Should I find a new vet for Augie? *WARNING! LONG RANT*

[SubrosaX]

I've been going to the same vet for about 20 years now, and I've always been very, very happy with her. She's fantastic with my animals and all the dogs have adored her. In terms of their medical care, she has never steered me in the wrong direction. I can't say enough good things about her.

Her staff, on the other hand, are simply ghastly. Not everyone, mind, but she always seems to employ at least two or three total a**holes at her clinic. In another post, I believe I related some stories about this. For example, they used to harp on my former dog, Huck, for being overweight (even when he wasn't) and one vet tech even implied that I didn't love my dog because he was fat and his collar looked dirty. This same vet tech used to patrol our local dog park like the She-Wolf of the SS, lecturing the unsuspecting patrons about the various ways in which they were abusing their dogs.

Yesterday, I took Augie in to be neutered and for his first rabies shot. I was hoping things had changed in the two years since I had been there, but alas, some things just never change. It started from the moment I put Augie on the scale in the waiting room. "He's awfully big" the vet tech snarkily tells me, because of course, 84lbs IS utterly gigantic for an 11 month old male Labrador. *rolls eyes* "Here we go again" I thought, but jokingly told the woman that Augie was a singleton pup, and must have gotten extra big from all that attention from mom. She then went on to tell me to beware of Augie because singletons are "abnormal" and "problem dogs." Ooooookey Dokey. I then left Augie to the tender mercies of this loon and went home.

Later that afternoon, I went to pick him up, and immediately asked the girl at the desk how Augie did, since he's a bit shy and had not been away from me before. She tells me "oh, the dogs never have problems being left alone, only the humans." Riiiiight. Anyway, I paid the bill, got all the certificates, and got ready to leave. Now, because Augie still has trouble getting in and out of cars, and because he was still woozy after the surgery, and because it was pouring rain, I asked if someone could please help me get him into the car. Especially because, you know, he massively obese

Another of the vet techs offered to help, and as we were walking out to the car, she asked me if he was getting any obedience training. I told her that yes, he was, that he had just been to his first class last Saturday. She grilled me on the identity of his trainer, and where the classes were being held etc. I thought this was kind of weird to be honest. Just as we got Augie into the car and closed the door, this woman turns to me and says "you really need to get your dog some training. He knows how to get into a car, he's just saying 'screw you' by not getting in. He doesn't pay attention to you at all." I felt like doing a Hulk Smash on the idiot woman's head, but instead I just thanked her for her help and went home to seethe.

So, my question to you good people after this long-winded rant is, would you continue going to a vet with a staff like that, even though the vet herself is wonderful? I'm all for animal professionals trying to educate owners, but these people are just insulting and rude. I'm tempted to write a letter to the doctor, telling her that she's great but her staff sucks, but I doubt it will help. I happen to know of at least two other people who have done just that, and obviously it has done no good.

I wonder if it's finally time to call it a day with this vet and find a clinic where the staff are not so condescending and hostile. What say you guys?

 

[CaliTerp07]

If you decide to leave, I would tell your vet why. Send her a letter saying that while you love her as a vet, the staff has been rude and flippant towards you, and you're looking elsewhere. She deserves to know why she's losing a long standing client, and it might actually make a difference in the long run too.

 

[bubbatd]

I wouldn't change vets because of snarky staff . I wouldn't make an issue about it . but when you take him back in for his check up . mention it to her if it makes you feel better .

 

[noodlerubyallie]

I agree with Cali.

I would also find a new vet. It sucks to do it, but ask people you trust where they take their dogs, and how the staff is.

I love my vet. His office is in his house, and his wife is one of two vet techs. The other tech leaves a LOT to be desired in the customer service department. But, if I was being treated the way you were, I would find a new vet pronto. They were rude, assuming, and arrogant, and if they way they treat you is any indication, I would be worried how they treat your dog when you're not around.

 

[Miakoda]

I would have a serious conversation with the vet. Let him know the exact comments made and why they offended you. Don't just go in with "they are all bitches and think they know everything".

Again, about the weight thing, none of us has seen your dogs in person so we can't judge. But it's not uncommon for a tech to bring up the subject of a dog being overweight during the pre-exam workup. IMO the number on the scale has less to do than the dog's overall body shape does. Some Labs can weigh 85 lbs and be lean and conditioned, yet if either of our Labs had weighed that they would've looked like Sea Lions on a wharf.

I can't speak for that clinic, but I know in our clinic part of a vet tech's job is to talk to owner's about proper weight and size, proper diet (no, I'm not talking about pushing a particular dog food, more like "don't need to be feeding him pizza every day"), vaccine schedules, and to discuss flea and heartworm prevention. We aren't pushers of anything, but rather talk to the owner one-on-one about basic care. But tact is still needed in this job.

As for the comment about him being left there, maybe it's just me but I didn't find it rude or offensive unless that was implied in her tone of voice. I've told people similar things. I don't why, but most dog owners believe their dog pines for them and tries to claw their way out so they can run home when in fact most animals do quite well at the kennels in the clinic. Sure there are some whiners, but most are happy to see people and they just lie there quietly watching all the clinic hubub. I'm not saying it's all dogs/cats, but it's true that in most cases it's the owner that misses the animal more than the other way around. And for those surgery cases, we give them a dose of Ace upon arrival (unless contraindicated) to keep them calm and then they are anesthetized from the surgery and afterwards are still feeling the effects so they aren't thinking about missing their owners.

However, I would be upset at what the person told you while getting the dog into the car. Seriously, dogs act like their are stoned beyond belief after being anesthitized and they don't do what you tell them to do because their brain and body aren't working normally. And I can't imagine any vet wants an animal running around jumping into vehicles after a surgery. In that situation, the tech should've helped you get him into the car, reminded you about watching the incision area, etc., and then gone about her business.

 

[bjdobson]

The staff at my vet's isn't great, either. And I don't pay to see a tech or have a tech "lecture" me. I pay to see the VET. I expect to speak with the VET. If techs start yapping at me, I ignore them. They are NOT vets and, in my opinion, have no business lecturing me.

I have no problem with them doing the pre work like weight, age, general questions, etc. I also have no problem with them withdrawing blood as they are usually best at it from doing it all the time but that's about it. They're just doing their job, I understand that.

I've had many vet techs tick me off in the past and I no longer listen to them.

When I go to the dentist, they try to get the assistant to do all the "pre" work. Nope. Sorry. I'm not opening my mouth for you, you're not cleaning my teeth, etc., because I'm paying for the dentist to do it. If you want to charge me less for the technician doing everything, then we'll have a discussion about it but if I'm paying for the vet's services or the dentist's services, then they can darn well do the work.

Maybe that ticks off people who work as technicians and assistants but it's my money and I don't need their assistance. I haven't had my teeth cleaned in 30 years and, according to my dentist, they don't need to be cleaned, thank you very much. I KNOW what I'm doing. Same with my dogs.

I probably tick off the staff at the vet hospital more than most people do but that's too bad. I'M paying THEM so, as long as I'm civil, that's all I need to do.

I tried talking to my vet about some of the nasty things the techs had said to me over time and she didn't care. I'm not good at doing that, either, as I'm not a confrontational person in person but I felt she should know.

Unless you have dates, times, recorded conversations, most professionals don't want to know your opinion about their staff, unfortunately. That's just the way it is.

If you're sure your vet is a great vet and you're sure the staff don't misuse or abuse your dog, I'd stay there. Good vets are hard to find. I don't like most of my vet's staff but she's a great vet and that's important to me.

 

[Fran101]

I would mention it to my vet. i had the same problem with my vet and this one VERY RUDE lady, he said thank you for telling him and when he asked other clients about it, they all AGREED and were just too scared or w/e to say anything.
She fired the lady and now i love everything about my vets office

 

[CaliTerp07]

Unless you have dates, times, recorded conversations, most professionals don't want to know your opinion about their staff, unfortunately. That's just the way it is.

They care if it's causing them to lose clientele. You aren't suing--you certainly don't need proof of damages or recorded conversations. You're just telling her that her staff is unprofessional and you're leaving because of it. Unless OP is crazy, I'm sure she's not the only one with negative experiences.

And wow, do you really not let the dental hygienists clean your teeth? That's crazy--that's their job! You shouldn't get a discount for letting them do it...you should pay more to make the dentist do it. He's trained to study x-rays and diagnose things and fix problems, not clean teeth.

Do you not let nurses give shots or take blood pressure either, since you're "paying" to see the doctor?

 

[bjdobson]

And wow, do you really not let the dental hygienists clean your teeth? That's crazy--that's their job! You shouldn't get a discount for letting them do it...you should pay more to make the dentist do it. He's trained to study x-rays and diagnose things and fix problems, not clean teeth.

Do you not let nurses give shots or take blood pressure either, since you're "paying" to see the doctor?

My father was a dentist for many, many years. He did not employ hygenists. He did the cleaning. They are VERY WELL TRAINED to do that. Sorry, but you're wrong. Yes, hygenists are taught to clean teeth but they do not have nearly the training a dentist does about everything to do with the mouth. If I'm paying a DENTIST to clean my teeth, then he can darn well do it. And he does clean my kids' teeth when they need cleaning. No problem. I don't have to let technicians do the professionals' work when I'm paying the professional's hourly rate.

I've heard many, many, many complaints about rough hygenists, including from my kids, friends and relatives. So no, no hygenist comes near any of us any more. We're paying for the dentist, not the hygenist. The hygenist is paid a LOT less than the dentist and he doesn't bill for less when he does his billing. I know all about how dentist's offices work.

No, I don't let the nurses do a thing. I'm not paying to see a nurse - I'm paying to see a doctor. My doctor's office doesn't employ nurses to do any of that anyway. She does it herself. I hate doctor's offices that pawn you off on a nurse first THEN come to see you. You're paying to see a physician, not a nurse. I don't go to places that pawn you off on nurses first then come to see you. It is MY choice. *I* am the patient.

I don't know why the general public is so tolerant of professionals getting others less qualified to do their jobs for them. You're paying the professional for his/her time, his/her hourly fee so why should you have to have a less qualified person do the job? YOU are the consumer, it is YOUR choice.

My vet used to have an awesome technician. When she worked there, I had no problem letting her do a lot of things but she is no longer there. Again, I'm paying so it's my choice.

 

[bjdobson]

They care if it's causing them to lose clientele. You aren't suing--you certainly don't need proof of damages or recorded conversations. You're just telling her that her staff is unprofessional and you're leaving because of it. Unless OP is crazy, I'm sure she's not the only one with negative experiences.

This may be true sometimes but MOST and I do mean MOST people will not complain about such things. They will just leave. Or they just don't care. They figure that's "just the way it is". My parents are like this. I am not.

So, yes, you do need all that "proof" or they tend to just discount your comments as "crazy", as you put it. Been there, done that, seen it.

 

[SubrosaX]

I can't speak for that clinic, but I know in our clinic part of a vet tech's job is to talk to owner's about proper weight and size, proper diet (no, I'm not talking about pushing a particular dog food, more like "don't need to be feeding him pizza every day"), vaccine schedules, and to discuss flea and heartworm prevention. We aren't pushers of anything, but rather talk to the owner one-on-one about basic care. But tact is still needed in this job.

As for the comment about him being left there, maybe it's just me but I didn't find it rude or offensive unless that was implied in her tone of voice. I've told people similar things. I don't why, but most dog owners believe their dog pines for them and tries to claw their way out so they can run home when in fact most animals do quite well at the kennels in the clinic. Sure there are some whiners, but most are happy to see people and they just lie there quietly watching all the clinic hubub. I'm not saying it's all dogs/cats, but it's true that in most cases it's the owner that misses the animal more than the other way around. And for those surgery cases, we give them a dose of Ace upon arrival (unless contraindicated) to keep them calm and then they are anesthetized from the surgery and afterwards are still feeling the effects so they aren't thinking about missing their owners.

I agree with you that it's important to talk to owners about diet, proper weight, etc, but just putting my dog on a scale and saying "he's awfully big" is not helpful. She never even put her hands on my dog, nor did she offer any further information. Just a snide comment.

I also agree that a lot of people worry too much about their pets when they leave them at the vet. I only asked because it was Augie's first time, and the woman's reply would have been just fine if not for the tone of her voice. You hit the nail on the head. She was pretty condescending, talked to me as if I'd been calling the clinic every hour on the hour, fretting over my dog.

Oh, and I forgot to add in my original post, that after helping Augie into the car and letting me know that my dog with basically giving me the finger, that loon of a vet tech told me "try to remember that your dog is not a human." WTF?

I'm tempted to stick with this vet because she really is great, but ugh, her staff are soooooo offputting. At the very least, I will probably write her a letter politely explaining some of the problems I've encountered with her staff. I don't think it will help much, but who knows?

 

[bjdobson]

You're quite right. After all, weight is not everything. Bone structure, age, muscles - all contribute to weight. He might have been a very fit, toned dog who was heavily boned without a drop of fat on him and he'd weigh a LOT more than the "average" dog.

And tone of voice IS everything. If the tech had said that (about the owners worrying more than the animals) with a smile in a friendly way, I doubt you'd have thought a thing about it.

I'd write that letter if I were you - maybe post it here for critique to get it just right? It SOUNDS as though that tech is quite "high and mighty" or "know it all" and not being very personable, for sure.

It IS possible she's used to a lot of idiotic owners but she still shouldn't treat you that way without merit, IMO.

 

[sparks19]

LOL this is an... um... interesting thread.

As for your situation I would simply write a letter to your vet telling them why you are leaving (unless she has someone that takes care of the mail they might open it). YOu don't need all the "proof" just to tell your vet why you are leaving and make her aware of the situation. that's silly. Unless you are demanding that she get rid of these employees you don't need to do anything except let her know why you are choosing to leave.

I wouldn't put up with it if you have other good vets in the area. I would definitely leave. If you cannot bring yourself to smile and be polite when dealing with me and my pets then you do not deserve my money. I'm not paying to have an attitude.

 

[Miakoda]

I agree with you that it's important to talk to owners about diet, proper weight, etc, but just putting my dog on a scale and saying "he's awfully big" is not helpful. She never even put her hands on my dog, nor did she offer any further information. Just a snide comment.

I would have told her, "Well, you are too but I wasn't going to say something so rude."

And sparks, my comment was if she wanted to let the vet know how the staff was acting and wanted some action taken. I'm coming from the vet/vet tech side of it. I know our boss would want to know exactly what was said so he could address that tech or assistant to the point. Trying to go to an employee and say, "Well I heard you said something rude but I don't know what it was but I don't want you to say it ever again" is kind of vague and leaves the door open for it to happen again. It takes things to the next level if the head vet tells a tech, "I heard you told a woman in a very rude and unprofessional manner that her dog was 'an obese cow' and you criticized her by insuating that she didn't love her dog and I am not going to have any of my staff making such comments. If I hear you make such a comment again, you are fired."

You're right, if you just want to leave without letting them know why, that's your business. But if you want them to be aware of what's going on, then you'll need to explain. The only problem with being vauge such as "Your staff is just rude" is that employers do tend to be a bit defensive of their employees as they did hire them for a reason.

 

[lizzybeth727]

But if you want them to be aware of what's going on, then you'll need to explain. The only problem with being vauge such as "Your staff is just rude" is that employers do tend to be a bit defensive of their employees as they did hire them for a reason.

I agree. I'd suggest talking to the vet about the techs before leaving. She may have a solution to the problem that will be good for you and where you will not have to leave. If I had a client of 20 years, I'd do all I could to keep them around! And I'd CERTAINLY want to know if my staff is rude to that client!

 

[PoodleMommy]

Honestly, I would leave.

I did leave a vet where I liked the vet I used but the staff was terrible and the place had turned into one big money making machine. A tech at this place was "disappointed" that we fixed our toy poodle with luxating patellas because her mom really could have used her to breed to her male :yikes: Oy.

Anyway, a stray comment here of there I could deal with but a complete lack of education and tact on the part of the techs is different. I spent a lot of time on the phone looking for a good vet and now that I switched I couldnt be happier.

 

[sparks19]

I would have told her, "Well, you are too but I wasn't going to say something so rude."

And sparks, my comment was if she wanted to let the vet know how the staff was acting and wanted some action taken. I'm coming from the vet/vet tech side of it. I know our boss would want to know exactly what was said so he could address that tech or assistant to the point. Trying to go to an employee and say, "Well I heard you said something rude but I don't know what it was but I don't want you to say it ever again" is kind of vague and leaves the door open for it to happen again. It takes things to the next level if the head vet tells a tech, "I heard you told a woman in a very rude and unprofessional manner that her dog was 'an obese cow' and you criticized her by insuating that she didn't love her dog and I am not going to have any of my staff making such comments. If I hear you make such a comment again, you are fired."

You're right, if you just want to leave without letting them know why, that's your business. But if you want them to be aware of what's going on, then you'll need to explain. The only problem with being vauge such as "Your staff is just rude" is that employers do tend to be a bit defensive of their employees as they did hire them for a reason.

I meant that she didn't have to go the point of recording dates and times and recorded conversations and the like. I do think she should be specific about what was said but someone mentioned that she would have to start a log book recording these events which seems a little extreme to me.

 

[Dekka]

OT.. Most dental hygienists get more experience and education on teeth cleaning than dentists do. Maybe not back in the day-but now a days. Dentists have to learn so much they spend less time on tooth cleaning and often have very little hands on experience where as your dental hygienist will have more hours of instruction and hands on experience when they graduate.
..Now back to your regularly scheduled thread

 

[PoodleMommy]

OT.. Most dental hygienists get more experience and education on teeth cleaning than dentists do. Maybe not back in the day-but now a days. Dentists have to learn so much they spend less time on tooth cleaning and often have very little hands on experience where as your dental hygienist will have more hours of instruction and hands on experience when they graduate.
..Now back to your regularly scheduled thread

Wow... I didnt read most of the thread and now I know I really missed something, :rofl1:

I have never been to a dentist who cleaned my teeth.

 

[bjdobson]

OT.. Most dental hygienists get more experience and education on teeth cleaning than dentists do. Maybe not back in the day-but now a days. Dentists have to learn so much they spend less time on tooth cleaning and often have very little hands on experience where as your dental hygienist will have more hours of instruction and hands on experience when they graduate.
..Now back to your regularly scheduled thread

Whatever. You've been to dental school AND hygenist school, have you? Every dentist I and Mike have ever been to, THEY cleaned our teeth, not a hygenist.

That's hype they feed you so that less educated, lower paid people can do the work but they bill you at the dentist's rate.