Guest happygrey Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 (edited) I feel like I'm missing something here...is Bentley more sick than these posts seem to indicate? I suppose I'm a bit on the conservative side for a vet, but it sounds like your vet is being very aggressive with all these tests and IV fluids for what may be a simple UTI. Has he been started on antibiotics yet? Is he eating and drinking normally? Has he been acting very sick and lethargic? Fever? What made them concerned about pyelonephritis or kidney failure? Not what I would jump to with a young dog showing urinary tract signs for the first time, especially if he was acting pretty normal, which your first post seemed to indicate. I also wouldn't think an IV would be necessary unless he wasn't eating or drinking, or if he was dehydrated. Anyway, I hope it's nothing serious, and that Bentley recovers quickly. Thanks...this is how I was feeling. The good news: nothing was found...though the results of the cysto culture have yet to come back. He's currently on Clavamox (and the vet wanted me to give him Tramadol too, but I've stopped that, because I don't think he needs it. He is not showing signs of being in any pain.) The BAD news: this cost more than $1000.00 This is totally unacceptable to me. I am actively looking for a new vet. I can't afford to continue to go to this office. The vet was ridiculously over-aggressive in what he did (Bentley had no fever, and was acting normally). We have 3 dogs, including one who is 7+ -- we can't spend like that on one dog that ends up not being very sick. Sending good thoughts to you & Bentley! And hoping it's nothing more than a nasty UTI. While they can be a pita, they are treatable with antibiotics. Love you Bentley! Thanks, Jen! Bents sends his love right back to you & Razzy! I feel like I'm missing something here...is Bentley more sick than these posts seem to indicate? I suppose I'm a bit on the conservative side for a vet, but it sounds like your vet is being very aggressive with all these tests and IV fluids for what may be a simple UTI. Has he been started on antibiotics yet? Is he eating and drinking normally? Has he been acting very sick and lethargic? Fever? What made them concerned about pyelonephritis or kidney failure? Not what I would jump to with a young dog showing urinary tract signs for the first time, especially if he was acting pretty normal, which your first post seemed to indicate. I also wouldn't think an IV would be necessary unless he wasn't eating or drinking, or if he was dehydrated. Anyway, I hope it's nothing serious, and that Bentley recovers quickly. A bit off topic, and I hope Bentley is doing well-- I live in New England (as does the OP) and I have found that the vets around here are very quick to assume the worst and pile on test upon test. I've gotten to the point where I ask them to give me the cost of each test before I agree to it, and explain the purpose, and the benefit, and how the treatment will differ if I allow the test. I spent over $2,000 on George my first few months because my vet (at the time) was freaked out about his creatinine levels. It was only when I got Dr. Couto to confirm, via email, they were perfectly normal for a Greyhound that she backed off. And she KNEW Greyhounds had different values! When a specialist told me that based on x-rays she thinks George has LS, but she could only positively confirm it with an MRI, I asked her if the treatment would be different if she suspected it, versus she knew it for sure, and she said no. Since I had no intention of subjecting him to spinal surgery (the only valid reason, IMHO, to get the MRI), I declined. She was OK with it. This is something I will definitely have to keep in mind going forward. Edited October 6, 2011 by happygrey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 (edited) I've gotten to the point where I ask them to give me the cost of each test before I agree to it, and explain the purpose, and the benefit, and how the treatment will differ if I allow the test. Honestly, I think this is something that everyone should be doing. And remember, I'm speaking as a vet. Some vets feel the need to recommend every possibly relevant test, usually because they feel it is providing the most ideal, highest standard of care, and also as a way to CYA, in case not recommending a particular test results in a missed diagnosis. But I also feel we have to be practical and keep in mind realistic probabilities. I would encourage everyone to be involved in the decision-making process and not just do whatever your vet recommends. Don't be afraid to ask questions and discuss any concerns with your vet. And if your vet is not willing to address your questions and explain things, you probably need a different vet. Edited October 6, 2011 by jjng Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I feel like I'm missing something here...is Bentley more sick than these posts seem to indicate? I suppose I'm a bit on the conservative side for a vet, but it sounds like your vet is being very aggressive with all these tests and IV fluids for what may be a simple UTI. Has he been started on antibiotics yet? Is he eating and drinking normally? Has he been acting very sick and lethargic? Fever? What made them concerned about pyelonephritis or kidney failure? Not what I would jump to with a young dog showing urinary tract signs for the first time, especially if he was acting pretty normal, which your first post seemed to indicate. I also wouldn't think an IV would be necessary unless he wasn't eating or drinking, or if he was dehydrated. Anyway, I hope it's nothing serious, and that Bentley recovers quickly. Thanks...this is how I was feeling. The good news: nothing was found...though the results of the cysto culture have yet to come back. He's currently on Clavamox (and the vet wanted me to give him Tramadol too, but I've stopped that, because I don't think he needs it. He is not showing signs of being in any pain.) The BAD news: this cost more than $1000.00 This is totally unacceptable to me. I am actively looking for a new vet. I can't afford to continue to go to this office. The vet was ridiculously over-aggressive in what he did (Bentley had no fever, and was acting normally). We have 3 dogs, including one who is 7+ -- we can't spend like that on one dog that ends up not being very sick. Sending good thoughts to you & Bentley! And hoping it's nothing more than a nasty UTI. While they can be a pita, they are treatable with antibiotics. Love you Bentley! Thanks, Jen! Bents sends his love right back to you & Razzy! I feel like I'm missing something here...is Bentley more sick than these posts seem to indicate? I suppose I'm a bit on the conservative side for a vet, but it sounds like your vet is being very aggressive with all these tests and IV fluids for what may be a simple UTI. Has he been started on antibiotics yet? Is he eating and drinking normally? Has he been acting very sick and lethargic? Fever? What made them concerned about pyelonephritis or kidney failure? Not what I would jump to with a young dog showing urinary tract signs for the first time, especially if he was acting pretty normal, which your first post seemed to indicate. I also wouldn't think an IV would be necessary unless he wasn't eating or drinking, or if he was dehydrated. Anyway, I hope it's nothing serious, and that Bentley recovers quickly. A bit off topic, and I hope Bentley is doing well-- I live in New England (as does the OP) and I have found that the vets around here are very quick to assume the worst and pile on test upon test. I've gotten to the point where I ask them to give me the cost of each test before I agree to it, and explain the purpose, and the benefit, and how the treatment will differ if I allow the test. I spent over $2,000 on George my first few months because my vet (at the time) was freaked out about his creatinine levels. It was only when I got Dr. Couto to confirm, via email, they were perfectly normal for a Greyhound that she backed off. And she KNEW Greyhounds had different values! When a specialist told me that based on x-rays she thinks George has LS, but she could only positively confirm it with an MRI, I asked her if the treatment would be different if she suspected it, versus she knew it for sure, and she said no. Since I had no intention of subjecting him to spinal surgery (the only valid reason, IMHO, to get the MRI), I declined. She was OK with it. This is something I will definitely have to keep in mind going forward. May I ask what town you're in? I know of an excellent vet in Dedham. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest happygrey Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 I'm way up on the North Shore. Dedham is too far unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 (edited) How's your hound responding to the Clavamox?? They usually respond pretty quickly. Let me ask you-- is the vet that's treating your pup a recent graduate?? I found that recent grads can be a little heavy handed when it comes to running tests. Keep in mind many young vets try to perform what they are taught-- make your pet well but, the life experience in the field is still lacking. I would be honest with your vet and let him/her know how you feel. Hope your pup is improving. Edited October 7, 2011 by tbhounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest happygrey Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 (edited) How's your hound responding to the Clavamox?? They usually respond pretty quickly. Let me ask you-- is the vet that's treating your pup a recent graduate?? I found that recent grads can be a little heavy handed when it comes to running tests. Keep in mind many young vets try to perform what they are taught-- make your pet well but, the life experience in the field is still lacking. I would be honest with your vet and let him/her know how you feel. Hope your pup is improving. He seems to be doing fine on the Clavamox. He seems totally normal. But then, he seemed pretty normal before all this happened. Oddly, no, the vet that treated him has been out in practice for probably at least 20 years. The other vet (and the one that I prefer) is the new grad! The new grad is more conservative. I've thought about talking with the vet, but I don't feel that I can have much of a conversation with him. It would be a waste of time. I know from online reviews that my situation is not unique. I'm angry about it, but it's probably best for me to just move on. Edited October 7, 2011 by happygrey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Is your vet aware of normal Greyhound kidney values? Maybe they saw elevated levels and overreacted thinking the dog was in kidney failure, when it was normal Greyhound values.... Glad your pup is doing ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.