This has been a good positive thread.
Working as a Vet Tech for 20 years, I have worked with good and bad vets. Mostly good though. I have been very lucky.
My advice, when shopping for a vet,
1. Stop in the office. Talk to the front desk staff. Ask for a tour. Sometimes we can accommodate, sometimes not.
2. If they can't accommodate with a drop in, schedule an appointment with a Dr. Make it clear you want a tour. Sit down, without your dog, and just talk to the vet. Yes, you will need to pay for their time. But being able to discuss philosophy and your pet, without a freaking out dog, will be good.
3. Take your dog in. Just to hang out for a bit. See how they like the vibe. Does the staff interact with you? Do they ask to meet and give treats to your dog? Do they seem happy to have you there? Do they respect the dogs space if nervous?
4. On your first appointment, go early, and not for anything major. No shots, no emergency. Let your dog relax in the waiting room for a bit. If you are stressed, they get stressed.
5. Go with your gut. If you don't like a Dr, try a different one, if it's a multiple Dr practice. Vets are people, they react and interact differently. No Vet I know gets offended if client prefers another Vet.
6. Don't expect us to say we will make payment arrangements with you if you are not a regular client, we don't know you from Adam, why on earth are we going to trust you to pay us? Emergencies happen. It is up to YOU to be as prepared as possible. Get insurance. Preapply for Care Credit. Vets offices do not work the same way as human Dr. It is really really unfair to blame a veterinarian for your inability to pay for your pet. I can't tell you how many times my Vets have been told they are "killing" a clients dog, because the client can't pay for treatment. It's a horrible and manipulative thing to do. Don't be that client.
7. Teach your dog, at home, to accept the things a Vet does. Feel their belly, lift their lip, open their mouth, pinch their skin, hold their feet. This goes a long way to them being comfortable. If your dog HATES the vet, teach them to accept a muzzle. Make it a game at home, buy your own and bring it. Please don't make me manhandle your dog to get one on. I really hate stressing dogs like that.
8. Please understand that I don't know your pet. He may be a talkative grisly boy that would never bite. But I don't know that. I don't know you, or your ability as a handler/trainer. I see you once a year. And your dog growls and barks threateningly to me each time. So if I ask if can put " a party hat" on him. Don't take that to mean I think you have a bad dog. It just means that I need to be calm and comfortable handling your pup.
9. If you are working on a specific behavior, let me know, so I don't reward your puppy for jumping on me by giving him love. And tell me how you want me to react if he gets mouthy.
10. If your dog is known to get offended by certain behaviors, tell me!!! I would much prefer an owner say, he may snap when you do his anal glands, then let me find out when he is hanging off my face.
This board is very anti-vet. It's frustrating as a vet professional. But we really are there to help your pet live a long and healthy life. No matter how much they hate us. I want to work with you and your dog. I want us to be partners, no matter what. But you need to trust me. If you don't. Find another vet. No offense taken.
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