7 Things Your Veterinarian May Never Tell You

Some Insider Secrets Pet Owners May Not Know

Feb 4, 2009

Your veterinarian may be caring and compassionate; however as with any job, it may be ultimately all about making money.

As a pet owner, you know that in order to have a healthy and happy pet, you must rely on your veterinarian. However, sometimes there are instances where you may successfully treat your pet at home while other times some issue may arise where you may find yourself thinking if your veterinarian really has your pet's best interest at heart. As with any career, it may ultimately, in some cases, be all about making money.

Seven Things Your Veterinarian May Never Tell You

Believe it or not, there are many cases where you can successfully treat your pet's vomiting or diarrhea at home by simply cooking a bland home made diet. The general rule of thumb is that if you dog or cat is still active and being its normal self, despite the stomach upset, you can fast your dog or cat for 12 hours and then offer boiled rice with a little bit of boiled hamburger (with the fat drained off) or boiled chicken (with no skin or bones). This should be fed in 3-4 small feedings throughout the day. Once the pet starts feeling better the normal diet may be gradually reintroduced.

While the Rabies vaccination is mandated by law in most States, other vaccinations may be given every 2-3 years. While there is still a lot of debate on this topic, it is really best to consult with your veterinarian and ask for a honest answer. There are some vaccinations that actually are quite vital, such as FELV vaccinations for outdoor cats or Lyme vaccines for dogs living in tick infested areas. Older pets may be better off not being over vaccinated if feasible.

Just as human doctors are pushed to sell specific medications from pharmacy reps, veterinarians are pushed to sell specific foods from pet food reps. It really is the same mechanism. Many times pet foods recommended by veterinarians are not the healthiest. Simply take a look at the label. Pet food labels cannot lie. If you read the word "by product" such as chicken by product or meat by product be very aware. These are meats deriving from rendering plants. Stay away also from fillers that are unnecessary for pets. Fillers are used to "fill" the food so less meat can be used. Common fillers are corn and grains and they usually appear as the first ingredients. Be also on the look out for BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin.

Just as humans have had bad experiences with medications causing serious illness or even death, pets also suffer from potential side effects that are much worse than the symptoms the medicine was prescribed for. An often over prescribed medication in the veterinary field are Steroids. While once these were prescribed very sparingly, today they are often misused. Steroids have been linked with the high incidence of Cushing's disease. Truth is, such medication is often prescribed because it works pretty fast, making clients happy. But clients will not be happy in the long run..Not to mention all the adverse side effects derived from the excessive use of NSAID's.

Are you spending a fortune in getting your dog's anal glands expressed? Truth is, if your vet is willing to show you how, you can do it yourself at home. Are you taking your cat every few days to get SubQ fluids? Ask about giving fluids at home. The vet may show you how to set up the fluid bag, the line and how to inject the fluids.

Veterinarians are surely aware of the risks and complications that derive from declawing your cat. They will not tell you that they will be actually amputating your cat's fingers along with vital nerve endings. They will not tell you that there are risks of complications and that your cat will be in considerable pain. They very likely will only tell you that they do it very often and that most cases are successful.

If you ever find yourself in a critical situation where finances are a problem, do not expect a veterinarian to make exceptions and offer payment plans. Many times even clients that have been around for years are totally disregarded when they have some financial hardship. Many vet offices request payment upon services and will not change their policy for sake of a sick or dying pet..

While most veterinarians are quite busy, under the stress and pressure of the job's demands, there are still a few vets out there that are still quite honest and upfront with their clients. In a world where the every day hustle and bustle tends to strip all the good emotions away, please try to appreciate your veterinarian for all the big and little things he or she does for you and your pet.

The copyright of the article 7 Things Your Veterinarian May Never Tell You in Pet Care is owned by Adrienne Farricelli. Permission to republish 7 Things Your Veterinarian May Never Tell You in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.