Having recently relocated to Canberra, I'm trying to find a suitable vet for my nearly 12 year old dog. I have visited one vet here and was quite disappointed with the vet's knowledge and just with the general level of service provided. I don't feel comfortable taking my dog back and I would really appreciate some advice.
My dog suffers from arthritis in her back legs/knees but she can't have NSAIDs for the pain due to having a life-threatening reaction to them in the past. She has been taking an alternative medication long term on advice from a pain specialist veterinarian. I'm looking for a vet who is good with older dogs but who also knows a bit about alternatives to NSAIDs. I'd also be keen to find a vet who charges reasonable prices for medication (the vet that we visited was charging a good four times the amount that we paid at our vet in Perth). Alternatively, I'd love to find a vet who will write scripts that can be used at the chemist or online.
Just to be even more difficult, my dog had a titre test a year ago and all her levels were more than adequate so she doesn't require a vaccination booster in the near future. I also don't want to be pressured to vaccinate unnecessarily so if I could find a vet who understands what this test is and maybe even offers the test that would be great.
I don't mind driving anywhere in Canberra for a quality vet.
I know it is all a lot to ask but I would love to find a vet here that I can trust to provide the best possible care for my dog as she gets older. I appreciate any recommendations.