Things to look for in a new vet.....Trying to find a new vet thanks

[lostshowfan86]

We need to find a new vet and we just aren't happy with our current vet. Anyways what are things to keep in mind when looking for a new vet.

You may have read about some of our frustrations with our current vet and the last thing really bugged me. Won't give a prescription to 1800 pet meds to get the heartworm medicine and it would save us over 20 dollars. (finances are still pretty bad right now but getting better) They did the same thing to my grand dad whose only income is 1 social security check a month.

(The vets office threw a fit when they found out we weren't getting frontline from them anymore)

They doctors are good there but other that most of the staff is very very rude and I just dread taking my dogs to the vet there. And when I boarded them there there was a food mix up. I labled it for our dogs only (first and last name).....and my dog ended up getting another dogs pedigree (which he is on a specific diet) and another dog (also had the same name) got his California Naturals and when I picked them up they handed me the pedigree bag and I'm like no that is not my dogs food. Granted that isn't the vets fault its whoever was working in the boarding.

But anyways I've had a lot of problems with them. They threw a fit when I wouldn't buy Zack the prescription diet but it won't eat it. I've tried and he won't touch it. (its got corn in it and corn irritates him something awful) he is a smart dog.

So I'm looking for a new vet, a professional atmosphere, and a place where they treat their patients with respect and not treat them as if they don't know anything.

What all do I need to consider. I want them to have the best care possible. But its like with a kid....you want a pediatrician you can trust because you will be dealing with each other for years......well our pets we take to the vet for 15 years or so and its the same feeling.

What do you suggest I do.

(We don't know many people with dogs and those we do all go up to this vet....because my father recommends this vets office highly)

 

[MafiaPrincess]

You know you may find a vet that is more personable and to your liking.. but it may not be cheaper.

Vets don't have to give you prescriptions.. They can charge you a fee for writing it if you choose not to fill it there. Not every vet does, but many do. Making it potentially not any cheaper then to get it filled elsewhere unless you are getting walmart generic meds that aren't canine specific.

 

[FluffyZooCrew]

I've had, and known, my vet for just about forever, so I'll tell you some of the things I like about him:

Very calm, caring, compassionate manner with the animals and the clients. He takes his time to listen to the clients and their concerns, and takes those things into consideration. He's very gentle with animals, always soothing and calming them whenever he is doing even the simplest things, like an exam or a nail trim.

Very detail oriented -- when he prescribes a medication, any medication, he goes very in detail to explain to you why your animal is getting it, what the side effects are, what it treats, and then asks you if you have any questions. If you do, he's more than happy to explain things to you before you walk away with that prescription.

He's more than willing to accomodate calling in prescriptions. He has his own pharmacy, but sometimes it's more convenient for me to pick things up at the pet pharmacy where my mom works, and he is more than willing to call in the prescriptions there.

He has a very polite, easy-going, good natured staff. They are just as good with the dogs, and all have caring, compassionate attitudes when caring for the animal.

Other things to look for in the clinic itself:

Ask to see the boarding area. Most vets are willing to happily accomodate that. If they are not, run. In the boarding area, look to see that empty cages are cleaned, and that the area is just clean in general, and not stinky, dirty, full of trash, and that is just looks like a safe boarding environment period.

Ask them, when boarding, if they accomodate you bringing your own dogs food. Any good vet should not have a problem with this (but I have heard of some vets saying no, they feed one type of food, and only allow clients to bring prescription foods). If this vet is like that, run.

Talk to the staff, if you can, and try to get a feel for how they are with new clients.

If you pick out a vet that you feel may be a right fit, then bring one of your dogs in for a new patient check-up. This will give you a great idea of how the vet will interact with your dog during an exam.

That's all I can think of for now.

 

[lostshowfan86]

I've had, and known, my vet for just about forever, so I'll tell you some of the things I like about him:

Very calm, caring, compassionate manner with the animals and the clients. He takes his time to listen to the clients and their concerns, and takes those things into consideration. He's very gentle with animals, always soothing and calming them whenever he is doing even the simplest things, like an exam or a nail trim.

Very detail oriented -- when he prescribes a medication, any medication, he goes very in detail to explain to you why your animal is getting it, what the side effects are, what it treats, and then asks you if you have any questions. If you do, he's more than happy to explain things to you before you walk away with that prescription.

He's more than willing to accomodate calling in prescriptions. He has his own pharmacy, but sometimes it's more convenient for me to pick things up at the pet pharmacy where my mom works, and he is more than willing to call in the prescriptions there.

He has a very polite, easy-going, good natured staff. They are just as good with the dogs, and all have caring, compassionate attitudes when caring for the animal.

Other things to look for in the clinic itself:

Ask to see the boarding area. Most vets are willing to happily accomodate that. If they are not, run. In the boarding area, look to see that empty cages are cleaned, and that the area is just clean in general, and not stinky, dirty, full of trash, and that is just looks like a safe boarding environment period.

Ask them, when boarding, if they accomodate you bringing your own dogs food. Any good vet should not have a problem with this (but I have heard of some vets saying no, they feed one type of food, and only allow clients to bring prescription foods). If this vet is like that, run.

Talk to the staff, if you can, and try to get a feel for how they are with new clients.

If you pick out a vet that you feel may be a right fit, then bring one of your dogs in for a new patient check-up. This will give you a great idea of how the vet will interact with your dog during an exam.

That's all I can think of for now.

Wow you are lucky you seem to have a great vet. Our vets office has 4 vets, you never know who you are going to get and they are in out and send the tech back in with the medicine and instructions and then you go up and pay....no time for questions because they have to move on to the next patient.

Its almost like in an emergency room need to clear a bed. Its not a good environment. My one dog went in for shots and she was real nervous and they actually held her down, she wasn't fighting them....but two techs came in and held her down while the vet gave her a shot and trimmed her nails (cut the quick) and now she is terrified to get her nails done and acts out.

So we just aren't happy.

I want a vet that cares and I want a staff that cares and doesn't act like its a chore to be there

 

[FluffyZooCrew]

Ahhhhh, yes. Been there with those types. There's one in the city that has like 12 vets, and some can be just... ugh.

Try to find an independent vet, one who is in practice for himself. My vet is like that. He is just a blink and you miss it, hole in the wall vet. But his tiny waiting room is so crammed with clients, sometimes you wait hours to see him, especially on weekends. But he is that popular and that loved, and people never mind the wait to see him. He also lives right behind the clinic too.

 

[lostshowfan86]

Ahhhhh, yes. Been there with those types. There's one in the city that has like 12 vets, and some can be just... ugh.

Try to find an independent vet, one who is in practice for himself. My vet is like that. He is just a blink and you miss it, hole in the wall vet. But his tiny waiting room is so crammed with clients, sometimes you wait hours to see him, especially on weekends. But he is that popular and that loved, and people never mind the wait to see him. He also lives right behind the clinic too.

Thanks I will. I had this great vet for Princess he was one of the good ones but I've heard he is retiring. But I may still go over there anyways he may be able to suggest one even

 

[bubbatd]

Try to find an old established personally owner Animal Hospital Hospital . The 2 I've gone to in over 50 years were established back in the 50s . Privately owned and vets are carefully chosen and stay !! My 1st had 4 vets and the one I use now just expanded and I have my choice of 11 vets . Because of their success , they really don't cost that much more . Stay away from Petsmart type vets !!! They don't get the cream of the crop !