Scoobie Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 With all the forum chat about bad vets and expensive and ripoff vets, I'd be interested to hear what are your priorities when choosing a vet. Is it price, is it qualifications, is it how close it is to home, is it how easy it is to get an appointment when you need it...??????? There's sure to be some interesting replies. For myself, I need to be able to trust them. If that means them telling me they don't know the answer to my question but they'll find out, I'd rather that than have them tell me something just for the sake of telling me. That's closely followed by diagnostic and surgical skill, and price is third on the list. Having said that, there's no point in having a good vet if they're so busy you can't get to see them for three days... Anybody want to toss in their thoughts? Rosie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevafollo Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 With all the forum chat about bad vets and expensive and ripoff vets, I'd be interested to hear what are your priorities when choosing a vet. Is it price, is it qualifications, is it how close it is to home, is it how easy it is to get an appointment when you need it...??????? There's sure to be some interesting replies.For myself, I need to be able to trust them. If that means them telling me they don't know the answer to my question but they'll find out, I'd rather that than have them tell me something just for the sake of telling me. That's closely followed by diagnostic and surgical skill, and price is third on the list. Having said that, there's no point in having a good vet if they're so busy you can't get to see them for three days... Anybody want to toss in their thoughts? Rosie took me a while to decided on which yet i really wanted my boys to go to i have been to about five different ones and the one im sticking with from now on are excellent in all areas!!! price is good, everyone knows what they are talking about and are well qualified, the tafe near it use's it for its vet nursing classes (and alot of the teachers have or do work there) its fairly easy to get an appoinment , when i did have an emergency with one of my boys they were open when alot of other vets werent (which was a huge reason for the change as i called previous vet and they were closed where as these guys were open) and they have good prices!!!! they are a wee drive from home but well worth it!!!!!!!!! but by far the best part about them is they are extremely friendly and its a very nice place to be at (well for a vets) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 My current ones are a 5 min drive away, only 2 vets in town, i had a big blow up with theothers, so didnt have much choice!! saying that, i do LOVE my vets, and wish i could bring them with me when i move!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevafollo Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 My current ones are a 5 min drive away, only 2 vets in town, i had a big blow up with theothers, so didnt have much choice!!saying that, i do LOVE my vets, and wish i could bring them with me when i move!! im sure they will be ok with that!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendall Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 (edited) We changed to our current vet mostly due to location - they are about 5 minutes down the road and only opened a year or so ago so everything is still pretty new - new premises. Prices are comparable to other vets around. The nurses are great and the vets I have dealt with are fantastic - they have been really good with my cats most recently. My old vet was close to where we used to live but they were a bit more expensive and there was a high turnover of staff so it was hard to develop a rapport with any particular vet. I was relatively happy with them but not so much that I will drive half an hour with my animals to see them. There are definitely vets in the area that I won't go to - the rudeness and lack of interest is unbelievable - I guess they must get a bit jaded after being in the industry for a while. kendall Edited April 27, 2007 by kendall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 yeah, if i pay them sammy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amiedoll Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Our vet is close to home, he has after hours service, and best of all he knows what hes talking about, hes not pushy with the products he sells (as per a topic in general), and he has a clinic type set up, (with hours during the day set aside for surgery), so people can get into see him without an appointment (except for surgical cases, such as desexing), he takes in strays and animals dumped at his door (thats how we got our first cat, lol), and he explains whats going on with our animals in plain english, and if theres something cool to look at, he'll show us, and tell us what it all means for our pets. He is a very caring man, and our pets feel comfortable with him, and thats the number one seller in my book He also charges reasonable prices, and never tacks on extras to bulk up the bill, in fact when we got our cat he only charged us for his vaccs, and his microchip, he wormed him for free, and he charges one consult fee, even if we bring both dogs in for a check up Overall were very satisfied customers :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsrules Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Amiedoll, your vet sounds so good. May I know where are you located ? ( suburb & state ). Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amiedoll Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 We're in Blacktown, Sydney. Since weve been to some shocking vets, its great to have one that we're all happy with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsrules Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Is it possible to have your vet's details, please ? The vet that I currently went is ok, but sometimes I felt that he did not do a thorough check up on them, so I might give your vet a try. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amiedoll Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 No prob, Ill pm you :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 I have been to a few vets, and am very happy with the one I have been with for the last couple of years now. They are 10 minutes from home, 24 hours (which is a big one for me), the same vet always sees me so she knows all of the history on my dogs and cats (they have about 15 vets there), their prices are pretty standard and they charge me hardly anything for any fosters I need to bring in. I have 1 cat that is a cat flu carrier, and instead of making an appointment when he needs more medication, I just call and she has it ready at the counter for me to collect that day. Very convenient, helpful, and there are many specialists there should I need them one day. I also always get an appointment that day or the next morning. :p I think I am pretty lucky after reading some horror stories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagsalot Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 (edited) I ended up swapping vets after my old vet failed to diagnose something. I knew something was wrong so went to a different vet who picked the problem up straight away. It was to do with Riley's eyes and the new vet was very good at explaining things. I was in there for a good 45 minutes and he charged me half of what the last vet charged me for a 5 min consultation. Then he asked me to take Riley back for a quick check up the next week to make sure his eyes were improving - he didn't even charge me for that visit. I know that he's really in the job to help animals, not jsut for money like my previous vet and that was a big thing to me. I also love having a vet that will explain everything to me and not rush me out the door. Edited April 17, 2007 by wagsalot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squeak Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 (edited) Stormy and I love our vets. The things that are important to me are: - Stormy must like the vets. I wouldn't want to see a doctor that I don't like, so I don't think that it is any different for my dog. - 24 hour emergency vet available on premises. This is important to me since I have a "deep chested" dog who may have an increased risk of bloat. - less than a 10 min drive from home. Again something that is important if Stormy happened to bloat. - friendly, knowlegable vets and nurses who haven't (yet) laughed at me for the number of dumb questions and things that I have been in for... including a "graze" which turned out to be a hot spot. - willing to explain things to me in a language I can understand and allow plenty of time for me to ask questions - I have never felt rushed during a consultation. - although they have an appointment system, they are quite prepared to fit in their "regulars" when they can if it is something that the owner has dropped in because they are anxious or concerned about their dog. Also, if you make an appointment, you can usually get to see the vet of your preference. Can also get an appointment usually the same day or the next day. - all the vets seem to geniunely love the animals that come in. "Our" vet at the practice has even kissed Stormy :p which I think says something. - our vets are also very good at listening to what the owner has to say about their dog. They let me ramble away about things that I have noticed, which may or may not be important. Out of the jumble that usually comes out of my mouth, they are usually able to make sense of it and ask some key questions to clarify something to help figure out what might be wrong. Edited April 17, 2007 by squeak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShesaLikeableBiBear Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Very difficult to choose a new vet in a new country. Our vet is wonderful He treats us as an equal, he doesnt talk down to us, asks us in to the surgery, not just the consulting rooms. Talks in laymans language with things we dont understand. He is there 24/7 if we need him and will do house calls, although only 5 mins drive. He has personality plus and the looks to go with it :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 He has personality plus and the looks to go with it I bet its never a hassel taking your dogs to the vet :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wynnlake Posted April 18, 2007 Share Posted April 18, 2007 Then main thing i look for in a vet is that he/she cares for the animals more than the money. Alot of vets charge so much for a basic consult or vaccination. My vet charges $42 for a consult compared to $60+ that alot of other vets are charging. A couple of times he didnt even charge me the consult fee, just charged me for the medication. He doesnt charge more for individual treatments like alot of vets do, eg. oxygen baths, stitches, pain relief. He charges flat prices accross the board. If a dog goes in to get desexed, and requires further treatment for a complication, he doesnt charge extra. To me thats a good vet. Of course the vet also needs to be knowledgable and not force products onto you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophie D Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 I did puppy school at the vet i am currently with. they are helpfula and seem to like animals. also i get a discount because i work as like a kennel hand/cleaner and they don't rush into anything. When my dog Oliver cut his tail at the kennel, banging it on the cage it was nearlt to the bone we had him booked for surgery but then managed to fix it with no surgery. also the vet didnt charge us for any checkups on his tail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hathor Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Candice0 - oxygen bath? If it's what I think it is then I would say - "ahem Ripoff ahem". I tend to look for a vet that genuinely cares for the pet (you can often tell if they do). A vet that is honest, and reasonable. Cost is always a factor with many clients. I tend to see a good vet as being able to recognise who does and doesn't have money, and suggests treatments accordingly. IE -Saying to an old age pensioner - "your pet needs an ultrasound/MRI etc/chemo and it's gonna cost x amount.." In a perfect world - we could all afford to do everything, but we are not in a perfect world. I lose respect for a vet that does that, when it's blatant to see that the person can barely afford things for themselves. It's best if they give those options, but also the less than perfect options. Ie - chemo is costly, we can just give pain meds and keep the animal comfortable for a couple of months and then discuss euthanasia etc. Vets that come across as money, money, money, just give the profession a bad name. People will also then think of all vets as bad, when really there are some bloody good ones out there. The trick is finding them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemelo Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 With all the forum chat about bad vets and expensive and ripoff vets, I'd be interested to hear what are your priorities when choosing a vet. Is it price, is it qualifications, is it how close it is to home, is it how easy it is to get an appointment when you need it...??????? There's sure to be some interesting replies. For myself, I need to be able to trust them. If that means them telling me they don't know the answer to my question but they'll find out, I'd rather that than have them tell me something just for the sake of telling me. That's closely followed by diagnostic and surgical skill, and price is third on the list. Having said that, there's no point in having a good vet if they're so busy you can't get to see them for three days... Anybody want to toss in their thoughts? Rosie took me a while to decided on which yet i really wanted my boys to go to i have been to about five different ones and the one im sticking with from now on are excellent in all areas!!! price is good, everyone knows what they are talking about and are well qualified, the tafe near it use's it for its vet nursing classes (and alot of the teachers have or do work there) its fairly easy to get an appoinment , when i did have an emergency with one of my boys they were open when alot of other vets werent (which was a huge reason for the change as i called previous vet and they were closed where as these guys were open) and they have good prices!!!! they are a wee drive from home but well worth it!!!!!!!!! but by far the best part about them is they are extremely friendly and its a very nice place to be at (well for a vets) Gee i wonder who it is?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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