I have a 0 year old pug with allergies. For several years the vet was giving him steroid shots every month for his allergies, never di blood work or anything else. He got very sick over the week end and so we ere at the vet's office at 8am Monday morning to find a note on the door that they were going to be closed that day so we took him to another vet farther away from home, the first thing he did was blood work, his sugar came back at 490. He spent 2 days in the hospital and is now on a special prescription dog food and takes insulin shots twice a day. When I told this vet about his allergies and asked for a shot he asked me if he had been getting the shots on a regular basis, when I told him that he got them every month he said that was probably what gave him diabetes. I had no idea that steroids could do that, I had trusted the other vet to do what was best for him. I am so glad the old vet was closed because I might not have found out until it was to late, if he had given him another shot it could have killed him. He has regular blood work done now and is doing fine. I do have to wonder though, why can I go into a pharmacy and buy his insulin without a prescription but I have to have a prescription for his dog food? I have heard of people dying from insulin over dose but never from dog food over dose. In my mind there is something wrong with this picture.
cheryl poole - 10 years ago
While I know from experience that the majority of veterinarians and educated, caring people, there are some that have egos that get in their way. I had a 10 pound 16 yo. mixed breed who was dying of kidney failure. I took him to the vet who had recently purchased my previous vet's practice and told him my little guy did not like to be handled by strangers and would not take the shot to be put down without a fight. I asked him to give the little guy a shot of tranquilizer first. He said that would sting more than the shot to end his life. I should have insisted or gone somewhere else but in the emotion of the moment I let him proceed. Needless to say, my dog fought the shot, the vet missed the vein and only a small amount went into him, he had to leave the room to get another shot, meanwhile my dog howled in fear or pain or both and it was all the vet tech and I could do to hold the little guy on the table. The vet came back and put him down. The tech and I were crying so hard she told me to go out the back way and there would be no charge. The veterinarian did not say a word nor did he ever contact me. Lesson learned, when you know you are right about the care for your animal, INSIST on it or go somewhere else.
Jeanette - 10 years ago
My Lab mix woke me @ 4am with pacing and seemed to be uncomfortable. Called vet @ 8am for apt at 2pm. She started vomiting @ around noon. When she arrived @ vet she was able to walk I. She was breathing heavier by this time and her heart beating fast. He looked at her and ask me if she had any trouble getting up. She was 7 1/2 yrs old so I replied that she probably has slowed down some. He gave her a shot for muscle soreness and she needed a little assistance to return to car 30 mins later. By 8pm she was dead. No x-rays were taken when I suggested them. I just could not return. I failed big time in being aggressive for my lab when I knew she was not getting the proper care she needed at the time. I established a schedule for my other dog with another vet. We discussed my Labs situation and she said it sounded like maybe Bloat. I think about her all the time and have promised myself that I will never let that happen again.
PitloverN - 10 years ago
I took my female in for what I thought was a routine spay but our nightmare was just starting! After dropping her off we got a call saying to pick her up about 5. The first thing that struck me as very odd was she was carried out by 1member of the staff her back to his chest and all of her legs were extended out. She was put in the car and had to be carried in the house. About 30 min went by and she threw up something that looked like chocolate syrup. 20 min later she did it again. Off to emergency vet hospital. It took the staff no loAnger than 20-30 min to show us what was wrong. Our baby girl was bleeding internally! It was $4,000.00 to save her life!! She had numerous blood transfusions to bring up her blood count and they had to wrap her belly nice and tight to stop the bleeding. Needless to say the next morning I was on the phone with this animal hospital letting them know what they had done, they refused to help or refund the 4G's it took to save her life! Upon further research I learned how they incorrectly kept records during her surgery! I requested a copy of her file they refused so I sued the vet and won!! Never again will this happen to any of my dog's. She made it thru her near death experience and lived the rest of her life knowing we played attention to her call for help. This vet did not tie her off properly causing the ligature to fail causing her to almost bleed to death!! Watch for the signs your furbaby is telling you because it can make a difference between life or death.
Cait - 10 years ago
We adopted a stray. Shortly after New Years 4 years ago, he started limping. I took him to our vet and he said he could find nothing wrong. Still not better, ditto; and ditto again. I took him on a Friday and he was getting worse, they sent me hnme with an antibiotic; that night, I could tell he was dying, so I rushed him to the ER. They took an xray and found an air rifle pellet lodged in his pleural cavity. They pulled out 150cc of awful pussy blood and he began to perk up. With surgery about a 50/50 chance,; we took the chance. Over his stay, with levages, they pulled out around 500 cc of bloody gack. $4300 and 10 days in kitty ICU and 30 days more on antibiotics and Four years later, he's just fine. Pellet still there.
On behalf of my vet, we live in a neighborhood where shooting guns is not done! I never saw any blood or tenderness to the area of the ouncture. We figured it was a kid who got an air rifle for Xmas and was shooting at stuff that moved.
DIFFERENT CAR, OPPOSITE SITUATION. Took cat to the ER, couldn't find anything, except anemia, took him to my vet on Monday who felt 3 kidneys. Xrays showed tumor on the stomach. Kept on paliative care, I gave hypoclysis at home
Can't fault either, but like with people Drs, to get the best care, you gotta be proactive
cnlights2 - 10 years ago
I had 2 assist dogs. The first girl died because of misdiagnosis. By the time another vet told me what HAD actually been going on I had 2 weeks left (after 14 yrs!). My 2nd girl died from seizures ( they went from petite to grand mal ( I treated her like a person (I'm an EMT) and my vet said what I did was very correct. I'm on oxygen (that's what I gave her) and when she came to I gave her a 5mg Valium. Apparently, she had a brain tumor. I got her from a no-kill shelter and she was only 7 yrs old (choco lab). My vet in that case was the BEST!!! She's in Linden, MI (Companion Animal Vet Hosp). But, it was too late and she died in 6 weeks. After going through these "learning experiences" between the 2 dogs I could be a vet!! I've been allowed in surgeries (which helped immensnly!!). But, when in doubt, at least get a 2nd opinion. Its better than finding out the hard way!! Just before my last girl died I had even taken her to MI ST University, thinking they could help. Between them and the vet that day I spent well over $1000!! They did nothing for her except watch her. They even wanted to do brain surgery! That's when I stopped everything and said no!! Its hard on ppl for brain surgery - and how would I know how things would turn out? Your pets/friends ARE NOT EXPERIMENTS!! do the best you can and pray.
Henry - 10 years ago
I have some experience with mycology and medications. One of my dogs had a skin infection which looked to me to be a dermatophyte. The vet did not culture or examine under a microscope but gave me a medication for a yeast type fungus. After 5 days treatment with no results I called the vet and he preprescribed an appropriate medication. The second incident involves a pyoderma as secondary to an allergy. The second opinion provided a complete therapy regimen including baths, anti-histamine and, if necessary, ant-biotics. This was a well spent $125 for the veterinary dermatologist.
Sydney Roberts - 10 years ago
My 5 1/2 yr old rottie had hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and pancreatitis last fall. She stayed at the vet's office one whole day receiving just a little amt of IV fluid. At the end of the day I went to pick her up and she was obviously much worse. The vet's attitude was to euthanize. I nearly died and asked her to give me her records and we'd go to the vet school about 2 hrs, away. Vet didn't suggest it, I did. After 6 days in ICU, my dog made it and so far is OK. Yes, I am an ER nurse, but the vet should have mentioned specialized care instead of me having to bring it up. I am a "mommy"; at the time, I wasn't thinking clearly but fortunately I snapped out of my shock and began some critical thinking and pushing for specialized care.
Carol Ickes - 10 years ago
First time my dane had twisted gut and the vet thought it was just an upset stomach. I asked for x-rays that confirmed the twist. He was ok. Another time, vet told me he had hip problems and I had seen Wobblers in horses and thought that is what he had. He did. Had surgery for that too...My vet told me our dog couldn't have distemper because he had had a shot within the 7 year period, but he did have it and went for treatement at a Distemper Clinic after my vet said there was no treadment. He was treated and fully recovered after 2 months at home....(these were different vets) Mountain View Vet Clinic in VA treats Distemper...Not all make it, but lots do and ours got into a trial so it was not expensive... My horse foundered and everyone said to put him down. My vet treated him and he lived a happy life for 3 more years till he was in his 30s..
Anita Helbig - 10 years ago
During the annual check up the vet found a grass seed deep in my beagles ear. She's 12 years old but i had to take the risk with the anesthetic as there was no other way to remove it. When they gave her back to me they said the all they removed was some hairs that were growing in there. I was pretty hopping mad at having to put her through that for no reason and having to pay for the operation.
Colleen Smith - 10 years ago
My cat was at the vet's for an operation and after two weeks at the vet; I received a phone call that she was better and to come and pick her up (and pay the bill). She barely lasted to dark when she died. I have since heard many bad stories about that particular vet and the things he does. Not many animals come out alive and well.
Lucy - 10 years ago
About 12 years ago, I had a horse who had several bouts of colic. The local vet and I agreed he should go to a clinic I had been to several times before. The more experienced vets were out and I told the young vet who was there I suspected the horse was trying to founder. She disagreed, said it was just colic, kept him overnight and sent him home. The next day, he foundered. My local vet came out and got him stabilized and we took him back up to the hospital for tests. It was Cushings.
The vet was young, and was apologetic. As she gained experience, she became an excellent vet. The horse was sound with corrective shoeing and went on pergolide, which kept him going for a year-and-a-half. Losing that horse was a tragedy as he was still far too young. I get sad when I think about him. Her mistake however, did not contribute to his early death.
maria h - 10 years ago
My 13-year-old dog was diagnosed with liver problems due to low liver values. They ultrasounded her and told me that she needed a liver biopsy to find out exactly what was going on. Estimate $1000.00. I decided to get another opinion before putting her through that. The second vet did abdominal x-rays and found multiple tumors the size of golf balls. I know - I saw the x-rays. So how did the first vet miss the tumors? I had her PTS at that time as there was nothing more to do. The second vet has continued to provide stellar diagnostics on subsequent dogs. I no longer use the original vet and have discovered that others have had similar issues with that vet. We have to be our own advocates and if something doesn't feel right, it might not be.
M. O'Donnell - 10 years ago
My Scottish Terrier was diagnosed with Transitional Cell Carcinoma in 2012. Initially, the vet insisted it was a UTI and wanted to order a 2nd round of antibiotics. Scotties are 20X more likely to get this cancer than other breeds so I asked for an ultrasound. TCC was confirmed by an oncologist who recommended chemo. I declined and just kept her on the least toxic meds, home-cooked food, supplements to support her immune system, lots of walks, playtime and love.
About a week before she passed, my dog began having trouble with her left leg (pain, unable to put full weight on the leg) and the vet said it was likely pain from arthritis and suggested cold laser treatments. Intuition told me it was the tumor pressing on a nerve in her lower back. I just wanted her to get relief from the pain so I agreed to the laser treatments and kept her on the pain meds. By the 2nd treatment, the vet now felt the pain was most likely due to the tumor and she was now approaching the end. At least we both agreed on that. My sweet girl was put to sleep at home almost 2 years after her first symptoms.
Know your breed, do the research and trust your "mommy' intuition.
Marian - 10 years ago
For two years, my Shepherd Mix was passing out and seizing. in About an hour, he was O.K. again. This happened about six times in two years. One day, it happened, and he wouldn't come out of the seizures. He started to, but immediately went back to seizing. We took him to the Vet, who told me he was having Heart Attacks!!! I had told her in the past about his seizures lasting an hour, and she said nothing. When he had the Heart Attacks (six of them, one right after another), the Vet told me, when I reminded her about telling her in the past about this, she told me that Seizures only last about fifteen minutes, not an hour!! She never once said he should be tested and examined!! Needless, to say, I had to put him to sleep at that time. He was only 9-1/2 yrs. old, and a devoted pet, to me, especially!! I still miss him, dearly!
Jackie N - 10 years ago
We had a Bernese Mountain dog that had a fatty tumor removed, I ask the vet to do a CBC panel due to the fact that this breed may have wlliebrand's ( bleeding disorder) and she told me she did and that there was a very small chance of the dog bleeding out. She called to say he made it through surgery and I could come see him, when I called the office the vet tech said she would go check on him and call me back, a half hour later the vet called my husband to say they were losing him, he was bleeding out. We went there and the vet clinic was packed with clients. I asked for my dogs records including CBC/blood Panel and Pathology report, they said they would send it to me, never received it. Obviously I never went to that clinic again, please ask to see health reports before going in for surgeries if you feel uneasy about it. Also they said they had given him tylenol for the pain on our bill?
D fata - 10 years ago
I had a gds that died from a pulmonary Bula. The vet said she had a uterus infection and they had to to a hysterectomy to save her. They had a lot of difficulty with putting her to sleep for the surgery . I said it was her lungs before her scheduled surgery. They did the surgery and three days later she had to be put to down because air was escaping from her lungs. $4,500 later . I could put my ear to her chest and hear the air. I now research the Webb before I go to any vet. I have had a lot of gsd's in the last ten years. (Breeding) I now have a female that takes thyroid pills everyday and I have to manage her allergies also. I do most of this on my own. ....know your breed ,do a lot of research on your breed and choose a vet that's is open to educate you with your pet .
Sue Middleton - 10 years ago
I have been involved with the veterinary medical community for many years through Pet Plan Insurance. I can honestly say that all the veterinarians I have come into contact with not only want, but encourage pet owners to ask questions. Sometimes people choose not to.
Jeanette Pickard - 10 years ago
Our Airedale was misdiagnosed by our 'previous' vet whom we trusted completely. He refused to eat a piece of turkey after Thanksgiving . Next day right to vets for tests. Red cell count was 'down' .. then an X Ray of Spleen. All 'seemed' well and was then put on prednisone and treated for Auto Immune. 2 wks later he was rushed to ER vet when he collapsed .. he was bleeding out .. Hemangiosarcoma. Surgery .. transfusions .. and thousands of dollars later we lost him just the same. We later learned had there been an 'Ultra Sound" weeks earlier instead of just an X ray he 'may'' have been saved. We'll never know .. but I wish that one more step had been taken. He was only 8 and my 'heart dog'. I called the previous vet and spoke to receptionist and explained 'WHY" we were leaving the practice. She said the Vet/Dr would positively call me back. We NEVER heard a word from her . DONE !
Iris Menachem - 10 years ago
I still haven't received a dx on my GSD's problem. But she's been given 4 different antibiotics in the space of 6 weeks for facial paralysis against my better judgement. Why do vets prescribe drugs when they don't know what the problem is.
I have a 0 year old pug with allergies. For several years the vet was giving him steroid shots every month for his allergies, never di blood work or anything else. He got very sick over the week end and so we ere at the vet's office at 8am Monday morning to find a note on the door that they were going to be closed that day so we took him to another vet farther away from home, the first thing he did was blood work, his sugar came back at 490. He spent 2 days in the hospital and is now on a special prescription dog food and takes insulin shots twice a day. When I told this vet about his allergies and asked for a shot he asked me if he had been getting the shots on a regular basis, when I told him that he got them every month he said that was probably what gave him diabetes. I had no idea that steroids could do that, I had trusted the other vet to do what was best for him. I am so glad the old vet was closed because I might not have found out until it was to late, if he had given him another shot it could have killed him. He has regular blood work done now and is doing fine. I do have to wonder though, why can I go into a pharmacy and buy his insulin without a prescription but I have to have a prescription for his dog food? I have heard of people dying from insulin over dose but never from dog food over dose. In my mind there is something wrong with this picture.
While I know from experience that the majority of veterinarians and educated, caring people, there are some that have egos that get in their way. I had a 10 pound 16 yo. mixed breed who was dying of kidney failure. I took him to the vet who had recently purchased my previous vet's practice and told him my little guy did not like to be handled by strangers and would not take the shot to be put down without a fight. I asked him to give the little guy a shot of tranquilizer first. He said that would sting more than the shot to end his life. I should have insisted or gone somewhere else but in the emotion of the moment I let him proceed. Needless to say, my dog fought the shot, the vet missed the vein and only a small amount went into him, he had to leave the room to get another shot, meanwhile my dog howled in fear or pain or both and it was all the vet tech and I could do to hold the little guy on the table. The vet came back and put him down. The tech and I were crying so hard she told me to go out the back way and there would be no charge. The veterinarian did not say a word nor did he ever contact me. Lesson learned, when you know you are right about the care for your animal, INSIST on it or go somewhere else.
My Lab mix woke me @ 4am with pacing and seemed to be uncomfortable. Called vet @ 8am for apt at 2pm. She started vomiting @ around noon. When she arrived @ vet she was able to walk I. She was breathing heavier by this time and her heart beating fast. He looked at her and ask me if she had any trouble getting up. She was 7 1/2 yrs old so I replied that she probably has slowed down some. He gave her a shot for muscle soreness and she needed a little assistance to return to car 30 mins later. By 8pm she was dead. No x-rays were taken when I suggested them. I just could not return. I failed big time in being aggressive for my lab when I knew she was not getting the proper care she needed at the time. I established a schedule for my other dog with another vet. We discussed my Labs situation and she said it sounded like maybe Bloat. I think about her all the time and have promised myself that I will never let that happen again.
I took my female in for what I thought was a routine spay but our nightmare was just starting! After dropping her off we got a call saying to pick her up about 5. The first thing that struck me as very odd was she was carried out by 1member of the staff her back to his chest and all of her legs were extended out. She was put in the car and had to be carried in the house. About 30 min went by and she threw up something that looked like chocolate syrup. 20 min later she did it again. Off to emergency vet hospital. It took the staff no loAnger than 20-30 min to show us what was wrong. Our baby girl was bleeding internally! It was $4,000.00 to save her life!! She had numerous blood transfusions to bring up her blood count and they had to wrap her belly nice and tight to stop the bleeding. Needless to say the next morning I was on the phone with this animal hospital letting them know what they had done, they refused to help or refund the 4G's it took to save her life! Upon further research I learned how they incorrectly kept records during her surgery! I requested a copy of her file they refused so I sued the vet and won!! Never again will this happen to any of my dog's. She made it thru her near death experience and lived the rest of her life knowing we played attention to her call for help. This vet did not tie her off properly causing the ligature to fail causing her to almost bleed to death!! Watch for the signs your furbaby is telling you because it can make a difference between life or death.
We adopted a stray. Shortly after New Years 4 years ago, he started limping. I took him to our vet and he said he could find nothing wrong. Still not better, ditto; and ditto again. I took him on a Friday and he was getting worse, they sent me hnme with an antibiotic; that night, I could tell he was dying, so I rushed him to the ER. They took an xray and found an air rifle pellet lodged in his pleural cavity. They pulled out 150cc of awful pussy blood and he began to perk up. With surgery about a 50/50 chance,; we took the chance. Over his stay, with levages, they pulled out around 500 cc of bloody gack. $4300 and 10 days in kitty ICU and 30 days more on antibiotics and Four years later, he's just fine. Pellet still there.
On behalf of my vet, we live in a neighborhood where shooting guns is not done! I never saw any blood or tenderness to the area of the ouncture. We figured it was a kid who got an air rifle for Xmas and was shooting at stuff that moved.
DIFFERENT CAR, OPPOSITE SITUATION. Took cat to the ER, couldn't find anything, except anemia, took him to my vet on Monday who felt 3 kidneys. Xrays showed tumor on the stomach. Kept on paliative care, I gave hypoclysis at home
Can't fault either, but like with people Drs, to get the best care, you gotta be proactive
I had 2 assist dogs. The first girl died because of misdiagnosis. By the time another vet told me what HAD actually been going on I had 2 weeks left (after 14 yrs!). My 2nd girl died from seizures ( they went from petite to grand mal ( I treated her like a person (I'm an EMT) and my vet said what I did was very correct. I'm on oxygen (that's what I gave her) and when she came to I gave her a 5mg Valium. Apparently, she had a brain tumor. I got her from a no-kill shelter and she was only 7 yrs old (choco lab). My vet in that case was the BEST!!! She's in Linden, MI (Companion Animal Vet Hosp). But, it was too late and she died in 6 weeks. After going through these "learning experiences" between the 2 dogs I could be a vet!! I've been allowed in surgeries (which helped immensnly!!). But, when in doubt, at least get a 2nd opinion. Its better than finding out the hard way!! Just before my last girl died I had even taken her to MI ST University, thinking they could help. Between them and the vet that day I spent well over $1000!! They did nothing for her except watch her. They even wanted to do brain surgery! That's when I stopped everything and said no!! Its hard on ppl for brain surgery - and how would I know how things would turn out? Your pets/friends ARE NOT EXPERIMENTS!! do the best you can and pray.
I have some experience with mycology and medications. One of my dogs had a skin infection which looked to me to be a dermatophyte. The vet did not culture or examine under a microscope but gave me a medication for a yeast type fungus. After 5 days treatment with no results I called the vet and he preprescribed an appropriate medication. The second incident involves a pyoderma as secondary to an allergy. The second opinion provided a complete therapy regimen including baths, anti-histamine and, if necessary, ant-biotics. This was a well spent $125 for the veterinary dermatologist.
My 5 1/2 yr old rottie had hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and pancreatitis last fall. She stayed at the vet's office one whole day receiving just a little amt of IV fluid. At the end of the day I went to pick her up and she was obviously much worse. The vet's attitude was to euthanize. I nearly died and asked her to give me her records and we'd go to the vet school about 2 hrs, away. Vet didn't suggest it, I did. After 6 days in ICU, my dog made it and so far is OK. Yes, I am an ER nurse, but the vet should have mentioned specialized care instead of me having to bring it up. I am a "mommy"; at the time, I wasn't thinking clearly but fortunately I snapped out of my shock and began some critical thinking and pushing for specialized care.
First time my dane had twisted gut and the vet thought it was just an upset stomach. I asked for x-rays that confirmed the twist. He was ok. Another time, vet told me he had hip problems and I had seen Wobblers in horses and thought that is what he had. He did. Had surgery for that too...My vet told me our dog couldn't have distemper because he had had a shot within the 7 year period, but he did have it and went for treatement at a Distemper Clinic after my vet said there was no treadment. He was treated and fully recovered after 2 months at home....(these were different vets) Mountain View Vet Clinic in VA treats Distemper...Not all make it, but lots do and ours got into a trial so it was not expensive... My horse foundered and everyone said to put him down. My vet treated him and he lived a happy life for 3 more years till he was in his 30s..
During the annual check up the vet found a grass seed deep in my beagles ear. She's 12 years old but i had to take the risk with the anesthetic as there was no other way to remove it. When they gave her back to me they said the all they removed was some hairs that were growing in there. I was pretty hopping mad at having to put her through that for no reason and having to pay for the operation.
My cat was at the vet's for an operation and after two weeks at the vet; I received a phone call that she was better and to come and pick her up (and pay the bill). She barely lasted to dark when she died. I have since heard many bad stories about that particular vet and the things he does. Not many animals come out alive and well.
About 12 years ago, I had a horse who had several bouts of colic. The local vet and I agreed he should go to a clinic I had been to several times before. The more experienced vets were out and I told the young vet who was there I suspected the horse was trying to founder. She disagreed, said it was just colic, kept him overnight and sent him home. The next day, he foundered. My local vet came out and got him stabilized and we took him back up to the hospital for tests. It was Cushings.
The vet was young, and was apologetic. As she gained experience, she became an excellent vet. The horse was sound with corrective shoeing and went on pergolide, which kept him going for a year-and-a-half. Losing that horse was a tragedy as he was still far too young. I get sad when I think about him. Her mistake however, did not contribute to his early death.
My 13-year-old dog was diagnosed with liver problems due to low liver values. They ultrasounded her and told me that she needed a liver biopsy to find out exactly what was going on. Estimate $1000.00. I decided to get another opinion before putting her through that. The second vet did abdominal x-rays and found multiple tumors the size of golf balls. I know - I saw the x-rays. So how did the first vet miss the tumors? I had her PTS at that time as there was nothing more to do. The second vet has continued to provide stellar diagnostics on subsequent dogs. I no longer use the original vet and have discovered that others have had similar issues with that vet. We have to be our own advocates and if something doesn't feel right, it might not be.
My Scottish Terrier was diagnosed with Transitional Cell Carcinoma in 2012. Initially, the vet insisted it was a UTI and wanted to order a 2nd round of antibiotics. Scotties are 20X more likely to get this cancer than other breeds so I asked for an ultrasound. TCC was confirmed by an oncologist who recommended chemo. I declined and just kept her on the least toxic meds, home-cooked food, supplements to support her immune system, lots of walks, playtime and love.
About a week before she passed, my dog began having trouble with her left leg (pain, unable to put full weight on the leg) and the vet said it was likely pain from arthritis and suggested cold laser treatments. Intuition told me it was the tumor pressing on a nerve in her lower back. I just wanted her to get relief from the pain so I agreed to the laser treatments and kept her on the pain meds. By the 2nd treatment, the vet now felt the pain was most likely due to the tumor and she was now approaching the end. At least we both agreed on that. My sweet girl was put to sleep at home almost 2 years after her first symptoms.
Know your breed, do the research and trust your "mommy' intuition.
For two years, my Shepherd Mix was passing out and seizing. in About an hour, he was O.K. again. This happened about six times in two years. One day, it happened, and he wouldn't come out of the seizures. He started to, but immediately went back to seizing. We took him to the Vet, who told me he was having Heart Attacks!!! I had told her in the past about his seizures lasting an hour, and she said nothing. When he had the Heart Attacks (six of them, one right after another), the Vet told me, when I reminded her about telling her in the past about this, she told me that Seizures only last about fifteen minutes, not an hour!! She never once said he should be tested and examined!! Needless, to say, I had to put him to sleep at that time. He was only 9-1/2 yrs. old, and a devoted pet, to me, especially!! I still miss him, dearly!
We had a Bernese Mountain dog that had a fatty tumor removed, I ask the vet to do a CBC panel due to the fact that this breed may have wlliebrand's ( bleeding disorder) and she told me she did and that there was a very small chance of the dog bleeding out. She called to say he made it through surgery and I could come see him, when I called the office the vet tech said she would go check on him and call me back, a half hour later the vet called my husband to say they were losing him, he was bleeding out. We went there and the vet clinic was packed with clients. I asked for my dogs records including CBC/blood Panel and Pathology report, they said they would send it to me, never received it. Obviously I never went to that clinic again, please ask to see health reports before going in for surgeries if you feel uneasy about it. Also they said they had given him tylenol for the pain on our bill?
I had a gds that died from a pulmonary Bula. The vet said she had a uterus infection and they had to to a hysterectomy to save her. They had a lot of difficulty with putting her to sleep for the surgery . I said it was her lungs before her scheduled surgery. They did the surgery and three days later she had to be put to down because air was escaping from her lungs. $4,500 later . I could put my ear to her chest and hear the air. I now research the Webb before I go to any vet. I have had a lot of gsd's in the last ten years. (Breeding) I now have a female that takes thyroid pills everyday and I have to manage her allergies also. I do most of this on my own. ....know your breed ,do a lot of research on your breed and choose a vet that's is open to educate you with your pet .
I have been involved with the veterinary medical community for many years through Pet Plan Insurance. I can honestly say that all the veterinarians I have come into contact with not only want, but encourage pet owners to ask questions. Sometimes people choose not to.
Our Airedale was misdiagnosed by our 'previous' vet whom we trusted completely. He refused to eat a piece of turkey after Thanksgiving . Next day right to vets for tests. Red cell count was 'down' .. then an X Ray of Spleen. All 'seemed' well and was then put on prednisone and treated for Auto Immune. 2 wks later he was rushed to ER vet when he collapsed .. he was bleeding out .. Hemangiosarcoma. Surgery .. transfusions .. and thousands of dollars later we lost him just the same. We later learned had there been an 'Ultra Sound" weeks earlier instead of just an X ray he 'may'' have been saved. We'll never know .. but I wish that one more step had been taken. He was only 8 and my 'heart dog'. I called the previous vet and spoke to receptionist and explained 'WHY" we were leaving the practice. She said the Vet/Dr would positively call me back. We NEVER heard a word from her . DONE !
I still haven't received a dx on my GSD's problem. But she's been given 4 different antibiotics in the space of 6 weeks for facial paralysis against my better judgement. Why do vets prescribe drugs when they don't know what the problem is.