Vets

[sirwilly]

Please are there any good vets in CHIANG MAI with X RAY facilities?

[chobthum]

Try the Chiang mai University Vet School (the Small Animal Hospital) next to the PTT entrance on the canal road.

good luck.

[Nienke]

The veterinary clinic that I use already for years for my own and my boarding dogs and cats is Ban Mha ka Meaw Animal Hospital. It's a private animal hospital situated on the Mahidol Road next to the Chiang Mai Land entrance. Tel.: 053 204 215

Many foreigners use them and speak highly of them. I also highly recommend them. They do have an X-ray machine as well.

They speak excellent English.

Nienke

[Priceless]

I use Dr. Nook Animal Hospital (164/69 Changklan Rd., 053-818905) for all five of my cats. So far I have been more than happy with both competence and care. They do have an X-ray machine, as we had reason to find out a while ago. Dr. Nook (Ms Chutamart Saringkan, D.V.M.) speaks excellent English and is in attendance every day except Saturdays. BTW they're open from 09:00-20:00 every day.

/ Priceless

[sirwilly]

Many Thanks for all your replies. They have been most helpful. William.

[ataloss]

I went to the Cmai Univ pet hospital a few years back to have my dog's broken leg attended to. I went there believing that as a university hospital one would expect expert surgical staff...wrong! I opted for the more expensive procedure of a stainless steel subcutaneous splint. Had to return soon after as the screws had loosened. This meant another x-ray and anesthetics for my dog, both of which are hazardous to life. Asking how could the screws possibly come loose especially given this expensive procedure at a university hospital, I learned that it was a 'teaching' hospital; but discovered the students all huddle around the operating table offering each other advice without a qualified vet surgeon supervising them as one might expect. I asked around and anecdotal evidence suggests you should ask too before ever going there. I would never opt for a haircut at a barber school, let alone bring my pet to a teaching hospital.

Edited September 11, 2007 by ataloss

[Nienke]

Needed to have a ECG done on one of the dogs. Turns out they can do this as well at Ban Mha Ka Meaw

As I run a dog (and cat) boarding kennel I deal with many animals on a daily basis and, thus unfortunately, also with their many different diseases.

I've had excellent and less good experiences with several vets/veterinary clinics in Chiang Mai.

What I really appreciate from Ban Mha ka Meaw is that they do listen carefully to what I have to say. After all, I'm the one who takes care and observes the animals and are continuous with my nose in the books or on the net trying to find how to cure the individual with regular and/or holistic treatment.

They also listen when I contact vets, specialists and homeopaths abroad.

Recently I had a severe case of vaccinosis. Normally the SGPT (liver enzymes) should be below 89. With this dog it went up to 1100! With the veterinary treatment, but mainly due to the help of an excellent homeopath in The States, the dog is stil around. The SGPT is back to normal, only he has developed problems with his spleen now (as a result of the vaccine as well).

Now, I'm dealing with a dog that has heartproblems and recently developed epileptic attacks. Again I've seeked help from abroad. With the info I got from this veterinarian neurologist I went back to Ban Mha ka Meaw. The vet carefully listens, read the print outs and, I've noticed, with this info he did and does his own research. It really gives me a good feeling that the vet is willing to work so closely with me, listens to me and is always trying to explain and answer my (many) questions!

Ban Mha ka Meaw isn't perfect: for example one of their vets, who doesn't work there anymore, misdiagnosed a dog that was in far advanced stage of cancer years ago. Another of their vets diagnosed correctly, after I specifically asked for it. Needless to say that the dog died anyway.

Dr. Nook did not recognize a clear case of Squamous cell carcinoma which could have been treated at that time. Once I found out it was too late. The cancer had spread through the body and into the bones. On the other hand, Dr. Nook has done wonderful jobs on other dogs under my care and on the pets of others, as I've heard!

Also with the Small Animal Hospital as well as several other veterinarians I've had good and less good experiences.

As anywhere else, vets are human and can make misdiagnosis, mistakes plus they do not know it all. It also can happen that regular treatment just can't do the job (it suppresses the disease but does not solve the problem), which I've have seen in mange and other skin-and-coat diseases, vaccinosis (see above) and other cases.

Sometimes by simply changing the diet to a high quality one the problems can disappear. Or instead of stuffing the animal full with broad-spectrum anti-fungal pills, a solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water can often do the same job, without possible side-effects.

It is up to the owner to stay alert and to know his/her animal. If one doesn't trust it (a few times i've had animals checked up pure on a gut feeling as the symptoms were very vague. My gut feeling was correct, there was something wrong with the animal), or sees the treatment doesn't give a quick result (althoug in some cases quick results can't be expected) go back to the same vet or change to another clinic.

Of course, if the treatment is down-right wrong ... well ... those who know me also know how I can spit fire about that. Needless to say that I will never trust them with my animals anymore.

Nienke

[Guest rexy]

Needed to have a ECG done on one of the dogs. Turns out they can do this as well at Ban Mha Ka Meaw

As I run a dog (and cat) boarding kennel I deal with many animals on a daily basis and, thus unfortunately, also with their many different diseases.

I've had excellent and less good experiences with several vets/veterinary clinics in Chiang Mai.

What I really appreciate from Ban Mha ka Meaw is that they do listen carefully to what I have to say. After all, I'm the one who takes care and observes the animals and are continuous with my nose in the books or on the net trying to find how to cure the individual with regular and/or holistic treatment.

They also listen when I contact vets, specialists and homeopaths abroad.

Recently I had a severe case of vaccinosis. Normally the SGPT (liver enzymes) should be below 89. With this dog it went up to 1100! With the veterinary treatment, but mainly due to the help of an excellent homeopath in The States, the dog is stil around. The SGPT is back to normal, only he has developed problems with his spleen now (as a result of the vaccine as well).

Now, I'm dealing with a dog that has heartproblems and recently developed epileptic attacks. Again I've seeked help from abroad. With the info I got from this veterinarian neurologist I went back to Ban Mha ka Meaw. The vet carefully listens, read the print outs and, I've noticed, with this info he did and does his own research. It really gives me a good feeling that the vet is willing to work so closely with me, listens to me and is always trying to explain and answer my (many) questions!

Ban Mha ka Meaw isn't perfect: for example one of their vets, who doesn't work there anymore, misdiagnosed a dog that was in far advanced stage of cancer years ago. Another of their vets diagnosed correctly, after I specifically asked for it. Needless to say that the dog died anyway.

Dr. Nook did not recognize a clear case of Squamous cell carcinoma which could have been treated at that time. Once I found out it was too late. The cancer had spread through the body and into the bones. On the other hand, Dr. Nook has done wonderful jobs on other dogs under my care and on the pets of others, as I've heard!

Also with the Small Animal Hospital as well as several other veterinarians I've had good and less good experiences.

As anywhere else, vets are human and can make misdiagnosis, mistakes plus they do not know it all. It also can happen that regular treatment just can't do the job (it suppresses the disease but does not solve the problem), which I've have seen in mange and other skin-and-coat diseases, vaccinosis (see above) and other cases.

Sometimes by simply changing the diet to a high quality one the problems can disappear. Or instead of stuffing the animal full with broad-spectrum anti-fungal pills, a solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water can often do the same job, without possible side-effects.

It is up to the owner to stay alert and to know his/her animal. If one doesn't trust it (a few times i've had animals checked up pure on a gut feeling as the symptoms were very vague. My gut feeling was correct, there was something wrong with the animal), or sees the treatment doesn't give a quick result (althoug in some cases quick results can't be expected) go back to the same vet or change to another clinic.

Of course, if the treatment is down-right wrong ... well ... those who know me also know how I can spit fire about that. Needless to say that I will never trust them with my animals anymore.

Nienke

[canalroad]

Needed to have a ECG done on one of the dogs. Turns out they can do this as well at Ban Mha Ka Meaw

As I run a dog (and cat) boarding kennel I deal with many animals on a daily basis and, thus unfortunately, also with their many different diseases.

I've had excellent and less good experiences with several vets/veterinary clinics in Chiang Mai.

What I really appreciate from Ban Mha ka Meaw is that they do listen carefully to what I have to say. After all, I'm the one who takes care and observes the animals and are continuous with my nose in the books or on the net trying to find how to cure the individual with regular and/or holistic treatment.

They also listen when I contact vets, specialists and homeopaths abroad.

Recently I had a severe case of vaccinosis. Normally the SGPT (liver enzymes) should be below 89. With this dog it went up to 1100! With the veterinary treatment, but mainly due to the help of an excellent homeopath in The States, the dog is stil around. The SGPT is back to normal, only he has developed problems with his spleen now (as a result of the vaccine as well).

Now, I'm dealing with a dog that has heartproblems and recently developed epileptic attacks. Again I've seeked help from abroad. With the info I got from this veterinarian neurologist I went back to Ban Mha ka Meaw. The vet carefully listens, read the print outs and, I've noticed, with this info he did and does his own research. It really gives me a good feeling that the vet is willing to work so closely with me, listens to me and is always trying to explain and answer my (many) questions!

Ban Mha ka Meaw isn't perfect: for example one of their vets, who doesn't work there anymore, misdiagnosed a dog that was in far advanced stage of cancer years ago. Another of their vets diagnosed correctly, after I specifically asked for it. Needless to say that the dog died anyway.

Dr. Nook did not recognize a clear case of Squamous cell carcinoma which could have been treated at that time. Once I found out it was too late. The cancer had spread through the body and into the bones. On the other hand, Dr. Nook has done wonderful jobs on other dogs under my care and on the pets of others, as I've heard!

Also with the Small Animal Hospital as well as several other veterinarians I've had good and less good experiences.

As anywhere else, vets are human and can make misdiagnosis, mistakes plus they do not know it all. It also can happen that regular treatment just can't do the job (it suppresses the disease but does not solve the problem), which I've have seen in mange and other skin-and-coat diseases, vaccinosis (see above) and other cases.

Sometimes by simply changing the diet to a high quality one the problems can disappear. Or instead of stuffing the animal full with broad-spectrum anti-fungal pills, a solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water can often do the same job, without possible side-effects.

It is up to the owner to stay alert and to know his/her animal. If one doesn't trust it (a few times i've had animals checked up pure on a gut feeling as the symptoms were very vague. My gut feeling was correct, there was something wrong with the animal), or sees the treatment doesn't give a quick result (althoug in some cases quick results can't be expected) go back to the same vet or change to another clinic.

Of course, if the treatment is down-right wrong ... well ... those who know me also know how I can spit fire about that. Needless to say that I will never trust them with my animals anymore.

Nienke

Thanks for that. We have a cat who shows really high (but fluctuating) GST levels and our vet doesn't seem to diagnose it as anything conclusively nor are they doing any tests other than the same blood count and GST tests everytime we go in there. They never even weigh him unless we ask them to. I've been reading up on the net and it seems that our cat should be given other tests but maybe just a second opinion is needed. Thanks for your recommendations, we'll try a new vet.

[chiangmaibruce]

Hi. Good timing with this thread! We had an unsatisfactory experience with a local vet surgery only yesterday. It was Purpoon Animal Hospital, opposite ChiangMai Cultral Centre and not far from Robinson.

We took our cat there for a trim (it's a longhair) as well as a check up for possible FLUTD reoccurence. I asked if a vet would supervise as sedation was necessary, and was told yes. I saw the start and finish of our cats treatment. I have seen the same cat treated many times in Australia, including getting injections (it never even twitches! what a hero). Yesterday I saw him get a needle (anti-biotic) and he really flinched - and he was heavily sedated at the time!

The vet yesterday was not gentle at all. i also saw another cat get treated in a similar manner to ours. Our cat also ended up with a forepaw that looked like they had tried and failed to get the needle in a few times (for the sedation), a bit ugly and not like what I have seen in Oz after he has been sedated or had drips in.

Won't go there again - except to get food - they had quite a good selection including special dietary food (e.g. for FLUTD)

C.B

[Nienke]

Ban Mha ka Meaw, Small Animal Hospital, Dr. Nook have Science Diet and special diets (Hill's Prescription diets) as well for both dogs and cats.

At Ran Raksat Overseas Petshop they have a whole selection of good foods. They got two branches, one in the parkinglot (groundlevel) of Airport Plaza and one in between Makro and Carrefour at the entrance towards Payap University.

Maybe you can check them out.

Nienke

P.S. An animal with health problems should NEVER be vaccinated by the way. And ... vaccines can cause fluctuating SGPT's.

[qwunk89]

reviving this old thread after having visited the Chiang Mai Universty Animal Hospital and Ban Mha ka Meaw.

my TRB puppy who we had for about a week starting coughing/gagging and sometimes vomitting or hacking up. as it got worse last sunday night (24th), we took her to the 24 hour chiang mai university hospital where the vet thought she probably had something stuck in her throat . . but tested her for parvo (came back negative) and gave us some meds and told us to come back the next day (600 baht total, 200 baht late night fee). we came back the next day, they gave an x-ray (nothing found) and some more meds (260 baht - was suprised at the cheap cost considering the x-ray). my pup never had any loss of energy or appetite.

in my opinion my TRB pup has kennel cough, as she suppossedly had her first vaccines a few days before we bought her (5/15), and was at the dog market for half a day before we picked her up (5/17). supposedly, she came from a good home in mae hong son, but we found her through the dog market (so who knows here).

two days after taking her to chiang mai university animal hospital (her cough/gagging was subsiding), she got some blisters/bumps on her stomach that initially looked like ant bites but quickly turns red and pussy. at this point we took her to Ban Mha ka Meaw. she still never had any loss of appetite or energy. at Ban Mha ka Meaw, they testeed her and diagnosed her with canine distemper and told us she had a 5% to 10% survival chance within the next few weeks. before the diagnosis, we told the vet our story and i mentioned about kennel cough - also we had received her vaccination card early that day and it showed she had been vaccinated for canine distemper a few days before we bought her (like they originally told us when we bought her). they gave us some meds to "ease the pain" - some antivirul orally given liquid that seems to be typically used for HIV treatment (1,170 baht). they also mentioned there was a better treatment, but is was super-expesive; around 3,500 baht a shot and she would probably need 3 or shots and the survival rate was still only around 10% (they didn't push it, just mentioned it when giving us our options).

3 days later our pup is still really healthy. her cough/gagging is almost gone and her blisters (bacterial infection) have cleared up. initially, we thought the seller lied about the vaccines, but now i think it was a misdiagnosis by Ban Mha ka Meaw, and she only had/has kennel cough.

anyways, this has been my experience so far. what drama. any feedback? thanks for reading my lengthy post.

Edited May 31, 2009 by qwunk89

[Nienke]

Be very careful with assuming that BMKM may have misdiagnosed.

Canine distemper is such a rotten sneaky disease. It can show, go away a bit and then come back in full blow.

The coughing and gagging and the pustules in the abdomen are clear symptoms of CD. The pustules are not a symptom of kennelcough.

It is possible that at the pet market they didn't vaccinate the puppy. It is also possible that they did, but that the puppy already had caught the virus and was fighting it. When then the animal receives a vaccine, the very vaccine can trigger the disease. This partly because it is a modified-live virus and partly because the vaccine causes a brief weakening of the animal's immune system, and thus it can't fight the already existing disease anymore.

Over-vaccination also can give several symptoms of the diseases that they have vaccinated against. And with over-vaccination I mean that a puppy receives a combined vaccine (4 in 1 or 5 in 1), two weeks later another one, and often again 2 weeks later a third one.

I've seen already several pups ending up sick after this. Symptoms: loss of appetite or extremely difficult eating, soft feces to diarrhea, skin rash, pustules, low fever, change of behavior into fearful or hyper, lack of concentration, coughing.

[sassienie]

Try the Chiang mai University Vet School (the Small Animal Hospital) next to the PTT entrance on the canal road.

good luck.

I can confirm that.

Took my dog to be Xrayed there last year.

[qwunk89]

i would like to add to my post above. it seems Ban Mha ka Meaw was right, and unfortunately my pup does have canine distemper. she started shaking this morning and looks to be getting evry sick now. it sucks.

so, i would have to recommend Ban Mha ka Meaw.

[Nienke]

You're the so many one who's pup has problems with vaccine induced diseases. Many people don't recognize the symptoms and the vet won't tell you or even they don't make the link. I know of already 5 pups with vaccine induce problems in the last month!

I'm really sorry for you and your wife and sympathize with the fight (for the recovery, hopefully, of your puppy) that is awaiting you.