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Veterinarians and why you don't use them
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<blockquote data-quote="Crazy Farmgirl" data-source="post: 986754" data-attributes="member: 17302"><p>I do most all of my own "vet" work, vaccinations, castrating, dehorning, worming(including fecals), blood drawing, IV's, illness treatment ect. simply because I can and it keeps my money in my pocket. My maintenance and treatment plans were created with the help of my vet and from many experienced farmers in the area. I won't hesitate to call the vet when needed but if I can handle it myself I will. If I am stumped or unsure I will call someone, depending on the situation either a vet or experienced farmer and also do my own research. My biggest issue since I have several different species here is finding a Vet that is competent with all of them (cattle, goats & hogs), I'm not expecting they specialize in each but good working knowledge.</p><p></p><p>I live in a VERY rural area and there is only one vet that is close, she will do farm calls but doesn't like to and her fees and attitude reflect that, she also has a "pet mentality". Thinks that all animals are pets and that, like her dog and cat customers, I should be willing to do/pay whatever it takes to resolve the issue at hand. I care for my animals but they are livestock and this is a business and like it or not there has to be a value assigned to each animal and if "fixing" the problem will cost more than the value of the animal then sometimes you have to accept the loss and invest the money into other areas that will benefit the business. She also feels that ONLY vets should be treating animals, not farmers, and don't even think of suggesting something that is "off label" use.Needless to say I don't know any farmers in my area that use her, unless they're in a pinch.</p><p></p><p>I did have 2 vets that I had used frequently when I first started here, both older gentlemen that were not close to me (one 50 miles and the other about 80) but had other customers in the area and would try to pool the visits to the area and then would split the mileage charges between us. Both were very knowledgeable and more than willing to answer questions and happy to show me how to do most anything I asked.</p><p></p><p> Unfortunately the one that was closest retired and a young couple (both vets) took over his practice, I had the man here a couple times and was not impressed! Prices doubled, no off label use of anything and every ailment needed the most expensive drug on the market and the last straw was being told that I was going to kill my goats by giving rumensin which was ONLY for ruminants! :shock: </p><p></p><p>The other gentleman has since gotten all of my business and has been great! He is very busy (aside from his practice he is an adjunct professor at MSU and also has his own farm) but you would hardly know it. He readily gave me his personal cell and home number and assured me not to be affraid to call anytime, which I have a few times and he either answered or call back timely and answered all my questions/ directed treatment needed then called back later to make sure all was going good and never charged me a dime. He is also more than happy to instruct/show me how to do anything I feel comfortable doing. One thing I really like is that he does not try to push the newest greatest drugs unless they are clearly needed, his philosophy is that using the tried and true until they are not effective to reduce drug resistance. He also understands that because of my location and knowing my capabilities that he can talk me through most anything faster than he could drive here and do it himself or that I at least can do as much as I can to help the animal and him until he does get here. His prices are more than reasonable (farm call $45 + $1.50/mile for anything over 50 miles from his office) and has a webstore through his office website that I can order any meds that I need (OTC & Rx) and get them delivered. He has had several classes that I have attended, generally does several a year and has beginner or advanced at separate times so the info is tailored to the attendees. When he retires I'm screwed! </p><p></p><p>I think a consultation fee is certainly a valid option, I don't always need a Vet to come out but understand that his/her time, just like mine, is valuable and taking whatever time needed to answer my questions over the phone and saving me time and money are certainly worth a reasonable fee.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Crazy Farmgirl, post: 986754, member: 17302"] I do most all of my own "vet" work, vaccinations, castrating, dehorning, worming(including fecals), blood drawing, IV's, illness treatment ect. simply because I can and it keeps my money in my pocket. My maintenance and treatment plans were created with the help of my vet and from many experienced farmers in the area. I won't hesitate to call the vet when needed but if I can handle it myself I will. If I am stumped or unsure I will call someone, depending on the situation either a vet or experienced farmer and also do my own research. My biggest issue since I have several different species here is finding a Vet that is competent with all of them (cattle, goats & hogs), I'm not expecting they specialize in each but good working knowledge. I live in a VERY rural area and there is only one vet that is close, she will do farm calls but doesn't like to and her fees and attitude reflect that, she also has a "pet mentality". Thinks that all animals are pets and that, like her dog and cat customers, I should be willing to do/pay whatever it takes to resolve the issue at hand. I care for my animals but they are livestock and this is a business and like it or not there has to be a value assigned to each animal and if "fixing" the problem will cost more than the value of the animal then sometimes you have to accept the loss and invest the money into other areas that will benefit the business. She also feels that ONLY vets should be treating animals, not farmers, and don't even think of suggesting something that is "off label" use.Needless to say I don't know any farmers in my area that use her, unless they're in a pinch. I did have 2 vets that I had used frequently when I first started here, both older gentlemen that were not close to me (one 50 miles and the other about 80) but had other customers in the area and would try to pool the visits to the area and then would split the mileage charges between us. Both were very knowledgeable and more than willing to answer questions and happy to show me how to do most anything I asked. Unfortunately the one that was closest retired and a young couple (both vets) took over his practice, I had the man here a couple times and was not impressed! Prices doubled, no off label use of anything and every ailment needed the most expensive drug on the market and the last straw was being told that I was going to kill my goats by giving rumensin which was ONLY for ruminants! :shock: The other gentleman has since gotten all of my business and has been great! He is very busy (aside from his practice he is an adjunct professor at MSU and also has his own farm) but you would hardly know it. He readily gave me his personal cell and home number and assured me not to be affraid to call anytime, which I have a few times and he either answered or call back timely and answered all my questions/ directed treatment needed then called back later to make sure all was going good and never charged me a dime. He is also more than happy to instruct/show me how to do anything I feel comfortable doing. One thing I really like is that he does not try to push the newest greatest drugs unless they are clearly needed, his philosophy is that using the tried and true until they are not effective to reduce drug resistance. He also understands that because of my location and knowing my capabilities that he can talk me through most anything faster than he could drive here and do it himself or that I at least can do as much as I can to help the animal and him until he does get here. His prices are more than reasonable (farm call $45 + $1.50/mile for anything over 50 miles from his office) and has a webstore through his office website that I can order any meds that I need (OTC & Rx) and get them delivered. He has had several classes that I have attended, generally does several a year and has beginner or advanced at separate times so the info is tailored to the attendees. When he retires I'm screwed! I think a consultation fee is certainly a valid option, I don't always need a Vet to come out but understand that his/her time, just like mine, is valuable and taking whatever time needed to answer my questions over the phone and saving me time and money are certainly worth a reasonable fee. [/QUOTE]
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