Choosing a Veterinarian
      ~ finding the Weimaraner savvy or holistic Vet

OwyheeStar Comments

Dr. John Calhoun exams Zula Blue's puppy during the Litter Wellness Exam.

OwyheeStar recognizes the difficulty for the average dog loving client who wants nothing but the best for their beloved Weim. Nevertheless, choosing the right Vet is an emotion-driven process. Too often we equate the compassionate care given during a crisis as the sign of a competency too. 

Shela at OwyheeStar is the gatekeeper of information, inquiries, and sometimes situations unthinkable. Nothing is more heartrending than a client's note bemoaning their discovery that the Vet's decision for the Weimaraner resulted in problems. These health issues are mostly the result of vaccine reactions or medication choices. OwyheeStar recommends following the vaccine protocol and avoiding the sixteen-week puppy vaccination when possible. That avoidance happens because the Vet agrees to the vaccine titer test which involves a bit more money spent but, in turn, provides invaluable information. 

Suggestions to ponder

Before you automatically stick with a former Vet or select any Vet due to your experience or their repetition please consider these facts:

1. The unique needs of the Weimaraner are not defining your Vet's protocol. All Veterinary practices are broad-based by nature. The bulk of their canine clients is not the purebred, and when it is we are usually speaking of the Labrador Retriever. 
2. Ask for a copy of the puppy vaccine protocol. Keep in mind that even if you get them to agree on something other than this protocol, every notice you receive will be based on the office protocol. 
3. Look up their Vet practice's online rating. You can also search for other area Veterinary practices and read the comment section. Check for holistic approaches to medicine. The Holistic approach to Veterinary care is less likely to push to over-vaccinate your Weimaraner puppy. 
4. Investigate whether the facility is American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) certified. The association with AAHA speaks to the practice's quality of care, which signifies that they have voluntarily pursued and met the AAHA's standards regarding their facility and equipment as well as training.
5. Many practices have more than one Vet on staff. Often,  visits are scheduled. If you could get whoever is available (while no practice wants to admit to it), you may not get the same quality of service across the board. Ask if you have the option to request a particular Vet for your visits.  
6. What are the office hours; who handles after hour emergency calls?
7. Do they accept pet insurance--which companies will the accept?
8. Location--while being close by is important to many, do not make this your primary criteria. Create a list of things you want and need and do not compromise.
9. The posh spa-type practice might seem appealing; however, a smaller less expensive practice might prove even more beneficial. Look at the facility. It should be clean and well-maintained. The people working at each level should be professional and trained. Don't assume that ever Vet Assistant is a Licensed Vet Tech. A skilled Vet Tech can be a lifesaver. Do not underestimate what they have done to earn that license. 
10. You should feel comfortable and valued by everyone at the practice. The overall philosophy of care should be a balanced approach. Prevention and a Holistic approach which considers the age of the pet and their quality of life is vital.

The Weimaraner's health
and well-being will depend upon your decision!

REBECCA SKLOOT--a longtime registered Vet Tech found herself in an unthinkable and life-threatening situation. Click here to read the article on what happened and how to choose a good Vet are something worth checking out. She was facing the dreaded bloat situation that is commonplace with the Weimaraner. Please read what she says and balance it with what you know and our recommendations. Knowledge is a powerful thing; however, most of us are not licensed Vet Techs, who are equipped to argue with the Veterinarian when we feel they might not be right. Here she is on vacation when Sereno develops a serious issue. 

"I once got in a fight with a veterinarian while my dog, Sereno, lay in agony on an exam table. He had "bloated"—his stomach had twisted and filled with air. It was a deadly problem I'd seen many times as a vet tech, and I knew that if we didn't release some of the air with a stomach tube or get him into surgery pronto, he was going to die".

"I was on vacation in rural West Virginia and had just driven 45 miles at top speed looking for a vet. This was the first clinic I saw: tiny, with a broken screen door and a hand-painted sign that said, veterinarian. Sereno looked like he'd swallowed a beach ball, and when I tapped his stomach, it made the telltale pinging sound of a bloated dog. But the vet suggested a blood test to rule out kidney failure. I asked her to take an X-ray. She did—I saw what looked like unequivocal bloat on the film, but she wasn't sure".
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"That day, as I waited for news about Sereno's surgery (he recovered just fine), I made a rule: Always find a good vet before you need one. When I take my dogs on vacation now, I research vets along with hotels. And when I recently moved to Memphis, I made sure to check out vets before I got there".

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Idaho Veterinary Hospital

OwyheeStar works almost exclusively with the Idaho Veterinary Hospital in Nampa, Idaho. Yes, their reputation speaks well for their practice; however, that is not enough in and of itself. Dr. John Calhoun is at the helm of this practice and he is amazing on every level.

• He is well educated and participates in ongoing education. He holds many certificates that make his expertise invaluable to a dog breeder. Attuned to the latest breakthrough practices, makes them cutting-edge. At the same time, they tend to be engaged on a personal level with every client. Their expertise in reproduction and maintaining healthy critters is one reason so many breeders seek them out.
• His staff are equally well-educated.
• Even his office and other support staff learn how the clinic works front to back. 
• Dr. Calhoun is respectful and considerate of the Nielsen's ideas about the Weimaraner. He has helped develop the vaccine protocol, as well as to develop preventative health protocols.
• The annual onsite OwyheeStar visit is a part of the routine. He and his head Vet Tech can examine all the Weims and make suggestions as needed as well as to bring all Rabies vaccine requirements up to date. 
• Even though his clinic like all Vet offices is geared to practice a broad-based clientele, he has helped adapt the OwyheeStar vaccine agenda to be effective without having as large a risk to our beloved breed. 

Cliff and Shela travel the better part of an hour when they go to the Vet office. This investment in time is indicative of the quality of service and support as well as their relationship.