We got our puppy. We brought him home late Friday afternoon.
Oh, and he does have a name. After the name search and tossing back ideas, we decided on Austin. Austin because, my boyfriend is a UT grad, because one of my favorite spots is in Austin, the Littlefield Fountain and it’s just a nice place we like to retreat to. Not to mention, we had a bird named Mac Brown and well, he died choking on bird seed. This seemed to shadow Texas' football season. Bevo was one we had to rule out; it seems more fitting for a cow.
He had his first set of shots last Monday. He is supposed to go back in 3 weeks, which gives me time to look for a vet. However, Austin, who is only 8 weeks old, has found love in his toy bear. His love is disturbing and I really want to snip, I mean nip that problem before he finds love in everything.
I read a few places online to not have him neutered until 4 months of age. I guess I can live with him loving the bear for a few couple more months. I read another site that says you can have your pet neutered (or spayed) at 8 weeks - that seems a little too young.
Back to trying to find a vet, this is really hard. Especially when you are new an area and don't know a lot of people. I could ask co-workers, but considering we are all from different parts of Houston, well I don't want to drive 20 minutes and get stuck in traffic.
Plus you don't want some one way expensive that is more about the mighty dollar than your beloved pet. I'm not sure about vet chains - however VCA is a couple of miles from my home and there is one in Victoria, which is nice since we visit there.
It was refreshing to see a coupon, but at the same time, when do you get a coupon to see the doctor?It was very helpful to research online. Although I found a place close to home but the vet was dressed in Renaissance entire with her family on the clinic's website. Not too sure about that.
I understand that pet store chains do have vet services, but that's a little scary. That's like going to Wal-Mart for a physical or annual check-up - are you really getting what you need to be healthy?
I found some reviews online. Some are very helpful, other scare the hell out of me. This one was quite alarming: "BEWARE! Their Vet that is staffed is DIFFERENT every day or two! My Puppy was there for a week so throughout her stay she saw 4 DIFFERENT doctors who all had DIFFERENT approaches to treating my poor puppy. One wanted to do as much medical treatment as possible, and did while they were there. The next day, the next vet did not feel this was a good idea and did the opposite. They put my puppy through a rollercoaster. I would have much rather they stuck to a plan. Then, to make things worse, when I questioned the activity, one vet actually bad-mouthed the other 3 vets!!! That was not very comforting. They did not check on my puppy and allowed her temperature to drop 10 degrees below average and she was in for a sickness that needed extensive monitoring and care. Please, Please! Ask questions before you go to this vet...if you are actually willing to risk your animal’s life."
There were other horror stories about a dog that got away from the vet boarding area and ran into traffic. There even was a story about misdiagnosis and prescription mix-up.I'm glad I have a few weeks to figure it out. I think I may have it narrowed down. It's just amazing how similar it is to finding doctors and hospitals for us humans.
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Those are great choices, however I'm in Houston - but if anythign happens when I visit Victoria, I will go chek those places out. Thanks!!!
May 20, 2008 at 1:49 p.m.I took my cat Chester to Lonestar Animal Hospital off of 77 out past Wal-mart. They were very professional and careful with my little boy. He even freaked out and scratched a nurse pretty badly when they had to take some blood to test for Feline AIDS and leukemia and it didn't phase them.
May 20, 2008 at 1:38 p.m.Granted, I don't really know about the boarding portion. I usually let a friend take care of him while I'm gone.
I highly recommend Hillcrest Animal Hospital at 4001 John Stockbauer we have used them for 9 years 361-573-6131
May 20, 2008 at 6:41 a.m.