We've been going to the same veterinary office for our various generations of cats and now the dog since 1995. I can't say we ever really liked them, but they were close to home and that's a plus when you have assorted critters who hate riding in the car.
Over the years, the things I didn't appreciate about them started to add up:
- The time my cat, Friday, got shot with a pellet gun and was still limping long after it healed. The vet told me they could give her muscle relaxants but, "She'll probably always be like this." I ended up seeking out the only veterinary chiropractor in the area at the time (40 miles away) and getting her treated there. She was good as new after one adjustment.
- Then there was Xena's spaying ordeal. She wouldn't leave her stitches alone and had to go to the vet repeatedly for a month before she could have her E-collar removed. My husband handled all of that and I recall that he wasn't thrilled with how the vet reacted to his difficult kitteh wife.
- There were little things, too, like the fact that they never acknowledged the email that I sent to let them know that our cat Velcro had died at home.
Toby's ongoing ear problem proved to be the last straw for us. He was obviously suffering and yet the vet dismissed his yipes as him being "dramatic." Last weekend I made an appointment at a clinic a few miles further away and brought the dog to see what more could be done.
I took two things into consideration on my clinic choice. One was that I'd won a $250 credit for any AAHA-certified vet clinic while I was at BlogPaws this year. I also did some crowdsourcing among my pet-loving friends to see which clinics they recommended.
I ended up choosing one that came highly recommended and was AAHA accredited.
Everything about my visit was top-notch. The office staff were all very friendly and interested in Toby. The facility is new, modern and spotlessly clean. The vet tech and vet immediately began taking samples and running tests, which was a far cry from the other vet's "let's try this medicine and see what happens" approach.
The new medications seem to be doing the trick and I'll be interested in seeing how his ears are looking when we go back for our follow-up visit. Toby is no longer shaking his head and scratching his ears incessantly and it's clear that the new ear drops don't hurt him the way the old ones did.
After just one visit I'm ready to transfer my cats' records over as well. I'm very glad that circumstances conspired to get me to make the change. I think it will benefit my whole family of critters and make me much happier as well!
So glad you found a vet that will work with you. That is amazing that the old vet said your dog was being "dramatic" that just blows me away...
Posted by: Bonnie | August 09, 2012 at 09:17 AM
Glad he's doing better! I, too, have fired a vet in the past...mainly for excessively high prices and constant guilt trips over not spending MORE for every dumb test imaginable. Gee, I didn't realize animals were capable of creating unneccesary 'drama'. Hrmph.
Posted by: kcyogachick | August 09, 2012 at 09:21 AM
Yaaaay! So glad to hear that everything is working out! I hope he gets better and better, AJ. :D
Posted by: Faith | August 09, 2012 at 09:28 AM
we transferred over a year ago, after a similar experience. our old vet wanted my dog to have regular and expensive allergy shots but failed to diagnose a thyroid condition! i love everything about my new vet and her practice. good for you for making the change.
Posted by: Laurie | August 09, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Good for you! I'm glad we love our vet, Shera. She is like an angel. I think you have definitely done the right thing!
Posted by: Barb Holter | August 09, 2012 at 11:30 AM