Rate your Vet

[Woof]

I found this site,"VetRatingz.com", as the result of a craigslist posting. I personally feel that my vet couldn't be more deserving of accolades for the way she treats our dogs and maintains her office. And I also know that their are many people who are not satisfied with their vets, so this could be a useful tool if its not abused by unhappy people. This site allows both positive and negative ratings and comments but asks that they be done professionally.

Would you add your vet?

[ClarkFarm]

If people are honest and knowledgeable about what is fair pricing or standard routine care than I think the site could be a nice tool to use when deciding upon a veterinarian. I would be hesitant to rely on the opinions myself though because everyone has a different outlook on what they expect and different levels of experience.
How can someone judge one vet if they haven't used any others?

[reeskujo]

I took Kujo to a new vet where I work at Petsmart for his rabies shot.While I liked her quite well and she seemed very knowledgable.I did have one problem with her.Kujo at his last vet visit weighed a little over a 100lbs.Remember he's an Akita.The normal weight for a male is between 80 and 130lbs.Well he was down to 90.She tried to tell me he was over weight and needed to loose another 10lbs.I then proceeded to ask her if she new what the average weight was for a male Akita and she didn't know.Now I'm in a catch 22 because I really liked the way she reacted and treated Kujo and he took to her very well,but what good is she going to be if she doesn't even now the average weight for a male of his breed?Any opinions are welcome...Ree

[DoggyMom]

I absolutely love our vet. She is very knowledgable, she listens, and answers any and all questions I have. No matter what the problem is that our Lily goes in for, she gets a full checkup from nose to tail each and every time. The prices are decent ($32 office visit).

[reeskujo]

This vet was the same way I just didn't like her lack of knowledge of the breed.

[Stark]

I very seldom visit the vet, I don't need to pay 20-30 bucks to give a vaccine that I don't continue after 20 weeks. I do however pay the vet to walk out to the truck and give my dogs their rabies vaccine.

Reeskujo,
While I am not familiar with the Akita it would be fair to say weight has to be based individually. In turn the average dog in this country is grossly overweight which I believe tends to damage their hips from puppyhood on. My dogs would be considered underweight by the ignorant, yet I have never owned a dog with hip problems.

[ClarkFarm]

Reeskujo,

I personally wouldn't let the weight discrepancy stop you from using a vet you otherwise like. Veterinarians are not taught specific breed information in vet school. This is more based on their own experiences. And honestly, a vet doesn't specialize in one breed usually so I think to expect a vet to recall off-hand the standard weight for any one breed isn't fair.

My vet's exam fee is only $23. It is worth it to me to have an account for my dogs because he will accept only his own patients in emergency cases. Otherwise, it would take a drive towards Pittsburgh and one hefty bill. I think the last time I checked it was $75 just to be seen in the nearest emergency clinic. Eek! I like these rural prices better, lol. We paid $40 for an equine emergency visit before, and that was over a holiday weekend.

[reeskujo]

That's pretty much how I feel.I am very knowledgable with the breed since I bred them and have had them all my adult life so I know what a proper body weight is for their size and build,and being she was so good with him and really new her stuff in all other area's I'll stick with her.Besides there's not to many vets Kujo likes and he loved her and the techs.She was very thorough and other then her issue with his weight complimented me on how good he looks and what great health he's in.They even scanned his micro-chip to make sure it was in the right place for free.Plus they did and sent in all the paper work to register him with the county.They also didn't charge me an office fee just for the rabies shot.I guess I'll stick to what I know about Akita's as far as weight and keep her for his general care.

[Woof]

Rees:

Nice looking dog you have there. I think you have a pretty good vet. She seems to care and go the extra step, much as mine does.

[StarfishSaving]

Ree:
As much as we'd like to believe, vets just can't know everything about all breeds of dogs. All your vet can go on is the dog she has in front of her and his body condition. Regardless of your dog's breed standard, your dog could be overweight at 90 just as easily as he could be right on target at 120. It's an individual issue and the numbers are irrelevant.

I'm not saying she's right, I'm just pointing out that she's just looking at your dog and telling you what she sees. She obviously thought he had some extra padding on him, but she could certainly be wrong. I'm sure she doesn't see a lot of male akitas- which are dogs who don't have the same shape as most others, and that coat is so thick I'm sure it can look like a fat dog!

My vet gushes over the body condition of my dogs (they look great though one is a little thin) but at the same time tells my FIL that his English setter is a good weight, too, and she needs to lose 5-10 lbs. He doesn't see a lot of setters so he's not exactly sure what they should look like. It's just one of those things, I guess. He's still an amazing vet and just because we have some disagreeing opinions (like on diet) doesn't mean that I won't continue to use him.