suspicious

After Cookie passed away many who wrote to me with condolences also suggested getting another dog.

I gave it considerable time to reflect on but ultimately decided to not get one. why, because I have grown suspicious of veterinarians. Or at least the vets in Grand Junction at this time. It wasn’t so when I first arrived here.

I came with 5 cats and met and used a vet who I believed was the best vet this town ever had. He took care of my cats and then Cookie. He died in his single engine airplane crash to young. The last thing he happened to do for Cookie was replace her hind knees after which she was fine for 6 years until she died. He took a lot of time showing me the x rays that he took of the damaged cartilage. In essence he was strait forward in all of what he did with his clients. That policy was no longer done at his clinic and the same holds true at the clinics I then delt with.

The last one that showed me the x ray of Cookies enlarged heart and her lungs gathering water did not tell me nothing could be done except to keep her in the clinic giving her lycics [/?] to drain the water but that wouldn’t change her heart. But it would create a new large bill. I took her home and laid in bed with her for maybe 24 hours as nature took its course. She was without pain and against me I like to think happy to her end.

I researched the life expectancy of standard poodles, 10 to 12 years, Cookie was almost 12. They also develop enlarged hearts, or it is not uncommon. The vet may or may not have known what I learned; he just wanted a pay day.

This tactic is used by all of them. They all have learned from the national vet organizations there are 2 here now. When you bring them a pet they take the pet into the exam room without you. They must maintain a certain level of billing.

I have heard from others about the large charges they have experienced.

So, I relegate looking at other pups with their parents and look at Cookie’s pictures.

My unsolicited advice is that all pet owners out there ask as many questions as you can to include what the costs are and if your pet is near death keep from trying to get another day or two, have the vet tell you the truth as mine didn’t me.

PS I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD SALES OF PET INSURANCE IS ON THE RISE. THAT GIVES THE VETS LIC. TO CHARGE MORE. I JUST DON'T TRUST THEM NOW!!!!