Looking For An Internal Medicine Vet

[Guest 2dogs]

I need some help finding an internal medicine vet to complete an endoscopic and coloniscopic procedure on my baby girl. And suggestion or recommendations? Please.

 

Any sighthound experienced vet. I am located in the Harrisburg, PA area. We have completed the ultrasound we just need to get biopsies before it’s too late.

 

I am sorry if this is bit scatter, but I am very upset and want to find someone quickly.

 

Thanks Lisa

Edited April 4, 2011 by 2dogs

[Guest Swifthounds]

Can the vet who did the ultrasound recommend one? Many large specialty practices have greyhound experience Imply due to the nature of their practice.

[45MPHK9]

You may want to check out Metropolian Veternary Assoc. in Norristown, PA. They have internal medicine specialists on staff. They are a 24/7 hospital. We have never used them for internal medicine, however.

 

Thinking good thoughts for your baby.

[Houndtime]

In New Jersey we have Red Bank, but that is really far for you. What about U of Penn, veterinary school?

[MP_the4pack]

If you were thinking of going as far as NJ, then there's OSU (Ohio) who has done a gazillion greyhounds. that's where Dr. Couto is. It's about 5 hrs from you.

 

When I was there with both of my sisters, I saw greyhounds in and out all day long.

[greyhead]

When you catch your breath, Lisa, you could tell us what the procedures will be looking for. There's a lot of experience on this board with GI troubles of various kinds, and a lot of sighthound owners who love to help others.

[celbee]

Lisa-

 

If you are willing to go as far south as Wilmington, DE, the vet group most likely to be able to do the procedures you need done is Windcrest.

http://www.windcrestanimal.com/

You would most likely have to have your vet do a referral-- but that information is on their website.

 

We have had several procedures done there.

 

Be prepared for sticker shock. They always have the newest and best technology that's out there. And that doesn't happen for free or even inexpensive.

 

Feel free to email me at carol at greyhoundfleecejackets dot com if I can answer any questions for you offline.

 

Hugs to your girl.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carol

[PatricksMom]

You might also try University of Pennsylvania, I'm sure they can do it (they can do an MRI on a rabbit). They're going to be expensive too though.

[RobinM]

Board Certified vets:

 

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/IBDogs/database?method=reportRows&tbl=1

[Guest 2dogs]

First of all I could just cry. Thank you all for the help and suggestions. I have been trying to do this on my own for the last 2 weeks.

 

Swifthounds- I did finnally get 2 referals from the vet office that did the ultra sound. When I was there I asked and the vet said he didn't know. I phoned today and got a different answer from the desk.

These are the 2

Veterinary Referral Center Doctors

http://www.vetreferral.com/vets/vets.htm This is in melven, PA outside of Philly

Welcome to Veterinary Specialty Center of Delaware!

http://www.vscdel.com/site/view/170983_InternalMedicine.pml this one in in Del. Carol do you know this one?

 

she needs a endoscopic and colonosopic biopsies - She has had the Big D since December and is losing protien. And soemthing else. This s the results of an expensive fecal test and 2 months of blood work.

and an utrasound.

 

45MPHK9- do you know anyonethat has gone there ? Metropolian Veternary Assoc.

 

Houndtime I am bit nervous with U of Penn it being a school. I dont really want my dog pacticed on. That may not be the case but that is my impression.

 

RobinM I will check out that link. I have to join and right now I am pending membership. thanks

 

I have multiple vet referals.

 

Carol- this is for my girl Natasha. Thanks. Lisa

Edited April 5, 2011 by 2dogs

[Batmom]

Can't vouch for U of Penn, but when you go to U of Wisc vet school, there's no practice about it. You get the best of the best, at @ half the price you'd pay elsewhere, and same-day turnaround on most tests (including cytology) besides.

 

Hugs and best wishes for your sweet girl.

[45MPHK9]

45MPHK9- do you know anyonethat has gone there ? Metropolian Veternary Assoc.

We only use MVA for opthalmology. We do know several people who have used their evet services. A GT member, MonsterMomma, used MVA when one of her greys suffered a traumatic injury in their yard. Perhaps she will see this thread and chime in here. They have a top notch reputation in the area.

 

We know Veterinary Referral Center in Malvern by reputation only. They are supposed to be terrific. UPenn is also top notch. I would never hesitate to bring my dogs to one of Penn's specialists.

[Guest d0ggiem0mma]

Can't vouch for U of Penn, but when you go to U of Wisc vet school, there's no practice about it. You get the best of the best, at @ half the price you'd pay elsewhere, and same-day turnaround on most tests (including cytology) besides.

 

Hugs and best wishes for your sweet girl.

 

Same at OSU. It is a teaching hospital but they do NOT let the vet students practice procedures etc. Only licenced vets do any invasive procedures, especially stuff like you're talking about. The students observe, do physical exams (which are repeated by the DVMs) and practice communications skills with the owners. OSU and many of the other vet schools are where you go when you want the primo specialists!

[Guest 2dogs]

45MPHK9 - thank you for the feed back. Its very important. I do think I have mixed feelings about U of Penn that are unfounded. I actually started talking first to a specialist there ( @ u of Penn) and she told me there were lots of vets in my area that could help me. Sent me to a web site that did not help. I got the impression she too busy but she was the one that offered to help me? I could not find one vet in my own area.

 

I thought about Ohio too but thought that might be too stressful for both of us. The vet in DE is actually from Ohio State.

 

Thank you so much YOU have no idea what is like talking to non sighthound people. Its going to be very risky

proceedure her blood work is very bad.

[Houndtime]

U of Penn is top notch and top dollar. All services are performed by doctor's, students observing. Most services are a team coordination. Find a place that is close to you, where you can feel comfortable. Don't let distance or dollars sway you. Good luck to you and your girl.

[Guest 2dogs]

Doggiemomma and Batmom. Thanks I knew my feelings were unfounded about university, I just need to hear from others success stories. I wish this was easier.

To learn more and hear from others is why I am hear asking so I really thank you!

 

Lisa

 

and now Houndtime too - when you say top dollar do you mean very very expensive? Nothing is close (less then 2 hours) to me. But I am ok with that.

Edited April 5, 2011 by 2dogs

[BootsyCollins]

Some of the best (people) hospitals in the world are teaching hospitals. I wouldn't worry about that part.

 

Good luck with your baby - keep us updated!

[celbee]

Hmm. I am not familiar with this group. But it looks like they operate by referral only-- which means they don't provide routine vet care. Looks like they just do specialty testing when you/your pet are sent to them. The only time we needed a referral, we sort of did it ourselves since Janet had been seen in the ER for Windcrest, (and we had also had dentals done there) so it wasn't an issue to get xrays done for her there vs. at our regular vet. (We have our Regular Vet and Special Things Vet.)

 

There are a lot of greyhounds in the region... but I would wonder how much experience this group had with greyhounds. With a regular vet, there is sort of a chance to break them in/ learn to trust them before you have to trust them with something harder. I guess you could call and ask.

That said, I looked on their website at their internal medicine specialist-- Dr. Jeremy Diroff-- and he graduated from Ohio State Vet School in 2003. And then did a small animal internal medicine residency at UPenn. It is entirely possible that he DOES know about greyhounds. Or might at least be receptive to input from Dr. Couto et al (since this is his alma mater). And, he would also have contacts at Penn if there was anything weird.

 

I second someone else's comments about UPenn. They are quite good. And, just like at a human teaching hospital, you should have the right to request that the procedures on your dog be done only by an "attending" and not a student, resident or fellow (they don't particulary like the request and certainly won't advertise the option, but most will honor your request). You get good care, but not necessarily any less expensive. Penn is a private school and you are still in the Northeast. LOL

 

But, I think it would be worth checking out the Vet Specialty Center of Delaware- at least call them and see if you can chat with the person who answers the phone about how many greyhounds they see.... and I don't know HOW one would get through to the vet himself to find out his experience with greyhounds. You are the pet parent--- the worst they could tell you is "sorry we don't return calls". (You don't have anything to lose-- go for it. We will each make some amazing requests if it involves our greys...) Please let us know the results of your research, what you decide, and keep us posted on your baby.

 

Sorry that I don't have more information than that...

Carol

 

P.S. My husband wanted to know if you had tried the "Rice and Chicken diet" for the Big D -- did that help?

[Guest 2dogs]

P.S. My husband wanted to know if you had tried the "Rice and Chicken diet" for the Big D -- did that help?

Tell Mark - yes. We tried chicken and rice. That works for Teddy the yorkie but not for Natasha.

have tried all the medicines with out success. Right now I am working on using stuff they use for Horses. (foals) It was successful until I feed her duck and potatoe and its not been good since.

 

I have call into the vet at Del that I shared with you they are in tomorrow and will call me back. Ialso saw that specialist came from U of O and had contact at U of Penn that is what I was thinking exactly.

 

I have tried Diet changes unsuccessfully. last night we had kangaroo. (well she did not me) I have tred Lymphstar pro treatments. I was thinking accupuncture, but I don;t want to waste too much time and she will be too ill for anything.

[Houndtime]

Doggiemomma and Batmom. Thanks I knew my feelings were unfounded about university, I just need to hear from others success stories. I wish this was easier.

To learn more and hear from others is why I am hear asking so I really thank you!

 

Lisa

 

and now Houndtime too - when you say top dollar do you mean very very expensive? Nothing is close (less then 2 hours) to me. But I am ok with that.

 

I don't know anything about the procedure that you require. You can, absolutely call U of P, and ask for an estimate.

 

We had a consult with a behaviorist there, and felt that the money we spent was well worth the amount of time that was spent with us. We then had a relationship with that doctor, that continued until our dog passed. I could email the doctor at any time and get a prompt response from her or a member of her team. I even wrote to her over the summer when I accidentally gave Fuzzy my medication instead of his. Dr. Reisner was at a seminar in Chicago, and answered my questions. Fuzzy isn't even the dog that she saw. I think the quality and care we received were excellent.

 

On the other hand, the doctor who originally saw Fuzzy when he injured his back, referred us to a orthopedic surgeoun in King of Prussia, Pa. I made an appointment and checked the map to find it was 91 miles from my home. In Shrewsbury, NJ about a 1/2 from our house, we Red Bank, which an excellent veterinary hospital with specialists of every kind. I cancelled my appointed in Pennsylvania and went to Red Bank and never looked back.

 

You have to do what makes you comfortable. Cost and distance is a consideration. Don't make yourself crazy. You may have to make a few trips. Do what works for you. Your dog will go wherever you take her.

Edited April 5, 2011 by Houndtime

[JJNg]

When you get to the level of education of a specialist, I find that most are familiar with breed differences and you don't have to worry as much about finding a 'grey savvy' specialist. As far as I know, Dr. Couto at OSU is the only internal medicine specialist who is particularly greyhound knowledgeable. Most specialists only see cases on a referral basis, so they are less likely to gravitate toward any specific breeds, but they are very knowledgeable in their field of expertise. I'm sure there are exceptions out there, but all of the specialists I've worked with and corresponded with are aware of greyhound idiosyncrasies, at least those relevant to their area of specialty.

 

Best of luck with your girl, Lisa, and please keep us posted.

[greyhead]

Are they thinking IBD? How old is Natasha? (We have an IBD dog who was 8 when diagnosed by ultrasound. Before that, he had a bacterial infection in his gut. It was a hard road, and we have some idea what you may be going through.) Lots of good thoughts for you and your sweet girl.

[Guest 2dogs]

Greyhead, Natasha is 8. She has always had poor poopies. I just thought it was from all the training treats (we do agility, freestyle and other things) I am hoping its IBD and not worse. Thank you for the note.

 

I have lots of information today and many calls to make thank you everyone. And more importantly I don't feel so alone.

[greyhead]

Nope, you are not alone! And as I meant to say before, welcome to GT!

 

I'll just add that Spencer was 8 when he was diagnosed too, and he was an *old* 8. He'd had an intractable case of hookworm. (It got too advanced before being diagnosed and so is more or less permanent.) Bad hookworm tends to age dogs, I was told, and even his appearance was old at a relatively young age. Anyhow, Spencer lost 20 lbs due to SIBO and then IBD before he was diagnosed. The signs of IBD were quite definite, in his case, on an ultrasound. Our vet came up with a good treatment protocol, which has stood him in good stead, though we had to search hard to find an internist that would work with us without a biopsy. (We did find one, and she has a GI specialty too!) Given his age and poor condition, I wasn't going to put him through that kind of surgery on top of everything else, when it wasn't really going to change the treatment. (The ultrasound was done by an excellent visiting radiologist with our vet in attendance. I thinik the quality of the person doing the ultrasound is key.) So I throw that out there for your consideration because you may have to make that decision yourself before long.

 

Btw, has Natasha been checked for worms lately? It took three fecals by three vets before Spencer's hookworm eggs deigned to show up in a fecal. Meanwhile, he was misdiagnosed as having "too many treats" by one vet and as having "emotional problems" by a second one! You should know, though they don't tell you, that a negative fecal doesn't mean there are no worms, merely that they aren't shedding eggs at the time of the test.

[DonnaBehr]

You may want to check out Metropolian Veternary Assoc. in Norristown, PA. They have internal medicine specialists on staff. They are a 24/7 hospital. We have never used them for internal medicine, however.

 

Thinking good thoughts for your baby.

 

My recommendation also. They are the BEST for specialized needs.