I had dreadful experience with my last dog with her spay opperation going wrong due to vet incompetetence and am terrified about haveing my new girl done. Another local vet nearly killed my cat after giving him a barbituate anathsetic unsuitable for cats :( so that one I don't want to use either.
The vets who finally sorted out the mess my last dog was in are too far away to use due to change in circumstances and I am finding it very differcult to know which vet to use locally.
How do you find best most competetent vet in your area? I've tried asking other dog walkers but not really getting answers as half of them use rspca/pdsa and others have never had anything complex happen to their pet.
I am seriously regreting now having bought a bitch as am worried sick that her spay will go wrong like my last poor dog who ended up having months of invasive unpleasent tests and 2 lots of major surgery to sort out the mess her body was left in.
there are multitudes of vets round here but how on earth do you tell if they are any good?

I had a bitch that died following what should have been routine surgery, so I understand your fears. There's no reason why your bitch has to be spayed just yet, is there? It's not compulsory, after all! Her seasons will be a bit of a nuisance, but if you're too worried to have her spayed by the vets you know, why not wait until you find a vet you trust?

Willows vets in Sutton Coldfield is excellent and well worth a small trip from Birmingham, they are just off the M42.

They provide all sorts of specialist support/opperations but also everyday stuff.

You will get there number from directory enquiries or search the internet.

Don't know where about you are but my vets are The Lodge...they are in Castle Brom....I can PM you the number if you need it.
I have reccomended them to a few people. But vets like socks are a personal things its a metter of personality I think.

weimed can you give us an indication of which area of Birmingham??

Sorry, been a bit tied up.
We are in Harborne..and I think I may have found one. Blacks vets in quinton. apparently runner up in 'vet of year' award couple of years ago that sounds promising-small chain of 5 with own vet hospital at a branch at dudley.  Took Nell for her booster there Tuesday and they seemed to say all the right things so just crossing fingers they are right.

Sounds promising - glad you found one.

I use Manor Vets http://www.manorvets.co.uk/  The bigger one out of the 4 in Halesowen is the one I use. Never had a problem. All the vets and nurses are lovely. Totally recommend them.