Update on back problem

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Update on back problem
by Sonja & Tim
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Update on back problemRemember? I had written about 2 months ago about Tim being diagnosed with a severe disc problem. Ever since his treatment we have been watching him closely when he was playing with his dog friends and interrupted the game if it got too rude. Well, I did not want to accept the diagnosis by my vet and went with Tim to our Vet Med University in Vienna. When they looked at the x-ray my vet did, they said that they would have to redo it, because the x-ray focused on the stomach and not on the spine. What a surprise! The 2nd x-ray came out with no diagnosis at all: Tim has a perfect spine, no disc problem at all! You cannot believe how relieved we were. Of course I bought him lots of goodies this day, which happened to be my birthday. The best present I could get! Now I do not know whether to tell my vet or not. He is open 24hrs , so in case of emergency I will still have to go there. He also saved Tim's life when he was very little (parvovirosis). So I always trusted him. What would you recommend? By the way, this same vet diagnosed Tim's best friend Caesar with a heart problem and put him on a heavy medicine. When checked by the doc at the University he also came out as a healthy dog. Surprise No. 2!

Just wanted to share this with all of you. It is obviously always better to get a second opinion!

DISCUSSION:

Hi Sonja! Glad to hear Tim is o.k. What a great birthday gift for you. ITA about second opinions. It's always better I believe, especially when something very serious is diagnosed. I would tell your regular vet about the second opinion and the diagnoses you got. I would be curious to see the vets reaction. I don't think I would go back to this vet again, but you said he's the only one open 24 hours for emergencies. Maybe keep him on for emergency use only. But follow up with your new vet. And for routine care, I would not go there again. Have a great day!
Angel

I haven't been on this site long enough to have read your original post, but I celebrate your great news. Angel is right about the second opinions. Can't be too careful. I have mixed emotions about your vet too. I think I would scout around for a new vet. Ask around to find out what vet everyone else is raving about. It might turn out to be the best thing you've ever done, except get that second opinion on the disc problem! Good luck
Felicia & Cubbie

Hi Sonja, what a relief for you, glad to hear that Tim is not sick after all. I agree with Angel that it would be interesting to hear what the 1st vet has to say about his mis-diagnosis, but I can understand that you may feel a bit reluctant to tell him! I really like our local vet - her hours are much more convenient than the Uni vet clinic and I am happy to take the beasties there for vaccinations and minor problems, but if I thought that they had a serious problem I would take them to the Uni clinic straight away. The Uni clinics, because they are vet teaching hospitals, generally have much better equipment and also have specialists on hand who are up to date with their research. And it's always good to get a second opinion.
Deanna (Moose & Squirrel)