Spaying - is this the normal practice?

Mare1 · 01-17-2006, 04:16 PM

I made an appointment to have Abby spayed. She will be going on 7 months at the time of her spaying.
So I when I called our vet, whom we have been going to for 14 years to make the appointment, I found out that our regular vet does not do the surgery. The clinic has visiting vets that specialize in only spaying and they travel from clinic to clinic.
I was shocked to realize that my vet who I have known for so long and have trusted doesn't even do the surgery.
She is a good vet, she taught me to treat my cat with insulin, and he lived a long life of 18 years and she helped us with our beagle and lab.
Is this normal practice for having spaying done? How can a traveling vet even get to know the dog he is going to do the surgery on? Or am I being over concerned on this.
I just want Abby to be in good hands.
Mare

***Cassiepeia*** · 01-17-2006, 04:32 PM

That's very strange. I don't know if it's normal over there or not, but as far as I know it's not normal down here. Very weird.

Cass.

RIo&Nickysmommy · 01-17-2006, 04:48 PM

Thats not normal from what I know . I would want to meet this person before hand. Is it still going to be done in your vets office will you vet be their. Its diffrent then what Im used to here but people doctors do that all the time. The only time you meet your surgeon is once maybe before you have it done
Rio&Nickysmommy

***Carrie*** · 01-17-2006, 05:32 PM

If this vet is board certified, I am sure he/she is qualified to do spay/neuter jobs. I've had dogs neutered or spayed by vets I didn't know. They were partners in the clinics which my vet was in and so I figured if my trusted vet trusted them, they should be OK. Also, I took Jose for his neuter to the humane society and I didn't know what vet it would be who was doing his surgery. But I figured, they do those surgeries so routinely, so much, that they must know how to do it.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it if it is a qualified vet.

Shalva · 01-17-2006, 05:35 PM

the only time I have heard of anything like that is for low cost spay neuter clinics .... but never for my own vet.... I wouldn't be happy about that....
s

Novel · 01-17-2006, 05:57 PM

I've never heard of that, but, logically thinking, someone that specializes in only spays and neuters may be better at it than the general practice DVM.
That said, I stayed with my girls from the time we got to the clinic to the time I took them home. That included putting them under, the surgery and recovery time. I actually took them home while they were still under so they could wake up at home.
Ask if you can stay with your girl. Most vets do not have a problem with it, also, many welcome having the owner stay with the dog at the clinic while it wakes up. It frees up one of their staff members from having to stay with the dog and that way you can comfort her in what can be stressful time.

linnie · 01-17-2006, 10:46 PM

mare1 I have never heard of it before but have to say that if a vet comes around that regularly spays then he/ she should be very proficient about it.

I personally like to know the person who is operating on my pets but then I am probably a bit overprotective

And definately a worrier

ebrent800 · 01-17-2006, 11:01 PM

I have heard of traveling surgeons here in MI, there is one in particular that I know of that originally worked at the hospital I work for and now he just travels around as different clinics need him. I agree, kind of a cold practice

Shadowkins · 01-18-2006, 03:34 AM

Never heard of that before...not around here, however, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen! I would prefer the vet I know ( or his associates ) to do the procedure rather than a travelling vet. That's just me though...I find trust is built over time and if I don't know you, I'd prefer you don't touch my dog...that is unless I can be there .

Mare1 · 01-18-2006, 02:04 PM

Everyone brought up good points. I trust my vet completely, I think I will call the clinic again just to go over a few things.

They did tell me the vet doing the surgery is very qualified and has been doing this for along time with their clinic and comes very highly recommended.

So some vets, must not feel they can keep up with the new advances in surgery so they call in specialists and they just practice office medicine. Kinda like human doctors that do referrals.

I know I have to go with her and meet the doctor, that was a requirement and I would want to do that anyway. I will let you know how it goes, if this is the path I stay on.
Mare

Novel · 01-19-2006, 07:20 AM

Sounds good, keep us updated!

Novel · 01-29-2006, 09:00 AM

How was Abby's procedure? You may have said something elsewhere, but I missed it.

01-17-2006, 04:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mare1 Mare1 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 35 Rep Power: 0	Spaying - is this the normal practice? I made an appointment to have Abby spayed. She will be going on 7 months at the time of her spaying. So I when I called our vet, whom we have been going to for 14 years to make the appointment, I found out that our regular vet does not do the surgery. The clinic has visiting vets that specialize in only spaying and they travel from clinic to clinic. I was shocked to realize that my vet who I have known for so long and have trusted doesn't even do the surgery. She is a good vet, she taught me to treat my cat with insulin, and he lived a long life of 18 years and she helped us with our beagle and lab. Is this normal practice for having spaying done? How can a traveling vet even get to know the dog he is going to do the surgery on? Or am I being over concerned on this. I just want Abby to be in good hands. Mare

01-17-2006, 04:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	That's very strange. I don't know if it's normal over there or not, but as far as I know it's not normal down here. Very weird. Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-17-2006, 05:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,415 Rep Power: 285	If this vet is board certified, I am sure he/she is qualified to do spay/neuter jobs. I've had dogs neutered or spayed by vets I didn't know. They were partners in the clinics which my vet was in and so I figured if my trusted vet trusted them, they should be OK. Also, I took Jose for his neuter to the humane society and I didn't know what vet it would be who was doing his surgery. But I figured, they do those surgeries so routinely, so much, that they must know how to do it. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it if it is a qualified vet.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-17-2006, 05:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Novel Mush Face Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,974 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 220	I've never heard of that, but, logically thinking, someone that specializes in only spays and neuters may be better at it than the general practice DVM. That said, I stayed with my girls from the time we got to the clinic to the time I took them home. That included putting them under, the surgery and recovery time. I actually took them home while they were still under so they could wake up at home. Ask if you can stay with your girl. Most vets do not have a problem with it, also, many welcome having the owner stay with the dog at the clinic while it wakes up. It frees up one of their staff members from having to stay with the dog and that way you can comfort her in what can be stressful time.
	__________________ ~~~My Blog~~~

01-17-2006, 10:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 171	mare1 I have never heard of it before but have to say that if a vet comes around that regularly spays then he/ she should be very proficient about it. I personally like to know the person who is operating on my pets but then I am probably a bit overprotective And definately a worrier
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

01-17-2006, 04:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
RIo&Nickysmommy Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Long Island Posts: 256 Rep Power: 64	Thats not normal from what I know . I would want to meet this person before hand. Is it still going to be done in your vets office will you vet be their. Its diffrent then what Im used to here but people doctors do that all the time. The only time you meet your surgeon is once maybe before you have it done Rio&Nickysmommy

01-17-2006, 05:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Shalva Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: here...pointing to palm of right hand Posts: 442 Rep Power: 0	the only time I have heard of anything like that is for low cost spay neuter clinics .... but never for my own vet.... I wouldn't be happy about that.... s

01-17-2006, 11:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
ebrent800 APBT's & My Mastiff baby Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Farmington, MI Posts: 41 Rep Power: 0	I have heard of traveling surgeons here in MI, there is one in particular that I know of that originally worked at the hospital I work for and now he just travels around as different clinics need him. I agree, kind of a cold practice

01-18-2006, 03:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
Shadowkins Shadowkins Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 2,726 Rep Power: 129	Never heard of that before...not around here, however, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen! I would prefer the vet I know ( or his associates ) to do the procedure rather than a travelling vet. That's just me though...I find trust is built over time and if I don't know you, I'd prefer you don't touch my dog...that is unless I can be there .

01-18-2006, 02:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mare1 Mare1 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 35 Rep Power: 0	Everyone brought up good points. I trust my vet completely, I think I will call the clinic again just to go over a few things. They did tell me the vet doing the surgery is very qualified and has been doing this for along time with their clinic and comes very highly recommended. So some vets, must not feel they can keep up with the new advances in surgery so they call in specialists and they just practice office medicine. Kinda like human doctors that do referrals. I know I have to go with her and meet the doctor, that was a requirement and I would want to do that anyway. I will let you know how it goes, if this is the path I stay on. Mare

01-19-2006, 07:20 AM	#11 (permalink)
Novel Mush Face Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,974 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 220	Sounds good, keep us updated!
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01-29-2006, 09:00 AM	#12 (permalink)
Novel Mush Face Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,974 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 220	How was Abby's procedure? You may have said something elsewhere, but I missed it.
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