How Often Do You Take Your Hounds To The Vet?

[Guest robingrey]

After reading all the interesting and informative posts on this wonderful forum I noticed it seems that everyone is sick all the time! I know it has a lot to do with this being an outlet for exactly those types of situations and I wanted to see if I could get a realistic look at how often most hounds need to be seen by a vet. Thanks for the info!

 

p.s. This is my first poll - I hope it comes out well.

 

Edited to say: Include all visits, well and sick.

(Thanks KennelMom!)

Edited February 23, 2007 by robingrey

[Guest KennelMom]

Depends if you count wellness visits or only times they are sick/hurt.

[Guest mleg2001]

After reading all the interesting and informative posts on this wonderful forum I noticed it seems that everyone is sick all the time! I know it has a lot to do with this being an outlet for exactly those types of situations and I wanted to see if I could get a realistic look at how often most hounds need to be seen by a vet. Thanks for the info!

 

p.s. This is my first poll - I hope it comes out well.

 

 

 

In the past year Maya twice once for her wellness visit and shots, and another to check out a lump

 

 

 

Sunny 3 times wellness visit, dental and also to check out a lump.

 

 

 

I don't find they are sick really anymore than any other breed, but like any living species diseases and injuries can occur, but just like in people an illness or injury will increase the frequency of care needed.

 

 

 

I have 4 dogs right now 2 of which are greyhounds, Sunny my greyhound and Nikki my Eskie are both 9 years old, prior to 10 years old they get once a year wellness visit, but at 10 they will begin 2 wellness visits, so even though both may still be healthy I step up the number of visits to help ensure they stay that way and will be able to catch small problems before they can become big problems, so the number of vet visits do not necessarily mean illness but can be for preventative care the same case with dentals and checking lumps out. So your poll will be skewed since it does not take into account visits for preventative care.

[Guest robingrey]

I'm interested in both well and sick visits. I'm just wondering how much time an average grey owner spends at the vet, whether for illness or prevention. Just curious!

[Guest D_MansMommy]

Once a year for his annual check up/shots. Donovan was really sick for about 6 months and he was at the vet and e-vet almost weekly but that is uncommon. Don't let this forum mislead you. Greys are generally healthy dogs. Donovan's illness was a freak thing that happened by him cutting his paw on a beach in North Carolina while on vacation.

[inugrey]

It's a craps shoot to put it bluntly.

 

Baby boy Inu really should have frequently flyer miles. And one day I swear I'm going to come home from work and DH is going to tell me he and Dr. Collins met up for happy hour because they spend so much time together bonding over the latest Inu issue.

 

Sweet Salem on the other hand has only seen the vet for her wellness visit.

Knock on wood

[Guest robingrey]

And one day I swear I'm going to come home from work and DH is going to tell me he and Dr. Collins met up for happy hour because they spend so much time together bonding over the latest Inu issue.

 

 

[Guest greytmonty]

Monty has a concern that the vets are underworked and underpaid in our area so he likes to visit our regular vet and our dermatologist vet at least once a month.

In between he likes the e vet too!

[greysandmollie]

Once for sure and usually one other visit for a chiropractic adjustment.

[RileysLegacy]

I voted average about 2x per year. Riley has been very healthy in the 5 yrs I've had him. He has had a couple issues with his skin and eyes and at those times he went to the vet multiple times within a short period of time. But other than that, just once a year. He is going to be 8 next month so I no longer do annual shots, but I do still take him in once a year for a check-up.

[Guest Snowy8]

Whenever they're sick or ready for their shots.

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

I vote once a year for Frank; we have been fortunate. When he got injured lure coursing it happened to be near the time of his annual so we just combined them.

[Guest Hannah]

Holly has been once for a wellness visit and then usually manages once more for something in the year.

 

however if we include the times she goes along for the ride (and cos the socialisation is good for her) then you can add in 2 cat wellness visits per year, plus another couple of checkups for Madam Fluffy and best chuck in two or three more times a year when she come along to pick up supplies of insulin and syringes and stuff.

 

I usually try and only take two animals at a time to the vets - easier for me to cope with. but there was once when they all got some kind of tummy bug that we couldnt shake so we booked a double appointement and took three cats and one dog to the vets in one trip. what a nightmare that was trying to carry three travel boxes and control one over-excited dog who was doing the 'I get to go see the vet' happy dance we are lucky that the vet is a very nice man and he carried one box, the nurse another, DH the third and I was left to try and get a graceful entrance to the consulting room with Holly who was so so so excited she was perdoinging and bouncing and running round in circles. the cats at that point averaged about 16lb each in weight and spend all the time they are in their carry crates running round looking out of all sides as fast as they can, they are not easy to carry

[gazehund]

Once for sure and usually one other visit for a chiropractic adjustment.

That is the norm for our house too. 2006 saw a few more chiro visits than previous years. I chalk that up to my pack of four hounds getting older. Other than that, they are very healthy.

[Saffron]

I had to vote 8-12 times a year because last year Pilgrim had a major health scare and 2 surgeries, but that is not really representative. We do "scheduled maintenance" once a year, and they usually manage one other vet visit each for one reason or another They are quite young. Catwalk is 6 and Pilgrim is 4.

 

ETA: I do not think that greyhounds overall are less healthy than other dogs. Looking back over the years and dogs . . . we had at least 2 vet visits per year per non-grey pooch. More as they got older. Many more. Also, please remember that the people who post here are very consciencious dog owners!

 

Gillian

Edited February 23, 2007 by 2whitegreys

[LBass]

One grey here. Piper has epilepsy and is hypothyroid so he has more visits than a "healthy" grey. He goes in at least twice a year for a good big set of labs to check general blood work, liver function (because he takes Phenobarbital), thyroid and medication levels. He sometimes has several other visits depending on how his seizure control is going.

[Guest HersheysMom]

I voted weekly because it was the closest option. I myself am there weekly to pick up prescriptions, food, dropping of urine samples, etc. Between my current two hounds, one or the other of them is there bi-weekly. The issues and frequency change, but right now Hershey has periodic followup blookwork for kidney, thyroid, liver issues, and samples need to be dropped of for his urine stone issues. Sonie recently has had urine issues as well, so samples need to be dropped off every few weeks, but she herself only goes every few months. My last dog, Starlight, had all kinds of issues and was at the vet every couple of weeks for followups.

 

Reading this you'd think all of my dogs have been quite sickly, but really it's not as bad as it all sounds...it's all manageable, and they are happy dogs. But, my vet did look as Sonie's lab work yesterday and jokingly say "Can't they get a dog that doesn't have 'issues' " I think he feels badly for us!

Edited February 23, 2007 by HersheysMom

[PatricksMom]

Theoretically, 2x a year for wellness visits, in reality it probably ends up being in the 8-10 range (several are usual followup visits from the inevitable feet related injuries.)

[RobinM]

Seems like too much. To date, Beau has had one well check up and one infection on the outside of his ear, maybe an insect bite during the summer.

Chloe has had several due to trying to diagnose hypothyroidism. Teddy is going today, since we noticed a growth in his mouth. Sigh.

[Guest CygnetC]

Once or Twice a year. Wally is a pretty healthy boy and definitely isn't accident prone! *knock on wood*

[Guest goofydog]

I voted 2 times a year, however at my house it is more of an 'as needed' situation. He gets his wellnes visit each year and I have only had 2 emergencys with him in the almost 3 years I have had him.

[Guest TBSFlame]

I have been very lucky. My hounds are very healthy and have always been healthy. We had out first greyhound 5 years and until osteo got him he had never been sick. He raced till he was 5 years old. About a year ago I took Tessie to the vet b/c she was itchy and she got herself infected. Simple fix. They all have strong tummies and have no problem eating whatever they want. Flame came with a badly broken leg but after it healed he has had no more problems. He can not bend his foot and he walks with a limp. I thought he might have problems as he ages but so far so good. He is just turning 7 in April.

 

I say a little prayer each morning that my hounds are healthy and happy today. I tell them each moring that I love them as I give each one a kiss on the top of their sweet little heads.

 

I do think this is the place people come when there are problems. I believe greyhounds as a whole are healthy. That has been my experience.

[JaneW]

Well, your poll asked "in the last year" and "last year", so I chose to vote using "last year" which was 4 times--1 checkup, 1 dental cleaning, and 2 times for an ear infection.

BUT--this year she has been 5 times aready! 4 for a stubborn ear infection (still ongoing) and once so far for what is probably a really nasty stomache virus. She has at least one more visit this month for the ear infection and to certify her stomache issue cleared up.

[Guest david_42]

Twice a year, averaged over three years. Another example of Sturgeon's Law.

Edited February 23, 2007 by david_42

[ripley488]

In 2006

 

Greyhounds:

Fantana age 13 - 1x wellness, 1x ER

Ben age 5 - 1x wellness, 1x ER

Reagan age 3 - 1x wellness

Becka age 5 - 1x wellness

 

IG's:

Houdini age 10 - 1xwellness, dental, 1x bloodwork

Honesty age 9 - 1x dental, Multiple for Auto Immune problem (Traditional & Holistic vet)

Summer age 10 - 1x wellness, 1x Pancreatitus (hosptial 2 days)

 

Borzoi:

Romanov, age 6 - 1x wellness

 

Poodle:

Maddie, age 5 - 1x wellness

 

 

Jennifer Watkins

Shamrock Greyhound Placement

Louisville, KY