Terrible experience at the vets

Hi

I need some advice please, 

Have just taken Alfie to the vets because he gunky eyes, confirmed conjunctivitus, no problem, but..

When we went in Alfie was excited to see the vet and the assistant so was very bouncy, i picked him up and put him on the table but he was still pretty wriggly,

The vet grabbed his head and tried to force him to be still, and Alfie really growled, he has never done that before.

So the vet said he needed a muzzle and put one on him pretty roughly,he said "right that will show you who's in charge"

He then looked at his eyes and Alfie growled again, he out the cream on and Alfie was pretty keen to leave.

I've never had that vet before but have looked on the website and he is the senior partner.

His reaction to Alfie just seemed so out of order and caused the problem, well i think so, Alfie has never been aggressive like that with us.

But am i being too biased ? 

Should i change vet? I think there may be a problem every time we go now.

Am really upset but i dont know if its cos the vet was out of order or is Alfie a problem?

Alfie was in strange surroundings and was probably a bit unsure of the Vet. On the other hand the Vet may have been unsure of Alfie although it does sound as if he was heavy handed  

It sounds like the vet didn't even try to reassure Alfie, that's awful! My vet always makes a fuss of Axl before he even attempts to look at him. Alfie growled probably because he was being manhandled by someone he didn't know and it sounds like the vet was rough I'd change vets if it was me or refuse to see that particular vet again. I hope you're both okay and get well soon Alfie  

Hell yer i'd change vet, NO ONE would treat my dog like it, I've changed vets once already after they tried to treat chance like *. I had a huge shouting match with them put a complaint in and have never gone back.

Sounds like a vet with massive personal insecurities who took it out on your dog Told the oh and he said 'Its a big man who thinks hes boss when he's tied his opponents arms behind his back'

I would change vets

No your not being biased, you know your dog, I'd put in a formal compliant and change vets

Thank you for your replies, makes me feel much better.

The other vets there are all really nice, but i cant have that man seeing Alfie again, it might make him aggressive with strangers.

I think i'll ring them tomorrow and complain and see how i feel then,

Agree , I would change , My 2 Vets are brilliant

Yeah I agree too, no need to be like that, sounds like how he was made Alfie react the way he did!

I agree that this particular vet has no bedside manners at all - to say "right that will show you who's in charge" is unforgiveable.

If you are happy with the other vets at the practice then personally I would stay at the practice, but refuse to deal with this particular guy again (and if asked why, I'd tell them!)

I know, i am in two minds whether to leave completely or just explain i dont ever want to see that vet again.

Problem is they do a small evening surgery in our village, which is ace, but i dont think they know in advance who is doing it. He cant be there very often as in two years i have never seen him before but i dont want to risk turning up with Alfie one day and its him again.

I Might try out the other local vets who have a branch a few miles away when our cat has her jabs next month and see what they are like. 

Thanks again,

There is a vet at our practice that I prefer not to see, you can specify at ours.

I would try another vet if possible, do you have another practice in your area?

We are really lucky as our vet has a very soft spot for Rocky which is mutual, I think she owns Staffies  

omg!!! id change vet straight away...

Oh dear that's awful, would defo mention it too them and change vets.
Mine always make a fuss of Vin even the receptionists, and give him treats before he even looks at whats wrong.  

i would change vets if that happened to me,we pay a hell of a lot of money to them,i would expect better.

Id also change vets. That is no way to treat a dog...and its only going to make the dog fear the vets which is a very very bad thing.
What he should have done was reassure the dog not restrain it further and crank up the stress.
Now the reason id advise changing vets asap. Imagine god forbid that thay alfie was really ill and you had to take him to the vets, a place that he now associates with restraint and unpleasent memories? Its going to stress him out no end and 1/ make diagnosis harder and 2/ stress in certain conditions can make things considerably worse.

I would b furious if a total stranger was rough with my dog. I would complain and move vets.

Ive just rung them and said i wanted to complain, the lady on the phone said she would get their "customer care advisor" to ring me back,

Its just a vets!! Am now wondering how many complaints they get!

Hmmmm  

is there no way you can arrange your appointments with your original vet? so they know each other?

Luckily for me my vets very nice and fusses Boss with treats ect so they are besties LOL

Wow... would definitely be changing vets! If anyone handled Biscuit like that, "professional" or not they'd know about it! What an A hole!!!

That's horrible! I would definitely change vets, I've just had a similar experience and I couldn't change quick enough, especially after a complaint, they need to understand that it's not right to act like that under any circumstances!

Change vet right away! Vet should have showed more respect for his patient!

The practise we use has three vets and on her last visit to see them and get her third set of shots - the vet got down and made a fuss of Tip.

I would definitely change vets or ask that that particilar vet NOT work with my dog. He was not very professional.