But some days, at some times, I really sort of want to scream. Not really at him per se, but at his office staff. For anyone who remembers the frustrations I had around scheduling our Myelograms.. I've had run ins with the main office lady a few times. She acts like she's guarding some ancient treasure and fiercely defends her schedule as well as most any communications in and out of the clinic.
How long have I been talking about Regu-Mate? A while right? It's been more than I week since I first emailed my vet to talk about filling a prescription for it (or telling me if he preferred another method of hormone control) which went DAYS without emails or calls back. Why? well... she gets busy, she forgets, she took a day off (steam, steam, steam).
The worst part is I have to try my hardest to stay sugary sweet to her because the last thing I need is to give her any reasons to make my life more difficult. Ugh.
Anyway, I finally talked to my vet yesterday, and we had a fantastic chat about options (injectables, implants, marbles, etc) for controlling Miss P's little, ahem, cycle.
His basic take was that Regu-Mate is a pain to handle (yes), and expensive (yes), but seems to have the biggest impact. He has a couple injectable options that are essentially slow release capsules, but they need to be redone every 4-6 weeks and haven't produced as strong of a "behavior change" as he's seen with Regu-Mate. He also said he doesn't love the current implants that are available and that he's seen a low success rate with the marbles, as many mare tend to "spit them out" after a few cycles.
Yup. Spay. We'll rip those little ovaries right out.
Realistically, she's not a candidate for breeding (ever), and as cute as she is, the wobbler issue is just a big red X over ever considering an attempt to make a little bouncing bundle of joy. Also, foals are damn expensive, you don't know what you're going to get, and I don't know what I would do if a baby came out with even half her sass and fire. Actually... I do know what I'd do. I'd run. Far away. :)
So, Regu-Mate it is. BUT not until Monday. Why??? Because vet office lady is 'gone' today so she can't call when the Regu-Mate arrives (apparently they had to call it in) so I can pick it up.
Never mind this is a full hospital clinic with horses there for surgery, recovery and diagnostics. I'm pretty sure that SOMEONE could pick up the phone and call me. I did fire back an email that said "please have whoever is on duty call me when it comes in" but she never even responded.
Grumpy.
Yes, I know it's only a three day delay, but I feel almost irrational in my need to keep taking steps forward. I just want to dose the mare up, and get on the thing. Is that too much to ask!?
Urgh. That's annoying. I'm glad you have a new STP and are at least attempting to move forward.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a really good plan. I like the idea of trying the hormones to see if they work and then spaying her. That would probably be the best option if this works. I hope the Regumate helps.
ReplyDeleteSorry you're having problems with the staff at your vet clinic. I don't know what problems you've had before, but did want to mention I used to work for a vet and it can be VERY difficult being a receptionist for them. Keeping the vet happy and the customers happy is a full time juggling act. I'm not saying it is her or isn't her or is your vet or not, but there is the possibility that she's just doing what she's told. Anyway I hope you don't have anymore trouble from her and that you get the regumate asap. :) Good luck!
It might also be that that office woman is the only one to check emails. That happens all the time. At two of the previous vet offices I worked at only one person was allowed to check and respond to emails. And you should mention your frustrations to the vet, or possibly the manager. If you don't you might be stuck with it for a LONG time. The whole reason I'm not currently working with my favorite vet is his front office staff. I was the only person who complained about her and the customers only complained to me, but since no one went further I couldn't do anything.
ReplyDeleteAt the very least just let the vet know the problems scheduling, if there is one thing he'll listen to its something that would lose them money.
Office staff can be the biggest pain. There's someone like that at my vet clinic too. I really hope the hormone treatment works! www.timsboots.com
ReplyDeleteI didn't even realize they could spay mares! That is fascinating. It sounds like a really great plan, even if it does have to wait until Monday.
ReplyDeleteI'm really with ya on that frustration. It's like they don't value you as a customer. I'm high on customer service- if you don't treat me right then I can go elsewhere, thank you! Stick in there. I really hope it works and you notice a huge difference. I thought of you yesterday when I was riding Ella. She threw me some naughty moments and in my head was the vision of Pia going crazy. Ugh MARES!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have a neighbor who spayed her mare, for behavioral issues, and it was a great success. Wishing you the same!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pain in the butt. I don't know what I'd do if I had to deal with office staff to get a hold of my vet.
ReplyDeletePSST. I have an award for you on my blog. Only fitting since you are being stylish today trying on wedding dresses! :)
ReplyDeleteWhile it is illegal to show a horse on regumate, in my mind it is a form of cheating.Stallions are under the influence of hormones constantly yet are trained to ignor those hormones under saddle. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRegumate
Misha - I'm assuming you meant to say "legal" to show on regumate. I just want to clarify a couple things a) we're not showing. Until I feel rock solid on this mare at home and comfortable with her reactions and tendencies, we won't be competing for much of anything.
ReplyDeleteb) While I've ridden many amazingly well behaved stallions, I would never consider myself capable of handling that sort of horse on a regular basis. Nor do I want the challenges of managing a hormone situation like that. so a "stallion like" mare falls into the same "oh crap" category for me.
c) Just to play devil's advocate... Regumate doesn't do anything to a mare that castration doesn't do to a gelding. So while it definitely does modify behavior and moods, I'm not sure it's any more "modified" (so to speak) than showing a gelding.
Finally, for me regumate is a short term trial. My intent is simply to use it to isolate a variable, not as a forever solution.