Hi all

I would like to hear other peoples opinions of vets please

My opinion has certainly changed recently, they seem to be more and more commercial, and have less and less specialist knowledge. For example; my vet virtually locked me in his surgery till I agreed to feed my Great Dane only on puppy food for Giant Breeds (whereas all the breeders and people I have ever talked to have advised me not to). I am more inclined to get information on here than from my vet - as frankly, I have lost all faith.

I was also told recently of a vet putting down a healthy dalmatian, because he had recommended the dog (who suffered from uric acid stones) be put on this "special vet-only diet", the dog was apparently starving all the time, the owners couldn't cope or afford it, so the vet put the dog to sleep! And this wasn't even the same vet!

Thoughts?
Cheers
Chloe

I quite agree with you about vets, sometimes its difficult to find one you can trust. Two horror stories someone bought a retriever puppy from me and had been coming to see me before the bitch had the pups. Took the pup to the vets for a check up and jabs on the last visit the vet wanted to book her in to be spayed at four months. He almost convinced them that if they didn't she would definitely die of mammary cancer if they didn't. Luckily they said they would check with me first. I must say I phoned him and had a few choice words to say.

Another vet put a springer puppy with puppy face to sleep because she hadn't seen it before and didn't know what it was. I told the owner what to do and she phoned the vet to try to stop it ( her husband had taken the puppy and she had phoned me for advice) but it was too late and all it would have taken to cure it was a course of antibiotics.

I now say to anybody if in any doubt check with the dog world people first.

Bobbi

I have to totally agree with all of the opinions thus far on this board. I have Mastiffs and all my vet sees when we attend the surgery are walking pound signs, the last visit cost £125 and the vet did not even examine the dog ! Our vet also missed leukemia in another Mastiff and it was only because we were so insistent that the tests were repeated after the vet had been treating her for an infection for a month and getting no better that the leaukemia was diagnosed - the very next day our beloved dog died. Although I will always take my dogs to the vet whenever they need treatment I have to admit I have now got to the stage where I am more likely to know what to do for my dogs better than my vets does, as I believe one poster on here said, specialist knowledge in your breed counts for everything.

I also agree, I lost faith when one of my girls died as a result of an overdose administered by the vet's - he thought she weighed 8Kg when in fact she was only 4Kg....I was devistated.

Since moving to a village, i have again regained my confidence after 'vetting' the vets...this lady is brilliant, i have been with her for 4 years now and she knows my breed and they always get the best treatment possible..she also explains every step to me as well as possible side effects of medication, it really pleases me that they treat my dogs as well as I do and have their very best interests at heart. One of my girls had to have an emergency C section one Sunday night - there were 3 vets and 4 sisters helping (as well as myself and my partner) - the bill came in at £250 this included the checks afterwards which she had 4 of - mainly because they wanted to cuddle the pups....

It is difficult to find a good vet who cares as much as we all do.

Donna

I had quite a good relationship with the local vets. They're country vets so deal mainly with dogs and farm animals. It started as a family practice but has now expanded. These days you never get to see the same vet which always means alot of passing the buck,mounting costs and a complete contradiction in diagnosis/conflicting advice. When Taiko joined the family my favourite vet was really keen to meet him/helpful before we got a puppy etc but it turned out they didn't do the vaccines Taiko had been started on. I found another vet who did do the vaccines, the practice was alot smaller/personal and I'm more confident about the treatment there but it was blatant the vet doesn't approve of people buying pedigrees.Even though I get treated like an idiot, I feel my pets receive better care there so I've decided to stick with the pedigree hater.It's a real shame the first vets expanded so much and they employed so many young vets with no specialist qualifications and became obvious slaves to the drug companies.
Julie :)

What is puppy face? I haven't heard of it, is it something that affects all breeds?

Hayley

I agree, I live in a small village, and luckily get the same vet usually. Trouble is, he knows nothing about my breed and just goes on whatever advice is commercially acceptable it seems. Its not just dogs either, my rat was ill and the vet, whilst injecting him, managed to bend the needle in his neck. Just about finished him off :(

When I took my Dane in for his jabs we had a stand up row because I didn't want to use the wormer he wanted me to use and I had the audacity to ask him to order me a different type.

Sorry, but I have to disagree.
I have been going to my vet for 7 years and she is great. The lady at the front desk double booked her and my vet made sure that she knew that we only see her, that she is our pets doctor. I was taking in 2 of my dogs and was having one being checked for anal cancer and the other for anal glands. Well she checked Taz for his anal glands because she told us to bring him back in 2 or 3 weeks, anyhow she checked him and said that it was more a discomfort for him because he was emptying them fine and never charged us. She was even going to let us do payments on our other dog (she did have cancer). She has even called us to see how our animals are way after hours. If my dogs have surgery I bring them back for rechecks and there is no charge for that, where I have heard there is a charge at other places. Why do u think this is? If I need to get into see her she always makes it possible unless she is really booked up (due to another vet being sick, which is understandable). When I take my dogs to go see her we are usually in there for about a half an hour to an hour, with puppies about an hour or two. I think it is very rare to find a vet that loves animals as much as u love ur own, and when u do thats the vet u keep.
I have gone to alot of vets until I found her. I was at the vet clinic and my friend was bringing in a kitten and she was buying formula to bottle feed the little one because she wasn't nursing (I told her that she had a cleft pallet), as she was going to purchase the bottle and formula 3 vets just walked by, but this one asked to see the kitten and asked why we were buying formula. She checked the little one and told my friend that the whole roof of her mouth was a big hole and she more than likely wouldn't make it, and she was also born with no tail and something was wrong with her spine. She said that she would either just starve or we would drown her trying to feed her. She offered to put the kitten to sleep and was welcome to come in and hold her. No charge for her looking at the kitten or to pts. Thats how I met my vet. While three others couldn't take the time to look or anything this one lady did. She has been very kind and understanding with us and our animals, she always tries to find the best way to make them happy.
She is just a very caring and wonderful vet :) I find it very sad to hear of people that keep going to vets that are not and always in a rush :( I would never take my children to a doctor that never took the time, so wouldn't do it to my furbabies either. For those of u that have awful vets I wish u the best of luck to find one that cares about ur animals as much as u do. :)
ttfn :)

Dollface ...*some* of have no option but to go to the vets that we do ..in our small market town there are two practises ..both are as bad as each other :( Because there isn't the competition they can get away with doing whatever they want and charge whatever they want

Melody

We have been using our local vet at Pets at Home. So far we have not had anything complicated or ongoing and it was very convenient when our older rescue dog discovered the Xmas chocolate store a couple of years ago and had to have his stomach pumped out pronto ! However, I do worry, as, although the young dishy S. African vets that are there at the moment have seemed competent to deal with minor things, what about more major things ? And will the same vets be there next year ? The nearest vets that have a good reputation are at least half an hour away (could be more during the rush hour). Should I swap ?

Daisy

I'm lucky with mine, they are between 15 and 30 minutes away from me as they have two clinics, and one of them is young and still learning, but very interested in learning.

They both listen to me and take what I have to say into account, and on the times I have asked them to refer me to specialists etc, they have done so without hesitation.

That said they get an equivalent of about £400 a month from me as they do any spays/neuters for rescue dogs that I deal with so I would be a biggish customer.
I don't think this is a factor with them though, as they were the same prior to me sending them rescue work. I would be slow to move, having previously had experience of the horrible clinical type vets who are godlike in their arrogance and can't stand talking to people.

Theresa ;)

edited to add that I have now reached the stage with my vets where I feel that there is a strong mutual respect on both sides, which to me is an ideal relationship to have with someone who is looking after your pets, at least I know my vet is listening to me talk about what I see in my dogs each time they are sick :)

I agree Melody - I have the same problem - my vets cover my village and all the surrounding ones... which really is my point. Its all down to commercialism and anti-competitive behaviour (the customers have no choice but to use them).

Dollface - I don't doubt that my vets care for animals - my point is that the majority are not up to date with the latest technologies and advice, and they are simply not specialised enough. Therefore they talk down to me about subjects they clearly are not up-to-date on, and I ignore their advice - hardly ideal. I am not doubting your vet - I am doubting the majority of them...because I really feel that there has been a massive change with the way they work.

Incidentally, I have lived all over the country and I have yet to spend more than 7 minutes in total with a vet. The final straw was when they charged me £20 to have a rat put to sleep.

Yup ..had the vet look at a spot on Hudson's side earlier in the year .....we were in the surgery for all of 2 minutes ..he poked and prodded then said it was a small cyst in a hair follicle ..that was it ... £16.00 Thank you :)

Now thats what I call a good rate of pay ;) I know that vets have to undergo a very lengthy training ....I know that ...but why is it necessary to then extract every drop of blood from the folk who are paying for them to practise? Because of that last incident and a couple of others I do not look upon the vet as someone who I can trust and talk to ....something that is crucial in a good vet/owner relationship.

:(

Melody

I have two practices locally, one is a veterinary Hospital and the other is a small surgery which operates on a walk-in system and is open for a couple of hours in the am and pm, but all surgery is done at the main branch in the next town to us. My vets are brilliant - they don't rip your arm off either, the vet I like to see is brilliant with the spaniels (he breeds working cockers and springers [and works them]) he is very knowledgeable of my particular dogs and if I've gone in worrying over something minor , he doesn't always charge he only prescribes what he feels is necessary. I trust him. When I had to have sunny pts, the vet came out as requested to our home, and was really kind, they even sent me a condolence card a couple of days later! I was really touched by that (don't think it is standard practice with most vets?) I am very happy with my vet - and he must be ok to put up with me!!!! I have heard that the Hospital is very expensive and have the view that you have to pay more because of the facilities (really really posh practice) - personally I am not that fussed that they have an posh reception area, and block paved drive, I am happier with my vet. although his reception could do with a lick of paint!!! Julie:)

Hi - thanks for this....

Question - do you think your vet would be as forthcoming with an owner of another breed... or is it a spot of understandable favouritism? What I'm saying I guess is...would he give you expert advice, while giving me standard advice as he doesn't know my breed as well was yours?

Clear as mud? :)

Chloe, my vets assume that people who are seriously interested in a breed will often know more about that breed than they do and will always ask. Can't speak highly enough of them.

I wish mine did.... he always talks down to me like its the first dog i ever had. I think its just easier and quicker for him to do that - rather than get into a lengthy discussion. Its turning into more of a Doctors Surgery now than a paying service.

Iam so sorry to hear that. Thats just terrible. :( They shouldn't be able to be like that. :( The nerve of some people thats just disgusting :( Is their anything that can check into it, I guess u wouldn't want to start conflict if those are the only vets around.

puppy face is an infection that makes the face swell up and they get nasty septic spots all over the face. It looks much worse that it is but they can feel quite poorly with it. it is a Strep. infection and needs good antibiotics to clear it. Once gone they don't get it again. Yes all breeds can get it - it seems to be possibly caused when people have had several litters and maybe the whelping box or kennel needs to be sterilized.

Bobbi

Juvenile Cellulitis or Puppy Strangles :-)

I have had to "kiss a lot of frogs" before I found "my prince" and now have a vet I totally trust and has long given up trying to sell me stuff. He is happy to discuss everything in great detail, furthers my knowledge and treats me with respect and has done ever since I started going there nearly 30 years ago (with a break in between when we moved house but now I travel a fair distance to him after being ripped off/treated like an idiot by other vets) when I knew virtually nothing about dogs he was just the same. I have always said that when he retires ( I think we are about the same age) I will stop keeping numbers of dogs - I dont think I could trust another like I trust and respect him. Anyone living in my area ( Pembrokeshire/Carmarthenshire) would be well advised to use him and I will gladly give e mailers his details.

I get on very well with most of my vets in our local surgery now. The ones I dont like - I dont see - being a worrier I have met most of them at different times of the day and night so I know who to ask for :)

I was used to be treating differently with my other vet (too far to go now). He was in Pimlico, really expensive but if I had an emergency we got rushed straight in to see someone. Had a run in to start with at this vet with my old cat (22). Rang to say she had collapsed, couldnt walk, I was in a real panic. After FIVE minutes of holding they told me to bring her in - which is what I should have done I know but I was in a state. When I got there they made me WAIT !!! Well after tantrums etc we were seen and she died 2 weeks later at home (not because of the vet I hasten to add but because she was nearly 23. After that I now know who to see there with my dogs and who not and the ones I do see are brilliant. I think it is down to us to make it known what we will put up with and what we wont :D
Gina

I think she may mean Puppy Head Gland disease. All the glands swell up with the infection.

Hi
I am with a vet who is in pet smart, not to happy with them could someone recommend a vet in Swindon I would be grateful as we have a new puppy comming
on Sunday and she will need her 8 week jabs.
Nina

Charney Kennels have been in Farringdon for many years and will know all the local Vets. Try asking them for their opinion. 01367 241063.

I have used the same vet for 30 years and have had no real problems. They have referred me when necessary and I feel I have a good relationship with them. Luckily I haven't had a lot of need to use them recently(touch wood), Una at 13 has only been for vaccinations and Cava seems healthy so far.
They do have a fair number of young vets who tend to move on esp if they are good but really I have no complaints
Anne

We changed vets because I wasn't happy with them. It was always a different vet and they used a lot of very young overseas vets who were here to get 6 months work experience. Which wasn't good for continuity of care. When Stinky had an abscess on her elbow, the young vet pointed at her teat and said "oh is that it, that's normal". :rolleyes:

Then when we got TH, the young aussie vet said "Gee, I've never seen a cumberland spaniel before".

And that was it. The parting of the ways.

New vets is a small 4 vet country practice and they're brilliant. They know me as overanxious owner and are not afraid to tell me that I'm over-reacting :D They tend to specialise amongst them - one prefers horse work, another is the specialist surgeon and they're not afraid to refer work outside the practice.

No offence Sharon. But it's like doctors They're only human and you have to look around for one that you trust.

Kate, absolutely right about doctors, and I avoid them like the plague because I trust so few. BTW are you sure we don't use the same vets:)? Yours is exactly like my practice.

Maybe we're lucky because we live in farming areas and aren't at the mercy of small animal practice conveyor belts??

Just to let you know, on the subject of vets. We had an epulis removed from our Mastiffs mouth yesterday. The whole procedure took no more than 20 minutes and we were charged a whooping £460.00 inclusive of a course of antibiotics and pain killers. The vet wanted to give the dog Rimadyl but after reading so much bad press on the internet about Rimadyl particularly from the States we refused to accept it and our vet without arguement prescribed an alternative. Our vet started out as a one man band in a small market town but she like many others has expanded and now has four surgeries with five vets working for her so like many others on this topic unless we dig our heels in we never get to see the same vet twice. Many of the vets are inexperienced straight from vet school and quite frankly do not know how to deal with my breed and try and fob us off. Fortunately we are quite experienced and will not accept this but I do worry about people who are maybe first time pet owners and have total faith in what the vets tell them.

They charged me £75 to put a bandage on my dalmatians sprained paw - it was off ten minutes after we got home!

They might aswell put a mask on and ride to Surgery on a black horse. I think mines called Dick Turpin :)

Chloe, if you really want to meet Dick Turpin, vist an optician :(. But that in no way excuses profiteering vets. Although my vets are not the cheapest in the area, the variation between what I would pay and some of the charges I hear take my breath away.

I know the feeling, being both short-sighted and owning dogs means I get maced on a regular basis!

Thats a good point though - it is the variation in charges that is the issue... you never actually know how much you are going to be charged, it varies wildly from one vet to the next and one treatment to the next!

and no one will ever do a quote on the phone or tell you up front exactly what the cost is going to be before the visit :rolleyes:
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I understand about 'unforeseeable' events...but really. It's like this secret even with much of it simply basic care


hi all
i had a real bad time at a vets when i had to bring My bull terrier Lady as her contractions had stopped and she may have needed to have a c-section. it was not my own vets as there was closed. so i had to take her to this vets. well he take her in and i went home thinking she was in the best place, he said he would phone me if anything was wrong and he needed to do the c-section, at 09.00 i phoned them thinking all was well as i did not get a call from him. to find out lady contraction had stopped again at 05.30 that morning and he still had not done the c-section on her. 6 pups died and she can not have any more. all he was thinking about was if i could pay the bill.
so yes there are bad vets out there

lorraine

Seems like I'm one of the lucky ones! Soon after our move Benson (5 yr old Great Dane) decided to munch a wasp. His face was swelling by the second and it was a Bank Holiday Monday! I had no suitable medication so a visit to our new vet was a must. We arranged to meet at the surgery where he gave Benson a thorough check over and 2 injections. He then slapped me with the bill......£17.50 - yes you did read that right! and yes it was this century!
Jackie