Hi
I took my puppy for her first injection today this was her second visit to the vet.  As I have never had a dog before I was not sure really what to expect.  Both times she has been seen by different vets and I was upset when I left today as I got the impression that they just wanted her in and out the surgery.  I had lots of questions to ask about worming and fleas etc but felt that I could not ask them.  I also wanted to ask about diet and they did not even weigh her until I asked and then they put her on the scales and did not put paper on them.  I thought that tables must always be wiped and surfaces that animals have been on.  I don't know I am just kind of upset she is booked in her for second vaccination in 2 weeks but I would like to try and find a private vet rather than a practice with no consistency or is it like this nowadays.  What should I expect from a trip to the vets?  Also when I paid the bill I was not given a breakdown of prices or anything and when she had her injection he didn't tell me any side effects or whether she would need to rest etc I had to ask him.
Is this acceptable I would be interested to know forum members views on this topic.

Shop around for another vet, I dont now where you are located, but usually there are a number to chose from.
Your vet should take the time to answer all your questions, after a time you build a repoire with them.
Also bills should be itemized.
I have been with my vets for sometime know, we are on a first name basis, I also have their home phone numbers in my book in case of an after hour emergency, so that I dont have to go through the usual , slow paced paging system when in dire straights.
Remember that the vet works for you, interview many till you find one that you are comfortable with.
Lucy

Lucy how are you?
I just don't know exactly what I should be looking for.  Is there such a thing as a private vet like a private doctor where it is a one person clinic?  There are many vets around but they all seem to be part of big chains and you don't get the consistency I am so confused and quite upset after todays trip.  I also noticed that when I got Desi home she began walking and her back legs were collapsing.  I can only imagine this is a side effect from the vaccination but it would have been nice to have been told if this is the case.
van

I would think that all vets are part of a group practice, or the one poor soul would be on duty 24/7! But even in a group you can always ask to see your 'usual' vet (unless it's their day off, on holiday, etc). I find that bills will be itemized if you ask for it, but not otherwise, and, just like at the doctor's, I find it easiest to write down what I want to ask before I go, because otherwise I'm bound to forget! Generally vets assume that, if you don't ask, you already know - or else they'd go through the same spiel time after time to everyone, and drive themselves and their clients potty!
:)

Another advantage of a larger practice is that they will be able to justify spending money on equipment and facilities that a single vet couldn't afford. :)

Kath.

The thing is I did have everything written down that I wanted to ask but I felt like the vet was pressured for time and I didn't feel comfortable to go through all my questions.  More than anything I am concerned by the little things such as paper not being put on the scales where they weigh animals and not seeing the consulting table wiped down.  I am also regretting having purchased a bag of science plan food from them having just read some terrible reports on it also my vets bill came to 76 pounds for the one injection and the food and some flea droplets it seems like an awful lot of money!  Do you think I can take the food back?

If the food is unopened then, yes of course they should be happy to take it back and refund you the money.
:)

I know what you mean about wanting to ask but feeling you couldn't :)

Usually happens to me with a visit to the doctor, i seem to save up all my questions for one visit!! Is Desi OK now?

I am registered with an "animal hospital" which means there is someone on duty at the vets (the vet nurses sleep there overnight to be with the animals) 24 hours which to me is important. I have built up a rapport with several vets and usually see one or two for my girl. I have found some vets in the practice to be better than others, some i gel with and some not, but when my  best vet Siobhan left, I straight away found one of the others was almost as good and willing to listen etc.

If you have several vets at the practice, ask for their names when you ring and just ask for a different name, you may find one you gel with.

Lindsay
X

Whilst all Vets are "private practices" (apart from the PDSA) you can find big, impersonal surgeries, and small ones, with maybe only 2 partners (like my Vets)  They dont have some of the very lates, biggest, specialist equipment, so do have to sedn you to a specialist for some bigger procedures, but are absolutley first class for the usual things, and as a bonus are firendsly, caring, provide a very personalised service, and keep prices to a very reasonable level.  I am sure there are lots of other small, caring practices like this around the country, and possbily the best way to find one is by prsonal recomendation.

One of my pet hates are vets who immediately recomend therir own brand of puppy food, regardless of the careful weaning regime and feeding guidelines porvided by a responsible breeder.  Some Vets are now jsut toom much "business" and not enough consideration for patients and owners.
bey
Gwen

My vet doesn't put paper on the scales but I know they are regularly cleaned and disinfected.  I don't see the table being cleaned as this is done in between patients but I know it is always done before I am called in.

What would worry me though was not having the time to ask questions.  Usually my vet and I have a chat about all kinds of "off topic" subjects, holidays, rugby, family, politics etc but if he is rushed we forego that, but however pressed for time he is he has never cut short any talk on my dogs welfare or made me feel he hasn't time to answer questions. 

Vet fees are extremely high these days, you are paying these fees.  Choose a practice where you can select who you want to see and find  a vet you are comfortable with.  Do not allow them to push you about, you are the one paying the fee.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Thanks everybody
I am going to start looking around in the next few weeks but I think what I will do is ask around when we begin at puppy training classes in 2 weeks time and ask around then as to what vets people are taking there dogs to.
van

This is my pet subject, it's so important to feel comfortable with your vet, and i don't. Thankfully I'm not a frequent visitor to the vet, but every time I do go, I tell myself I should change my vet. I live close to Dizzy, so I think I should ask her who she goes to, she wouldn't have any truck with idiots.

Dawn R.

you know the thing is i would imagine that one person can go to a vet with their pet and be perfectly happy but another can feel totally different.  I just came out of there feeling uncertain about continuing.  Naturally I would like to take her to a place where I can build a rapport with the vet and see that vet each time I know that next time I take her for her 2nd injection and her microchip it is going to be a locum vet also and I wonder how will they know what to do and what she has had etc.

£76 sounds like quite a lot. I paid £15 for Max's first jab? The vet I go to is a fairly small practise but they have a walk in centre thingy near me with a nurse who does  jabs fleas worms anal glands and micro chipping. When max went I was there for an hour as vet loves labs and so chatted about him loads he was given treats and played with and cuddled and kissed infact I was getting worried the vet wasnt going to give him back. They posted me some ear drops when max had ear mites and gave me new wormers free of charge when max threw up his drontal. I am new to the vets but I am very pleased so far and they had a big open day at the weekend with different doggie displays (hearing dogs for the deaf, police dogs and guide dogs) had another chat with my vet about labs and she is really nice. They have seperate rooms and and waiting rooms for dogs and small animals so littleuns dont get scared and I am thoroughley pleased with them so yiou should definitely look around!

Sometimes i get this feeling with certain vets at the practise i go to. Generally the women are more approachable than the men. I think the secret though is to be more forceful. More and more vets and doctors are running to a tight time schedule, and you certainly find a special one if they are willing to take as much time as you need.  I used to know a doctor just like this, she was always running late but gave you her full attention everytime you saw her. I find that if the vet is almost trying to push me out the door i will say, oh, do you mind if i just ask you some questions e.t.c. I don't think the vets wipe down the scales or table whislt you are in there, it is done in between clients. (Do vets or doctors for that matter disinfect the scales after every patient?) £76 pounds sounds a little pricey to me, though, its usually less that £30 - the food must have cost an awful lot.
Where the questions just general care questions, is there anything we can help you with? My vets offered a puppy party where the dogs could socialise but they also gave a talk about care, training, worming, de-fleaing, feeding e.t.c. I found this invaluable with my first dog, and it was free.
If you really aren't happy though it is always worth looking for another vet. Ask other dog owners, as they will be able to point you in the right direction. Word of mouth is always the best way of finding something really good.

You might find you have paid for the two jabs in one go.  I think I have had to pay for the course before, worth a phone call to check before you change vets.

I feel it is very important you are comfortable with your vet - and some are definitely better than others. One of my criteria has always been " would I feel able to rely on this person in an emergency?" and another "would I be comfortable with this person if my dog was dying". May seem morbid but my vets have probably seen me at some of my lowest moments when I have had to have precious animals PTS and if I felt they were not going to be understanding or do as I wished in those situations I would want to find another.

I am lucky in that I have a fantastic practice - I have one vet I see by choice but have on occasion dealt with all of them and they are all great. They are homeopathic as well as conventional and they always listen and give you as much time as you need. They come out to the house if needed.

I heard of a case where a vet refused to come out to a bitch in whelp who needed oxytocin half way through whelping (apparently the practice no longer did home visits! ) - she (and the born pups) were taken to the vet twice in the next 24 hours, she lost more than half her litter and had to be spayed in the end. One of the surviving puppies was dead on arrival back from the vets - they will never know whether it would've died if they had not been carted around or even if something happened while they were in the other room. I can't believe a vet wouldn't go to the house to give an injection. If an caesar is on the cards fair enough but this was a case of inertia and the injection got things going.  I wouldn't contemplate a surgery that was not prepared to come out (even if the call out fee is high) if needed.

If you are not happy then shop around and ask for local recommendations. You need a vet you trust.

Good luck
Janet

I always say if you would not go to them if they were a human doctor then don't take your pet...I went thro many vets till I found mine, who I trust with my animals lives....You need one who is in it for the love of it and not just the money...Ask friends, co workers, visit different vets, ask for a tour of the place ect. I've been with our vet now for about 9 years or so I think, not really sure been maybe 10 years. It took me a awhile to find a good one and well I'm holding on tight lol :D . When she calls animals into the room she calls them and talks to them since they are the patient thats who she address', my animals are always very hyper when they see her, if one if them is a little shy she takes the time to let them get comfortable. My vet takes the time to explain things, the only time I have been rushed was when I dropped in and she squeezed me in but she would call me later if need be...I even had har call me yesterday even tho she was busy she always takes the time to call....

Good luck and I do hope you find one you both like :)

Firstly, and most importantly, go back to that vet and ask them to fill out a Suspected Adverse reaction form, because collapsing back legs after a vaccination is NOT right.

Vets should, and frequently do NOT advise that dogs CAN have an adverse reaction, and the problems resulting from these can be horrific. (One of my close friends dogs suffered illness for more than half her life, and died at the age of five because of this!).

Do not be at all surprised if the vet pooh poohs the idea that the vaccine caused it, sadly its unlikely to be proved, but until more ppl report these things, nothing will be done.

I would be very wary of taking this pup back for a second jab if the reaction WAS to the first jab. certianly, if it were my pup, i wouldnt be leaving it just two weeks, more like four, or more.

Take back the bag of food, that has probably cost youa  small fortune and IMO its utter rubbish.

Make a list of your questions, if necessary, make an appointment to see the vet yourself, without your dog, to ask these questiosn, and be assertive!

There are a lot of 'industrys' out there, medicine, whether its vets or doctors is just one of htem, where the people you are expecting service from do not tend to get questioned much by their clients/patients, and as such often dont take to kindly to it. They seem taken aback that pet owners want to know details, wont assume that because they say so, they must be right. (another of these is tattooists, they get that 'god complex' as well, very annoying!)..... YOU are the client, its YOUR money, and YOUR pet, if you dont like the service you are paying for, walk, find another, but always question, asking questions never hurt anyone, not knowing the answers to some of these questiosn might well!

I wouldnt bother asking your vet about dog nutrition, vets are NOT nutritionists, they re there to fix ill animals, most of their nutritional knowledge comes from the very ppl who manufacture the bags of overpriced dog food they sell.

HTH , and i hope your pup is ok.

Em