Legislation question...
Discussion
What ho chaps/chapesses 
the vet that we use is once again saying that Phoebe has to go in to see them before they will repeat her prescription. They have been doing this for a LONG time, however, this time, when I queried it, I was told it was 'legislation'. I asked to be pointed in the right direction to see this legislation but they couldn't/didn't want to. Normally, I am pretty easy going but this was a different vet that I have never seen there before and he put my back up, rather a lot!
Now, I don't object to taking muttley to the vet if she needs to go but as she is such a stress head it is never an easy or pleasant experience for anyone concerned. The last time, the vet was getting quite annoyed with her because she will not let anyone check her over and just shakes and goes rigid, which is not a lot of use when you wish to check her back legs! I know that she will prove unco-operative and the only information gathered will come from me. At the same time, Chester will be there (can't leave him alone - he howls like a Basset, which he is!) and will get the vet annoyed.
I'm sorry to say, I think it is just another money making exercise and I have lost a lot of faith in vets in recent years, it seems to be all abut the money rather than the poor animal involved.
So, can anyone point me in the direction of this 'legislation' or offer any words of wisdom?
the vet that we use is once again saying that Phoebe has to go in to see them before they will repeat her prescription. They have been doing this for a LONG time, however, this time, when I queried it, I was told it was 'legislation'. I asked to be pointed in the right direction to see this legislation but they couldn't/didn't want to. Normally, I am pretty easy going but this was a different vet that I have never seen there before and he put my back up, rather a lot!
Now, I don't object to taking muttley to the vet if she needs to go but as she is such a stress head it is never an easy or pleasant experience for anyone concerned. The last time, the vet was getting quite annoyed with her because she will not let anyone check her over and just shakes and goes rigid, which is not a lot of use when you wish to check her back legs! I know that she will prove unco-operative and the only information gathered will come from me. At the same time, Chester will be there (can't leave him alone - he howls like a Basset, which he is!) and will get the vet annoyed.
I'm sorry to say, I think it is just another money making exercise and I have lost a lot of faith in vets in recent years, it seems to be all abut the money rather than the poor animal involved.
So, can anyone point me in the direction of this 'legislation' or offer any words of wisdom?
It's not something that we as practising vets have chosen to do, I think it's rubbish but it is included in RCVS guidelines and one reason it is sensible is because the public have driven the rise in internet sales of medicines which unless regulated by some form of examination before prescribing, then all the medicines would be available over the internet counter.
Vets really don't make much money. Average salary is around £34k working a 45h week, often + on call.
If we want to make money we do something else, there's no money in veterinary medicine despite what everyone thinks.
As the NHS is free at point of service vets seem comparatively expensive, in real terms they cost probably about half as much...
If we want to make money we do something else, there's no money in veterinary medicine despite what everyone thinks.
As the NHS is free at point of service vets seem comparatively expensive, in real terms they cost probably about half as much...
Our ancient greyhound (she's 15) has been on Metacam for a few years now. They're happy to issue repeat prescriptions as long as they've seen her within the last 6 months.
She has a twice yearly checkup included as part of the annual plan offered by the practice (monthly fee covers all vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, plus discounts on various products), so that's not a major issue.
They've also insisted on a couple of urine tests, just to make sure that there's no liver damage from long term usage of Metacam.
Does the medication your dog is taking have any long term side effects which need to be monitored?
She has a twice yearly checkup included as part of the annual plan offered by the practice (monthly fee covers all vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, plus discounts on various products), so that's not a major issue.
They've also insisted on a couple of urine tests, just to make sure that there's no liver damage from long term usage of Metacam.
Does the medication your dog is taking have any long term side effects which need to be monitored?
Thanks for the replies, thanks especially to THEVET I took her/them and as expected, Phoebe was a mess and Chester annoying but we saw a different vet, a young lady who was helpful and pleasant and tried to get to her legs but settled for checking her heart/breathing etc. She prescribed different stuff (at my request as the original didn't seem to be effective any more) but of course, this new stuff is twice the bloody price! This dog is an expensive family member!
Yes there are side effects, there always are, but she seems okay so far, and as long as she is happy and content then it's all good. She has only been on the new stuff for one day so too soon to tell yet, but she seems better tonight than usual last thing, perhaps this is wishful thinking but I sincerely hope so.
I'm sort of sorry I started the thread now: I do not wish to seem to be 'vet bashing' but honestly, sometimes the attitudes really sux and annoys me enormously from the belligerent receptionist to the distracted and easily annoyed (by Chester) vet.
I took her/them and as expected, Phoebe was a mess and Chester annoying but we saw a different vet, a young lady who was helpful and pleasant and tried to get to her legs but settled for checking her heart/breathing etc. She prescribed different stuff (at my request as the original didn't seem to be effective any more) but of course, this new stuff is twice the bloody price! This dog is an expensive family member!Yes there are side effects, there always are, but she seems okay so far, and as long as she is happy and content then it's all good. She has only been on the new stuff for one day so too soon to tell yet, but she seems better tonight than usual last thing, perhaps this is wishful thinking but I sincerely hope so.
I'm sort of sorry I started the thread now: I do not wish to seem to be 'vet bashing' but honestly, sometimes the attitudes really sux and annoys me enormously from the belligerent receptionist to the distracted and easily annoyed (by Chester) vet.
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