Is my vet taking the pee!
- Thread starter Sprayer 1
- Start date
I had a whippet. A beautiful, psychopath. Fancy pedigree, mother won at crufts. Hard as they come and fast as a missile. She was about the size of a big jack hare but would catch all sorts. Hit 2yrs old, came in season and I was going to breed a litter off her. The Foster kids decided to go f**king about on their bikes in the dark late at night and she ran after them and they ran her over and snapped her leg off at the shoulder. £300 for the emergency pain relief, sedation etc. They were going to charge me over £1000 to cut her leg off and more to try and fix it. To me the choice was straight forward. She wouldn't have coped with cage rest and being locked up for 6 weeks and I couldn't afford that sort of money so so she was put down. I'm a cold hard barsteward but that made me cry.
- Location
- Cornwall
Same here, 9 year old terrier, £500 for x-ray, plus £3000-£4500 for CCL repair surgery, she's got no insurance either (looked into it years ago, would have cost a fortune). Just can't merit that sort of money, she's got metacam and a balto leg brace and see how it goes.
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
I don't really understand the need to rush to the vet for the slightest thing, which is what pet owners will usually do. I am as soft with my animals as anyone but time will cure a lot of problems and it's usually obvious to anyone used to stock whether they are improving or getting worse in a couple of days.
For open wounds I always kept some surgical needles and suture in the medicine cupboard. Vet advice was that saline solution or honey are excellent antibiotics. Working dogs are very tough and if they trust you, they will tolerate suturing without an anaesthetic. I've watched enough operations to make a good job of my needle work. A simple fracture is often easy enough to splint and you can buy plaster of Paris at the pharmacy. Though I suppose in this nanny state, you'd be prosecuted for "not seeking immediate veterinary attention", as if vets were the only people wth common sense and stockmanship.
For open wounds I always kept some surgical needles and suture in the medicine cupboard. Vet advice was that saline solution or honey are excellent antibiotics. Working dogs are very tough and if they trust you, they will tolerate suturing without an anaesthetic. I've watched enough operations to make a good job of my needle work. A simple fracture is often easy enough to splint and you can buy plaster of Paris at the pharmacy. Though I suppose in this nanny state, you'd be prosecuted for "not seeking immediate veterinary attention", as if vets were the only people wth common sense and stockmanship.
- Location
- Cornwall
My wife was there when our dogs ligament went, and she didn't pitch again that day or the next so we knew something was wrong we couldn't see. Fractures, bleeding etc is simple enough to treat but if it's beyond my experience that's what they are for. What p'ed me off was the first question she was asked by the vet was is she insured! Vet implied surgery was the only real option after a bottle of metacam and wait and see. It's hardly surprising Joe public just pay when the vet says that
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
I've often had a dog go off colour for a while. On another thread, i explained how my whole right side seized up after hay making (12 acres, all, except baling, at 82). The muscle strain disappeared after a few weeks but the suspected ligament problem is still there, but much better, after over eight weeks. It is obviously getting better and I won't bother seeing the quack. I'd always give time a chance first, especially if the patient (unlike me) is relatively young. Yet when a pet dog exhibits similar symptoms, it's off to the vet! Just my opinion and not pointing blame at all.
- Location
- Cornwall
No worries no offence taken, just saying it was a clear injury she suffered and after 48 hours of no improvement we saw the vet to find out what the issue was. The vet was quick enough to tell us we needed a expensive op, we looked around and figured with metacam, which I doubt she really needs, and a leg brace, as much to reduce additional stress on the other leg, we will see how things go. Internet reckons 12 weeks of crate rest it will "heal" on its own, it may not be good as new, but all things considered at that price the alternative for us would definitely not be good for her quality of life. I feel that before the practice split into large and small animal practices the farm work kept the vets grounded, and they better considered the options before going for surgery
Just reading this thread through.
I can't help but think of that the self publicising Irish TV vet Noel??? , who has made so many people look at some amazingly expensive and (in my view) often unjustified surgery presumably insurance funded.
He witters on about looking after the animal in question, but I do question the rationale about some ops. I don't doubt his expertise, but I think it is telling that I have yet to find a farm vet that has a high opinion of him!
I can't help but think of that the self publicising Irish TV vet Noel??? , who has made so many people look at some amazingly expensive and (in my view) often unjustified surgery presumably insurance funded.
He witters on about looking after the animal in question, but I do question the rationale about some ops. I don't doubt his expertise, but I think it is telling that I have yet to find a farm vet that has a high opinion of him!
Last edited:
When there is a 100 fold difference in cost of different treatment options, and not a corresponding difference in likelyhood of success, you have to ask about funds, affordability etc, you can't just say nothing rack up a huge bill and expect people to pull the money out of thier behinds. How would you prefer they approach it? "Whats your budget? Is this dog more valuable to you than a pint/meal out/old car with a years MOT/deposit on a house?" etc etc
This.
- Location
- Cornwall
