Should I get a new vet?

[Dal & Mad's Mom]

I have only used this vet for 2 years but, I swear anything I want to do like giving vaccines every 3 years after the 1 year shots is considered problematic.

 

I asked today if I could buy the 55lb advantix to divide for Maddie and Dal you'ld swear I asked to commit a crime.

 

How do you find a vet who works with you if you have good reasons.

[nancy]

I talked to people in my neighborhood. I didn't just ask what vet they used (or had used in the past) but why they used that one.

 

When I decided to try one, I called and asked about titres and other things that matter to me. When the answers were what I wanted, I went. But I was ready to switch again if I were not satisfied. After all, I did the same with my own doctor. I'm the consumer; I have to be satisfied, not them.

 

BTW, I don't ask about a specific schedule for vaccinations. I ask about titres - blood tests to see if the dog has the appropriate antibodies. I'm always willing to vaccinate if the test shows a need. That shows that you have a valid reason for questioning yearly shots and that you are willing to be reasonable. Got it from this board.

 

And I buy my Frontline online. So I decide how much to get.

[Dal & Mad's Mom]

As far as the advantix I'm leaving for vacation so I waited too long to buy online this month but, I will in the future. It just solidifies why I feel they really arent working for me. When I ask about titers they told me an outrageous price in the 100's for each dog. I just feel like it's their way or the highway in a sense.

[Carson Crazies]

When I ask about titers they told me an outrageous price in the 100's for each dog.

That sounds pretty high to me. I had titers done on June a few months ago, and it cost me something like $80 total. Only slightly more than it would have been to actually give the shots. Sheryl, if you're not happy and you feel like yours and your dogs' needs aren't being met, maybe its time to find a better fit.

 

I have been buying my Advantix from www.dog.com , and they do an awesome job. No shipping for flea stuff, and quick too.

[bc friend]

I've had the same vet for 20+ yrs so my advice may be out of date. I checked with the local spca, rescue groups, and obedience training schools for recommendations in my area when I moved here. I then set up an appt to meet with the vet - some vets are clearly "by the book" and others are willing to be more flexible. I wanted a more flexible one who was willing to tailor treatment/care to a specific pet. My current vet was the 3rd one I met with and I have never regretted my choice - incidentally, she was newly licensed but in a long time clinic with a good rep. (she now owns the clinic). Hope some of this helps. I can certainly understand your frustration.

[juliepoudrier]

Sheryl,

When I moved and needed a new vet, I actually set up interviews with a couple different prospects. I offered to pay for an office visit in order to have time to talk to the vets about philosophies about dog care, etc. I think it's a worthwhile investment in time and money (and the best vet didn't charge for the visit and two of the four vets in the practice spent a good amount of time with me). Treat your potential vet like you would a potential doctor for your family.

 

I also buy my flea control online, and *I* choose how often my pets get vaccinated!

 

J.

[Journey]

Sheryl,

 

If you are not comfortable then start looking. I have had my vet for over 13 years. Not only does he work "with" me he goes out and researches things I might ask of him, places the info in my file and we never have to do it over. My vet will do titer's if I ask, mail me scripts (we're 45 minutes away) and he does not push vaccines on me (though he did push for at least 1 rabies on the 6 mo old pup). I can call this vet at 3 in the morning at home and he either meets me at the clinic or comes to the house....he is pro dog 100% of the time. We've also convinced him to be Vet on call at our Scottish games :>) Bottom line, he came with high references many years ago and he knows my dogs, knows me and the repoir we have is fantastic! I'm lucky.

 

Interview vets as others have suggested. You can get a feel just by visiting their office and talking to them.

 

Karen

[Dixie_Girl]

I say if you aren't comfortable, it is time for a change. Interviewing is good, so is getting recomondations also. Good luck!

[nancy]

I also go by how my pet reacts to the vet and the staff. Ferg used to love everyone at our first place. Then "our" vet left the parctice. Ferg was not as excited when we went, but she still pulled me in and licked everyone. Then the practice changed hands. By our second visit I noticed a change in Ferg. Especially that she was not particularly interested in any of the staff. By then, I had concerns, but, if she had been as happy as with the very first, I'd have stayed and just stood up for what I wanted.

 

Our second visit to our new vet (first was yearly check-up) was for a really sore leg. Ferg was excited to go in and licked the staff. The vet examined her, took an x-ray, then had her on the table, sort of rubbing her, while he talked with me about the whole thing. I swear Ferg was practically purring. And she walked fine when we left, because of his massaging.

 

He always sees us on time, but he never rushes us out. So he must schedule fewer appointments and plan to discuss and chat and make the pet and the owner comfortable.

[Shetlander]

Originally posted by Dixie_Girl:

I say if you aren't comfortable, it is time for a change. Interviewing is good, so is getting recomondations also.

I agree. There is a range in the abilities and communicative skills among vets. There's also our side of the equation. A vet who might do great with one person, just might not "click" with another for whatever reason.

 

But if you're feeling frustrated or uncomfortable, I'd suggest you talk to pet owners you respect and check out some other vets. I stayed too long with a vet after I began to have doubts and regret it. When my dog became seriously ill, the vet didn't alter the outcome, but he made me feel like I was a nutjob for 2 months by insisting that there was nothing wrong with my dog who was losing weight and had a significant change in stools. However, because two blood panels were normal, the vet decided I must be the problem and pretty much refused to discuss my concerns with me. By the time I took my dog to another vet who listened to what I was saying, I had diagnosed my dog with a relatively rare disease through my research on the internet. The new vet instantly knew what I was talking about and ran a specialized blood test that confirmed the diagnosis.

 

So I guess the moral of my story is don't wait for a problem to hit before looking for a new vet. Find one you like and respect, build a partnership with him or her and then if anything serious pops up, at least some unnecessary stress may be avoided. Vets are the experts, of course, but if there is a lack of mutual trust and respect, not to mention being able to communicate openly, then what is the point of paying for their expertise?

[Beth G]

Wow that is awful. I agree. Do the research until you find a vet that you feel you share beliefs with and that you feel that you connect with.

 

I've also had those vets that don't listen and it's really too bad they have to be like that.

They need to wake up and realize no one knows your own pet better than you.

[Anda]

I was just thinking it might be time for me to find a new vet. Like people above said, I think sometimes he (actualy "they", since it's not always the same dr.) does not listen to what I have to say or ask. He rarely voluntiers advice or suggestions, I am the one that throws ideas or questions at him, which, mostly, he confirms my oppinion. I leave not learning anything new about my dog. So far I cannot complain about the quality of treatment or how Ouzo is treated there. It's just that I want more!

[Shetlander]

Originally posted by Anda:

So far I cannot complain about the quality of treatment or how Ouzo is treated there. It's just that I want more!

I totally know what you're saying but finding that "perfect match" can be so hard! I don't feel like I've ever found a vet as wonderful as the ones at a practice I haven't since the early 90's. I still miss those guys!

 

At this point, I try to keep my foot in the door of a couple different vets. In the 16 years I've lived in this area, the vet who has been the most reliable is only a mile from my office but is 30 miles from my home plus she isn't the easiest to get into. I take my Lhasa there exclusively and have explained to them the need to have a vet close to home for emergencies which they understand. A new vet opened in my neighborhood this year and while it isn't undying love, I'm increasingly impressed by him. My carsick sheltie now goes exclusively to him. If the visit is routine, we can walk

 

Quinn the BC goes to both vets, depending on what he needs. I've also just started using a vet for acupuncture and chiropractic that I really, really like. He's very careful not to overlap services with my dogs' regular vets, which I respect.

 

I've had some bad luck with vets in the past and worry that I'm somehow the problem. One of my friends teases me about "going through vets" because I have changed a number of times.

 

The first vet I used after moving here was great for several years then developed a substance abuse problem and became terrible about coming in on time for appointments or returning calls on important issues (dying cat).

 

Then the next vet was the one who insisted nothing was wrong with my dog when he was actually very sick.

 

The vet after him (!!!) gave up on that dog after a few months when he felt he had exhausted all avenues. In retrospect, he saved himself a lot of work since the dog did eventually need to be put down but he wouldn't even talk to me about it, just stopped trying.

 

The next vet was wonderful and did everything in his power to help us. I'll be eternally grateful to him for his kindness and giving my dog a few good months.

 

Wow! Another long way of saying just to be safe, keep on good terms with your current vet even if you move to another one. You never know when you might need them and it sounds like they did good by Ouzo when he ate the aspirin.

[Anda]

Shetlander, that's my point: they did treat him good last week when we had the aspirin scare, but it was mostly me that pushed for the IV. He just said that is ONE of the options, depending on how much I was willing to spend, the other one being sending him home with just the pills he got from the emergency hospital, and hoping he does ok. Well, I wasn't in the mood of taking any chances with something like that, so of course I went for the IV treatment, two days in a row. But shouldn't he have said "WE MUST PUT him on IV, or else we run the risk of complications?"

[Shetlander]

Originally posted by Anda:

But shouldn't he have said "WE MUST PUT him on IV, or else we run the risk of complications?"

Ok, now I see your point! He could have said "If this was my dog, I'd put him on IV's just to be safe."

 

Or "You could do A or B. A is more expensive but it has the highest rate of success. B is more economical but you run some risk of X. If you choose B and X happens, we'll need to do C."

 

Or conversely, "You could do A or B. A is more expensive but it has the highest rate of success. However, given Ouzo's age, health and the fact he was treated quickly, I'd feel comfortable doing B and keeping an eye out for X. But if you want to play it really safe, A won't hurt and may help."

 

Something along those lines to help you understand the pluses and minuses of each option. That whole communication thing. In this case, I'd probably be looking around and talking to people about their vets too. (sigh)

[2 Devils]

My thinking is - if you really don't like the vets, then change.

 

I have gone through a few vets too. When we moved from Centreville to Warrenton I decided to try a vet out here that I heard nice things about. I HATED these folks. I truly believe they were only out for money. If you called same day (morning) for an appt, you would pay an emergency fee. And worse of all, for me, when my 10 lb poodle was stung by a bee and would not walk on his foot after about 10 minutes and then starting some slight gagging I called these folks and they said bring him in but I would pay an emer. fee which was ok since it was last minute. I got there and had to wait almost an hour even though they knew my poodle had some slight breathing problems. I was pissed and told them. That was the last time I went there.

 

I went back to my vets in Centreville even though it can take longer to get there (20 min-1 hour depending on traffic). There folks rarely charge an emer. fee, always pleasant, won't do tests they don't think are needed, will spend time talking to you and not rush you out and worst of all I am known unfortunately... I have spent too many days at this place.

 

Check out some other vets until you find one you like and will listen to you. They do exist you may just have to drive a little further but it is worth it.

[Anda]

Ok, my next question: Anyone knows any good vets in Denver? I live in Centennial/Greenwood Village area. You can send me a private message, too, if you prefer.

 

Sorry, Sheryl, didn't intend to take over this thread. But I guess we both got something out of it: if in doubt about your vet, look around...