WHY SHOULDN'T I JUST GIVE MY OWN SHOTS?

We are all looking for the best value when it comes to spending our time and money. The question is, what is the best value? Many people think that over-the-counter vaccines save them money, which may be true, but do they really insure that their pet will not get sick if they encounter a serious disease.

Vaccines are like insurance. If you never have the house burn down, then you probably spent too much. However, if there’s a fire, you want to have the best coverage possible! I have been in practice since 1984. Year after year without fail I see dozens, in some years even over a hundred very ill dogs (parvo, distemper) and cats (leukemia, distemper) that have not had proper vaccines.

The vaccines sold over-the-counter are not what veterinarians use. These vaccines have a high failure rate and often cause serious reactions. In addition, for reasons we are not sure of, many pets vaccinated at certain "quick-shot" clinics, shelters and government facilities frequently become ill with diseases they have supposedly been protected against. Sadly, many of these pets die, and although we do save many more, the cost to save them is often more than the owner would have spent on a lifetime of vaccines at the vet!

Another important consideration for the "do-it-yourselfer" is the overall health care of your pet. Dogs and cats really do age much faster than people, especially young animals. Many people come with young pets that have serious problems that could have been simply treated had the problem only been recognized uring the usual puppy/kitten visits. Many older animals that have not been seen in years also often have illnesses that could have easily been treated or controlled if they had only been seen on a regular basis. In fact, we consider the examination of your pet the most important service we offer!

Many people often neglect parasite exams including a heartworm check. Some people opt just to pump a wormer into their pet without considering; first, about 50% of all internal parasites are NOT worms and not treated by common wormers. Second, most over-the-counter wormers have not been used by vets for decades because they are toxic and caustic. Newer, safer, more-effective products are available. Third, most wormers do not kill tapeworms that are quite common and require a specific product in their own right. Lastly, and I think most important, why would any one give a pet a medication without knowing what they were treating? Would you want a doctor medicating you before they had a diagnosis?

Finally, we ask you to determine what level of care do you want for your pet, and what kind of relationship do you hope to have with a vet? Do you want your vet or their staff to return your call and answer your questions when a need arises? Do you expect them to do so for someone who has never graced their clinic doors? My regular clients get answers and advice when they call, and we bend over backwards to meet their needs and see that their costs are kept to a minimum. Of course we will care for any pet, and give them the best care possible, but, when it comes to your pet, wouldn’t be better to be working with someone you know and trust?