VETS and PETS

[bosschester]

Hi
I've got an elderly dog which has arthritis in his hind quarters. We have been prescribed Tramadol by our (money-grabbing) vet, but he wants to charge me £16 to write a prescription, but only £3.60 if he fills the prescription himself! Does anyone know if co-codomol would be harmful -or any other over-the-counter product? As an OAP I find it difficult to finance the vet's comfy life-style, but I don't want to prejudice my pets' well-being.
Just a side nite - a few weeks ago I took a very poorly stray cat to him. He put it down and charged me nearly £200. He offered me the alternative of putting the poor creature back out on the street!
Isn't it about time that Vets were brought within strict laws.

[Alagopus]

Don't use Co-codomol it contains paracetamol which is toxic to dogs. I'd change vets if I were you; there must be more sensitive ones out there.

[jules77]

Never ever give your dog human medication unless it is prescribed by a vet, definitely not co codamol. £200 to pts a stray cat is extortionate and the alternative to put him back on the streets is ludicrous. My vet takes in and treats strays at no charge, and I have also taken him other wild animals too. Time for you to find a new vet I think.

You could try a herbal alternative to a prescription medication, there are numerous products available ie: Yumove.

http://www.lintbells.com/products/yumove

[Invictas]

If you ever find another cat in this situation contact your local Cats Protection (the largest Cat Charity in the UK) they will take it in and decide what should happen to it,they only ever put a cat down if it is in a very bad way.They would not charge you a penny,they would just be glad you had brought it to them.

[wildwood]

£200 for euthanasia of a cat is outrageous! If this didn't include other work you should report this vet to the RCVS http://www.rcvs.org.uk/

In general Vets get a raw deal from the public though. Their education is on par with a medical doctor. Always consider Pet Insurance when taking on the responsibility of an animal.

[wolf63]

I have to admit that our Vet is pretty reasonable when it comes to prices.

One of my cats is asthmatic and uses a 'human' inhaler. It costs me £75 to buy this from the vet - he explained the prices and their mark-up was not that high.

If I pay the Vet £10 he will give me a prescription so that I can purchase the inhaler as a private prescription at my local chemist - the inhaler costs £37 that way.

The two vets surgeries in town are old practices that have been around for ages - I started using this one 35+ years ago when I was in my teens.

Change your vet if you feel that they are not giving a good service - it is important that you trust the vet and his medical services.

[icemaiden]

I take Tramadol for my back, and I give it to one of my terriers (as advised by the vet). Can you not go to your GP and fake a bit of back pain?

[icemaiden]

Just to add. I also give my terrier linseed oil in capsule form for his dodgy legs and I must admit, he has been much better of late. Not as much stiffness and he seems much happier! Takes a good month to seee any difference. Lots of Omega 3,6 and 9. Better than Cod liver oil. Holland and Barratt had a sale on Linseed oil recently. All half price.

[ganesh]

Vets are ridiculously expensive but you can usually tell if your vet is in it for the dosh or loves and wants to help animals.Your vet sounds terrible if he was willing to let the cat back out onto the street in poor condition and he should have suggested free alternatives like the cats protection as others have mentioned in this thread.I would definitely change vets and tell him if you have the nerve that you will report his behaviour unless he pays you the £200 back!

[sairz]

I have a 14 yr old collie she could just about manage to go for walks round a short block i spoke to my vet who advised me to try Glucosimine and i have never looked back since she is like a new dog I can now take her for longer walks and she is much happier plus it doesnt break the bank! Her back end is still weak but she is an old dog it happens, its much cheeper than vets medicine. please dont give him co-codamol x

[bosschester]

Thanks for your comments sairz.

I've had my dog on Glucosamine for several months now, together with Metacam. He is holding his own and seems to enjoy short walks.. It's so hard to decide when a loyal friend has no longer any quality of life.
George