Interviewing veterinarians

[EllieMay]

So I have used the same veterinarian for all my critters (which have been numerous) for the past 18 years... The problem - we moved to a different town in 2013 and it’s now almost a two hour drive for me. They are excellent with my horses and with my labs ( who are now senior citizens). I will continue to use them for those guys.. but for my new baby, I’d like a local vet. So yesterday I made several calls inquiring on specialist for bulldogs, surgical abilities, puppy programs, etc... I also wanted the health guarantee from my puppy breeder checked out. There was one vet in particular that I really liked. She seemed enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The only thing that concerned me was this... they told me that if I was on time keeping my puppy’s vaccinations , preventatives and health requirements done for they first year, that they would provide its food for that year. The food being science diet... so from everything I’ve read, this is not the optimal food... do you think this is a red flag on the vet? I have a neighbor that owns an English bulldog and I plan on asking them about their vet but I’d love to read your thoughts.... I did see the link here on recommended vets but there are none listed very close to me..

 

[Manydogs]

If you state where you live, someone here may know of veterinarian closer to you. There are many vets who sell Science Diet/Royal Canin, and get a big commission. Many vets were not taught about nutrition in vet school. If you like the vet, you don't have to use the food, or you can donate it to a shelter-they probably can use all the food they can get. That food is crap, you need to choose a better food. Members here will recommend some for you. You should pay a visit to the vet to hear her thoughts and how knowledgeable she seems about English Bulldogs.(she is not knowledgeable about food!-commission talks!)

 

[helsonwheels]

So I have used the same veterinarian for all my critters (which have been numerous) for the past 18 years... The problem - we moved to a different town in 2013 and it’s now almost a two hour drive for me. They are excellent with my horses and with my labs ( who are now senior citizens). I will continue to use them for those guys.. but for my new baby, I’d like a local vet. So yesterday I made several calls inquiring on specialist for bulldogs, surgical abilities, puppy programs, etc... I also wanted the health guarantee from my puppy breeder checked out. There was one vet in particular that I really liked. She seemed enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The only thing that concerned me was this... they told me that if I was on time keeping my puppy’s vaccinations , preventatives and health requirements done for they first year, that they would provide its food for that year. The food being science diet... so from everything I’ve read, this is not the optimal food... do you think this is a red flag on the vet? I have a neighbor that owns an English bulldog and I plan on asking them about their vet but I’d love to read your thoughts.... I did see the link here on recommended vets but there are none listed very close to me..

She seemed enthusiastic and knowledgeable and has conditions you need to have all updated shots n get that “crappy” food? And I’m being nice here cause crappy is putting it mildly. Science Hill just recently removed certain products as it’s killing dogs. Says a lot about the enthusiastic and knowledgeable vet there. Stay away from her. Put it this way, the more you feed dogs with grains, the more you’ll see a vet. Here’s a link that will guide you. By the way, all the pets I’ve own for decades, I’ve never given any updated shots. They got it from pups and that was it. Not one died cause the had no shots. I use Essential Oils but that’s me. That’s MY personal choice. That being said, my dogs don’t go to dog parks nor daycare etc. Helps a lot.

https://www.onlynaturalpet.com/blog...ary/top-10-myths-about-pet-food-and-nutrition

 

[cefe13]

I don't think you should judge the vet by what brand of food they sell; all vets we have visited sell either Hill's or Royal Canin and they have all been very good vets.

 

[EllieMay]

All good points. I live in Marshall Texas.. I am definitely planning on going grain free on any dry food but I think I’m leaning more towards a mostly fresh diet... I like the idea of donating food. I am planning a personal interview with all of the potential vets, but the problem is that I am not so smart myself.... yet. My grandmother taught me a lot about cleanliness and diet on her bulldogs and she never had vet emergencies but a lot is still probably not enough:-)

All that being said, I appreciate everyone’s input!

 

[helsonwheels]

I don't think you should judge the vet by what brand of food they sell; all vets we have visited sell either Hill's or Royal Canin and they have all been very good vets.

True, but since it’s off the market I’m just wondering if they’re not trying to get rid of their leftovers. I have never heard any vet proposing such an offer. Sales pitch in my opinion.

 

[helsonwheels]

All good points. I live in Marshall Texas.. I am definitely planning on going grain free on any dry food but I think I’m leaning more towards a mostly fresh diet... I like the idea of donating food. I am planning a personal interview with all of the potential vets, but the problem is that I am not so smart myself.... yet. My grandmother taught me a lot about cleanliness and diet on her bulldogs and she never had vet emergencies but a lot is still probably not enough:-)

All that being said, I appreciate everyone’s input!

A lot of members here are In Texas. They will guide you towards one. Hang on...

 

[cefe13]

True, but since it’s off the market I’m just wondering if they’re not trying to get rid of their leftovers. I have never heard any vet proposing such an offer. Sales pitch in my opinion.

Oh yes, you're right. I forgot about the offer - was only thinking about choice of vet!

 

[Cbrugs]

I don't think you should judge the vet by what brand of food they sell; all vets we have visited sell either Hill's or Royal Canin and they have all been very good vets.

I will agree with this. My vet who I absolutely love sells all those foods too BUT not once has he ever pushed me to feed any of them. He is on board with me feeding raw and has always had the opinion of "feed what works."

 

[helsonwheels]

I will agree with this. My vet who I absolutely love sells all those foods too BUT not once has he ever pushed me to feed any of them. He is on board with me feeding raw and has always had the opinion of "feed what works."

Mine too. Sells all of it but never pushed me buying it. He’s for raw. Only his ex-secretary tried many years ago. But she’s been fired to be pushy n negative. He had enough of her.

 

[Dollys Owner]

Homeopathic vets recommend as few vaccines as possible. One schedule is:
1) the core vaccine ( distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus ) only twice- the first one at 12 weeks and the second at 14-16 weeks .followed by a titre 2-3 weeks after second one.
2) the 1 yr rabies vaccine preferably at 20 weeks( with the absolute earliest at 12 weeks if required earlier by law ) and then starting a year later with the 3 yr vaccine and repeating every 3 years.
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/03/31/high-cost-of-pet-vaccinations.aspx