How do you chose a good vet?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I have an appointment on Wednesday afternoon with a potential new vet. I've been somewhat disappointed with my clinic, where I generally see whatever vet is on that day, and I wanted to see if I could find someone better with whom I can develop a good relationship with, and that doesn't have quite so out to lunch prices.

 

I'm a rather impressionable person who has a natural tendancy to automatically trust any kind of supposed expert or authority figure (doctor's lawyers, police, random ladies who work in pet shops, etc.) right off the bat, and I tend to get won over pretty quickly...which has led to many disappointments in the past.

 

I found some general articles via a google search, such as this one http://www.petplanner.ca/en/article/22  So I'm wondering what you guys think. When interviewing a new vet, what kinds of questions would you ask? What should I be looking for in a good quality vet? Having some objective criteria to look for will keep me from getting excited just cause she's nice or says what I want to hear...

 

 

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Here's a previous discussion on this subject....

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/what-makes-your-vet-greator

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thank you! This was an excellent read. I knew there had to be an old discussion on this kicking around somewhere.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I will be reading these posts with great interest cause frankly I do not know. I have had 2 so far and am still looking. Fortunately Daisy has only needed wellness visits.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

i am struggling to find a good vet too since we moved.

my criteria are (in no particular order)

 - they are supportive of grain free, high protein diets, and preferably raw feeding too

- they are open to checking titers rather than vacinating every year

 - they actually do a decent check up

- i also like a 1 vet practice, or one where I can see the same vet each time, not that i go very often...

- not extortionate prices

 

I will drive a long way for the right vet

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

thanks Kaytlin. that will be one of my tests too, I will watch her facial expressions carefully when I say they are on orijen. I have only recently learned of titers. my current vet has never mentioned it. I'm going to ask about that too.

[Christine & Camus]

I had been taking my pets to the same vet for ~ 15 years and although the prices were continually going up I stuck with her since she seemed good with them and me, however there was a huge bump in the road.  I adopted a beautiful labradoodle from a small rescue group on a Friday afternoon and by Sunday I realized he was sick.  Off to the vet we went.  She reacted poorly to Nietzsche (but that is another story) and after spending a significant amount of money there was no diagnosis, just more pills.  I decided to look for another vet for a second opinion.  At the same time I contacted DRC for help -- and I received an email letting me know that someone who may be able to help me would be contacting me shortly.  Guess who that person was?  If you guessed Karen -- You are right.  After describing Nietzsche's symptoms Karen told me she thought he had megaesophagus.  I started searching the internet for reviews of vets in my area and found two that very good reviews.  I called both, one said I could not have Nietzsche seen for over a week, scratch them, the second gave me an appointment with the owner of the practice (who is the one I wanted to see) the next day.  I went to the appointment armed with the information from Karen gave me and a list of Nietzsche's medications, however I did not want to tell the vet what I knew or thought.  I wanted a diagnosis from him.  He examined Nietzsche and talked to me and in about 15 minutes told me he thought it was megaesophagus.  Karen was right.  He did add that to confirm a diagnosis of megaesophagus testing would need to be done, however he felt Nietzsche had been through enough and suggested a feeding method - told me to stop all but one of the medications and to call him back in 2-3 days to let him know how things were progressing.  Having said all of the above -- I have found that researching and reading what others have to say is extremely helpful. Knowing where the vet received their education, seeing them interact with my pet and their ability to communicate with me are all paramount.  And, I guess I should add that communicating with me is not always that easy.  Obviously, I do not have a degree in veterinarian medicine, however I do have opinions and I do research everything (I can be a real pain), so if they are sensitive to be being questioned it would not be good relationship.  Camus' vet is the same vet that took care of Nietzsche.  Sorry this is such a long post, but I am passionate about the subject.  And, Karen was an absolute saint, holding my hand (virtually) through everything and instrumental in my being able to adopt Camus from DRC.  She also posted a memorial to Nietzsche and urged me to add to the post when I was ready, http://doodlerescuecollectiveinc.org/group/rainbowbridge/forum/topi...  I lost Nietzsche, but I was lucky to have him  and even luckier to be able to adopt Camus.  My advice would be to research any vet thoroughly (vetting them if you will).    

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I still think about him all the time, Christine. He was a very special boy.

[Christine & Camus]

Me too. And I will never forget your kindness!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Ok I just read the link and I am bawling at work. I mean tears gushing down my face. Poor poor Nietzsche. You are a saint for looking after him in his last few months. Thanks for sharing your story. I am taking your advice to heart!

[Christine & Camus]

I'm sorry, I did not mean to upset you.  Nietzsche was a special doodle and he taught be a lot - including how to find a wonderful vet.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

no problemo. we all need a good cry from time to time. :)

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Check your local "Yelp". I have got many great services, including hair stylists, restaurants, Doctors, etc. from this website. It is local people, giving you local personal experiences...Good luck.