I'm in a bit of a quandary, I've just found out that my usual vet is being bought over by the big boys in the area who already cover the practises emergency call out, plus, Angus the vet is moving out entirely to set up his own practise. The dilemma is that I feel a certain loyalty to Sue who did own the old place and has been my vet for nearly 14 years, I feel confident with her and she knows me well and Spud likes her ( as much as a dog can like someone while trying his best to vacate the premises  and say hello at the same time ) I also trust the nurses who are incredibly kind and genuinely care a lot for their patients.
But.
Sue's getting on a bit and I can see her heart isn't in the job any more. Angus on the other hand is a very experienced and progressive vet, is kind and gentle with his patients.
He's moving to Leslie with his wife who's also a vet, they'll be doing their own emergency cover, which is also an issue as at the old place emergency's are now dealt with at the main HQ in Dunfermline, a good 30 min car journey for me, Angus would be closer.

I'm wondering if I can have my cake and eat it and use both vets, or should I jump ship and go with Angus ?

Dont know if its relevent,but my friend uses two vets,i think one is cheaper for certain things.I dont know if they know about each other,and I dont even know if its a good idea or not!I tend to stick with my vets even though theyve moved and are more difficult to get to,and arent always the cheapest,because i trust them,and theyve treated all my beloved critturs for many years,with a lot of emotions tied up along the way.
A hard one for you,though!Could you  not stay on the books of both?

Well that's what I'm thinking but I'm not sure if it's ethical or fair

no reason not to use two vets - particularly I'd want one who offered their own cover and who seems nice and will be around for longer....

Using two vets can cause problems.  You must register as they are obliged to provide 24 hour emergency cover (one way or another).  I doubt a vet would treat you for routine matters if you do not agree to register.
If you choose to kid them and register with both you are going to create potential difficulties, dangers even,  with incomplete medical records at each practice. 

Stooge, is there anything to say you cannot register with more than 1 vet? I know many in my breed who use 2 vet's practices - 1 for the usual stuff and 1 for surgical or more complicated stuff ( not as referrals, that's separate)

you do have to state on any insurance claim any other vets you have used though

Not quite the same thing I know.  But I am registered with a large veterinary hospital.  The guy who is now in charge of the small animal side of things is my favourite vet.  Always book for him, but in an emergency I know that whichever vet I see will be under him.  I like that they do their own out of hours.  And that, if I phone at o'silly o'clock that they will tell me to come straight in. 

I was once registered with a vet who would argue the toss!  :-(   If I am willing to pay the call out fee then you can be sure that I am not going to ask them to clip my dogs nails. 

I am also registered with a vet close to where my static is situated in north somerset.  I had to phone them while away with young pups, and they actually saved me a journey to their main hospital, as they had a vet out on call, and he would come and open up the local surgery afterwards.  So, very helpful in my case.

When my own vet retired, I was so worried about this new kid (who is now head of small animal) and he is absolutely superb.  Into everything new and has an extremely good reputation (there is nothing like asking the opinion of other vets!)  I think you have to go with someone who is really into all the new stuff.  I totally understand loyalty, but if your lady is losing interest, go for what is best for your precious dogs!  :-)  And it sounds like Angus!

> is there anything to say you cannot register with more than 1 vet?

I don't think there is but I think many vets regard it as unethical to treat another vets "patient" and it must create difficulties with exactly who is responsible for out of hours cover.

> I am also registered with a vet close to where my static is situated in north somerset.

I think that is a bit different and I don't see how a vet could see that as unethical although on the couple of occasions that we have seen the vet up at our cottage we simply register as temporary visitors.  As a holiday area they seem to have a sleek little system for that.

I'm registered with two vets,one does all the routine and simple stuff,the other does any major jobs. I am though going to go with the vet who does the vacs etc soon as my other vet is leaving for pastures new.  It has never been a problem to be honest,both vets know I am registered with the other and don't mind.

There is nothing to stop you using more than one vet same as using more than one plumber electrician etc.

The RCVS has informed someone I know that it is perfectly acceptable to shop around and use different vets accordingly, registering with both.

I have my dogs registered with two vets. One is local and I use them for routine checks and emergency etc. I am happy with all treatment they have given my animals, especially emergency stitching when one on my dogs cut his eye rim three weeks before Crufts none year. When I was planning my first litter, I asked the vet and nurse several questions about when to worm, what to use, when to scan etc etc. They did not infer confidence in me with the answers they gave.

The other is about a 40minute drive away, my friend is a vet there and knows my breed well (rare breed) I trust her with all things related to my bitch in terms of CHV vaccine, ovulation testing, taking and sending blood for Optigen, puppy check, etc.

I feel I need a close vet for emergencies and had they been more 'in-tune' with everything to do with whelping I would have had no reason to go elsewhere as they are great at medical things.

Like I said, I don't think there are any rules against it other than the difficulties I have described. ie emergency cover and incomplete notes.

I have done just this using one vet for any health issues and then the cheaper vet for health tests, vaccinations and routine spay/neuter. Both vets were aware of this and then they became one bigger practice :-D

The only problem I can see with using two vets or rather two practices is that your animals records will not be complete anywhere and should a snap decision need to be made the vet will not be able to check the records so something could be overlooked.

I'm leaning on choosing Angus for the dogs and keep the old ones for Polly, reason being Polly doesn't travel well and the old vets are only 10 mins away, it's so annoying to have to go all the way to Dunfermline in an emergency and actually pass the vets on the way.

The decider will be what sort of operating facilities Angus will have, he's an excellent surgeon but I would insist on proper ob's done during an op, the old place does do ob's ably assisted by the vet nurses.
The other vet in the area doesn't do ob's at all during an op, doesn't even have any nurses helping and i've heard some hair raising reports due to it, hence me being a bit of a stickler on it.

have your cake and eat it - after all - you're PAYING for the cake ! we certainly do - similar thing happened to us - for minor things we see one vet - serious stuff / pregnancy stuff we see another.

They can't get funny - we are PAYING for the service who ever we use

Register with both, no problem, but make sure both practices know that you're also with the other so that histories can be passed to and fro if needed.

I would certainly want to be with a practice that does their own OOH - that's worth a lot.

years ago,when I was young,my first dog developed heart problems and had to be put to sleep,naturally I was extremely upset.Not long after,i took my other dog to the vets and she diagnosed a "tired heart",the same thing she said my first dog had had.I got really scared,(I was only young!)And begged my then husband to take him to another vet for a second opinion.That vet rang to check it was ok with my first vet,then examined my dog and found nothing wrong .When told,the first vet told the second that I had been "in such a state" that she"had to tell me something"! Of course I was extremely relieved but I never went back to the first vet!