I worked for vets from the time is was 15yrs old, till I was 28. I definately saw a HUGE metamorphosis over the years. It turned from simple, and personable, to everything is complicated and corporate. It's a darn shame. I know that there are a FEW good ones still out there, but most of them will be retiring soon.
I luckily learned ALOT during the years, and can pretty much handle anything on my own with exception of cancer. I buy my distemper/parvo shots, Ivomec, injectable penicillan, and deworming paste from Tractor Supply. I can stitch, staple, dress wounds, set broken bones, spay and neuter, lol, and a few other handy things. I am VERY glad for the knowledge I took with me. I cringe when I hear stories of folks I know that take their dogs in to the vet for what they feel is an emergency when it was something they coulda took care of at home if they had the knowledge. Example: 2" laceration. At home, you can flush it, and staple or suture it, and administer a penn injection. Take dog to vet and you get hit with a $30-$50 'exam fee' soon as you get put in that lil room, $28-$35 for an 'antibiotic injection', and $50-$75ish for 'laceration repair.'
I was bein easy on the prices too.
It's crazy too how I went in to our local vet to pick up a dog of mine that had to have an eye removed (nope, I'm not THAT good, hahaha) and I saw that they had Safeguard tubes on their shelf. I asked if I could buy one, and the receptionist told me unless I have a horse that they have seen at some point, I can't buy the wormer. Something that is OTC. They started implementing that policy not too too long ago. To sell you anything pretty much, there has to be a 'client/patient relationship' established. That's how they get ya. I know the vets HATED when 1800PetMeds and places like that got big. That's because the vet clinics mark up meds like you would not believe. I could go on and on, lol.
