Do you always see the same vet and had how do you choose?

[moobrain]

Just wondering really.

I usually ask to see one of the partners at the surgery where I go as the consultation fees are the same regardless of which vet you see and I figure that these are the oldest and therefore the most experienced so better to see.

But I was talking to someone in the park today and she pointed out to me that the partners are the business owners and hence will be more interested in making money out of my dog than the younger vets that are employees. So she always sees an employee rather than the main vet thinking that she will get more honest advice.

What do you think?

For me it depends on the problem.

I'll see anyone for simple things like anal gland emptying, vaccinations etc, but if it's a problem that's likely to be ongoing or is difficult to solve or involves surgery I am very picky and will only see either a particular senior partner or one other vet who I think is good.

My criteria for a good vet are; one who listens to me and by doing so acknowledges that no-one knows my dogs like me, and if I think one of them is ill, then she probably is; and one who doesn't dish out steroid injections and antibiotics like sweeties and actually tries to work out what's causing the problem first. And finally, and most importantly is confident enough in their own ability to refer to other vets when they need to.

Oh - and I've moved practice 3 times where we live now to find a practice I'm happy with.

I know I'm a pain in the arse though.

I've gone for, er, cheapest tbh. We see the vet that operates out of a 'Pets At Home' store, and their rates are excellent (£10 microchipping, £11 kennel cough vaccine, £60 for castration). They also seem to really love the animals, and the vets we have seen with Jasper have gone out of their way to make a fuss of him and give him a good going over. In contrast, the vet within walking distance that I have to use for my chickens charges £28 a consultation and is forever checking books because he doesn't seem to have a clue. And I end up telling him what meds I need.

As a vet who is a partner in my own practice I want all my vets to give honest advice. I think you have to look at practice policy to get an idea on this for me an excellent clinical examination and history taking is the basis of any diagnosis all the things like bloods tests etc. come next. We only offer pre-anaesthetic bloods tests on the pets we genuinely feel might have a problem not every healthy pet who walks through the door.
So if I became a client again I would ask what the practice policy on pre-anaesthetic blood tests is, if they rigidly do them on even the healthiest 6 month old cat coming for castration I would run a mile.

For Loofa he sees one particular vet - she is the one who dealt with him from when he was very poorly last year. There are other vets there and one is a friend and she always says hi if she is in - but I dont want her to treat Loo and she doesnt want to treat friends animals. It keeps things simple.

There is another vet I like, who understands and likes my dogs, and one in particular who I wouldnt let near my animals.

Horses for courses.

We used to take our moggie to a local big chain vets. They did have a turnover of vets over the years (but the same 2 vet nurses) and most were fine.
Apart from one who I saw once because moggy was limping badly.
She said I was mistaken, cat wasn't limping. This was in a small room,on a table. I had watched the cat limping down the garden.
She told me the cat was neurotic WTAF. She had never treated or even seen the cat before! It was on her records she was aggressive, which she was at the vets, but neurotic?

A couple of days later I saw something white on her leg, it turned out to be a large tick which the regular vet removed.I was surprised as I'd read up on ticks and thought they were browny coloured. The vet was surprised that it was alive.

Should've asked for my original consultation fee back.

As a sole vet practice, none of my clients have a choice

I think it is good practice for a pet to see the same vet if at all possible. it helps us to build a rapport with the animal, and we do get to know how they are "normally" when they come to the surgery eg dog A might always come in wagging his tail, but one day he doesn't, whereas dog B may always have to be dragged in with a huge fuss, or try to bite, but one day he doesn't seem to have the energy- it's good to know and be alerted by a change in behaviour.

And if you have a case that needs ongoing investigation/ treatment, it is important to try to have some continuity in order to get the best result.