Changing vets

How does everyone feel about their vet?

Do you just use the nearest, cheapest or have you stuck with the same one for years? After my last visit ive got increasingly concerned about a single vets handling of Ledger a behaviour that now strikes me as a bit odd for the role after all Ledger isn't aggressive but naturally can be reactive when he is in pain he also isn't a big or strong dog in the scheme of things but from her reaction youd of thought he was a rotty or something

There is another smaller practice close to me who have a great reputation and I'm considering contacting as its booster time and considering we are upping out attendance at dog shows etc I'm also swaying towards getting kennel cough too. Aside from moving house etc Just wondered if people have changed vets and how easy it is to get the records transferred

I've moved a lot since I took on bug, but I'm extremely picky about my vets. Our first vet I had worked with for years, and respected his opinion, my second I also worked with and was brilliant with Biscuit. I've just registered with one by us under the recommendation of one of my clients, and I am very impressed so far. At my last practise I had to see a locum who was awful with her and basically pinned her into a corner after not even bothering to let her give him a sniff, he was very scared of her and just trying to overpower her. The vets is stressful enough, let alone with poor handling. I'd change if you're not comfortable!

I have been considering the same thing of late Jules, I just find mine non compassionate and banging the cost on. I suppose word of mouth is probably what I will go by xx

I really like my vets, but I only go there as its close and I don't drive so nothing to compare them to. But we have used it a lot with Moo's arthritis so they no us, nurse is always free and they fit us in if needed Xx

We have changed. Originally we went to the closest but they were all about costs and were really impersonal. When we first took Vin for his shots we got a newbie who seemed a little clueless. So we changed to a vet further away (only about 15 min, mind) but they're awesome - they never force the dogs up onto the table but always get on the floor and roll around with them, walk around with them and generally play and fuss. They seem embarrassed about charging and always happy to answer calls and emails.

I drive 15 miles to my vet despite their being others closer because they're really great

I'm lucky to have great local vets.
They are independent..I wouldn't use one of those who are part of the big groups.
Just my opinion   

We were getting a bit sceptical of our vets until we had an appointment with their director vet. He spends about 5 minutes rolling on the floor with Bane before an appointment and is great. Really friendly and thorough unlike his team of "salesmen".

In terms of changing vets, would it just be a case of signing up at the new vets and telling them where you were and they will contact them for the details they need?

I use the same vet as my mum and dad, it's not near me but it's not too expensive. There are about 6 vets works there, some are better than other but most are good but I won't see the one that misdiagnosed Daisy anymore though.

We've stuck with the same vet that we had with our Dogo Marco. They do home visits but with Marquez he loves to ride in the car so we do make the trek out there which in Jakarta traffic is a nightmare. He seems to love his vet there and all the staff there too. I know that if any of our dogs didn't seem comfortable with the vets and we also felt a bit off, I would definitely change. I don't see why the new vet wouldn't be able to get hold of his past records either

Called Leonard Brothers (the chaps that used to do vets in practice) I'm registered and booked in Monday for a free health check and vaccinations including kennel cough (was umming and aching on KC but need it if he's to stay overnight etc at the place where he goes for day care and also planning on getting to more agility shows this year - backed up by the vet saying there has been a confirmed case in Crewe in the last week)

I still visit the same vets my Dad used to go to with the dog I had when I was a kid, that's a very long time ago. They did move the practise out of a very busy small street in the town to a much larger premises on the edge of our town which is only a 5 minutes drive away.

Rocky has his favourite vet there called Vicky who also has a Staffy so is a great fan, this helps. Vicky is great with Rocky and will get down on the floor with him if necessary. This does take a lot of stress out of a vet visit but Rocky is fine in there anyway and we often just pop in for him to say Hello to the receptionist who also love him.

Well new vet visited today and certainly lives upto his star credentials and more than happy to have Ledger climb over him and nuzzle in while he checked his heartbeat

He is not concerned at all about Ledgers behaviour reaffirmed my belief that his actions are in no way aggressive, agreed that the mouthing is a bit of a Staffy thing but commented on how gentle it was and it's just out of discomfort to the situation. He did say though that he is more likely to need sedation if treatments are needed in the future because he gets to a heightened anxiety quite quick but otherwise we were all good

I have homework to keep my tone even as Steve picked up that when Ledger started displaying the behaviour that the last vet said was aggressive and bitey my tone changed slightly. He just walked Ledger out into reception got the receptionist to wave at Ledger through the glass and while he was distracted the injections were done without the blink of an eyelid.

Such a good experience glad I've made the change

Great news, sounds very positive Xx

A good vet is worth their weight in gold    Glad to hear you found a good one too