help dog attacked

[Chickerdoodle13]

Yeh Vets treat people too? Lol. I'm doing a disservice also by n

Every vet is part animal doctor, part "people therapist", so yes. Most vets who work directly with clients "treat" the people psychologically just as much as they treat the animal, if not more. Sometimes treating the animal itself is the easy part.

There are no treatments or cures for many preventable illnesses. Rabies shots are about $15 or less depending on whether you live in a state that allows you to give them yourself. Many places also offer low cost vaccination clinics and rabies vaccines are generally good for three years. People who don't vaccinate their animals for things like rabies and distemper are putting themselves and every person/animal around them at risk. Rabies is as easily transferrable as a bat flying in a window and spreading its saliva. I've seen rabid cows, horses, dogs, cats, and even deer. It's incredibly sad when the animal could have been saved by a cheap vaccine.

Unless of course all you raise are chickens. Then you don't have much to worry about in regards to rabies.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

My rule of thumb has always been that I have enough money for basic care/food/etc and enough money/a humane method to end any animal's suffering that is within my care. That said, I've certainly spent plenty of money on my animals. But, I'm certainly not saying that with pride. I've found I've sent some vets on some really nice golf trips (and had the lovely opportunity to hear a vet who did not perform the procedure they were paid to do brag about said golfing) and actually prolonged my pets' suffering at the same time. The ethics involved with spending a large amount of money on things like pet rabbits as opposed to the world and people around me makes me uncomfortable at best. Spending a large amount of money on pets didn't make me a good person or my pets any happier or more loved, just as having more money than the next person isn't a reliable indicator that I am decent, responsible, smart, hard working, etc.

When looking at buying a house, attending college, etc, advice should include a percentage of income to set aside, a concrete dollar amount, etc. These numbers will still differ depending on who is listing them, but they at least allow for people to make assessments and to critically compare advice given. "Don't go to college if you can't afford it" probably isn't going to be the revolutionary statement that ensures that only people who can afford college attend. Likewise, statements that only cover what amount to save miss larger issues about how wealth, money, and political voice operate in various countries, let alone individual circumstances where one can have plenty of money and the suddenly not. These issues are far reaching and are done a great disservice by what amounts to bumper sticker slogans.

Of note, one can never bring their animal to a vet and still vaccinate for things like rabies. Many of the rural folks I know order in and administer vaccines. Farm supply stores and farm catalogues allow for this.

I hope that the OP will return and update on the dog, and that the dog has been responding to the treatment administered by them. Hoping to see more suggestions given that will and can be utilized to treat this dog.

I don't think there is anything wrong with euthanizing an animal instead of treating it. It's really a decision up to the owner. I know some of my classmates and vets I've worked under would have an issue with it, but there are certainly vets out there who do not. As long as the person has enough money to do the procedure (of euthanasia) or another humane means of performing euthanasia (guns work quite well IF the person is educated to know the proper way to do it that is both safe for the handler and the animal).

I also agree that many people get pets and may not have a ton of money put aside to deal with emergencies. Many of my classmates have animals and we are vet students living on practically nothing. We don't get much of a break when it comes to medical care either, so a lot of us live with pets and constantly worry about what will happen if we run into an emergency with our animals. It is really nice that there is now pet insurance available though. I know for me, it is a lot easier to pay $15-$25 a month and know I will have money available in the event of an emergency. And the college analogy is a great one. If I waited until I had enough money saved up to pay for school, I would never be able to actually GO to school. However, I am still conscientious about my loans and how much money I spend, and I constantly look to the future to make sure my current plan will allow me to pay off my loans. I think that's the main difference between being a responsible pet owner and one who doesn't think about the future and possible emergencies that may arise.

 

[newfoundland]

People can be incredibly pompous when it comes to other's fitness, or otherwise to own animals. Next property to mine is a dog grooming parlour. Here is a couple who believe that the only decent diet for a dog is a raw diet. the only decent dog is one with a pedigree, registered with the Kennel Club. All dogs deserve a weekly wash, blow dry and perfume, and anyone who doesn't conform to their ways is irresponsible. Goodness knows what they make of our pack of mutts, who wouldn't know a pedigree from an elephant. They did tell us that our dogs barked because they weren't properly socialised. We did point out that they barked because that was their job and their nature, dogs are vocal. Having said that it was their dogs that escaped onto our land and worried our horses. We did advise them that these dogs would be shot if they got amongst sheep or cattle, on neighbouring farms!

 

[K9Dave]

Awesome. Glad their dogs proved them wrong for you. What did they have to say about their dogs bothering horses on someone else's land? Bet they weren't so pom

 

[newfoundland]

They did what those sort of people always do. Bluster a bit and claim that it has never happened before. Well they have had fair warning and it is now up to them to ensure it doesn't happen again. I certainly don't think they will have the cheek to criticize anyone else for the way they manage their dogs, I hope not anyway!

 

[YardBirdMom]

Sorry pushed the wrong button. Vaccinations are also pushed by Vets. I don't vaccinate myself or my animals.

Not vaccinating is a choice and one you have every right to make.

I choose to vaccinate my animals. Every veterinarian I've ever had has been a partner with me in delivering care to my animals and were always gracious in helping me learn, answered a multitude of questions, and shared their knowledge. Never have I had one that pushed anything and I've known plenty over my lifetime. Perhaps you've had bad experiences with vets.

 

[K9Dave]

I've had no bad experiences with Vets. Answering questions is fine and all but don't answer if you do not KNOW the answer. When you have no knowledge of dog food for instance, don't push one (Science Diet comes to mind) because a sales person told you it was good. Get what I'm laying down? This business practice puts kind of a dark cloud over the industry so that NOTHING is credible to those with some knowledge on the subject of animals. People trust that the DVM title would ensure they are getting accurate info which is not the case for a Dr with no classes on Diet besides what the food companies tell them. Passing on that inaccurate info is wrong. That is all.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I've had no bad experiences with Vets. Answering questions is fine and all but don't answer if you do not KNOW the answer. When you have no knowledge of dog food for instance, don't push one (Science Diet comes to mind) because a sales person told you it was good. Get what I'm laying down? This business practice puts kind of a dark cloud over the industry so that NOTHING is credible to those with some knowledge on the subject of animals. People trust that the DVM title would ensure they are getting accurate info which is not the case for a Dr with no classes on Diet besides what the food companies tell them. Passing on that inaccurate info is wrong. That is all.

Most vet schools DO offer many classes on nutrition. In fact, many also have classes on raw diets as well.

Science diet is often used by vets because it is one of the best prescription foods out there. Few companies come close to offering the same benefits for special needs patients, though there are other options and most vets I've known will talk through the other options as well. I've never known a vet to push science diet on a client. It is one of the companies that works hard to have a presence in vet offices, but I know many vets who keep the prescription diets on hand but prefer others. It sounds like you are making a lot of generalizations about a profession that is filled with people who went to school because they CARE about animals. Certainly not for the money.

 

[K9Dave]

One of the best prescription foods out there huh? Helping me make a point. Thanks lol

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I

One of the best prescription foods out there huh? Helping me make a point. Thanks lol

I'm not really sure what point you are trying to make. I'm not a huge fan of science diet as a normal diet, but for special needs patients, the prescription diets are excellent, and I would not hesitate to prescribe if that is what would work for a particular animal.