Stubborn me and stubborn vet...

[DominosLily]

About a month ago we got our adorable boxer puppy but unfortunately started off having to deal with a mess of hookworms. She was on dewormer for a few weeks and also an antibiotic just incase the worms caused a stomach infection because of the amount of worms...

Fast forward a few weeks later- it appears she has reinfested herself with the worms by eating her own poop. I tried giving her banana (some suggested it would prevent her from eating her poop) but she wouldn't eat it.

The vet got on me a SECOND time about my choice of food. At the first visit I was feeding Lily Origen puppy formula but it seemed to be too rich- we have since changed to TOTW puppy which seems to be just PERFECT for her. The vet literally gave me a lecture on how BAD these formulas are and to stick to the PROVEN, researched, tried and true brands such as Science Diet, Iams and Royal Canin puppy food... actually- let me just quote the discharge slip, "CHANGE HER DIET to something with a better track record. These brands have a good reputation for being nutritionally complete and following good standards. I trust these foods and puppies develop well using these foods."

Um, excuse me?! "Nutritionally complete"?! Seriously?! I quoted to her the first three ingredients listed on the back of the puppy science diet bag which is Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal. So we have CORN, chicken BY PRODUCT and Gluten.... hmmmmm as opposed to the first ingredients in what I was giving her, Bison, lamb meal, sweet potatoes...


The vet said she is probably eating her poop because she is nutrient deficient and to change diets ASAP... but I think she could be nutrient deficient because she has HOOK WORMS.

So my question to all of you- is what should I say to the vet when I need to return in two weeks?! Should I give her a print out of the TOTW track record or just let it go and agree to disagree?

Please give me your feedback since this whole food debate has me extremely discouraged. =(

[Mom2Jax&Bay]

Honestly I would just agree to disagree. My vet is that way about raw feeding and the holistic treatment for heart worms. I stood my ground and she respected me for it. And BTW Baylee is now HW negative after less then 18 months on the holistic treatment.

[GoudasMom]

I'm not one to blindly follow a Vets advice and if its something I feel very strongly about I will tell them in my own way So with that being said IF it were me in this position I would get another Vet and I also would tell the Vet why on my way out

[Zeus050412]

I agree on the changing vet parts. You are not obligated to see her and her commercial like ways. Find a vet your are comfortable with.


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[WholeLottaBoxers]

Sadly, vets are not required to take classes on animal nutrition while in vet school. Stick to your guns. If it were me, I'd find another vet completely. On your way out, share with her the websites of dogfoodanalysis.com and dogfoodadvisor.com. she has a lot to learn.

[Mgibs]

I agree w what everyone has said here. I would find a new vet immediately and on he way out tell this vet exactly why. Yes, you may have differing opinions, but in NO WAY a Vet supposed to belittle you and make you feel uncomfortable, ESP for a choice you made. THEY need to do a little research and find out there is more out there than those piece of crap garbage food. Science Diet has PLASTIC in it for heaven sakes! Just because they are set back in time doesn't mean you should be. You def should find a vet that appreciates your care for your puppy and is accepting of the choices you make. Any reasonable person Vet or not can tell its not totw that made her eat her poop. OMG- ur not feeding her Ole Roy or Kibbles $ Bits. Seriously, if I met that vet, I'd prolly want to punch them in the face if I was you. You have way more patience than me. Don't let them push you around. You're smart and you're doing a great job with this little girl


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[Georgiapeach]

My vet and I agreed to disagree on kibble, after she tried to get me to switch a couple of times. She now no longer brings it up.

[Wyatts_Momma]

Well, since everyone said everything I wanted to say, I guess all there is to say is "I agree!"


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[OctanesMum]

Originally Posted by DominosLily

About a month ago we got our adorable boxer puppy but unfortunately started off having to deal with a mess of hookworms. She was on dewormer for a few weeks and also an antibiotic just incase the worms caused a stomach infection because of the amount of worms...

Fast forward a few weeks later- it appears she has reinfested herself with the worms by eating her own poop. I tried giving her banana (some suggested it would prevent her from eating her poop) but she wouldn't eat it.

The vet got on me a SECOND time about my choice of food. At the first visit I was feeding Lily Origen puppy formula but it seemed to be too rich- we have since changed to TOTW puppy which seems to be just PERFECT for her. The vet literally gave me a lecture on how BAD these formulas are and to stick to the PROVEN, researched, tried and true brands such as Science Diet, Iams and Royal Canin puppy food... actually- let me just quote the discharge slip, "CHANGE HER DIET to something with a better track record. These brands have a good reputation for being nutritionally complete and following good standards. I trust these foods and puppies develop well using these foods."

Um, excuse me?! "Nutritionally complete"?! Seriously?! I quoted to her the first three ingredients listed on the back of the puppy science diet bag which is Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal. So we have CORN, chicken BY PRODUCT and Gluten.... hmmmmm as opposed to the first ingredients in what I was giving her, Bison, lamb meal, sweet potatoes...


The vet said she is probably eating her poop because she is nutrient deficient and to change diets ASAP... but I think she could be nutrient deficient because she has HOOK WORMS.

So my question to all of you- is what should I say to the vet when I need to return in two weeks?! Should I give her a print out of the TOTW track record or just let it go and agree to disagree?

Please give me your feedback since this whole food debate has me extremely discouraged. =(

if it continues to be an issue seek out another vet. My girl ate totw as puppy and did beautifully on it. Just make it clear that that subject is not up debate and you're already putting enough money in his pocket without buying food from him as well.

[af_wx_wife]

I would stand your ground on your food choice. We are the owners of these precious fur babies & we pay the bills (food, vet & all that) for them. The vet can't MAKE you change your food choice. Sounds to me like your vet is just pushing the brands they sale in the office. I would seek out another vet. Neither of the vets we use here have ever pushed another food on us (for either the dogs or the cat) & come to think of it none of the vets we had in VA ever did either. I wish you the best of luck.