How Did You Choose Your Vet?

[colliepaws]

I'm looking for a new vet and was just wondering how other people chose their vets.

I must confess I've been somewhat disappointed with some vets I've seen in the past so I was also wondering what you think makes a good vet and if there's anything in particular to look for or ask a new vet to find out if they're good or not so good.

A couple more random vet questions:

How far do you/would you travel to see a really good vet?

If your vet clinic has mutiple vets do you insist on seeing the same vet each time?

[Parkeyre]

I have a few different vets that I like to use for different things, due to location and their specialties.

For general things like vaccinations and checkups, or emergencies; I like to use my longtime vet who my family has always used.

He is about 8kms from home.

For ultrasounds I use a vet in the next town because their machine can print and save images.

He is 75kms from home.

For Hip and Elbow Xrays, semen collections, surgical inseminations etc, I like to use a vet closer to Adelaide.

He is 350kms from home.

For CERF eye screening on my adults and puppies aged between 6 and 8 weeks I use a vet within Adelaide

He is 390kms from home.

[Alkhe]

I found mine by chance, they just happened to be the closest to me when I had a foster dog that needed to see a vet really quickly. I keep going back because that first time, they didn't know me, or the dog, but the vet I saw was extremely knowledgeable and stayed 30 mins after the clinic closed to treat him, and would have stayed even longer had he needed to go under general. I then got him home and had to take him back straight away, and she then stayed even LONGER to re-dress his foot.

They charge a lot, and I could get much cheaper care at any number of places, but I completely trust them. They are dedicated and knowledgeable, make my dogs feel at ease and are brilliant with follow up care.

I have seen a few vets at the same practice, and don't mind which one I see for general things like vaccinations, but do have 2 that I would ask for by name if I had a more "difficult" thing to ask about.

[Oscar (AmBull)]

Ours was very trial and error in the beginning, asked for some recommendations on here, found one vet in particular that was highly recommended by trusted people so gave him a go. He is fantastic!

I have three vets closer to me, but travel to our regular vet who is 25 minutes away depending on traffic. We really only go prob a max of 2 times a year so I would travel further if I had to.

The clinic does have multiple vets, one of which I am not a fan of, so I do insist on seeing our vet. Really if you go to the doctors, most people have a regular GP and ask for an appointment with them, no difference to a vet in my opinion. Using the same vet means that they can built a relationship with your dog, know the dog and their quirks etc.

Hope you find a good vet, they seem to be like searching for a needle in a haystack :laugh:

[Tralee]

Currently its a processs of elimination.

Word of mouth is a good indicator.

Vets can be separated by what people say about them.

Other times its your experience, how you are treated or how they treat your animals.

Sometimes its their billing system and other times its all of these things.

I would travel to Fernvale Q if I lived closer, but that's how it goes sometimes.

[Guest donatella]

I go to one a minute down the road. I could probably find cheaper but I really only go for desexing and vaccination so hope not to make regular appearances or have them know us by name!

That being said, my vet could be friendlier, she almost seems a bit shy, but she gets the job done and that's all I care about.

It's one of those vet clinics though that tries to tack on extra services so you go in for a $94 vaccination and you walk out having spent $124. Not a huge difference but they always get me with something extra and i'm a sucker, especially when it comes to my dogs health and well being.

Recommendation is by far the best method of finding a good vet, bit like hairdressers and GPs.

Edited July 26, 2012 by donatella

[Danois]

Through DOL essentially. Knew stormie on here and we were talking on msn about issues my then dog was having. So I went to see the vet at her clinic and have used them for 6 years now.

I travel 45 mins to them - a lot longer in traffic.

I would use the Sydney Uni vet in an emergency as its close.

[pipsqueak]

Basically trial and error. Although, if I have a chance, I like to drop into the reception to buy something like Revolution, before I make an appointment. It gives me a chance to see what the layout of their waiting area is like - I have a dog who can be reactive, so space is good. It also gives me a chance to see what their reception staff is like (who are usually the vet nurses), and if I'm really lucky, sometimes a vet coming out to call a dog or cat in. Rightly or wrongly, I actually ruled out our closest vet practice by doing this. I went in to get some Drontal chewables for our 30kg dogs. She gave me small chews instead of large, and when I asked her about it, she had no clue, and only checked with someone else AFTER I asked her to. I know a lot of people would say "no biggie", but I felt if someone (who was a vet nurse), couldn't get the dosage of worming tablet right, and really didn't seem to care, then I didn't want my dogs to stay there in an emergency.

At the current vet practice, pretty much happy to see any vet except one - the one who roughly handled my extremely gentle girl. I was sooo very close to walking out of that appointment.

I travel 20-45 mins to see our current vet - and there are at least three other clinics who would be closer.

[Pretty Miss Emma]

I found the vet I go to by chance sort of. Before I started going to them I was travelling 45min (30+km) to get to the vet that I knew and loved.

At my current vet, there are 2 vets I mainly see - one usually for the cats another for the dogs, but happy to see either. There is another vet and the only reason I don't ask for her is because she doesn't work as often, but am also happy to see her! They even get in really good locums. I love my vet!!!

I'm looking at moving and when i do I will still probably travel to this vet unless it is something that is an absolute emergency!

Oh and I have referred others to this vet and have found that several of my friends use this vet and love them. I did try somw others in the area but wasn't really impressed by them, but I then got lucky!

[Sheridan]

I asked other wheaten people which vet they went to locally.

[HazyWal]

I have been going to my vet for many years. He has been at this practice for 32 years. Luckily he is only in the next suburb so 5 min drive. If you ask any locals what vet they use it's always " MJ...can't go past him, he's brilliant". We have a vet in our suburb but it's very expensive. I trust my vet 100%. He has three other vets working for him but unless it's urgent I will only see him. He is not overly friendly(reminds me of a strict headmaster :laugh: )but I'm not there to be his friend I'm there for the best possible vet care for my dogs and that's what he provides.

[JulesP]

I like a vet close to home in case I have an emergency. I also have to pick up medicine and food for Amber on a regular basis so close is good for that.

The vet nurses and receptionists are also important. I left one vet because of how unprofessional the staff were.

[Christina]

New puppy check. The vet said she is nervous I will give her a cuddle first. :)

Great 1st impression.

When I moved here I tried a few, there is no local being rural.

One had a dirty surgery, another handled roughly. Can't remember the others in detail.

Word of mouth can be good, or not, as it often but not always relies on the persons personal experience & how many people you actually ask.

This can be variable according to what went wrong & was it really that vets fault or would it have happened anywhere. We do tend to think of them as gods & they are not.

My vet has a lot of breeder clients & some staff are breeders too.

Basically I am happy until anything goes wrong & then I ask was it reasonable really.

Handling my animals with confidence but not like they are a piece of meat, a clean surgery, polite & happy staff is a good indication, answering any questions clearly & any obvious signs of compassion & kindness are all good.

[dancinbcs]

After hours service is vital as are reasonable prices for the geographic area they are in. Overheads in expensive real estate areas are going to be a lot higher than in outer suburbs so the prices will be higher. If you have purebred registered dogs, a vet who breeds them and works mainly with breeders is the best choice as they are more familiar with breed specific things.

I know lots of breeders who travel an hour or more to my vet. I am about 20 min away and there are closer ones but I use the best with the after hours service. They have several vets at two practices and I will see all but two of them. For certain problems I see certain vets if possible.

Things to avoid are vets who offer options with surgery apart from pain relief. Vets that push for preventative surgeries in puppies and those that charge way above the average for the area. Shop around on the phone for prices. The cheapest isn't always the best but neither is the most expensive.

After that it comes down to personalities you feel comfortable with.

[WreckitWhippet]

What makes a great vet in my eyes is one that you can build a good relationship with and they are prepared to listen to you. Whilst a vet might be the "expert" so to speak, no one knows your dogs better than you do.

I use my local vet ( within walking distance ) and have no issue with their care and we have a good relationship. The thing i like most about them is they are upfront and admitt when they are in over their heads and will refer on quickly.

I also drive 3 hours to use Karen Hedberg and do so for anything that is not an emergency but I want the best advice for, in particular breeding

[Sayreovi]

I use a local vet for general dog things, I only started using these vets 2 years ago as I had a massive issue with my vet of 10 years! I've found them great vets and nurses alike, they explain all the procedures with me without sounding like they are talking to someone dumber :p open minded with no pressuring to my limited vaccine, natural treatments and raw food type of dog raising :)

The only thing I don't like is they have a clinic cat and having cat hating dogs, it's a bit annoying sometimes, luckily he keeps out of the way so is aware of my dogs not so friendly behaviour!

All my breeding issues, I go to Monash which is about 40 minutes away.

Edited July 27, 2012 by tollersowned

[Greytmate]

I travel across town to see my vet. She is a good person who does a lot of community work. She is a great vet who is always happy to refer when a specialised service might be better done somewhere else. She loves animals and her own pets are all rescues. She gets that sometimes the best treatment is the less intensive and expensive treatment. She gets how you would shave an area on a dog that is going to be shown in a few weeks. She attracts and retains good staff who stay for many years. She explains things well and gives clients choices rather than making assumptions. She listens. And her work is quality, the dogs are in really good, safe hands.

I met her when I first started working for GAP, and she approached us wanting to help.

Her name is Dr Susan Dawson of Anvet Kedron QLD, just in case anyone else is looking for a good vet.

[Atanquin]

Mine was through word of mouth :) and I had seen them work wonders with my riding instructors broodmares and foals.

They are always professional they don't over charge and they do actually care for all the animals that come through their surgery.

When we lost kovu our GSD they sent us a hand written card which was signed by the vet that had been treating him and the owner, we also got one when both my rats where PTS.

[smooch]

I have used the same vet practice for over 20 years now. Smooch has his own vet as he knows Smooch inside and out from when he had a spinal stroke. I also use a couple of the other vets there for the other dogs, horses or cattle. I think there is a couple of new vets there that I haven't ever sighted.

[Sayreovi]

When we lost kovu our GSD they sent us a hand written card which was signed by the vet that had been treating him and the owner, we also got one when both my rats where PTS.

I know a card won't ever bring a pet back but I think it's such a lovely and kind hearted thing to do :)