Why don't people listen to their Veterinarian's advise?

I have noticed in recent years that the TAMU vet hospital and one of the vets I have used always give the cost up front when recommending a procedure and/or medications. Perhaps a written estimate stating the approximate costs for the people to take home with them would be helpful. It also serves as a reminder once they are home and back to their busy life.

A printed information sheet with color pictures showing the levels of tartar and periodontal disease along with pain info would be helpful to most people. Put a check mark next to the level for their dog.

An information sheet on CHF would be very useful. Include a definition of CHF, the level, possible outcome with and without medication.

A vet once gave me an info sheet on IVDD which was priceless. Brains often go into shut down mode while at the vet or the person is intimidated because you are a doctor. Info sheets can be read at home when the person is able to absorb some of the info. Include internet references for the person to get more in-depth info.

Many people fear any type of anesthesia. Explain what drugs are given, how a dental cleaning is done and how long it takes. Since dogs are taken to the vet in the morning and picked up late in the day many people think the dog is sedated for hours.

Some people are embarassed when they do not immediately follow up on a recommendation. Use a story as an example of how a family did not follow up, the dog became worse but you are always there for them.

Some folks are in denial.

Money is a factor for many people. A dental cleaning can be a big expense during these economic times. Not everyone qualifies for CareCredit. TAMU will give care and perform procedures with 1/2 down and payments over 6 months with interest. Of course, they are large enough to have a collection department. For regular clients who always pay during the visit, let them know that you will accept payments if needed.

I appreciate it when a staff member calls the check up on how one of my dogs is doing. It also serves as an opportunity to make the appointment for needed treatment.

Ultimately the care and fate of any animal is the responsibility of the owner.

"Why Don't People Listen to Their Veterinarian's Advice?"

People? You mean all pet owners are the same? Well, somebody must be listening, otherwise there would be alot of vets out of a job.

A patient/vet relationship is a two way street. Pet owners do not want to be talked down to. Nor do they want to feel as though they have no choices. They want to be able to discuss alternate treatment options without being made to feel as though they are too stupid to live.

Veterinary hospitals need to remember that clients pay the bill and need to be treated with courtesy, need to figure out ways that make their practice more owner-friendly, instead of treating clients like their own personal ATM machines. Costs need to be explained and if necessary, veering a bit from proposed treatment plan.

I have been a pet owner for going on 40 years. My profession for my entire adult life has been the animal health field. I take a very active part in my dogs' health care and always appreciate finding a vet that considers my knowledge a plus, rather than a nuisance or threat to the DVM after his name. My dogs have always had the best medical care. There are many horrible pet owners but there are also many extremely devoted pet owners that would do virtually anything to insure that their pets have what they need.

You mught want to take a second and think about all the pet owners with chronically ill pets, that run test after test, procedure after procedure and nothing works. Yet, they keep trying...and spending huge amount of money with no end in sight. Yes, pets are expensive and if we choose to have them we must pay the costs. But a little understanding goes a long way. So does respect and courtesy, because I have had my fill of incompetent vets that made fatal errors or were too busy to care in any meaningful way.

So, whoever you are posing those accusatory and condescending questions to, I know it is not me that needs to answer them. Nor is it the many people that take pet ownership very seriously. All pet owners are not the same. Remember that.

And that is what I think.

I think a lot of people ar just unwilling to pay large sums of money on their pets. I mean if you claim to love them like family members you should be willing to pony up the money. I had a terrible experience with an ex boyfriend a long time ago that's a long story, but basic point is he chose to put down a dog bc he didn't bother to take the time to train it or take certain precautions as the dogs had stopped getting along. He could not be rehomed and would have been put down in a shelter any way. I loved that dog with all my heart, but it wasn't mine so I had no choice in the matter. I left him over it. Since then with my own dogs, one had to have emergency surgery that I put myself quite a bit into debt to pay for.

our vets or any vet

we listen too our vets but we also get all information from them and have done our background work too know they are good ones, and got excelent relationship too our vets, that is not too say we automatically would listen too any vet, and at times do go by other vet offices at need, and what happen from there depends on many things, if we are not asured we would normally contact our own vets for an opinion or for scheduling an apointment with them for a second opinion when we get home

just like i wont take a doctors word for granted i wont take a vets word for granted, there are good and bad practitioners in any buisnis, be it veterinary field or housebuilding, so you cant take anything for granted...that said our dogs dont suffer, we do put them down when time is there, and do give them all care needed

but we also got insurance on them, and have back up money too take from at need

I never think It's okay to not give a pet medical care and I always care for my pets. But It's quite pathetic and sick how you think just because something is not expensive to you that it's not expensive to everyone. Think about that stupid statement of yours. And yes there are a lot of terrible lying vets out there, came across one last week. Vets don't know EVERYTHING. Luckily, I have finally found a trustworthy vet. Took way too long to find one.

I have had 1 vet that I've fired as he "claimed" that he told me to do one thing when he did nothing of the sort I got a second opinion from another vet and they were outraged by the treatment of my first vet. Then I had another vet, the last vet I had, that told me that I had to bring my dog back every 3 weeks for them to apply something that I could put on him myself that is monthly plus she also lied to me about my dog having worms and convinced to get a cream for him that I later found out was for a large to giant breed dog for joint issues. (mind you I have a Miniature poodle that doesn't weigh 20 pounds). I now have a good vet in the city I live in now (the last one was in my previous city of residence). But I have had vets lie to me thinking me a fool. I do not and will not tolerate that form of disrespect from anybody.

because some people think they know best and in alot of cases they are right i have been told many things by vets and alot of the time vets aren't right but sometimes they are.

some ppl dont care (stupied ppl)

som e people think theree right

im an animal lover and love andcare for my animals and some ppl shouldnt even have animals if they dont take care of them ;)

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"advise" is a verb, "advice" is a noun.