Choosing a Veterinarian - Page 4

CassandGunnar · 01-09-2011, 03:23 PM

The first dog that my wife and I got as a rescue was a beautiful belgian groenendael named Rocky. We went to the vet that was recommended for our area. (Rocky had been found chained to a tree at a regional park with severe head traume. It appeared someonee had tied him there and tried to beat him to death) When we explained his history to this vet, he said that he would return the dog and have it put down because this breed is prone to seizures and with the head trauma it was a given he would be a problem dog. Needless to say, we left that second. It happened that 3 days later we went to a different adoption event at a Petco to talk to the fosters about who they used. Everyone pointed out their volunteer vet who just happened to be about 20 minutes from our house. When went to introduce ourselves and talk to her, she had a shirt that said I heart my GSD. SOLD. Whenever we go there now, she always makes a point to come out and greet "her" dogs. That was 15 years and many many dogs ago.
Both times we've had to have dogs put down, she stayed in the room with us and cried. Couldn't ask for any more.
I know I would drive quite a ways for that kind of care.

tytysgirl · 01-09-2011, 03:30 PM

We go to the one that no one else seems to like around here. I do, though. They are great with the animals, answer all my questions and love Charlie!

I guess they are the most expensive here, too, but I think what they charge is acceptable.

beaderdog · 01-09-2011, 03:41 PM

I chose the vet practice we use by "word of mouth" from other dog & cat owners in the area. I was very happy with the original doctors, but wasn't sure I liked the doctor who took over the practice at first, but he has earned my trust & my respect many times over. One thing I really appreciate is that the practice has a group discount for those of us with sizeable "herds". They've also done a really good job coordinating with the specialist at the U of Penn who's been treating one of my cats for advanced heart disease - no "territoriality" & they willingly consult whenever there are issues.

onyx'girl · 01-09-2011, 05:07 PM

My vet is about 2 minutes away and lives on the premesis of her clinic. That is the reason I chose to go to her.
She helped me once with an emergency( a woodpecker my dogs caught, I needed some vetwrap) before I even was a client.
My old vet was 30 minutes away and cheap, I didn't like some things that happened thru the 20+ years I went there(misdiagnosis of Pano for one)
So I decided after fighting with the old vet about the raw diet I was feeding to change to my "neighbor". She has been excellent, costs are higher, but she also didn't have me bring Onyx in once for an emergency, rather provided consult over the phone to save Onyx stress and me $$,so money isn't the driving factor of her practice.

vicky2200 · 01-09-2011, 08:23 PM

I would look for a vet who listens to your concerns and spends time with the pet in the exam room, not just runs in and runs out. Next would be price- although I am not saying to find the cheapest. Find a vet who charges reasonable prices. Another good thing to consider is how willing are they to work with you, in terms of sending prescriptions to a human pharmacy ( when able.)

**lhczth** · 01-09-2011, 09:04 PM

The vet I had for the horses retired and I wasn't thrilled with his partner. I was still using the people that bought his practice for my dogs. When the new vet actually went over my dogs with a flea comb right after I told her that I don't have issues with fleas, I decided to check out my new horse vet. He does all animals. I have used him ever since (wow it has been 18 years). I like that he is not afraid of my dogs. Is very open to my bringing in research when he is faced with something he has little experience with (like when I had a dog with PF) and has worked with a number of other breeders. He is excellent for hip/elbow x-rays, isn't trying to make a living off of just my dogs and has never questioned the fact that I do minimal vaccinations.

**lhczth** · 01-09-2011, 09:08 PM

Oh, and I go into the room during exams, can be there when we must euthanize an old dog (he will actually come to the house) and I can be there with my dog when we do x-rays (though I have to leave the room during the actual x-ray).

There is another vet a bit farther south of me that I also like though they are more expensive. I was actually able to help prep Treue when she had emergency abdominal surgery and be there to watch the surgery. They are very good about coming in for emergencies also if called. It is also a clinic that does large and small animals.

onyx'girl · 01-09-2011, 10:15 PM

When Onyx had to have a hematoma e-surgery, I assisted my vet. It was a Saturday and Onyx is much better off with me at her head, so it was easier on her for me to help with the sedation(she was gassed as well as had an injection, could't IV her because she fights so much). The respect I have for my vet was increased after that, trust is a big deal and I'm lucky that I do trust my vet.

King&Skylar · 01-11-2011, 02:15 PM

We just picked our vet because it was closest to us, they are so good, both vets are awesome, as are the techs and staff there- they don't have one bad person working there. We can go in whenever we want to just say hi, and it helps a ton with the dogs anxiety about being at the vets.

01-09-2011, 03:30 PM	#32 (permalink)
tytysgirl Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Arkansas Posts: 45	We go to the one that no one else seems to like around here. I do, though. They are great with the animals, answer all my questions and love Charlie! I guess they are the most expensive here, too, but I think what they charge is acceptable. __________________ Jess Charlie (DOB 12/09)

01-09-2011, 05:07 PM	#34 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,611	My vet is about 2 minutes away and lives on the premesis of her clinic. That is the reason I chose to go to her. She helped me once with an emergency( a woodpecker my dogs caught, I needed some vetwrap) before I even was a client. My old vet was 30 minutes away and cheap, I didn't like some things that happened thru the 20+ years I went there(misdiagnosis of Pano for one) So I decided after fighting with the old vet about the raw diet I was feeding to change to my "neighbor". She has been excellent, costs are higher, but she also didn't have me bring Onyx in once for an emergency, rather provided consult over the phone to save Onyx stress and me $$,so money isn't the driving factor of her practice. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

01-09-2011, 08:23 PM	#35 (permalink)
vicky2200 Master Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 590	I would look for a vet who listens to your concerns and spends time with the pet in the exam room, not just runs in and runs out. Next would be price- although I am not saying to find the cheapest. Find a vet who charges reasonable prices. Another good thing to consider is how willing are they to work with you, in terms of sending prescriptions to a human pharmacy ( when able.) __________________ Dakota GSD mix- 8yrs old Ditto GSD- 3yrs old Daisy Alaskan Husky- 2 yr old Weegee Toy Poodle- Puppy

01-09-2011, 09:04 PM	#36 (permalink)
lhczth Administrator & LOTR Addict Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 11,698	The vet I had for the horses retired and I wasn't thrilled with his partner. I was still using the people that bought his practice for my dogs. When the new vet actually went over my dogs with a flea comb right after I told her that I don't have issues with fleas, I decided to check out my new horse vet. He does all animals. I have used him ever since (wow it has been 18 years). I like that he is not afraid of my dogs. Is very open to my bringing in research when he is faced with something he has little experience with (like when I had a dog with PF) and has worked with a number of other breeders. He is excellent for hip/elbow x-rays, isn't trying to make a living off of just my dogs and has never questioned the fact that I do minimal vaccinations. __________________ Lisa Clark Zu Treuen Händen Working German Shepherd Dogs *South Michigan SchH and Police Club*

01-09-2011, 09:08 PM	#37 (permalink)
lhczth Administrator & LOTR Addict Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 11,698	Oh, and I go into the room during exams, can be there when we must euthanize an old dog (he will actually come to the house) and I can be there with my dog when we do x-rays (though I have to leave the room during the actual x-ray). There is another vet a bit farther south of me that I also like though they are more expensive. I was actually able to help prep Treue when she had emergency abdominal surgery and be there to watch the surgery. They are very good about coming in for emergencies also if called. It is also a clinic that does large and small animals. __________________ Lisa Clark Zu Treuen Händen Working German Shepherd Dogs *South Michigan SchH and Police Club*

01-09-2011, 03:23 PM	#31 (permalink)
CassandGunnar Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,578	The first dog that my wife and I got as a rescue was a beautiful belgian groenendael named Rocky. We went to the vet that was recommended for our area. (Rocky had been found chained to a tree at a regional park with severe head traume. It appeared someonee had tied him there and tried to beat him to death) When we explained his history to this vet, he said that he would return the dog and have it put down because this breed is prone to seizures and with the head trauma it was a given he would be a problem dog. Needless to say, we left that second. It happened that 3 days later we went to a different adoption event at a Petco to talk to the fosters about who they used. Everyone pointed out their volunteer vet who just happened to be about 20 minutes from our house. When went to introduce ourselves and talk to her, she had a shirt that said I heart my GSD. SOLD. Whenever we go there now, she always makes a point to come out and greet "her" dogs. That was 15 years and many many dogs ago. Both times we've had to have dogs put down, she stayed in the room with us and cried. Couldn't ask for any more. I know I would drive quite a ways for that kind of care.

01-09-2011, 03:41 PM	#33 (permalink)
beaderdog Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 79	I chose the vet practice we use by "word of mouth" from other dog & cat owners in the area. I was very happy with the original doctors, but wasn't sure I liked the doctor who took over the practice at first, but he has earned my trust & my respect many times over. One thing I really appreciate is that the practice has a group discount for those of us with sizeable "herds". They've also done a really good job coordinating with the specialist at the U of Penn who's been treating one of my cats for advanced heart disease - no "territoriality" & they willingly consult whenever there are issues.

01-09-2011, 10:15 PM	#38 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,611	When Onyx had to have a hematoma e-surgery, I assisted my vet. It was a Saturday and Onyx is much better off with me at her head, so it was easier on her for me to help with the sedation(she was gassed as well as had an injection, could't IV her because she fights so much). The respect I have for my vet was increased after that, trust is a big deal and I'm lucky that I do trust my vet. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

01-11-2011, 02:15 PM	#39 (permalink)
King&Skylar Master Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 513	We just picked our vet because it was closest to us, they are so good, both vets are awesome, as are the techs and staff there- they don't have one bad person working there. We can go in whenever we want to just say hi, and it helps a ton with the dogs anxiety about being at the vets.

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