Toby's going to see a new vet today and I'm so nervous. When we first moved here and Toby got fleas, we saw a vet but I was very uncomfortable because they examined him in the back without me. When I protested, they brought him out but were not nice about it. He hasn't needed to go back since, thank goodness.

Now with his tummy trouble he has to go in so I did some research and found another one I liked. I called them up yesterday and talked to a vet tech for 20 minutes about Toby's symptoms and diet. She feeds Ziwipeak so naturally I like this place already. I felt very comfortable, and made an appointment for today at 3 PM. I had to fill out a very detailed helpful questionnaire which I liked. They are right next door to Carolina Veterinary Specialists which is a premiere specialty clinic and emergency vet, and they have a close working relationship with them which I like as well.

They told me that for those symptoms they do an exam, fecal test, and also a parvo test just in case. Not a cheap place, but they seem good. They explained the exam procedure and asked me to make sure I carry him in case he is contagious.

I really wanted to find a holistic vet, but the closest one is 70 miles away. Not feasible right now for me with school, finals and whatnot. So unless this tummy trouble becomes chronic I will have to see a vet here.

Anyhow, please keep Toby and I in your thoughts and I will let you know what they say. I'm soooo nervous!

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Good luck! That sounds like a good clinic. I also wanted to find a holistic vet, but the only one near me is outrageously expensive. $100 for an office visit, and they don't offer most regular vet services, so if I had a health concern I would have to go to a regular vet anyways.

Their testing procedure for Toby's symptoms seems fairly routine. Hopefully you find out what is wrong and he will be better soon!

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Thanks LS!

Best wishes to your lil guy. <3 Keep us posted.

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If you aren't part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

Thank you both. I'm so nervous- Toby hasn't had good luck with vets.

They sound good on paper, but we shall see how they are. I thought the tests sounded pretty routine.

This is the first time I've faced a real medical issue with a dog by myself. My previous chi had epilepsy and my mix has torn her meniscus and has fatty tumors and some other issues. We've also had some emergency situations. But my mom has always been there to handle all this stuff. Toby's the first dog that is 100% mine.

I'm kinda unsure of myself and worried about my baby boy.

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I wish you well with your new Vet. From what you describe, they sound very good.
Without going into great detail; my former Chihuahua suffered from a rare disease called autoimmune hemolytic anemia. It is a very long name for a dreadful disease. I had gone to the same Vet for many years are trusted her completely. When Ren was diagnosed my Vet treated the disease routinely. Since AIHA has a 85-90% mortality rate, Ren was fortunate that the disease went into remission.

About a year after she came down with the disease she had a relapse. This time it was worse than ever. I will never forget that day when my Vet said, bring Ren in tomorrow at noon and we will put her to sleep. Everything in me said no even though Ren was so near death. That evening I decided to get a second opinion. I called another local Vet and related the dire situation to her. She said to bring Ren in the next morning. I did.

It was not an easy road. But this Vet saved Ren’s life. Never once did she tell me that there was no hope. She tried every new procedure and drug. Even to the point of collaborating with some of the largest universities in the country. At one point Ren was taking seventy; yes, SEVENTY, doses of medication a week. Call us crazy but Ren once again recovered. An almost unheard of thing with this disease.
All this to say….Ren lived an additional twenty seven months after she was given a death sentence. All because I found a Vet that was willing to treat the pet, treat the pet’s spirit, and help us when no other Vet would. I have a deep respect and love for my Vet. I pray that you and Toby will find your new Vet to be as wonderful as my Vet.

Ren finally passed away at home, in my arms, from complications of AIHA. I miss her terribly. She was 13 years and three months old.

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What an inspiring story, thank you for sharing. I'm glad you were able to have that time. Hopefully this isn't anything serious, but it doesn't stop me from worrying.


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My dogs go to Banfield, my chi is on a health plan there as his first owner never took him to the vet for nearly 8 years! I adopted him right before he turned 10 and she told me he hadn't been since he was 2, not even for a rabies shot. There health plans are incredible for high maintenance dogs and his health plan is the only way I've been able to afford to take care of him and his many health problems. They are also great because they are pretty much everywhere, in almost every petsmart, and if your on a plan every vet visit is free, so even on vacation I can take him to the vet without paying for the office visit. I can't stop singing there praises!

If your dog doesn't go to the vet often and if you don't have the extras, like teeth cleanings, medicines and blood tests, the health plans wouldn't be worth the cost, and a local vet would probably be cheaper. But keeping Banfield on speed dial is prob a good idea, since they have longer hours and are open on weekends, and are much cheaper then an emergency vet, with all the newest equipment.

I have to respectfully disagree, Banfield is known for overcharging and pushing unneeded services on unsuspecting pet owners. Their health plans are pretty expensive and from what I have seen regular vets are cheaper. They inflate the prices of a lot of medications and do not offer generic alternatives. Banfield veterinarians are paid on commission. Maybe the clinic you go to has better standards, but I wouldn't trust them for my own pets.

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Thanks LS!