[Small Farmer]

I think one of the real problems is that, like doctors, vets have got into the habit of prolonging life at any cost, after all the insurer will often be picking up the bill.  There's always a time to say goodbye, but that time is a lot later than it used to be.  Sometimes it seems to be less to do with the animal's interests than the owner's emotional needs. 

We're fortunate to have a vet practice that does both domestic and farm animals: I think they're better linked to real life that way.

[SallyintNorth]

We're fortunate to have a vet practice that does both domestic and farm animals: I think they're better linked to real life that way.

I agree with that.  I don't now like to see the small animal specialists at our surgery, as they seem, on the whole (with one notable exception) to think all owners will want to prolong life at any cost - and with a working collie who works on the farm, that is neither appropriate nor in the best interests of dog or owner.

[funkyfish]

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should......
I'd never put my pets through chemo for example. If they needed an MRI scan, they probably need putting to sleep.

[Brucklay]

Ahh - there's always the exception to the rule funkyfish - my German Shepherd has a cancerous lump removed when she was four and is fighting fit at 10 and happy with it - but I do admit it may not have been the case - at 4 years old it was worth a go - on the other side of the coin when we made the decision that Tess at 18+ year old collie was no longer 'happy with life' we called the vet out and he asked several times 'if we were sure' made me feel really bad!!

[Small Farmer]

You make the best decision you can based on huge knowledge of the animal.   

Vets need to be firmly put back in their boxes sometimes.  Perhaps reminding them that their opinion of the animal's health is from an exceedingly narrow perspective is necessary.  But when you have decided it is grubby to question your decision.

I feel very fortunate with our current vet practice.

[montana]

You make the best decision you can based on huge knowledge of the animal.   

Vets need to be firmly put back in their boxes sometimes.  Perhaps reminding them that their opinion of the animal's health is from an exceedingly narrow perspective is necessary.  But when you have decided it is grubby to question your decision.

I feel very fortunate with our current vet practice.

I totally agree, we recently bought a isds registered collie pup, booked him in for his jabs and it came with a free first wormer.

Vet jabbed the puppy and did a health check listened to heart etc everything fine. I mentioned to the vet that we had sheep and enquired about tape worm don't worry i was told shouldn't be a problem till he is 6 months old.

OK I thought, took pup back for 2nd jab 2 weeks later, to be told pup had a heart murmur, first words out the vets mouth (different vet, same practice)  was is he insured ? no i replied well it will cost £275 for a ultrasound.

I asked if like children ( i work for the ambulance service) might he not grow out of it, begrudgingly he replied yes, so I agreed  to have him checked before having him neutered.

Finding he wasn't getting any money out of me he turned his attention to worms,  He's not been wormed for tapeworm he stated, I told him what the other vet had said, but he might eat one of your sheep's carcasses he replied ( i kid you not ).

Very true I replied but as we only have 5 sheep i would like to think i would notice if one was missing. Again he went on about eating carcasses, obviously not getting the point the first time. So i held up my hand and said we still only have 5 sheep and I can count that high, so i would notice if one was missing!

Blooming cheek needless to say I am changing vets.

[Sandy]

I suppose in every walk of life and trade there are those with whom you get honest prices from and those who will find lots of extras!!!!!!!!  I would be peeed off too,  mind you.....  maybe you should ask if he has a family and if yes, say, have you ever left one on holiday because you did not notice they were not there!!!