Hello!

Yet another preparatory question!

O.K. Today I'm doing my homework and trying to find a good vet in my area (I live in Blackheath, London).

I've been onto Scoot and Yell and they've given me the names and numbers of some practices.

How do I find out which one offers the best (and reasonably priced!) service?

Julie

Visit them, tell them that you are looking for a vet for your new pup and get a gut feeling about the practice. Check their facilities, do they offer 24/7 service or do they use a covering service. Can you ask for the vet you want or do you have to have the one who is least busy. Do they own dogs themselves. Will they do home visits or do they want you to go in to the surgery, there is sometimes a good reason for this as all the equipment is at the surgery. Ask about the cost of injections and then you can compare. Ask if they specialise at all. Go to your local dog clubs and ask people what vet they use and are their fees reasonable. Could go on but I think you will have the idea. Don't forget they are serving you so don't be shy. Jackie H

Ooh good. Lots of ideas. I'll go and sniff them out!!

Thank you Jackie!

x

Julie

The best thing with vets in the first instance is personal recommendation then your own experience. Ask around people you see with dogs, friends relatives etc etc. If you have a good pet shop nearby see who they recommend too.

It's tough because you don't want to be ripped off but you want to make sure you get the best you can.

Some members may know your location and be able to let you have some names to try.

Visit the practice and see how it looks and feels to you. Talk to the receptionist and gauge their attitude. A good one should be helpful. They may even have an information pack about their practice. They should be able to give you information about getting a new dog before you present yourself with the dog.

hth

Pam n the boys

Thanks Pam!

Yes, I really would like a recommendation. Word of mouth is invaluable.

A friend of mine has four cats and when they go into the vets, the receptionists know the names of each and every one! But she's right on the other side of London : (

Julie x

Hi Juliet

I don't know what kind of dog you're getting :(, but if it's in anyway "out of the ordinary", then it's also worth asking if they have any experience of that breed.

When the vet referred to TH as a "cumberland spaniel", I knew it was time to move . . . We asked around and it turned out that the recommended vet already had a cumberland :D spaniel on its books.

We took this as a good sign and we were right.

Another good sign is to phone up, tell them you're getting a puppy and ask them for some advice. If they're helpful (and accurate) then that might help you narrow it down.

9th & The Sausage Dog

Ooooh! I love Mr Porkinson dogs! I like the thought that their back legs must always be trying to catch up with the front legs!

The dog we're going to look at is a 2 year old Border Terrier (not a puppy!) but I plan to go round a couple of these places now asking some questions and looking for the response!

I've never been afraid to stick my hand up and ask so I'm looking for ahelpful, friendly, considerate service!

After all, I wouldn't dream of visiting a doctor who didn't know my name and details and wasn't up to scratch!

Julie : )

While on the subject of vets I had to post this info that really surprised me. My friend in the south of england has just bought through her vet a bottle of metacam - the same size bottle that i purchased from my vet in the north of scotland. Now i know prices vary according to area but the amount amazed me she paid £30.28 inc vat and i paid £14.09 inc vat for exactly the same thing. She couldnt believe it, as you can imagine, when I told her!!!!!!!!!!

I think I paid about £24 for the bottle I got from a NE of Scotland vet. It's shocking isnt it. Why don't these things have a set price like human medicines?

Living in Essex I get the feeling that because of where we live it is assumed that we all have money. Believe me this isnt the case. I can't even afford to buy the house I live in! Good job I'm selling up and moving into a mobile home on a field! No electricity, no water bliss :D

That's why we're moving to Canada :( We can't afford to live in this area much longer it's getting ridiculous.

Fiona
x x x

Sad isn't it that you have to make such a drastic move just to be able to live. Still if people keep on paying the prices then they will keep charging them.

Julie,

I can recommend a vet we use in Sydenham. If that is not too far for you, email me and I will let you have the name and address.

Michael
14 July 2002

I moved to an area where we knew no one and we also had picked up a puppy on the way, and our other dog was due her boosters, so I phoned round about 6 vets from the yellow pages, explained what breed we have (whippets) and that they were due puppy shots and boosters, what were their prices and what experience did they have with whippets.

One practice sounded bored "We deal with all dogs" (yes, but do you know about whippets and some of their special needs?)
A couple more sounded good "Yes, we have about 2 or three whippets at the practice"
The one we go to I was most impressed with "Oh a puppy! Congratulations and on your new home too. Yes we deal with whippets - we deal with a lot of the whippet/greyhound rescues, we'd love to have you but ring round and be sure you want to be with us, we'll send you out some practice info today"

They were about £2 more expensive for a visit, but are WELL worth it. The most happy, friendly practice I've been too. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE our vets. All the techs truly love animals. I have had dogs for my whole life and have never gone to a vets where the dog didn't dread it. My dogs DRAG me INTO the vets when we're there and pitch fits if they have to wait in the car if I'm just picking up meds. I've yet to see a dog walk into that place and not be happy, pulling and wagging it's tail.

So in the first instance ring round and get a feel, then if there's a couple you like the sound of go check them out. That would be my advice.

Wendy