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Woof Woof! This forum is a service for dog lovers seeking everyday advice and suggestions on health-related issues. Remember, however, that advice on a public forum simply can't be a substitue for proper medical attention. Only your vet can say assuredly what is best for your dog.
Thanks Fiona. I will speak with my usual vet however, I'm really leaning towards finding a new one. With the recent issues and then finding out how much more they charge for things. They also do have quite a few vets there, as of now they have seven.
Wow. I am appalled, not only at the vet you had to see but at the front office staff! I worked reception at a vet hospital for 8 years and not communicating properly with the clients is a big no no. By the way, there is never a need for a fecal sample except at the annual exam or if there are "poo" problems. Anyone who says you don't need to bring a urine sample to an appt where there are urination issues is a total idiot! And if someone is asking about nailtrimming at the front desk this sounds like a "business add on" which in my mind does not belong in a medical/veterinary environment. It's one thing to have the vet, upon exam, mention the nails need trimming and another to have it "sold" at the front desk , especially without mentioning cost! We charged premium fees if it was only a trimming and no medical visit to pay for the appt space taken, but if the animal was there for other reasons we gave a discounted fee for nails.
If anyone ever had issues with my front desk staff (and it does happen, good receptionists are really hard to find) I always made sure I spoke to the client and made sure the vet knew so that we could ensure this sort of thing did not happen again. I would not only look for another vet but make sure that the previous vet is told exactly why you are leaving. They can't fix the problem if they don't know what the problem is. I had many clients tell me "they didn't want to complain" but I always told them we were happy to hear about what they were having problems with so that we can serve them better in the future!
I would recommend writing down all your concerns and letting the vet office know. They might not realize the problems their clients are facing and would probably appreciate the feedback.
When I moved to this area, I was not a fan of my new vet's office for a variety of reasons. I wrote them a letter, detailing all my frustrations and annoyances with their practice; in other words, the reasons I was going to seek another vet. The lead vet called me after receiving the letter and had a nice discussion with me and actually made some changes. Now I only see her and am treated with much respect when I go in. I'm sure there is a huge sign on my folder and account that says I'm a major _itch, but I don't care. I'm just happy that I'm no longer frustrated.
Cracker I wish we dealt with more people like you. Ann that's a good idea. I nail trim wasn't at the front desk I was in the exam room with the dog and the vet asked me if I wanted him to do it. I was going to do it later so I said sure. We've had it done there before (during exams we've never just gone in and asked to had them cut) so I didn't think anything of it. Until I went and paid got in the car looked at the bill and saw a 23.00 charge for nail trimming. Their communicating was always pretty decent. Recently though it hasn't been that great. Not to mention I'm fairly young mid twenties, but I look about 16. So I tend no to be taken seriously, although this happens a lot at different places it gets old especially when I'm paying. With the recent issues and high prices that I found out we're paying I'm looking for elsewhere. I will still talk to our usual vet and write a letter (thanks to Ann). Thanks again for listening and sharing your experiences, suggestions, and what I should expect and be entitled to at a vet.
Having worked at an animal hospital, I think one of the problems is that there is such a high turnover rate of staff. We were always short staffed and there just wasn't that much emphasis on or time for training. It may very well be that the person you spoke to on the phone with didn't know what he/she was talking about. There has been many times where I've been kind of thrown into situations and I always felt horrible/embarrassed when I didn't know the answers.
However, in veterinarians defense....it is a stressful profession. Protocols are set by the practice owner and as an associate there is only so much they are allowed to do. Most appointments are only scheduled for about 15 minutes. I can't imagine having to get a history, do a physical, diagnose a problem and give treatment in that amount of time!
I worked at a pretty large hospital, with 7 vets. You have to specify that you want to see a particular vet when you make an appointment. Otherwise, you will get whatever vet is free at the moment. It's not really the vets fault, since she does not get to choose which appointments to see. And you are charged for their time/advice. Although you may not have been happy with the outcome.
I am in no way defending how you felt you were treated. I just wanted to give a little perspective on the otherside of the situation. It always makes me a little uncomfortable when people bash vets ( not you specifically).
I don't know what your vet is being paid. But the next time you see the bill, keep this in mind: The average vet graduates with $150,000 in debt and when paying back over a 10 year period that's almost $2,000 a month. The average graduate working in a small animal practice is getting paid $48,000 their first year. This is less than what it cost them to go to vet school each year!
Ginger I do get what your saying. I do specify which vet I want to see. He was unavailable and I needed to see someone so I took who was available. There is a pattern developing. Had this been the first time something like this has happened it wouldn't have been a huge deal. This is about the fourth or fifth. I know all too well about debt (just received some important test scores to continue with school) and my fiancé is in residency. I do though hope to be treated equally with others. Especially since I can be standing right there and they'll ignore me to help someone else. The receptionists have always been the same they've added a couple but the core is consistent. I have great compassion for what they do, and am appreciative. However I don't want to be taken advantage of when I pay 23 bucks for a nail trim, about 15 dollars more for a fecal, and double for an exam fee then what I'm finding while asking other practices what they charge. I'm not saying they're horrible just that it's looking more and more like it's turned into not being a good fit for me.
I definitely understand where you are coming from. Going to the vet can get really expensive. I recently took my dog in for vaccines. I was charged over $100 for 2 vaccines and a fecal. I did not see the vet, the vaccines were given by the tech. I worked at that hospital for over 2 years and they did not give me a discount. Oh well....
It's unfortunate that bad customer service, on part of the receptionists, are making you want to leave. Since, you sound pretty happy with the vet himself. I hope everything works out for you.
Know what I'm wondering...do you think you could talk to the vet you feel really comfortable with...let them know how you are feeling and see if they can recommend a new vet for you? That's what Dr. James did for us and mom is really happy with our new vet.
We hated leaving Dr. James In fact, we were her very last patients before she left that practice. Mom cried. She went to start her own private practice, but it ended up being an hour away from us. So mom asked who she recommended in the area. We would have traveled the hour to see her but my sister Trudy doesn't do well in the car for long periods of time.
I don't blame you for being annoyed. I worked in a vets office for two years and I know that you can get a stool sample and a urine sample quite easily so it was no big deal that you didn't bring one with you. It really sounds like the front office needs an attitude adjustment!
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In fact, we were her very last patients before she left that practice. Mom cried. She went to start her own private practice, but it ended up being an hour away from us. So mom asked who she recommended in the area. We would have traveled the hour to see her but my sister Trudy doesn't do well in the car for long periods of time.
