What Makes Your Vet Great....Or Not?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We brought Murphy to his second vet visit this week (more shots), and I was thinking about how lucky we are to have her.  So, here's my list of what makes my vet great.  It would be interesting for others to add to this list.  When complete, I think it might help others who are in the process of selecting a new vet.

-It is clear from the way that our vet interacts with Guinness and Murphy that she truly LOVES dogs.  She is excited every time she sees them.  She spends the first five minutes kissing and hugging them and telling them how awesome they are.  They love her too!  She is a big believer in building trust.  She has always asked me to bring them in (even when they don't have an appointment) so they can learn that her office is a fun place.  They get treats every time and get to play with the Vet Techs (and her when she's running room to room).  Guinness loves going there!

-She is a great communicator.  She spends whatever time necessary to be sure I understand and that I have no questions.  When we were talking this week, I mentioned that I was nervous about Murphy's neutering.  Guinness was neutered before we got him, and I just couldn't remember the experience with our other dogs (too long ago).  She sat me down and went through the procedure with me.  She told me that they had "state of the art" surgical monitoring equipment, and that his incision would be very small.  She assured me that they would be sure he was totally comfortable post surgery.  I felt so much better.

-The office staff is amazingly helpful.  When I call with any question, they will get the answer and get back to me within the hour.  Sometimes she calls herself.

-She is very open to new ideas...my home cooking is a great example of that.  She's extremely interested in the Labradoodle "breed".  She has a few others in her practice, but always asks me questions to further her knowledge about breed specific characteristics.  She's blown away by their temperament.

-She is very into preventative care, e.g. weight/body mass management, oral/dental care, exercise.  Always asks about this. 

-She stays current.  She was telling me this week that her background focus was on parasitology research, and that there continues to be new data being developed all the time on this.  That tells me that she is continuing to educate herself.

Having the right Vet is so important...so please add to this list. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is such a great topic. I am happy that my vet has all of those characteristics (except the homecooking, food thing, but she is becoming more open minded after Taquito's positive results from food change).

I can add:
-My vet always recommends titers instead of vaccinating annually no matter what. My former vet never even informed me of this option. This year, Taquito was still carrying immunity from 2 of the diseases and avoided vaccinations. I plan to do the same for Peri in July.

-My vet has spent 30 minutes on the phone with me giving me test results in layman's terms and ways to deal with the prognosis. I think that is incredible. Not her vet tech, my VET.

Good topic...thank you Jane!

[Karen P]

Allyson, What are titers? I have never heard of this? Thanks

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Basically they take a blood sample to test your dog's immunity to diseases/sicknesses they normally automatically vaccinate against. If it comes back and they are still immune, they don't need the vaccine that year. Taquito's came back this year, for instance, and he was still immune from parvo/distemper and another one (I don't have his records with me). But he still got Rabies only because our state requires it annually no matter what.
It's kind of like humans - they say taking too many antibiotics is not good for you, etc... That "cocktail" of vaccinations given to dogs year after year may have negative affects, especially for older dogs (in my case, T. has kidney issues, not from vaccinating, but over vaccinating may put additional strain on them). I know there are different schools of thought on this, but I tend to go with a more organic/natural approach. Heck, if my dogs are still carrying immunity, why give them more meds?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That is a great point for me to remember in May when it's time for Guinness yearly visit.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

There is an additional cost, but if it comes back that you don't need to have additional shots, I think it almost offsets itself.

[Karen P]

Thank you for the information. This is something that I would like to check with my vet about. I totally agree, why give something that is not needed !!!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Just for info's sake, my Ginger's titer's just came back last week at full immunity. Except for rabies, she has not had any vacs in three years! None of those annual vacs after the puppy rounds are necessary every year. Rabies is required her, too. My vet and I discussed not vaccinating until they are at about 30-50% immunity. Sounds like that might be a few more years.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I had Jack titered last year instead of automatically giving him the vaccinations, on the advice of his specialist. The report showed full immunity, even though he does have a compromised immune system. He doesn't have to be tested again until 2011, so the additional cost will take care of itself. I also did a three year rabies instead of the usual 1 year. This year's annual check-up will be a plain old physical exam with no shots.

[Frannie & Callie]

I utterly love my vet! She's a complete dog-lover (has 4 rescues herself, ranging in size from a miniature poodle to pitbull). She CARES about Callie - and now she cares about Wilbur too. She called me yesterday just to see how the Wilbs is getting on. She is also not just in it for the fees. My previous vet wasn't big on phone call questions...you had to bring your dog in and pay the office fee. When I call in with any concern, Dr Ewing comes to the phone herself (or calls me back if she's with a patient) and she and I discuss whatever is going on and only twice has she said "come in" - usually she just gives advice and steps and a way to watch (like when I was worried that Callie was drinking too much - she was waking me during the night for a drink - the vet had me spend the weekend measuring her water intake - was even a good sport when I asked how I measure "beard fallout" and then report back to her first thing on monday -she was fine btw...wasn't drinking an unusually large amount). I really appreciate that! She's VERY good at separating actual issues from my jewish mother angst and doesn't take advantage of me all (and she could - I'm not a vet). I've referred about 10 people to her in the 11 months that I've had Callie and they all think she hung the moon too!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't even know where to begin listing what makes my vet great. How about the fact that he doesn't charge me one penny to bring Jack in every 1-2 weeks, year round, for his allergy shot? (I supply everything, even the disposal container, the tech just gives the shot.) Sometimes, if my vet sees us in the waiting room, he comes over to see Jack and gives him the shot himself.
When Jack's atopy first showed up, my vet recognized the limitations of his own knowledge, and referred us to a specialist. I cannot overemphasize how grateful I am for that.
My vet always has time to talk to me. He spends a lot of time making sure I understand everything. He shares personal stories and examples of his own dogs with me. When Jack has had a crisis, the vet calls me at home from his home in the evenings to check on him.
The entire staff is kind and helpful. When I call with a question, they get an answer and call me back right away.
They don't insist that I bring him in for every little thing. (Of course, I do bring him in for every little thing, but still...)
My vet waives some fees and gives discounts for my fosters.
He is conservative in his treatment methods and doesn't prescribe drugs unnecessarily.
My vet gets down on his knees on the floor when he examines Jack. Jack's comfort is the priority, not his own.
He is willing to fax prescriptions for Heartgard to Foster & Smith so I can get it for a lower price.
Everyone there loves Jack and they let him know that they do. He is never nervous or anxious there. Going to the vet is a pleasant experience for both of us.
I'm sure I'm leaving out a ton of things, but bottom line, I love my vet!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Karen, would you consider giving Jack the shots yourself. It seems like it would be easier for you.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We did, for the first 6 weeks, because they were every other day. But towards the end, there were some problems, and it now works out better for him to get all injections outside the home environment.