I need some vet advice..should I switch vets?

Can you call the spay/neuter vet who you do like and ask her if, since she's not a full service vet, she could recommend someone?

I've switched doctors already because I don't like how they treat me, and I didn't like the vet I took Genever to for her initial exam when I adopted her, so I switched vets after that too. I refuse to pay big bucks to people I don't like, whether it's because of their personality or their treatment ideas.

Good luck, in any case!

Talk to your vet. Give him a chance as a person instead of assuming how he will be. Lots of people have their own, maybe old fashioned, views on things but they're willing to work with someone provided that it's not causing harm.

I know mine has his own opinions on things, but he's not pushy - a couple of his vet techs and assistants are, though. In most situations, though, he likes to play it safe, which doesn't bother me.

My vet sells junky foods (SD), too, but he by no means thinks its the best food for every cat and dog. And he actually suggests wet food, too.

I did try switching to another vet a few years ago due to how she's more for TNR and the community. She's a good vet but I had some major issues that jumped out at me. She's very pro-declaw, her own office cats are declawed. Her ragdoll had mats! (albeit a couple small ones under his front legs) And she had a drastically overweight cat with very dry skin and fur - suggesting a food problem. The ragdoll had dry skin, too, and felt a tad rough. When Tomas was having food issues she suggested it could be chicken, but then suggested I try a purina sensitive stomach formula with chicken and corn (lots of corn..) for both Sho and Tomas - despite Sho's corn issue.
Current vet is only concerned that the cats are eating a food that doesn't make them sick, not the brand.


What's most important is if Jake were to need to go in today for a UTI, URI, or another illness - do you feel that your current vet would provide the best care he could for your cat?

It sounds like you have a good overall relationship with your vet, so I wouldn't be worried about asking questions. I do it all the time for my animals! Right now I go to a feline only practice for my 2 cats and they are great. They get the 1 year Purevax rabies shot and 3 year distemper. When I took them in for exams last month the vet gave the distemper vaccine via nose drops...no needle. As others have said, you're in the driver's seat. Rabies is the only shot required by law, so anything else is your decision. If you do question your vet and find that he gets snippy or easily offended, then yes, I'd say without a doubt you should start looking for a new one. It's very important to find a vet who you feel comfortable talking to, especially during times of illness. My vets are very respectful and try to be as accommodating as possible when responding to my questions and concerns. One of my cats was ill over the summer and I was so grateful that I had found a practice that was so caring towards both me and my pets. I only wish that I could take my dog there as well! I'm still searching for the right place for him. Anyway, good luck!

Most vets are not nutritionists. And don't all keep current on nutrition practices and advances. Feeding wet food is common sense when it is explained right, think about all the cats you could help if your vet is open to your research and new ideas.
You could help a lot of cats and cat owners, good luck! It isn't bad to talk to your vet, he needs people to talk to him
Poor nutrition and over vaccination may bring the practice more money, but that doesn't mean it it is the best thing for pets. And especially not your personal pets. You don't have to do what the vet recommends, your pet's health is your responsibility, you are their advocates.
I go to a holistic vet www.holisticvetlist.com because I don't believe in over vaccination and poor nutrition either

I called my vet today to make an appointment, and they told me since Jake had his last rabies shot in April, he is due in April, even though he didn't have a check up when he had that rabies shot and he didn't have anything else besides rabies- he had his last distemper combo last December..
So, I guess I have to wait until April...I'm a little worried cuz it will be over a year, I thought they are supposed to get another distemper combo shot when they turn 1 since when they are babies their immune system isn't fully developed...But I guess I should just trust my vet on that one.
Does anyone know if vets routinely do blood work every year?

Originally Posted by ut0pia

When I got Jake, I took him to a vet in my area, and he was really great in terms of how affectionate he was with Jake and the prices were not extremely high, I found the office to be clean, everything new and in a good condition, and it didn't look like anything was being sacrificed to bring prices down. Then, some of the negative aspects were the fact that he recommended that I feed Jake dry food only, and the fact that he is wayy too strict on vaccination schedule: he wants Jake to get shots every single year, while from what I've read it is better to do them every three years while still doing a yearly physical exam..

My question is, should I look for a different vet, even though the price may be much higher?? I feel like I can't bring up things like when shots should be done and what kind of food to feed because the vet will think I'm undermining his qualifications and his years of education..He really is very instructive when he talks about when I should come back, he says "he is due back next year for his boosters" ...I feel like he doesn't leave it up for discussion at all..At the same time, I really like this vet..I don't know what to do. What would you do in my situation?

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I haven't read the whole discussion, I am responding to the original post.

If you cannot talk to the vet, if you feel uncomfortable asking questions of this vet, then yes, you need another vet. You have every right to state your opinions and ask the vet to explain his choices in your cat's care.

You and your vet should be a team in your cat's healthcare. You need a vet you feel comfortable talking with, a vet who is open to new ideas, a vet who will take the time to let you ask your questions, and to make sure you understand the answers.

You said you like the vet but are afraid to ask questions, for fear you will undermine his qualifications? If a vet can't handle questions from his clients, then he is to be avoided! That's no good, no good at all. I suggest you start asking questions. Perhaps he will surprise you and turn out to be open minded and willing to discuss.

If you get brushed off by all means, start shopping around. It took me 7 years and 4 practices before I found the practice I am with now, and I tried each vet in turn (6 vets in the practice), before I settled on the vet I have been using for the past 5 years now.

Originally Posted by ut0pia

I called my vet today to make an appointment, and they told me since Jake had his last rabies shot in April, he is due in April, even though he didn't have a check up when he had that rabies shot and he didn't have anything else besides rabies- he had his last distemper combo last December..
So, I guess I have to wait until April...I'm a little worried cuz it will be over a year, I thought they are supposed to get another distemper combo shot when they turn 1 since when they are babies their immune system isn't fully developed...But I guess I should just trust my vet on that one.
Does anyone know if vets routinely do blood work every year?

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Vets are human and make mistakes. There isn't anything wrong with questioning a vet's decision. You have a right to know why a vet chooses any course of action with your cat. You should not have to worry about whether your vet is making the right choice, instead you need to feel comfortable communicating your concern, and getting answers..

I think if you have doubts you should speak up and say so. If you want your cat to have a check up who are "they" to tell you no? Who told you you can't bring him in until April, a receptionist? Receptionists do not always have accurate information and should not be giving their opinions to clients on the phone.

And yes, the three year distemper is not given until after one year of age, so needs that.

Sounds like they aren't used to clients being proactive in their pets health care.

I don't like the way you are feeling intimidated by the people in this practice. I strongly suggest you either find a new practice, or work on being more assertive in this one. If being more assertive gets you nowhere, then, look elsewhere for vet care.

No, blood work is not routine.

I take my cats in for well visits every six months. When they turn ten, I begin getting blood work annually. When they turn 13 I get blood work every 6 months.

Originally Posted by LDG

..perfect. And add... Telling him you'd prefer to buy it from him - can he provide it for the same price you can purchase it online. ? Obviously you understand if he can't, so you hope he understands the budget problem....

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My vet practice undersells on line suppliers by $5 (They check prices on line every day. Because they want their clients to buy from the clinic, because that is the only way to ensure you are getting what you pay for.

Online places like petmeds.com are selling bootleg, and the product will not be guaranteed by the manufacturer. Flea products should always be bought from your vet.

Originally Posted by ut0pia

Thanks, I will follow that advice and write things down!! That will help in another way too, because last time he asked if I had any questions and I was kinda blank even though I was thinking about asking stuff beforehand..He even looked at me like "i know you have questions" and paused for me to think of stuff...
Anyway, I guess I'm a little confused about how much of it is my decision, and how much would make it seem like I'm disrespecting his education...But I see now that it's normal to have my opinion about shots..

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I never walk into my vet clinic without my notebook and pen in hand with: any questions I may have, or things I have heard about I want to ask my vet's opinions on, and so that I can write down anything she says that I may need to remember later. I'd be lost without that notebook!

Originally Posted by otto

Vets are human and make mistakes. There isn't anything wrong with questioning a vet's decision. You have a right to know why a vet chooses any course of action with your cat. You should not have to worry about whether your vet is making the right choice, instead you need to feel comfortable communicating your concern, and getting answers..

I think if you have doubts you should speak up and say so. If you want your cat to have a check up who are "they" to tell you no? Who told you you can't bring him in until April, a receptionist? Receptionists do not always have accurate information and should not be giving their opinions to clients on the phone.

And yes, the three year distemper is not given until after one year of age, so needs that.

Sounds like they aren't used to clients being proactive in their pets health care.

I don't like the way you are feeling intimidated by the people in this practice. I strongly suggest you either find a new practice, or work on being more assertive in this one. If being more assertive gets you nowhere, then, look elsewhere for vet care.

No, blood work is not routine.

I take my cats in for well visits every six months. When they turn ten, I begin getting blood work annually. When they turn 13 I get blood work every 6 months.

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It is kinda complicated but I will explain the whole situation. He got his two sets of FVRCP kitten shots, although the vet in question here recommended three, I took him to another vet, the one vet who neutered him, and she said two sets of FVRCP is okay for an indoor cat, he doesn't need more. From the research I'd done online I agreed with that. So, he's only had two sets of shots of FVRCP last one was done at 12 weeks. He is 1 now, but since he had his rabies shot in April they are saying I should wait until April to get the FVRCP booster too. Of course, I could ask to take him in for a check up but he isn't sick, so I don't see any reason to do that unless it's the recommended routine procedure. What do you guys think is it okay to wait a whole 4 months before he gets another booster of FVRCP even though he's already 1? I am sure I could ask to get it now and then get the rabies in April separately, but then I'd have to do that every single year from now on, and his vaccine schedule would be all messed up.

I am huge on good nutrition and do not support over vaccination. I also go out of my way to go the my current vet, I have been very picky and choosy.
However, I am also huge on yearly blood work. It is super simple and has the ability to save cats and treat major illnesses early rather than too late once they start showing a bunch of symptoms. I think yearly blood work has an important place in yearly preventative care.
You might be interested in this book: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Dr-...health+dog+cat

Originally Posted by ut0pia

I am sure I could ask to get it now and then get the rabies in April separately, but then I'd have to do that every single year from now on, and his vaccine schedule would be all messed up.

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rabies should only be every three years after this next rabies vaccine.
I am not so sure he needs the combo vaccine every single year of his life from now on either. It won't hurt to get other opinions and keep researching. There is a yahoo group on vaccines for pets you might like joining. You might be interested in learning more vaccines. I posted a link for you written by a veterinarian that I found interesting above. You could always consult with a holistic vet as well www.holisticvetlist.com. Or call some practices and ask their recommended vaccine schedule.

Originally Posted by cococat

rabies should only be every three years after this next rabies vaccine.
I am not so sure he needs the combo vaccine every single year of his life from now on either. It won't hurt to get other opinions and keep researching. There is a yahoo group on vaccines for pets you might like joining. You might be interested in learning more vaccines. I posted a link for you written by a veterinarian that I found interesting above. You could always consult with a holistic vet as well www.holisticvetlist.com. Or call some practices and ask their recommended vaccine schedule.

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The PureVax rabies vaccine is an annual vaccine. Most vets use this now because it does not cause vaccine site sarcomas. But it is an annual vaccine, and many places have laws about it. For good reason.

Regardless of how I personally feel about vaccinations, I would not want my cat to not be current, legally, on the rabies vaccine, just in case, heaven forbid, there was an emergency where I had to get my cat seen immediately and the treatment center or vet required proof of rabies vaccine prior to treatment.

I am big on not overvaccinating too, it makes me really mad to think that there is a possibility that the guidelines for vaccines could be influenced by a motivation to have more sales of the vaccines, rather than what is best for animals..I have been reading about vaccines and have found that there is all kinds of conflicting information out there..
But, Jake will be current on rabies until April, just not on the distemper combo. I'd be fine if this was when he's 2 or older (holistic vets recommend doing the distemper combo at 1 and then never again, they say it gives them immunity for their entire lifetime), but he is 1 now and the last time he had a distemper combo was at 12 weeks, when his immune system wasn't fully developed, so he still doesn't have full immunity to it. I could be wrong but this is what I was reading, but then again the stuff we all read online isn't always reliable information, soo it could be just crazy talk!!! Which is exactly why I'm thinking "well if the vet's office say so, they are more educated- it should be okay"..
And yea I am too scared not to keep him legal on rabies too, because I've heard of cats being put down by animal control just because they bit someone, and all bites are required to be reported to animal control.

Originally Posted by otto

The PureVax rabies vaccine is an annual vaccine. Most vets use this now because it does not cause vaccine site sarcomas. But it is an annual vaccine, and many places have laws about it. For good reason.

Regardless of how I personally feel about vaccinations, I would not want my cat to not be current, legally, on the rabies vaccine, just in case, heaven forbid, there was an emergency where I had to get my cat seen immediately and the treatment center or vet required proof of rabies vaccine prior to treatment.

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Many states have moved to three years rabies as law. That means pets with the three years rabies are current and safe. http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/
Did you know the 1 year the 3 year rabies vaccine at many clinics are the EXACT same vaccine. But the "three" year can't be given until they have already had one vaccine for "one" year.

The purevax annual rabies vaccine contains no adjuvant.

The three year vaccine does contain an adjuvant.

The adjuvant is what boosts the vaccine to last longer, and is also thought to possibly be what causes vaccine site sarcomas. The three year vaccine has been around a long time. Until the Purevax came out, all my cats had always received the three year vaccine. The annual Purevax is relatively new.

Since rabies is an issue where I live, I will continue to keep my indoor cats protected (and legal) with the annual Purevax vaccine.

Originally Posted by otto

The purevax annual rabies vaccine contains no adjuvant.

The three year vaccine does contain an adjuvant.

The adjuvant is what boosts the vaccine to last longer, and is also thought to possibly be what causes vaccine site sarcomas. The three year vaccine has been around a long time.

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Actually, not many places have always had three year vaccine policies that are legal. Only very recently have many states changed to three year.
One would think an animal living 15 years would have a lot more damage getting rabies every single year, like us getting a polio shot every year, it just doesn't make common sense. Over vaccination can cause many things, from skin problems to more serious issues.
In the end, it is reasonable to research and not blindly follow what "whichever" vet you happen to randomly choose tells you. It is in our hands as pet owners to keep our pets healthy and safe, and actually research and take an active role in their health care.

If you feel like your vet is being a bit pushy about things then talk to him about it, if he tries to end the conversation on HIS note and you don't feel satisified then jump in and say what you need to say. If at the end of the day you don't feel like he's giving you the time and attention you deserve then maybe it's time to start looking for another vet who will. I know prices and stuff are great but for me it's "bedside" manner that I look for. If I can't talk to you about things concerning me and have you listen then I wont work with you at all. I LOVE my vet because he works with me. Scarlett (our mini BT) was due for shots in July but I couldn't because of the cost we spent (we have an alloted amount for the animals yearly vet needs) having Sasha (our pit) having a biopsy done and the vet said it was fine and to just come in whenever we could afford to, didn't give me any slack about it either. Good luck!

Originally Posted by cococat

Actually, not many places have always had three year vaccine policies that are legal. Only very recently have many states changed to three year.

One would think an animal living 15 years would have a lot more damage getting rabies every single year, like us getting a polio shot every year, it just doesn't make common sense. Over vaccination can cause many things, from skin problems to more serious issues.
In the end, it is reasonable to research and not blindly follow what "whichever" vet you happen to randomly choose tells you. It is in our hands as pet owners to keep our pets healthy and safe, and actually research and take an active role in their health care.

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I don't blindly follow my vet. Nor did I randomly chose the vet I take my cats to. Be careful what you say, your personal remarks are out of line.

I believe this thread was, originally, on or at least around the topic of questioning vets , and I already posted how I found my vet, my way of working with my vet, and my opinions about being proactive in my cats health care.

My vet and I work as I team. My cats live in general to be 18-21 years old, and they get regular vaccinations as I and my vet, as a team, believe they need.

I know there are a lot of alarmists out there and I know what they say about the evil of vaccinations. I know there are extremes on the other side too, that go over board with vaccinations. I do my own research, form my own opinions, talk things over with the vet it took me 7 years to find, and am satisfied that my cats are getting the best health care I can offer them.

Three yr protocals have been in place for over a decade in many places ... see it is the vets who often do not update their thinking ... I have lived in rural areas and three yr has been the norm since around 1999