Vet Practice Rankings?

sivyaleah said:

 
Hoping he doesn't try and call me lol.  He's been really vocal on Yelp, etc. when people give him poor reviews - he sounds like a ranting insane person blaming the customer instead of taking a look at his own actions.

That one will go to voicemail for sure 

 

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That's part of the reason why I don't post Yelp! reviews under my real name. The other reason is that everyone thinks a 3-star review is a bad review when it's really a positive but not enthusiastically thumbs up. Some 3-star businesses I'd go back to (but typically that means only if I don't have a better alternative).

I don't understand why business people respond like that to Yelp reviews.  They are just making themselves look bad.  That reminds me of those people from Amy's Baking company, of course they got their 15 minutes of national fame and probably got a lot of business out of it.

Denice said:

 
I don't understand why business people respond like that to Yelp reviews.  They are just making themselves look bad.  That reminds me of those people from Amy's Baking company, of course they got their 15 minutes of national fame and probably got a lot of business out of it.

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Haha, yea they are quite the loony tunes!

I should post some of his responses. Really, it just clearly shows the stick he has up his *ss.

I don't know what else to use but yelp.  As far as our cat we had a bad experience a couple months ago though with a highly rated place, like top 3 within 20 miles. 

I guess you might have to dig deeper in those reviews like perhaps individual vets at one facility.  We ended up going to another one high rated and the whole experience has been better and different.  From communication and even the vet laying options out on the table and telling us when they weren't as skilled as a specialist to do ultrasound and oncologist.  These are topics we just weren't aware of.

The first vet didn't address diahrea and barfing fits and just took blood and suggested denamarin for high liver levels with prescription dry food.  We waited a month for a follow up and going through same hell if not worse with our cat and got another blood test and was told the numbers were improving and to keep him on the regime.  They also mentioned there were things to try and help with the symptoms and they had no answers for my plea for help to care for him at that point.  I was baffled and thats when I started searching online and found this site and I just knew the treatment and time wasted was terrible.

They should have suggested another doctor or procedures to get to the bottom of it, etc.

Second vet layed everything out every step of the way with estimates and he ended up having mast cell tumor in spleen, a tumor off his liver with fluid and they think ibd.  Cat is doing well right now but I'm just sick over the time wasted and how they ignored these major issues going on which I logged on a calender.  I was pleading with them because its hard to take care of a lethargic cat barfing and with diahrea so much.  My poor cat actually maintained his weight during that month but for all I know they would have let him die.

I recently went through the same thing with my own first injury that needed surgery.  The whole process freaked me out and it seems you can find a bad review about a doctor that seems to have done me right.  Based on my experience I would recommend him and its hard to argue against my rehab progress at this point.  But if I referred him to somebody and they had a bad experience I would feel terrible.

You can check with the Academy of Feline Practitioners. My vet is the only one in my area approved by that group. I was impressed because this is a very large city ( San Jose CA) then I checked YELP and her practice in 2 years time had more than 100 five star reviews. Not one other vets office in the city has anywhere near that kind of review. After three vets and much disappointment I have a fabulous vet!

Yes, catvets.com. Very helpful thanks!

What I really like about the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP/catvets.com) is how they have the "Cat Friendly Practice" program where feline practitioners who have "Gold" or "Silver" status must provide a conducive environment for cats.  What validates this for me is the fact that I had the most fantastic feline only vet that I used to go to for 5 years before I had to move.  It was such a beautiful environment specific to cats and my vet was extremely well versed in feline health.  Of course, on Yelp he has an average of 5 solid stars with 40 reviews and growing.  Turns out he participated in the cat friendly program and was "gold status."  Unfortunately, the closest gold status feline only vet where I live now is a little over an hour away (before it was 15 minutes).

Now that I'm looking at the AAFP/catvets.com site more carefully now, one thing I would like more clarification on is the difference between a silver and gold status cat friendly practice...  And I'm not sure I'm too thrilled about the fact that the program is sponsored by Hills, and other big businesses that can influence the delivery of care/practices/diet...

In any case, Yelp has been very helpful in navigating some of the vets to avoid around here and validate the ones that are "gold status" cat friendly practices. 

zoneout said:

Yes, catvets.com. Very helpful thanks!

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@zoneout - I just noticed that you live in Stamford, CT!!!  I've been trying to find a competent vet near me and found "Just Cats" through catvets.com, then read the strong positive reviews on yelp.  That is where I plan to take my cat...Do you go there?  You're so lucky as I recall there were several feline-only vets in that area listed on AAFP/catvets.com.  You can PM me on what you would recommend if you can - I also don't want to get OT or hijack this thread.  Sorry OP!

No you are not hijacking the thread and in fact raise a very critical bit of information that is a cause for concern.   I did not realize that AAFP is sponsored by Hills.   But since you mentioned it, I now see why the 2 Gold status practitioners in our area (Just Cats and VCA) have shelves full of questionable `prescription` diet from Hills in their lobby.

I think it is critical to find out how AAFP certifies their practitioners.   I thought additional coursework was required.   But what does that coursework consist of????   Is it a day of training given by Hills reps on how to select and market their `prescription diet`.     I think we need to look at this with a healthy skepticism until we have answers.

BTW, I still have not found a vet in this area that I am thrilled about.   There are alot of them.   There is even a high-end Cornell University emergency veterinary hospital down in the south end.   It is very expensive from what I heard.

I will PM you on specific vets that I had experience with.

Raintyger said:

 
Oh, and don't dismiss vets because of pricing. I finally got tired of not getting answers and went to a vet that was a bit expensive. He gave a diagnosis which was correct, using less tests. So in the end he was less expensive even though I paid $85 for the exam fee.

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I tend to strongly agree with this sentiment.    I was taking my sick cat to a variety of private practices and racking up bills for extensive testing and second opinions and getting nothing in return.    In desperation I took her to an emergency hospital with staff specialists on board that I was avoiding because of the perception of higher price.    It was there that I received competent care and advice.    So in the end I wound up spending MUCH more by going to smaller `lower cost` clinics than had I went directly to a higher end practice.    My cat and my nerves suffered from all the wasted time and non-diagnosis.

Maureen Bradley said:

 
You can check with the Academy of Feline Practitioners. My vet is the only one in my area approved by that group. I was impressed because this is a very large city ( San Jose CA) then I checked YELP and her practice in 2 years time had more than 100 five star reviews. Not one other vets office in the city has anywhere near that kind of review. After three vets and much disappointment I have a fabulous vet!

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Thanks for this.  

checked, only one nearby but I'm going to do some research on them.

I would like to point out that you can't always go by online reviews.  My vet - who I love - was the victim of cyber attack recently.  There are all sorts of negative reviews about her and her clinic on various review sites.  I read them with astonishment, because that is not the person that I know at all. 

I'd like to point out that a chain called VCA puts their vets on commission. While this doesn't mean all vets there are bad, there are tales from vet techs that some of the unscrupulous ones run unnecessary tests, jack up pricing, upsell, or are overly eager to put pets on prescription diets due to the constant cash flow. The VCA where I live gives OK service, but their prices are sky high and they do try to upsell and run every test in the world.

Raintyger said:

 
I'd like to point out that a chain called VCA puts their vets on commission. While this doesn't mean all vets there are bad, there are tales from vet techs that some of the unscrupulous ones run unnecessary tests, jack up pricing, upsell, or are overly eager to put pets on prescription diets due to the constant cash flow. The VCA where I live gives OK service, but their prices are sky high and they do try to upsell and run every test in the world.

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I can vouch that this is the case.   I have run into it at the VCA near me.

Raintyger said:

 
I'd like to point out that a chain called VCA puts their vets on commission. While this doesn't mean all vets there are bad, there are tales from vet techs that some of the unscrupulous ones run unnecessary tests, jack up pricing, upsell, or are overly eager to put pets on prescription diets due to the constant cash flow. The VCA where I live gives OK service, but their prices are sky high and they do try to upsell and run every test in the world.

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That makes sense. I had to take my cat to VCA emergency several times and I often had weird gut feeling that they are more for money, although I did meet a couple of good doctors there as well. I found another emergency vet that has better reviews and recommended by our new vet, so I'll try it next time (hopefully never, though).