay away from vets unless you REALLY need them! I would have done exactly the same as you, Marina. My dogs have never had dental care and always have had great teeth. I can remember the vet marveling at the state of my 10 year old Kelli's teeth - pig's ears and raw bones did the trick! I do a complete Dr. Jean Dodd's set of blood work once a year, including titers and heartworm because Tiika gets no prophylactics. So far everything's been perfect. The vet hospital sends ads for stuff all the time but I just delete it.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

I think you did good Marina! An X-ray "just in case".and sedating her for it? No way! Clearly they're trying to generate some new revenue streams.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

We do annuals, unless something is up. I wouldn't do any x-rays for teeth that look good. Certainly sounds like an extra way to generate some revenue to me.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Snuffles sees the vet 2 times a year for general checkups. The main reason that started was because his rabies and other vacines are in early July, but due to the way I got him and given heart worm meds, his heart worm test is in January. The vet decided last year because of Snuffles' age, she wanted to start doing full blood work in January since they are drawing bood anyway. As far as pushing *sales*, she is not guilty of that.

BTW, we have not done any dental work other than removing a small growth on his gum, and we only did that because he was out for a eye lid growth removal. When I first noticed the growth, the vet was not concerend and had told me if he was ever out for other reason would be a good time to remove it.

 

[newflizzie]

I agree with above. We go only once a year for a wellness check and bloodwork, standard tests etc. We get therapy paperwork and all that filled out then. I don't do any dental unless there is a problem (we do use a oral hygiene solution that goes in the first bowl of water). The Newfs are age 2 and 3. However, my 15 yo basenji has wellness checks 2x a year as she is a senior with issues.

 

[robertjt]

Same here - only 1x a year unless something comes up.

 

[NinaA]

I think your vet is giving you a "blood letting". That's way too much unnecessary "stuff" for me. I'd find somebody else. We go 1 X a year for the annual stuff and any other time we need to for the "what is going on here?" stuff. At the once a year visit we discuss anything else that might be needed, what is urgent - if anything, and what we can skip for a while.

 

[NewfieMama]

I have an acquaintance, who's a vet, who got laid off from a practice in a major metro area because for 2 years running he had the lowest billings per appointment. He just didn't care to try to upsell people on services and goods they did not need.

Having been reprimanded for this several times without significant improvement in his billings, he was let go.

Fact of life in a for-profit world.

 

[NinaA]

My vet office (we had been patients for 45 years - no kidding) forced our vet to retire because he refused to load on tests, etc., to boost the bottom line. He retired and suggested the office we now use. They have hit a middle ground, and I can appreciate it. They offer a spectrum of services, tests, etc. and give me the option of what to do with no pressure.

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Mine go once a year too for wellness checks. I've noticed in the last couple of years that my vet's practice has been pushing more testing, since the economy has been going down. They've also added a lot of toys, etc. in the lobby and are no longer open on Saturdays. Sad truth. If test isn't necessary, I decline too.

 

[lacey9875]

I am pretty sure vets make most of their money from vaccinations and tests. I've gone to my vet since I was 19, so I know most of them fairly well. They know I don't vaccinate my cats, and they're fine with it. I refused a biopsy on my cat, because it would've entailed them sedating him, and taking a piece of his liver and spleen when they had narrowed down either lymphoma or hepatitis. We instead treated it as hepatitis and his liver counts are almost normal. I won't do unnecessary testing or treatments, and they are fine with it. ( They didn't even give me a hard time when I said I would spay Maggie until she was older!) Stand your ground with what you feel is right.