[Thor]

I was wondering how everyone selects the vet they use. Referral, distance from house, etc? Are there any sites that rate vets?

I am thinking of switching vets, and we have four pets, so I want to chose by something more than just close to the house.

 

[i love remy]

We chose our first vet because the owners of Bella's dam take her there. They're very bully-friendly, but they just aren't compassionate enough (and they push antiobiotics and steroids for Bella's allergies that we have discovered that we are able to control with a high-quality diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids.) We chose our current vet through our family members' recommendations. He takes new patients by referral only, so we had to fill out an application that sounded a lot like an application to adopt a dog from a shelter.

 

[Rachel Zugg]

our first vet was chosen simply because we know her and she has a clinic 5 minutes away. if we need something done and don't have the funding for it immediately she understands and knows us and is willing to work with us. She pushes Science Diet.......what vet doesn't?......but for MAJOR issues we have used and enjoy another vet about 30 mins away. They have more equipment readily available and are very friendly.

I have had bad experiences with emergencies and the vet not being around even tho she had an "emergency" number to call....needless to say we don't use that particular vet anymore.

 

[LifeIsDaPits]

I picked my second vet after being recommended there by the rescue I work for, they have alot of experience in working with large breeds and they are extremely bully friendly.

Something else I tend to look for is how to the other workers act around the dogs, when I bring my dogs in for a vet I don't care if you are putting on a "act" be kind and respectful to my dogs and of course me.

 

[angie7349]

I kinda fell into my Vet. I had started taking Dober, my CHihuahua, there bc it was close by. I did not like the Vet very much and I started looking for another one, but Dober got a cold and I had to take him back. Well, he had sold the pratice to a new Vet and she is wonderful. SHe loves animals I have to take Tora back every month until she is grown and she will stop what she is doing to come and take a look at her. (This is not an appointment, she just gets weighted and given her heartworm meds) She will come out and answer questions that pop up and take the time to play with Tora a bit. My Vet is pretty expensive but I don't mind so much since she takes a reall interest in my dogs

 

[gibboneylc]

We chose our first vet because they saved the life of our first cat in 2001. Molly was a stray Maine **** that was attacked by a dog. The owner of the dog brought her to their vet and was willing to pay for all of her care if they could save her. They did and 8 months later, we adopted her. This vet was only 15 minutes from the house.

When we adopted our second cat from the SPCA in 2003, we took him to this same vet and he turned into Dr. Jekyll every time he was there. Bunny truly hated going there and it would take him hours to come to me once we were home from the appointment. I just assumed it was because of the smell and the fact that all they did when he went there was poke and prod him so I continued to use them.

Then when we got Ginger, our OEB, and took her for a complete physical get her permanent shots started, she too hated being there. When we started having issues with Ginger's folds in her face and they told me it was normal and did not offer any suggestions for treatment or possible control, I found out that they did not have a bulldog specialist. After the third visit and her final permanent shots were given, I decided it was time to find a place that she and Bunny did not hate.

After talking with our dog trainer about other vets in the area, many of them were not recommended for one reason or another so I decided to return to the vet who cared for my Doberman his entire life of 14 years. They are 35 minutes away but all of our pets go there and they do not appear to be as upset when we go. They also have bully breed specialists on staff.

Though it is further away, I have peace of mind that the cats and Ginger are getting the best care that I can get for them so it makes it worth it to me. Moreover, the added bonus is that the care is better and less expensive al at the same time.

Best wishes to you in your search for a good vet!

 

[Bustersmommy]

I use to work at the vet I take my guys to.There is always someone there 24/7 they have emergency service staff that works at night till the am shift comes on and there are a total of 13 Dr's :shock: that work there I saw everyone of them till I found one that i liked and felt he knew his sh*t and have stuck with him ever since.

 

[Thor]

Someting I have always wondered is an emergency service. Our current vet is pretty far, so I have always felt that I need to find someone close that has an emergency service. Is that a factor in anyones decision making or do you just use two seperate vets --- one for main care and a "rolodex vet" in case there is an emergency. Currently, I would be stuck going to the yellow pages for an emergency situation (luckily I have not had one yet).

 

[gibboneylc]

I would recommend that your main vet recommend an emergency vet for you. Ours recommends 4 emergency vets in the surrounding area and there are two of them that are very close to us should something happen to Ginger.