Would You Change Veterinarians?

swampwitch

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Eight years ago, our kitty Oberon became very sick after we moved here. We got a vet recommendation from a co-worker, and took Oberon to him, but that vet said there was no hope. We refused to believe that and took Oberon to another vet closer by. That veterinarian saved him and he lived for 6 more happy years.

Of course we stayed with that vet and things have been fine and we've liked the doctor and the person who helps and who runs the reception desk. But this summer, we had an emergency with Sparkle, and our vet could not "fit her in" the schedule, so we took Sparkle to the emergency hospital.

Wednesday we had the emergency with Lily, and again our vet could not "fit her in" that day to see her, so I took Lily to the emergency hospital. Some of you know that Lily's in pretty rough shape right now.

It would be really nice if our vet or someone from her office would call to check on Lily. Thinking back, they never called to see how Sparkle was, either, nothing at all until the follow-up visit. When we left, I said, "See you next time" and our vet said, "I'm sure you will."

My friend's cat just had her teeth cleaned (had to be put under sedation for it) and her vet called that afternoon to see how kitty was doing.

Our veterinarian doesn't open the clinic anymore on Saturdays and her fees are very pricey. I have to call for a follow-up appointment for Lily tomorrow but don't know if I want to go back after that.

Am I overreacting or should we look for another vet? Your thoughts are appreciated.
 

larussa

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Heck no, you are not overreacting at all. If they couldn't fit your kits in when you really needed them, then you don't need them either. I would definitely switch vets.

I have been very lucky with my vet, she is wonderful and kept Misty alive and well for most of her 16 years. The first two years of Misty's life was at another vet who was also great but when I relocated, I changed vet's because she was much closer to my new location and was recommended to me. Now she is Autumn's vet as well.
 

KittenKrazy

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I'd surely be looking if it was me! Back in 1994, the day I had Miss Kitty put to sleep, our vet even checked in that afternoon to see how I was doing........
 

natalie_ca

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I would change. It sounds like the vet you typically go to is over extended.

The vet hospital I go to has 4 doctors working out of it, and there have been a few times where I had to call and get Chynna in at the last minute. I was never turned away. I was always told I could bring her in and wait (like in the ER), and they would fit her in. And they did!

Each time Chynna was there because she was sick, the vet or one of the staff would call me with updates a couple times per day to let me know how she was doing, and when she came home, they called daily to ask how she was. After her major dental, the doctor himself called me daily to see how she was and to ask if I had any concerns, and always made sure I knew that if I felt something wasn't right, to bring her back immediately.

My vet hospital charges more than some others, well, more than most of them in the city actually, but I keep going there because all of the staff and doctors really take the time to give that little extra to the animals, and to me. And when you see them with your animal, you can really tell that they love what they are doing.

If your current vet can't fit your kitties in during office hours in an emergency, and they don't care enough to call and check up on their patients, then it's time to find another vet.
 

tara g

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I dont think you're overreacting. Our vets call us during the day to give us an update if the cats are there, then will sit down with us at pick up time to discuss all results even if they were good. They also call the next day to check up on them, even if it was just a physical they had the day before.

Sounds like you're vet maybe double schedules and that's why they can't fit your babies in. What good is it if they aren't there when you need them to be?
 

darlili

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If you like this vet otherwise, I wonder if there might be a two-pronged approach - start making appointments at other vet practices to interview them and learn about their protocols and practices, and also make an appointment with this long-time vet to discuss your feelings - especially about critical/emergency appointments and what is expected as follow up. See if you guys are on the same page; if not, you've already gotten a feel about other practices.

I know so far my vets seem to call asap with lab results, and I've not yet had a problem getting mine in same day for what I saw as a problem (when the office was open - Labor Day I did go to a E-room, but that's just reasonable).

Now, having said that, for a dental they didn't call me to see what was going on - but were very responsive when I called regarding a question that didn't seem covered on the after-care sheet.
 

missymotus

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I would look for a new vet, or even discuss it with them if you feel comfortable.

I've waited or had appointments rescheduled after my vet has fit in emergencies, I don't mind the inconvenience as these things happen and it's good to know my vet would see us right away if needed.
 

Ms. Freya

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I would be looking to switch.

No matter what the reason, your vet's proved to you that they won't be there for you in an emergency, and I don't think I could continue to trust my kitties health to someone, knowing that.
 

Winchester

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I would (and have) change vets in a heartbeat. If your vet doesn't have time for your kitty especially in an emergency, it's time to go. You need somebody you can count on....anything less is a disservice to both your baby and to you.
 

otto

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Wow. I would not use a vet who would refuse to see my cat in an emergency situation during regular hours. Vets leave openings for emergencies, at least most vets do, for one thing, and if they run a little behind, well once the people waiting are told there was an emergency most people understand.

I had a similar experience, and never went back to the vet who refused to see us, as I stood there in front of her with Tolly in my arms, bawling my head off. She told me she was off duty and I would have to go somewhere else.

Question for you. When you have a routine appointment scheduled, do you have to wait a long time past your appointment is due, on a regular basis?If so, this vet overbooks.

Imagine not accepting an emergency from a regular patient. It's good there is an ER center open during regular hours, and that's probably your vet's "excuse", but boy oh boy I wouldn't accept that.
 

ldg

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We work with four vet practices, and they all know we work with who and for what. The local one always fits us in in an emergency, though we can't guarantee which vet will be on call after hours. But if we call after hours, they have a service, and someone calls within a few minutes. They ALWAYS squeeze us in during hours if we need it. This vet place does not call back to ask about follow-up - but if we have questions and the vet we want to talk to is seeing someone and it's not an immediate emergency, they will call back asap. If it's an emergency, they'll interrupt whichever vet it is. The guy that owns the place is a "dog" person, and he did not do a very good job with our ferals, and almost killed Flowerbelle. That's how we found vet #2. BUT - this vet practice has added several vets, and we absolutely love two of them.

The one we moved to for the 2nd opinion on Tuxie is an e-hospital. We moved out of the RV and into a house so we could be 10 minutes from the hospital. Now that we're back in the RV, we're about 45 minutes from the hospital, but we became friends with our vet there, have his home phone number, his e-mail, &etc. I can call him or e-mail him just to ask questions about questions people pose here. I try not to do it too often, but he's just a sweetheart, and willing to research anything to help our kitties. We can call him any time. When Ming Loy needed surgery, he came back after hours to check on her, and would text us or phone us with updates. The vet techs took pictures of her and texted them to us. This vet practice always calls after a visit to ask how the kitty is doing.

The new vet we're seeing for Chumley is also amazing. I've already been e-mailing back & forth with her. She'd call if we needed to speak to her, but didn't need to. The practice called the day after Chum's visit to ask how he was doing - and it was just a routine visit. When we filled out the initial paperwork for his file, they took a picture of him.

The fourth place we work with is run by someone who is a complete cat lover, and she'll help out any time with the ferals. Again - we have her home number and e-mail, but try not to take advantage. She is over-extended, however, and that's the reason we don't use her for anything other than the ferals.

Long story - I'd look for a new vet. It does sound like she's over-extended. I would discuss the reason you're looking for a new vet with the new vet, giving them the opportunity to let you know what to expect.

I should add.... we do a lot for all of our vets and their practices though. Not as much now that money's tight - but we'd always bring home made goodies, or buy lunch for the entire staff.. stuff like that. Of course, with our work with the ferals, we have reason to be there a lot, and we need their goodwill, because they let us pay over time, and give us discounts on the speuters. But I think the service they provide is the same for everyone.
 

white cat lover

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The vet always manages to fit me in during an emergency. He does the same for anyone. I've often dropped cats off for a day to get looked at during suspicious circumstances, etc. So I'd probably be looking for a new vet.
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

The vet always manages to fit me in during an emergency. He does the same for anyone. I've often dropped cats off for a day to get looked at during suspicious circumstances, etc. So I'd probably be looking for a new vet.
same here... and all the vets I deal with call or text to ask how someone is,... and normally a basic issue is in office within 48 working hours
 

februa

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I would consider changing, but do so without burning the bridge with your current vet - since you are with them as they posed an advantage over someone else, it is possible that despite these limitations, you cant do much better, or might need to "go back" in the future. My vet calls me for follow ups, but I also ask for this - perhaps your vet just needs a specific request?

The inability to see emergency patients is pretty worrisome, do they have an affiliation with the e-vet perhaps that is making them refuse emergency cases regardless?
 

piikki

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I would look for another one too. I admit that I have stayed with my vet's office that I do not consider to be the best possible (local) choice for exactly the reason that they at least have always been there for initial consultation and first aid when I have needed them.

The same cannot be said about other places that have come highly recommended. Despite already been established customer, they have not been able to offer emergency care during office hours and I just find that unacceptable. I also find the snubbing attitude off-putting. The more popular places seem to think it's perfectly OK to overbook and not leave enough emergency slots - not even plan for Monday morning when they can afford to keep the clinic closed for whole weekend! Guess it's great to have enough customers and/or limited hours. I just can't live with being told that next available appointment is 48hrs away and that I am welcome to wait 8 hrs till the off-hours emergency clinic opens and/or argue with vets who I am not a customer with that I need an emergency appt!!! Eek.

I am more willing to put up with some other inconveniences, and consult the fancier places when I feel like I need second opinion. I am still hunting for the perfect place that would do it all nice in one package but absolutely for me the emergency assistance without a fight is one of the top priorities.

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

When we left, I said, "See you next time" and our vet said, "I'm sure you will."
I am sure you will? That kind of sounds a bit pissy to my ears.
 

cococat

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Originally Posted by SwampWitch

Of course we stayed with that vet and things have been fine and we've liked the doctor and the person who helps and who runs the reception desk. But this summer, we had an emergency with Sparkle, and our vet could not "fit her in" the schedule, so we took Sparkle to the emergency hospital.

Wednesday we had the emergency with Lily, and again our vet could not "fit her in" that day to see her, so I took Lily to the emergency hospital. Some of you know that Lily's in pretty rough shape right now.

It would be really nice if our vet or someone from her office would call to check on Lily. Thinking back, they never called to see how Sparkle was, either, nothing at all until the follow-up visit. When we left, I said, "See you next time" and our vet said, "I'm sure you will."

My friend's cat just had her teeth cleaned (had to be put under sedation for it) and her vet called that afternoon to see how kitty was doing.

Our veterinarian doesn't open the clinic anymore on Saturdays and her fees are very pricey. I have to call for a follow-up appointment for Lily tomorrow but don't know if I want to go back after that.
Unacceptable to me. The not being available in an emergency situation twice during normal hours for their loyal client base is really a deal breaker, for me. And the comment was rude, but if the service was otherwise good I would just let it roll off my back. But given the rest of the information it would bother me if this is how they think of clients and their pets or what is the deal?


The calling after surgery is a nice touch, but not a deal breaker IMO. The vets I have went to (we have moved a lot and I sometimes have to have a traditional vet as well as a holistic vet) have done that and some haven't. I really don't mind either way. One of our vet's now the actual veterinarian calls to check on the pet rather than a tech or office person, that was quite a nice surprise me.

PS I love the name Sparkle!
 

otto

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I've been thinking about this. To the OP:

Did you happen to ever mention to your vet that you were refused an emergency appointment? Sometimes receptionists can become overzealous and protective of the schedule, in effect throwing their weight and making judgment calls in areas they have no right to judge on.

Before making any change I recommend talking with your vet and finding out what the clinic policy is on emergencies. If they do indeed always refuse emergencies during regular hours, then I would definitely be looking elsewhere.
 

my4llma

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I would find a new vet if I were you. If you're already questioning vet, and don't feel the vet cares about your cats anymore, leave right away. Don't make the same mistake I did.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Our Vet calls us to check up on our CRF cat once in awhile, just out of the blue! That's what I call great service!!

If I were you, I'd definitely be looking for another one, someone who seems to care about your furbabies!!!
 
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