spoofly

This afternoon I took Fly to the vet's to get her updated on her rabies vaccine. I made the mistake of taking her to the Banfield clinic at the Petsmart (it's super close to my house so I thought why not?). Everything was going fine until they asked what she was eating. I told them she was on a raw diet. She wasn't familiar with this and I tried to explain further that it was also called the prey model diet or BARF. Then she proceeded to rip me a new one on how this is going to effect Fly's growth, digestion and coat in negative ways. Then she proceeded to recommend Eukanuba (several times she suggested this). Then she told me to give Fly two adult benadryl to deal with the allergies. I was pretty angry at this point. I then asked her at the end of the visit "So, is my dog in good health?"...the vet's reaction was "yeah, she looks great, and her teeth look amazing". I responded "I attribute this to her raw diet". Then I left. I felt they treated me like an idiot. It's not like I throw my dog a chicken leg and call it good. I have done some hefty research and figured out her protein/nutrient needs and do my VERY BEST to meet them. UGH. I'm going to look for a different Vet. I wish there was some kind of natural/holistic vet in my area. I'm going to begin my search.

Olie

Well it is coming from Banfield so.......that being said, no Vet or anyone else would rip me unless I deserved it and even still you better have a better bedside manors and have a good debate as to why I should feed that crap food she recommended and at the price I am paying you. (~~Ok off my rant~~) I had a butcher try to do something similar yesterday, only he thought raw was great for the dogs but felt I should pay outrageous prices he was offering. Basically saying Walmart and grocery meats are not edible LMAO!

I sware a lot of Vets just are not up on feeding the right foods, mine is not either but Raw is an alternative that he has spoke about so for that I am glad, although he does not know that I am doing Raw that will be next trip.

I feel the same as you, you did our homework and clearly made the best decision you feel best for your dog, so they should take that and smoke it, right?!!!

spoofly

Lol. Thanks Olie.

I figured they wouldn't be supportive of my decicion to feed raw. But I didn't think they would be so condiscending. I worked at a Petco in the past and I know that Iams and Eukanuba are owned by the same company. I also know that Vet's just like Doctors are paid by certain food companies to reccomend certain foods. I have been a diabetic for 12 years and ran out of medical insurance last year as I was no longer a student. It took me ten+ years and a stay in the hostpital to learn that I could get insulin over the counter. No doc ever told me that. I'm pretty sure they are ran the same way. Either way I will continue to do what I feel is best for my Poodle.

BFF

It's disappointing people's first reaction is to get angry when they 'think' they know better. I've been caught in that fallacy a few times myself. Now I always try to 'seek to understand'. I don't necessarily agree with the other person, but I try to figure out why they think the way they do.

If she started with that approach, I think she would have been very interested to learn more about raw feeding. The fact that she has never heard about it and has no intent to learn something new, I would move on to a vet that would at the very least hear me out. My vet was fine with it, but the tech was all freaked out. "Oh! You're not supposed to feed them chicken bones!"

Rather than disagree with her, I just let it go. I just don't waste my energy and time on some people. I figure she will talk to the other people in the office and be more open to learn about raw feeding on more neutral ground.

There may come a time when I find that my vet isn't consistent with my views of preventative health. At that point, I will find a new one. Right now they have a note that Zulee is on a 'special' diet.

It's too bad you had to experience this. You are a fantastic Mom! I would also say that you are a lot more informed than that 'vet'!

spoofly

BFF. You're right. I wasn't so upset that she disagreed with what I was feeding her it was more so the way she expressed it towards me. She treated me like I was an ignorant idiot. Even after explaining to her.....But I'm just going to move on and find a new vet that I am happy with. I'm glad I have all of you on the forum to give me support with the raw feeding. =]

Maxwell

I figure if you research what is best for your dog, you take away from that what you will. In my experiences with dogs; a taste for blood makes them more aggressive.
I have always asked a lot of quesions; and I am always looking and asking for the most econimical way to pay for services; such as vet costs and the cost per vaccine, etc.
I assume from it taking you ten plus years to learn you could get meds without seeing your doctor, you are open to learning now. Asking quesitons and advice is only for those who actually want the advice. In general I trust my vet wants what is best for my dog, and the food I make for mine can in no way surpass the nutritional values posted directly on the cans or bags of food. People in the 1940's fed their dogs themselves and so will I. The prices of the foods the vet's reccommend is too high. I am careful how my dogs eat, just as I am careful about what I eat. . . My dog's teeth are in great condition, (I brush their teeth.) I wouldn't allow my pooch to eat some of the treats I eat due to the content of sugar, but basically they eat when I do, and most of what I eat, and sometimes they eat better than me!

partial2poodles

[QUOTE=Olie;80834] Basically saying Walmart and grocery meats are not edible LMAO! QUOTE]

You would be totally SHOCKED and the butcher is 100% correct. Do a little search under "factory farming" and see what you come up with. This is USDA gov't inspected human grade meat we are talking about....the main buyers of this meat are the groceries and wal-marts of america.

I eat wal-mart meat and grocery store meat....but I also have a very close friend who has worked her entire adult life in a retail meat market/slaughterhouse. She told me how picky they are when it comes to selecting cattle and hogs for sale in their shop. It has to be from a home raised farm situation with no antibiotics and steroids....all grain and hay fed animals that are humanely slaughtered and bled out. Its the same difference as Kibbles and Bits VS Orijen kibble....no comparison in quality.

Marian

I'm sorry that happened to you, Spoofly.

spoofly

Maxwell, I have wondered about aggression and raw feeding. But I'm not too concerned with it as I haven't seen any signs of aggression. I'm am 100% open to learning and taking advice and I'm sure the Vet wasn't the devil in disguise, and she probably want's the best for my dog too. As long as my dog's healthy, I'm happy.

bigpoodleperson

LOL!! Dont tell that to my therapy poodle who eats raw! Complete wives tale!
I have no problem buying grocery store meat for my dog that is not organic. I dont eat organic either. I had trouble with some walmart chicken once that someone gave me. I refuse to shop in walmart, so he doesnt eat their meat. Anyways, i figure store bough human meat is still far better then the quality of meat that goes into pet food (even the good kinds). I dont feel gulity in the least.

Im sorry you had a bad experience. I have never been in a bainfield as we dont have one, but i have Never heard good things about them. At my clinic, we try and keep an open mind about most things. I have given my staff (including doctors) a speech about raw diets, so everyone is really good about it. We even hand out a list of good quality foods to feed to clients. If our recomendations on health and vaccines differ from our clients then we talk about it to them. I truely hope a client never leaves us because they never gave us a chance to discuss the differences we have on matters.