Great Vet, Crummy Tech

[Fran101]

Yelp is like what makes or breaks you in Boston. I've found that vet clinics and especially techs are learning that very quickly lol there are so many vets crowded into ONE city that you thrive or you FAIL and really all it takes is a bad review or two.

Rude techs and rude receptionists are the MOST COMMON thing I see people complain about, and 8/10, the tech or receptionist is fired if there was a real issue/more than one person complains about them. If one person makes a review "Oh the tech with red hair was so rough with my dog and rude!" Just wait.. 2 more people will likely come out of the woodwork like "I know, she was bad with my cat too!" and "She was so short with us when we asked her a question!" and then of course the clinic will come in with a statement about the issue, some free stuff, and saying the tech has been replaced. I've seen this happen at least 5 times.

So.. I've never really encountered a rude tech or receptionist. I think they all kind of figure that they are incredibly easy to replace (which, to be fair..they are around here. Lots of vet techs and students wanting to get in the door) and people are sensitive about their pets.

I use my same mentality at my work in the pet-care industry that I did in retail.
I am a very knowledgable, smiley, perky, well spoken..brain dead individual/robot.
Once you get into practice, it works splendidly. Nothing people say throws me or gets me angry the persona is so well into place lol if they ask for advice? Great. If they are feeding an awful food and mention a problem I will say "You know, my dog had ______, and you know what really helped? Switching him off a corn based food and trying ______" It doesn't feel judgey (because you are saying you went through the same problem) and makes them more open to listening to you.

I have the same mentality as most people do around here. I don't go to places with rude employees. Too many other options in the city lol sorry

I would talk to the vet and if nothing gets done...write a review.

 

[Saeleofu]

I'm not nearly as bothered by what people feed (except the new Costco dog food-- has anyone SEEN how many freaking calories is in that stuff?!)

Slightly OT, but is the calorie content really your biggest concern? I don't know what food you're talking about so I don't know what the ingredients look like or anything, but in my experience high calories is an indicator of higher quality food due to an increased protein and fat content. And it means the bag lasts longer because you have to feed less.

Care to post a link to the ingredients/analysis?

 

[Southpaw]

I suppose for average Joe dog owner, higher calories is just gonna = obesity because they wont bother to figure out that they need to feed less.

But the only Costco foods I know about are Kirklaand and Natures Domain and I think I'd be surprised if either of those were high in calories.

 

[AllisonPitbullLvr]

I've been up and down every side of the dog food argument and I'd rather read my dog than a list of ingredients. That is my opinion for every dog. People see red over this issue, and I refuse to go there anymore. I know lots of otherwise good dog owners who feed kibbles and bits. It's not my place to tell them to change it if that is what WORKS for their dog.

I have fed all of the best "high quality, no grain, high protein" foods out there and my dogs didn't do nearly as well (as evidenced by their bloodwork, skin and coat health, etc) as they are doing now on Hills j/d. Top two ingredients are corn and chicken by-products.


My point was, I won't give anyone a long lecture about raw feeding, and I don't want to hear one about my choices.

That being said, the food I'm referring to is First Mate and yes, I am concerned about the calorie content more than the ingredients because the ingredient list is ALL people are looking at, and not realizing that their 10 year old golden has gained 20lbs in a month since switching to that diet. Pet obesity is important to me and most of the people I work with are simple average dog owners.

 

[Saeleofu]

Well, none of those formulas have any super-shocking calorie amounts. Higher than average,yes. But they're also not foods I would feed. Potato as the first ingredient, really? And potato as a protein source? Oy.

I do read my dogs. They look like crap and stink on grainy foods. They look and feel great and don't stink on Victor GF salmon formula. I only wish I had the resources to feed raw. I'm of the opinion that "average pet owners" could stand some education instead of just assuming they're all dull and thick.

 

[AllisonPitbullLvr]

You're putting words in to my mouth. I didn't say you didn't read your dogs, nor do I think for a minute that an average pet owner is thick.

 

[yoko]

I don't know if you are worried about being THAT person but could you just request not to have that tech?

Yoshi is seven and I just found a vet place I love. I know it's not super important but I just got tired of going to a vets office and the receptionist and techs treating yoshi like an thing and being rough with her but the second a small dog came in they were all over it.

Now I found a vet that is affordable, close to my house, and they all dote on yoshi like crazy. Pretend to like my dog and you'll have my business XD

 

[AllisonPitbullLvr]

I agree with Yoko. Many people are afraid of being labelled "difficult" if they request not to see a particular member of the clinic but we'd rather have that then have you switch clinics.

 

[GlassOnion]

Just ask not to have that tech on the case. It's no big deal. I had one client who refused to deal with me because her dog flinched on 1/18 nails I clipped. Oh well, can't win them all.

 

[BigDogBuford]

We're holistic so we are pretty relaxed when it comes to vaccinations. We rarely do more than one vx per visit and can tailor our protocol to what is best for the client.

I think I'm pretty good with most clients but I have to say that I have a really hard time not being judgemental when it comes to neglect. Like when a pet is literally dying a horrible death and the clients choose to take the poor animal home to be in pain and die at home rather than euthanize. I know it's their decision, but it's hard sometimes....

 

[maxfox426]

I've never had an issue like that, but we also get the "tech in training" most of the time. (Ticheli is the local "angry" cat. "Angry" because he puts up a whole lot of fuss and flail, but doesn't ever put any tooth or nail behind it. So we get the techs that are still learning how to handle an angry/scared cat, which includes a lot of fun vet comments like, "Okay, if that cat was REALLY angry, he would have bitten off your finger, so don't hold him like that." or "Do you WANT him to rip your face off?" LOL!) Anyway, I don't know if they just know better than to make rude comments, or if they are too new and scared to say anything. LOL

To add something constructive, I'd agree with GO, and just ask not to see that tech on your case. And I think that writing a letter is completely reasonable!

 

[spiffy]

Guess I'm lucky with my choice of vet clinic. Can it be because my vet cousin is a partner in the facility? Anyways, a crummy tech would certainly hear something NOT nice from me especially if my dog is at the receiving end of his/her shoddy behavior.