Possible switching vets

[Haley, Yeti, and Phin]

I am considering switching vets when we get our second dog. We have a lot of vet offices in our town, but we choose one out of town based on a recommendation of a friend. The vet office we currently go to is about 20-30 minutes away (depending on traffic, which is usually always terrible when we have to be somewhere at a certain time). Yeti is MY first animal, so I didn't really know what to look for in a vet, so I guess my question is, what do YOU look for in your vet? 
We do really like our current vet, and they do seem to be nice, knowledgable, and affordable, but I don't really have anything to compare them to. The real reason for a switch is essentially the drive. A couple of times we had to call first thing in the morning to get Yeti seen, and they could see him if we got him in "right away." Well right away would probably take close to 30 minutes, which they didn't seem to thrilled about. So if you were in my shoes, and considering "shopping around for a new vet clinic" what sort of questions would you ask. Are there any red flags that would steer you away from a clinic? 

[Stacy]

Since I'm in the market for a new vet I think this is a very good conversation. I would like to see what other people think! 

For me, I want a vet who is: 

*Moderately conservative and respectful of my resources. I don't think we need every test every time. Try the conservative route and if it doesn't work then we can get into all the "fancy" tests. I also don't want them to hesitate to refer me to a specialist. I have a very soft spot for specialists. No one should be required to be an expert in all things.

*Easy to make an appointment

*Conveniently located

*Understands that I know my dogs best/Listens to me. If I tell them something is wrong I don't want them to blow me off.

*Doesn't try to take my dog into the back without me. My dogs behave better when I am there and it concerns me if there is something they don't want me to see. 

*Not too fancy an office. I don't want to pay for their marble floors.

*Kind to my pets/good bedside manners. Yes, I do need you to tell me how pretty my dogs are. I also need you to make friends with them.  

Red flags would be: 

*Rough handling of the dogs. Forcing them to do things that make them uncomfortable. 

*Trying to take them into the back without me. It's just never going to happen. (barring a life or death emergency. When I took Ava to the emergency vet for bleeding I handed her over to them without question. But the first thing I asked after I filled out the paperwork was, "can I see her?") I have heard that this is standard practice at some Banfeilds - and that you leave them there all day for a wellness check. Also never going to happen. 

*Someone who makes me uncomfortable. I will always regret that I let the vet pat me on the shoulder and walk me out the door when I knew better. I made a mistake that I won't make again. They can't talk. We are their best advocates. It goes back to, if they don't listen to me they are getting fired.

[DonMarie and Picco]

Good topic! I've relocated a few times and the first thing I do is ask around to other dog owners I run onto.   This last move I just got a "no way" on one vet that manhandled animals, other than that I was on my own.  I guess a second thing is gut feeling.  I like my current vet and since every thing has thankfully been routine, then I'm fine with him but I just would be wary if something major happens. Now that I've been in this town for a few years, I do have another vet in mind if it comes down needing other advice.

I do like all the things that Stacy brought up. 

[Marianne Kay]

I chose a vet who was 5 minutes away, because it was easier when I worked to get there and it has been wonderful in an emergency situation. This practice charges much less for my dog's prescriptions, than another vet. The difference in the monthly prescription price, more than makes up for the slight difference in the office visit fee, compared to another vet. There are several vets in this particular practice, each with their own specialties, for example one can apply Chinese medicine theories to your dog's care. I made appointments with each one, initially, and predominately use one who seems to relate well to my pets and has been very good at diagnosing problems.  I like the way she focuses on my dog and stays focused on my questions. She does not try to push too many new products and is willing to write a prescription I can fill online if I request one. She makes me aware of new products and her office will sell certain items at a discount, to compete with online prices.

You want to make sure the floor is clean, as well as the rooms and that they use good cleaning techniques for the table and scales your dog uses.

Also this vet provides dog bathing and nail trimming at a reasonable price.

My dog wags his tail every time we go to the office and the staff is okay with him jumping up on the counter to say "Hello, please pet me, and give me a treat."

You may try asking around when you are in a pet shop (customers) or go to a local dog park, too. Good luck.

[DonMarie and Picco]

It's good he wags his tail!  Picco has to be coaxed/dragged into the vet.  They just love him and dote on him but he knows what's coming - that nasty thermometer!  I think that is worse for him than getting his shots!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My dogs are not happy going to the vet.  I think they can 'feel' the tension/pain/fear other animals there exude. 

Our vacation vet's office is really wonderful.  It is a practice with several vets. Everyone very obviously LOVES dogs and gets right down on the floor to greet them.  They offer high quality grain-free treats.  Most of the vets in the practice are young and energetic.   They are more expensive than my regular vet who is old school in his approach.  He treats conservatively, refers to specialists. 

[Marianne Kay]

 I think the vet has the aid and I distract him up front, while she does her business in the rear. Pierre never saw it coming, when he was young. Eventually the thermometer readings will stop as he gets older and hopefully he will find it a more friendly place.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

CHECK YOUR STATES LICENSING AGENCY - to see if there have been any disciplinary actions against the vet.  Check state court system to see if there is any legal action that may not be reflected at the state licensing agency.  A google search may also turn up important information.

I had not done my research and we had brought Mariner to a local vet (once) - I got concerned when the vet was not able to draw blood.  I then checked the state board and the vet had been sanctioned once and had 2 other complaints that were dismissed for lack of evidence, but all three complaints were similar.  Needless to say we only saw that vet once.