Just have to rant

[Sylvie]

Had to take my seniors in today for a check up and blood tests.

Briar, our golden, is 12 and suffers from the dreaded arthritis.

After his check up, the vet says, he is doing good but his days are numbered Then he states it will be the arthritis that takes him. I wanted to smack him He is a good vet, but he is such a downer.

Imagine, if my doctor were to say, you are in good health but your days are numbered. It will be the arthritis that takes you.

Anyone else have this kind of problems with their vet??

[Mat&Murph]

how depressing!!! Thank dog my vet isn't like that!! Poor Brair, guy is in good health the vet says that.

[TacoGrl]

All of our days are "numbered" if you get right down to it...seemed a dumb thing for him to say

This may be a dumb questions, but how exactly does arthritis kill? I thought it was painful joints siezing or something...one can take meds for that, no?

[Sylvie]

What he was saying is that one day, he will be in so much pain, that we will have to make the dreaded decision. :sad:

He is on meds and some days are really bad for him.:sad: It's not like I don't know this, just didn't need to hear it from him. I also think he was trying to say how healthy he was except for the arthritis.

Don't get me wrong he has taken really good care of my guys through the years but he does not have a good bedside manner.

[Mat&Murph]

Well aslong as he has taken great care of the furries. It is just sad when their problems are thrown in our faces

[TacoGrl]

Oh, ok, I get it

Guess I should put my thinking ap on PRIOR to typing!

[Chaser]

That's an awful thing for a vet to say. Sure, you have to acknowledge the reality of the situation, but there are much more gentle ways to frame that kind of conversation. Not to mention, with all your experience does he think you're an idiot?

[Winston]

Well my friend what can I say other than really poor bedside manner!

There are some vets out there that I just have to shake my head! We have all heard the stories! Thank goodness your in tune to your pack so any issues can be dealt with!

I bet Briar was a perfect gentleman too! he is such a good ole boy!

[kashtin's kin]

We have a 15 yr. old gal with pretty bad arthritis; I just spoke to our vet on the phone recently to sort of do an update, and check to see if he thought things sounded as 'okay' as possible (Freyja's next scheduled app't is in a couple of months...as well as arthritis, she has this weird foot-affecting auto-immune thing known as SLO).

The vet was very patient with me, reviewed meds etc. Freyja is just on an Essential Fatty Acid supplement that really makes her less creaky; vet suggested if we wanted to, we could put her on 'Triacta' (available at horse/tack shops...I had a horse on it once). Of course, there's always Metacam and more; don't know if or what Briar is on?

Anyhow, just wanted to say, I can relate. If your vet is 'good' otherwise, I guess you can just try to put a positive spin on his comments, but I would be a tad upset with his manner. Don't want to advertise or whatever, but if you ever want a second/VERY empathetic opinion, Dr. Geoff Manchester at Queensway Clinic in Simcoe is fantastic.

Plus, Q'way has excellent prices; people drive from Hamilton, Welland etc. due to quality care and decent prices. Sorry, REALLY not the clinic owner, or even have a tiny $ interest...just have been very grateful and impressed over the years. Hang in there, and all the best to you and Briar. When our furkids get pretty senior, all we can do is give them our love and understanding-and make 'geriatric adjustments'.

And as was pointed out above, we're all of us getting older, every minute. Um, that WAS supposed to be reassuring...

[Sylvie]

Thank you KK I have heard good things about that vet in Simcoe.

My vet is really a good vet, it is just his manner. I am a little sensitive when it comes to Briar. He had such a bad start in life. I knew before I went to him that Briar's days are numbered, guess I just didn't want to hear it from him. :sad:

Yes, all our days are numbered, thank dog we don't know how many