Finding a new vet

[Maxy24]

I hate our vet, They want nothing but money. My Uncle took his dog to the vet for her cough and an infected nail Well she was looking Phoebe over (they always do a full exam even when you don't want them too) and saw her ear was a little off color so she swabbed it (without asking) and there was nothing wrong except the swab cost $100. They had brought her there a few weeks earlier for the cough and that is when the discovered the nail, gave her some medicine and pad with medicine on it for the claw and told her she had a collapsing trachea. SO that along with the nail and cough has cost them a lot. When we had Max PTS they charged us for an exam so she could asses whether or not he needed to be put down, he had just gone through like four vet visits for tests, we KNEW he needed to be PTS it ended up costing over $200. They don't do payment plans, it's either pay us now or don't have the procedure.

Plus they don't get to know the patients at all and over promote Science Diet IMO. I want a new vet but don't know what to look for or how to find one near me. So what should I look for and does anyone know good vets in MA or any websites to find some?

 

[J's crew]

When I'm looking for a new Vet I try to make it a fun thing. I bring a dog with me to a few in the area just to stop in and meet everyone. Especially with Rottweilers I want to know they are comfortable with the breed. I also ask questions about their thoughts on vaccines, diet, etc.

First impressions mean alot to me and you can learn quite a bit by just stopping by.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I want to know a clinic's vacc protocol. Not three years, not willing to work with me with AAHA info.. No thanks.. If I call looking for that info, or other Qs and they are nasty to me like I am wasting their time. bye bye..

For being a customer service based industry.. many haven't impressed me. I just got a suggestion from someone local for a great vet. So Smudges first appt I will try there. As the vet we had for a year gouged like mad, endlessly.

 

[StillandSilent]

Ask around. We made the mistake of listining to the first person we talked to when we moved here and ended up with a terrible vet. You can also try calling the local animal rescue and seeing who they recommend. I find that a vet who is willing to work with a rescue is generally more willing to work with the customer.

 

[bubbatd]

Try to find an old established personally owned clinic or hospital . Not a chain . These vets have been approved by the older owners and are good . Both of the 2 clinics I've used ( different cities ) were established in 1950s . Both had the same techs and desk people for years ... that tells alot too .

 

[Blondie]

When I got Blondie, I had no idea about vets in my area because I had never had a dog, so I asked my friend who's had dogs forever. I think the opinion of people who are good dog owners is very valuable, so she recommended me a couple. I went to both and chose one. We've been visiting for 3 years and so.

But now, with Charlotte, this guy was a total disaster! He never saw her himself, but has students practicing there! They were the ones taking care of her and, even though I know they did everything they could, that's not enough for me. I trust the veterinarian, not his assistants. He has years experience they don't, and all in all, I wasn't pleased with the way they handled her.

So now, I wanted a new vet of course, for both Blondie and Christie. So what did I do, again? Asked good dog owners that I know, and they both pointed me to the same vet. That's where we're going now and I'm pleased so far

 

[Denaluvscorgis]

I agree that you should ask around to hear others experiences with their pets.

I'm so blessed to have a vet who has one of both of my breeds. She and her husband are both vets, so I am very lucky in that way. They love my two.

 

[~Jessie~]

I need to find a new vet as well... I've been to 5 vets in the area, and I dispise all of them

 

[elegy]

do you have any local dog-owning friends? i find word of mouth to be a pretty good way of finding a vet.