Having a relationship with a vet...

[JacksonsMom]

Originally Posted by kady05

I *like* my vet, but we don't visit often. I take my animals to an awesome low cost clinic for all of their vaccines, and also get their HW tests & HW meds there. Why would I pay $45 just for the HW test (+ a $45 exam fee) at my regular vet when I can get it for $25 at the low cost clinic (who also does a "mini exam" every time you go)?

This is like our clinic we have, they also do a mini exam, though I don't know if it's worth paying for. Our regular vet does a very thorough look and feel over, and the clinic just does like a quick feel, LOL... so for that kind of stuff, I do like him to see the regular vet at least once a year for my peace of mind.

But they sell the HW meds and all that too and for that stuff it's worth it. Last year that was where I took him for his hw/lyme test and it's just so much cheaper. He's also gotten his first rabies vaccine there and his one year old there, and he'll be his getting another this year (stupid 3 year rabies law- or else I wouldn't be getting it again). I think they charge $8 or $9 for a rabies vacc. I've gotten some antibiotics from there before too when I knew he had kennel cough. So yeah for that kind of stuff I LOVE it and every one in there is very knowledgeable, the place is clean and organized (not like assembly line neuters/spay or anything).

But if he has a bigger problem, or I want his yearly bloodwork, we'll go to our regular vet.

[jenv101]

I *finally* found a vet I like and they have been awesome with Riley and his stranger issues. We visited three times just to 'hang out' and talk with the vet so Riley could feel comfortable around him and the place in general (we did pay an office visit fee but he did give us a lot of time). He's also ok with my views on vaccines and such, so I'm pretty happy now. Its also a lot better for the vet when the 90lb Malinois LIKES you. lol

[kady05]

Originally Posted by JacksonsMom

This is like our clinic we have, they also do a mini exam, though I don't know if it's worth paying for. Our regular vet does a very thorough look and feel over, and the clinic just does like a quick feel, LOL... so for that kind of stuff, I do like him to see the regular vet at least once a year for my peace of mind.

Yeah ours listen to their heart/lungs, check eyes/ears, teeth, weight, all that fun stuff. It's very nice!

I do plan on taking Piper in for blood work in the next few months; it'll be a year in August since I switched her to raw and I'm very curious to see what her blood work looks like. So for that, I'll obviously go to my regular vet.

[monkeys23]

Originally Posted by jenv101

I *finally* found a vet I like and they have been awesome with Riley and his stranger issues. We visited three times just to 'hang out' and talk with the vet so Riley could feel comfortable around him and the place in general (we did pay an office visit fee but he did give us a lot of time). He's also ok with my views on vaccines and such, so I'm pretty happy now. Its also a lot better for the vet when the 90lb Malinois LIKES you. lol

Oh Riley.

[jenv101]

Originally Posted by monkeys23

Oh Riley.

He's a special one, for sure

[Catsi]

Abby and I go to the same vet that my parents and Grace go to. It's why I go there - because I already knew what they are like.

I really do like my vet and I always make an appointment to see him specially. I have, however, had to make an emergency dash to the vet with some lovely gastro and I was still very please with the care given.

My main vet is not fazed by Abby (she is fearful of the vet and she will growl if a thermometer is stuck anywhere in her vicinity), makes the whole process as painless as possible for her. Me, being my anxious self, tend to make things worse, so he is quite no nonsense with me. I'm not at the stage where I can breeze in and out comfortably and it's no longer a big, big deal. I just like the way he takes it all in his stride and doesn't treat me or my dog like losers (I don't ask much, really lol)

I only tend to go once a year for checkups. Plus that emergency visit on one occasion. That being said, he still takes the time to look up on the computer her history and asks me how it's all going on that front.

This same vet saw Grace through her cruciate ligament diagnosis and surgery (with the help of a specialist) and the care she got was faultless.

Oh and also, he explains things well and doesn't mind clarifying, rewording or discussing things further. I feel that he takes the time to go through things with me and his checks always seem very thorough. Basically the complete opposite of when I go to the doctor and feel as if I'm getting pushed out the door in under five minutes lol.