[kipper23]

I would love to know what your dog's well visits are like.

It is all very new to us and I am curious if our experience at the vet is typical.

We have a puppy and we have seen two different vets within the same office. Our well visits were brief - not much to the visit that they charge $70 just for the exam portion. First vet checked my puppy's ears and hips but otherwise was very rushed. Did not check my dogs vaccination history and almost gave her a vaccine she already received. She dewormed her though which also wasn't necessary because she did not check her previous treatments. This vet was very pushy on the vaccines and did not like that we were not doing the leptospirosis vaccine.

The second vet did look at her records and was not pushy about the vaccines, but did not check her eyes, ears or anything else. When I asked if there was a heartworm preventative that was based on weight (since my dog is very small) she did not know and didn't bother to look into it. Perhaps they don't carry the ones that can be prescribed based on weight.

I am curious what can be expected at the vet where you take your dog. Perhaps I am expecting too much.

 

[arcouillard]

Wow, that sounds identical to an experience I had when one of ours was a puppy. The doc literally took about 2 min with us, and the entire time was going on about how if I decline the lepto vaccine, my dog will surely contract it, and I'm basically an irresponsible owner for not giving it to him. I did NOT let him talk me into getting it, and I found another clinic that takes all the time I need to answer my questions, and respects my decisions about my animals. I'd advise finding another vet if possible, they aren't all like that. Our new clinic is about 30 min from our house, and we pass about 10 other clinics on the way there, but its well worth it to find a place you trust!

 

[pandora]

My first visit to this vet was when Murphy was about 10 weeks every visit starts the same he has to be weighed and the weight is entered into the computer so they can check Murphy's growth line. A standard check includes a quick check of coat to make sure there are no parasites or problems with the fur , eyes , ears, teeth, joints, listen to the heart lungs and stomach asking me if I have any questions problems or other worries.
Vaccinations are done with the clients wishes and needs at heart.
my vet is not rushed I am paying for a consultation and during that consultation his attention is 100-percent on me and my dog.
If your vet is only interested in pushing sales you should find another vet.

 

[Shell]

My first visit to this vet was when Murphy was about 10 weeks every visit starts the same he has to be weighed and the weight is entered into the computer so they can check Murphy's growth line. A standard check includes a quick check of coat to make sure there are no parasites or problems with the fur , eyes , ears, teeth, joints, listen to the heart lungs and stomach asking me if I have any questions problems or other worries.
Vaccinations are done with the clients wishes and needs at heart.
my vet is not rushed I am paying for a consultation and during that consultation his attention is 100-percent on me and my dog.
If your vet is only interested in pushing sales you should find another vet.

This is basically the outline of the regular annual checkups for my dog also. The vet tech gets an update on any concerns I have and takes notes on weight and any meds needed. Then the vet comes in and does a basic physical lookover. Its quick but they are experienced in what to look for.

The wellness check at mine is free with any other services like vaccinations. Every other year the visit includes a blood draw for a heartworm check (every other year is with continual preventatives year round). I can add a nail trimming onto a vet for a small fee

The heartworm preventative question and answer with the second vet OP describes is very odd. I wonder if there was some miscommunication.

All HW preventatives are dosed in weight-based ranges.

Some brands have smaller "bands" of weight class and different lowest weight minimums

Tri Heart and Heartguard smallest is 1-25 lbs while Interceptor Plus is 2-8 lbs.
Trifexis starts at 5-10 lbs
Revolution has a puppy size for under 5 lbs

 

[storyist]

Yes, an experience like that would have me looking for another vet, and I'd be glad to discover what a jerk that one is before my dog really needed vet help. I realize finding a good vet is going to be hard in these Covid times when you can't even go inside the office with your dog most places, but you have time before another checkup is due. We can all hope things change for the better soon. You may have to search around a bit for a vet who doesn't push every vaccine made and want to give them all annually, but enlightened practitioners aren't as rare as they used to be, and vets who don't shortchange you on time and attention aren't rare at all. Remember you are your dog's advocate and the last word about what will or won't happen. Don't let anyone intimidate you into vaccines or other treatments you don't want or into foregoing second opinions or consulting specialists.

 

[3GSD4IPO]

Fortunately I have been with my vet practice for 40 years. I know the partners and I know the associate vets as well. My vets do ask for a fecal and they want to know anything the breeder did or suggested. Dog is weighed then checked for external parasites, ears, eyes, heart and lungs.. feel of the organs for normal size for the puppy's age and a listen to the gut. Depending on age and history the puppy may get a stick for HW check and then the vet talks about vaccinations (and you can choose) usually explaining the Mother's antibodies will interfere with the puppy immune response to a vaccine until over 16 weeks old and that we vaccinate for Distemper and Parvo before that "just in case." They usually discuss rabies (not done until puppy is 16 weeks or more in age). I will add that they do discuss Lepto and Lyme vaccines as well as Kennel Cough but do not push it. All this is written in the puppy's chart. HW prevention is started (depending on age.. if older and a HW test is done HW might not be started until a negative test result). They ask if you have any concerns.

With COVID no one can go in with the dog (or cat). USUALLY, in this practice, the vet who examined the dog will bring it back out to the car and talk to you. I know in some cases they call you and a tech returns the dog to you.

 

[kipper23]

Thank you all for your responses.
To clarify about the heartworm as I wrote it wrong. My dog was given heartgard (1-25 lbs) sample during the earlier visit and I asked the vet if there was anything for smaller dogs since mine was only 4.5 lbs. She said there was something called revo... (and tried to recall the name and couldn't) but in the end didn't provide any other alternatives. So they gave me an rx for heargard and that's what we filled.

I called them today and asked about the preventative mentioned here just so I know for next time and was told that they don't carry those medications but if I would like one of them, they would be able to prescribe them and I can fill it somewhere else. So I guess if a person knows ahead of time what they want, the vet will prescribe it. I wasn't knowledgeable at that time to ask specifically for those preventatives by name, but will be better prepared next time. I'd expect the vet to know a few options though. Or maybe she did but they prefer if I fill the rx through them and encourage that.

I hope we find a better vet. Like a person on this thread mentioned, it is harder now due to covid as I prefer to accompany my dog but hopefully things improve soon.

 

[Shell]

At 4.5 lbs, the smallest Heartgard would be a normal HW prevention suggestion.
Since it has one of the lowest "starting weight" doses and your dog is above that weight, asking for something even smaller might have thrown the vet for a loop.

Revolution is a topical that also includes flea prevention, it might not be a popular choice in your area or the vet might not prefer topicals for HW prevention in your area as they can be a bit easier to misdose than a pill (like, bath too soon for example)

Regardless, it does not sound like the right vet for you.

EDIT TO ADD:
I didn't mean this to sound like you did something wrong in the conversation with the vet. Just that some vet practices aren't a good match for everyone. I had a very poor experience with a vet years ago that many other people in my neighborhood loved.

With a script, any of the major online pet pharmacies have a range of HW options with quick shipping. In my experience, my vet price matches for Chewy so there is no major financial incentive for them to push their own stock. I am sure they still make a profit but its not like they make bank on it either. if I buy HW directly from them on schedule, I can skip every other year's HW blood test.