Brody's labwork and vaccination titer results!

[Sarah]

He would do it no problem but he doesn't necessarily agree with it

[brodysmom]

Apr 15, 2011 9:04:11 GMT Lucy said:

Tracy this is such great news!

I was just wondering what your vet actually says about this? Does he/she normally recommended the booster shots yearly? Have Brody's results changed the way they think or did they already suspect as much.
As sad as it sounds, I think there are a lot of vets out there who do not care and only want you to do it for the money. I know flat out my vet is like that.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us, I think it really gives us a lot of faith in it all. Some vets will literally try to terrify you in to vaccinating

Sarah did you ask Desmond about titer tests?

My vet recommends the puppy series, then repeated at one year, then every 3 years thereafter. That is what the AAVMA recommends in this country at the present time. He follows that protocol.

My vet and I have a unique relationship because when I go in, I ask intelligent questions (haha) and don't just stand there and let them do what they want to my dog. He also knows that I am up to date on vaccination issues. Many people wouldn't have a clue what a titer is. It would take a TON of educating for the general public. So people just put their faith in vets and go in when they get a reminder card that their dog is due. Very similar to human doctors. We have the mindset that they are 'gods' and we just have faith that they know what is best and do whatever they say. I have seen that time and time again in the medical field.

I think that slowly, over time, people are starting to take charge of their own health and this is oozing over into their pets. But it's a slow process. It's taking a long time because, to be honest, many people really don't care. If their doctor says to give a shot - they do. If their vet says it - they do it also. We just aren't programmed to question authority. Well, times... they are a changin'.

My vet knows I feed a raw diet and he has seen Brody's body condition, teeth, coat, etc. over the last 2.5 years. You can't really argue with that. Throw in a complete blood panel of bloodwork with no abnormalities, and there you have it. He respects me as a responsible owner. I respect him for his diagnostic abilities.

Also, to be honest, the vet made a LOT more money on the titers than he would have on the shots! So we are both happy. LOL.

[Lucy]

This is so true, as I was saying earlier, they do it for children too, its too much!

You've done a great job with Brody and the results of his diet etc speaks for itself so I suppose theres not really a lot for your vet to argue with lol.

Knowledge is power!

[mchis]

I'm enviousy of you Tracy--I did have that sort of relationship with our vet until she left her practice. She knew where I stood with annual vacs, diet, etc & she'd seen all my Chi's grow up. The other vet in the practice is very strongly opinionated & is quite set in her ways. If you say "no" to an annual vac like Lepto she'll literally make you feel as though you're going to kill your dog. Though I was quite impressed with how we were treated with Maribelle through her pregnancy. For the first time I felt like she respected me. The vets at this different office totally dismissed the fact that I may know a little something & someone even chuckled at me when I asked how they handled exemptions. I suppose they don't know me from a hole in the ground at this point. But if it was a stupid question I would think a professional would have handled it a bit more tackfully.

I just hate the thought of starting over getting to know a vet. Though the one I am thinking of visiting now I went to years ago & loved (didn't know until recently she has actually started her own practice). I hate finding a vet you're comfy with especially when you had a good relationship with one (and your dogs have a preference to her as well LOL) & then they leave. I have heard though she'll be working at my fav food store part time which makes me happy. Just wish she was "practicing" there. LOL

I do understand the reasons for their protocols & we also follow the same (puppy series--1yr "booster" & then every 3 years) but I'd never handled a reaction case before either. All a learning process I suppose.... And we'll see about titers this coming year when we ask for them. I have heard them talking about them before so I know it's not a forein idea around here. **crossing fingers**

[Kristi]

I would rather pay them the $35 to NOT push a vaccine down my throat...its so annoying. The lady vet we go to now is the first who "understands" that once immune, you're not "boostering" anything. She also knows shots last far longer than the recommended 3 years. But still, she's lacking knowledge in a few other key areas. Its just hard to know what to do. But I know the chis like her too, which is huge, as they've hated all other vets.

[mchis]

Apr 15, 2011 16:36:28 GMT Kristi said:

But I know the chis like her too, which is huge, as they've hated all other vets.

UGH...that's the #1 reason I really REALLY loved my other vet. The Chi's, while didn't *love* her tolerated her much more than any other vet they'd seen. Marley is our most people friendly Chi & he has never behaved so badly as he did yesterday (I took him for his 1yr "boosters"). The vet got on the floor with him & once he got close enough she snatched him & he squirmed & squirmed. Nice way to gain trust though I thought? He even looked like he tried to bite a couple times because he was panicing so much & even released his anal glands while they were holding to vaccinate him. He's never EVER acted so scared of someone. Usually while shy, he loves people. Just takes a little more time to gain trust & this particular vet didn't give him time like the other one always did...even the one I don't particularly care for handled them better.

Did I mention how badly Boo screamed during both shots? I know some pups are "drama queens" but really. I vaccinated all 3 pups a few times & maybe had 1 squeek from one of them one time. Not to mention poor Boo is so sore today he can't even itch himself w/o crying. I pick him up & he screams & looks at me like he suspects I'm hurting him. I know sometimes they hit just right or whatever & it's common for them to be sore. But I've never had a pup act so uncomfortable after a vac. Even when he had his reactions before & when he had the Benadryl shot before (I know they have to go in the muscle for that one)...never was so sore before. It was just not a good visit I guess. Bleck.

[Lucy]

Oh Heather, I'm so sorry to hear that, poor Boo I really hope he feels better soon!

Do you ever feel like your dogs get treated badly because they're Chihuahuas? I went to a vet when I first got Kiki and the way he handled her, I just went crazy and walked out. It really seemed like he didn't like her or me because she was a Chihuahua! Awful, awful man!