rascalsmom Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 No really "definitive" reasons, but I am thinking of switching vets. Here's my dilemma. Five years ago I started going to a vet who USED to be with a nearby clinic, but she opened her own clinic. She's a very quiet type, but I have always trusted her with my pets. Her clinic is further away (20-25 minutes). It is also not as nice of a facility as the clinic she left....it is clean inside, but the surroundings are not that great (the grounds). She and her husband (who incidentally is very strange) built it, so it's not really fancy.... She is the only vet there. She has ALWAYS been very accommodating, if one of my dogs is injured or needs to be seen, she will say "bring them right up"...she did this even while she was at the previous clinic. Her prices are considerably less than the previous clinic. However, since Buddy's recent bout of LS, I am thinking of switching. The reason is, the clinic that does all the vetting for our adoption group has WAY more experience with greyhounds. I was told that the vast majority of their practice IS greyhounds...and there are TWO doctors there, one of whom studied under Dr. Couto. This place is in the opposite direction than our present vet, about the same time to get there, but you can take an interstate to get there....present doctor is a two lane state route, and can be maddening if you get behind a slowpoke!! Not sure I would go to the second doctor as I'm told she's more of a surgeon, but the one who studied with Dr. C....that is very tempting! So is this a no-brainer?? In a way I feel bad, since I do like our present vet and she's always done right by our dogs and cat.....what do I do?? Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Use them both Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FountainLady Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Use them both It's great to have a back-up vet. Quote CORY and CRICKET - Solitary Tremble & CASPER - Pj's Mia Farrow* With CAPT. GUS - Solitary Trigger, RAINY - Peach Rain, PUP - Red Zepher, DOC - CTW Fort Sumpterand MAX - Shiowa's Silver Maxamillion / Afghan .... all waiting at the bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I use two or 3 different vets...The 1st I have been going to for years, and many of the kennel owners use him. He has been called " a greyhound in human form" many times. Prices are better, but he has fewer hours for visits and can't do all things, ie general surgery type things are fine but has to refer elsewhere for more invasive procedures. Vet 2 is close by, but more pricey and has state of the art equip and more hours. He also sees lots of greyhounds. Both work with rescue groups. Vet 3 is ok, but even more pricey but has boarding if needed and more hours, has greys as patients but not as many. So my trade off is, vet 1 for general stuff that I make appts well in advance(he has seen them a few times on an emer issue but not often). Vet 2 for emer or unexpected things , ie Dallas' bowel obstruction surgery at 1 in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I don't know about the US, but vets over here won't let you use both. Professional etiquette demands that you choose one place and stick with it, and if you go to another, they have to contact your own vet and get permission to see you - unless you are making a permanent change, then they have to ring through to let them know, before they treat your animals. We are thinking things through as well. We don't have a dog right now, of course, but the recent experiences with Jack let us know that our own vet can be very difficult to get a dog to in an emergency in bad weather. This is NOT good. The vet who eventually saw Jack is the 'track vet' so does see a lot of greyhounds. He says they see a lot of older dogs too, because people who adopt from the Peterborough trainers tend to keep their dogs with them unless they already had a vet (as we did). My dilemma is that our own vet has always been very good, if not very proactive (we've sometimes had to fight for treatment options and referrals) and his facility is brand new, and heading towards hospital status. The track vet has an old building in town which is not so sparkling (as old buildings tend to be) and is not a hospital. He did say he recommended their other branch though. It's further to go (about twenty minutes, unless the traffic is bad, then it's more) but is likely to be pristine. So no help to you, I'm afraid. I have the same problem myself. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 I just had a thought....the specialist (neurologist) suggested we get blood work after Buddy's been on the rimadyl for a couple of weeks....our usual vet will be out of town all next week....perhaps I could get the other clinic to do the blood work and urinalysis. Maybe if I get a really good feeling from them, my decision will be made...or if I do not get a good feeling, it would also be made. Will have to run this idea past the DH. This might be a good way to check out the other vet, and still assuage my guilt! Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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